Truth is we’ve been delaying this article for a while until we had enough information & facts to allow us to enlighten our readers.
Why Do We Need Vitamin B5?
These include: converting food into glucose
synthesizing cholesterol
forming sex and stress-related hormones
forming red blood cells As with all B vitamins, pantothenic acid helps the body break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins so that our bodies can use them for energy and rebuilding tissues, muscles, and organs. Coenzyme A Vitamin B5 has a role in synthesizing coenzyme A. Coenzyme A is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids and is important for converting foods into fatty acids and cholesterol. Coenzyme A is also needed for the creation of sphingosine, a fat-like molecule that helps deliver chemical messages inside the body’s cells.
The liver needs Coenzyme A to metabolize some drugs and toxins safely. Vitamin B2 helps manage stress, but there is no evidence that pantothenic acid reduces stress. Researchers noted a “significant mean reduction in total lesion count” after 12 weeks of taking a B5 dietary supplement.
Cholesterol and triglycerides Some studies suggest that vitamin B5 intake can help lower cholesterol and levels of blood triglycerides, or fats. However, more evidence is needed to confirm these results.
Deficiency
Vitamin B5 deficiency is extremely rare in people as pantothenic acid is found in nearly all foods.
A healthy and varied diet should provide a person with enough. Clinical trials have shown, however, that a deficiency may lead to: tiredness
apathy
depression
irritability
sleep disorders
stomach pains
nausea
vomiting
numbness
muscle cramps
hypoglycemia
burning feet
upper respiratory infections A deficiency of B5 can cause an increased sensitivity to insulin. In mice, a vitamin B5 deficiency led to skin irritation and graying of the fur, but this was reversed when pantothenic acid was given.
However, according to Oregon State University, “In humans, there is no evidence that taking pantothenic acid as supplements or using shampoos containing pantothenic acid can prevent or restore hair color.” Jane Higdon, Ph.D., Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University When the level of B5 intake is restored to normal, many of these symptoms are reversed. Food sources of Vitamin B5 Vitamin B5 is widely found in both animals and plant products. Sources include: Meat: Pork, chicken, turkey duck, beef, and especially animal organs such as liver and kidney
Fish: Salmon, lobster, and shellfish.
Grains: Whole grain breads and cereals. Legumes: Lentils, split peas, and soybeans. Vegetables: Mushrooms, avocado, broccoli, sweet potatoes, corn, cauliflower, kale, and tomatoes.
Dietary Sources
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Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, is one of 8 B vitamins. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body use fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver.
In addition to playing a role in the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates for energy, vitamin B5 is critical to the manufacture of red blood cells, as well as sex and stress-related hormones produced in the adrenal glands, small glands that sit atop the kidneys. Vitamin B5 is also important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract, and it helps the body use other vitamins, particularly B2 (also called riboflavin). It is sometimes called the “anti-stress” vitamin, but there is no concrete evidence whether it helps the body withstand stress.
A derivative of pantothenic acid called pantethine is being studied to see if it may help lower cholesterol levels in the body. Vitamin B5 deficiency is rare, but may include symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory infections. High Cholesterol/High Triglycerides
Several small, double-blind studies suggest that pantethine may help reduce triglycerides, or fats, in the blood in people who have high cholesterol.
But not all studies agree. Skin Care and Wound Healing
Preliminary research suggests that vitamin B5 has moisturizing effects on the skin, however, researchers aren’t clear why it works. This may be particularly true if vitamin B5 is combined with vitamin C.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Preliminary evidence suggests that pantothenic acid might improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the evidence is weak.