What Is Pantothenic Acid?

Pantothenic acid may also be called vitamin B5. This vitamin appears to be an essential one, as it seems to help the body make red blood cells and some hormones, including stress hormones. Many foods appear to contain vitamin B5. This may include potatoes, whole-grain cereal, cabbage, and broccoli. Individuals over fourteen years old may need to get five milligrams of vitamin B5 daily. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may need up to seven milligrams a day. Thankfully, a deficiency in this vitamin seems to be rare in the United States. It may only appear in malnourished individuals.

Patients may take vitamin B5 supplements for a deficiency. However, it seems that pantothenic acid supplements for acne are also common. They may be good supplements for adrenal gland health as well. Some individuals claim that these supplements provide them with arthritis pain relief. Unfortunately, patients may need more knowledge on how this vitamin works so that they can buy the best vitamin B5 supplements.

How It Should Work

Pantothenic acid seems to be water-soluble. This vitamin may also be vital to coenzyme A synthesis. This enzyme appears to be quite essential and is used in the body's citric acid cycle. The body should break down carbohydrates as well as fats and other nutrients for energy. Many vitamin B5 supplements seem to contain pantothenol. When individuals take these supplements, their body should convert this ingredient into pantothenic acid. Some supplements may also contain calcium pantothenate. This salt should protect the supplements from deterioration due to acid and heat. It should also help keep them potent.

Learn about the possible uses for this supplement next.

Possible Uses

B-vitamins, such as this one, appear to help the body convert carbohydrates into energy. This seems to apply to protein and fats as well. Vitamin B5 may be essential for an individual's hair, eye, and skin health. It may support liver function and the nervous system as well. Reports also indicate that it may be vital for producing red blood cells. Vitamin B5 seems to help the adrenal glands produce some hormones, such as stress hormones, also. Patients may need supplements to treat vitamin B5 deficiency. This may relieve symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and impaired muscle coordination.

Some individuals may take these supplements for other reasons. Many of them say that it appears to help treat acne, pink eye, dermatitis, and yeast infections. These supplements may help with depression, allergies, low blood pressure, and leg cramps as well. Certain patients seem to take them for obesity, premenstrual syndrome, and wound healing. Unfortunately, research does not appear to be conclusive. These supplements do not seem to be proven as a treatment for these issues. Patients may want to ask their doctor about proven treatments first.

Reveal the potential side effects of this supplement next.

Potential Side Effects

Vitamin B5 supplements appear to have many potential side effects. The most common may be an upset stomach. Other frequent ones seem to include headaches, constipation, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness. Some individuals may deal with urinary tract infections or new-onset diabetes if they take these supplements. Additional side effects that patients may want to watch out for appear to be joint pain, muscle pain, and a lack of energy.

In addition, vitamin B5 supplements may result in changes in blood test results. Two examples of these changes seem to be increased alanine transaminase and increased creatine phosphokinase. These supplements also appear to carry a risk of pancreatitis and flu-like symptoms. Rare side effects of pantothenic acid supplements may include muscle wasting, jaundice, and muscle disease. Overall, patients should ask their doctor before taking these supplements. They may want to report side effects promptly. Finally, it seems that they may need urgent medical help for severe vomiting or diarrhea due to these supplements.

Uncover the possible precautions next.

Possible Precautions

Individuals may want to talk to their doctor before taking vitamin B5 supplements. This conversation should include elements such as their medical history and current medications. Pregnant women or those who breastfeed may need to ask about the safety of these supplements first. Patients with allergies seem to need extra caution as well. This may include allergies to food and other medications or supplements. They may wish to detail their reactions to their doctor.

Patients should consider asking about the safest effective dose. They may also need to have regular blood tests while they are on these supplements. The results appear to dictate when they should stop taking them. However, patients may want to wait until talking to their doctor before stopping these supplements or changing their dose. Finally, it seems that taking them with water and food may help patients avoid an upset stomach.

Continue reading to discover potential medication interactions next.

Potential Medication Interactions

Vitamin B5 supplements do not seem to have any severe medication interactions. However, it may have a few moderate interactions. These supplements appear to interact with certain antibiotics. Examples of these antibiotics may include clarithromycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin. There may also be over sixty mild interactions linked to vitamin B5 supplements.

These potential medication interactions appear to be why individuals should give their doctor an updated medication list. This list may need to include prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter medications. Patients may want to ask their pharmacist to check for potential interactions before they buy any vitamin B5 supplements as well.