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.