General Description
A member of the B-vitamin complex, pantothenic acid is a water-soluble
vitamin that plays a vital role in all body processes that require
energy. Although the vitamin is essential in human nutrition, because
of its pervasiveness in foods, the only documented cases of pantothenic
acid deficiency are those produced in test subjects placed on a
B-5 deficient diet. The form of the vitamin most commonly used in
B-complex and multivitamin supplements is calcium pantothenate.
Pantethine, an active metabolite of vitamin B-5, is also available
as a supplement, but its activity in the body is markedly different
from that of pantothenic acid.
Food Sources
While all foods contain at least some pantothenic acid, some of
the richest sources include liver and other organ meats, milk,
fish, poultry, and whole grains.
Health applications
- Fatigue
- Athletic performance
- Adrenal function
- Alcoholism
Functions and uses
Pantothenic acid is required for the production of coenzyme A (CoA)
and acyl carrier protein (ACP), compounds that play crucial roles
in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats for energy production,
and in the manufacture of red blood cells and adrenal hormones.
While most people receive plenty of the vitamin in their regular
diets, some people, such as endurance athletes,1
people with coronary heart disease,2 and pregnant
and lactating women,3 may have increased pantothenic
acid requirements. In vitro studies suggest that pantothenic acid
may speed wound healing,4-6 which could make
supplementation useful for surgery patients as well. Alcohol appears
to impair the conversion of pantothenic acid into coenzyme A; therefore
chronic alcoholics may also have increased need for the vitamin.7,8
Dosage/toxicity
The reference daily intake (RDI) for pantothenic acid is 10 mg/day,
an amount easily obtained through food sources. Because excess
pantothenic acid is excreted through urine, the vitamin has no
known toxicity, even at very high doses.
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