How Much Do You Know About Vitamin B5?

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is one of the most important vitamins for human life. It is essential for the production of blood cells and it helps you convert the food you eat into energy.

Vitamin B5 is one of the eight B vitamins. All B vitamins help you convert the protein, carbohydrates and fats you eat into energy.B vitamins are also needed for

Healthy skin, hair and eyes

Proper functioning of the nervous system and liver

A healthy digestive tract

Production of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body

Production of sex and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands

Foods rich in vitamin B12 or pantothenic acid, including mushrooms, nuts (e.g. almonds, Brazil nuts), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, liver, poultry, fortified cereals.

Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid is found naturally in foods, added to foods and used as a supplement. It is used to make coenzyme A (CoA), a compound that helps enzymes build and break down fatty acids and perform other metabolic functions, as well as acyl carrier proteins, which are also involved in the building of fats. Pantothenic acid is found in a wide range of foods. Bacteria in the gut can also produce some pantothenic acid, but not enough to meet dietary requirements.

 Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 and health

As pantothenic acid helps to break down fats, its potential role in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with dyslipidaemia has been investigated. In this condition, the concentration of fats or lipids (e.g. LDL 'bad' cholesterol, triglycerides) in the blood is abnormally high and the level of HDL 'good' cholesterol is low. Low levels of coenzyme A may prevent the breakdown and removal of fats from the blood. It has also been suggested that pantothenic acid may have antioxidant effects and may reduce the low level of inflammation that is present in the early stages of heart disease. However, research in this area is still limited and it is unclear whether pantothenic acid supplementation can lower blood lipids independently of a heart-healthy diet (or enhance its cholesterol-lowering effects).

A double-blind randomised trial administered 400 mg of coenzyme A or 600 mg of pantethine (another form of pantothenic acid that has been studied for the control of dyslipidaemia) daily for 8 weeks to 216 men and women with moderate dyslipidaemia.[3] Participants also received 400 mg of coenzyme A or 600 mg of pantethine, a form of pantothenic acid that has been studied for the control of dyslipidaemia. Participants also received advice on a cholesterol-lowering diet and after 8 weeks, triglyceride levels in the CoA group were reduced by 33% compared to baseline levels. Total cholesterol also decreased, while HDL cholesterol increased from baseline. The pantethine group showed a smaller reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides. No negative side effects of the supplementation were observed.

Food sources

Pantothenic acid is present to some extent in almost all plant and animal foods, as this vitamin is present in all living cells. The best sources are beef, chicken, offal, fortified cereals and some vegetables.

Fortified cereals

Organ meats (liver, kidneys)

Beef

Chicken breast

Mushrooms

Avocado

Nuts, seeds

Milk

Yoghurt

Potatoes

Eggs

Brown rice

Oats

Broccoli

Lacking

Cosmetic uses of B5

Vitamin B5 is often added to hair and skin products, as well as makeup. Dexpanthenol, a chemical made from B5, is used in creams and lotions designed to moisturize the skin.

In hair products, B5 can help add volume and sheen. It’s also said to improve the texture of hair that is damaged by styling or chemicals. One study Trusted Source found that the application of a compound containing panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, could help stop thinning hair. However, it won’t make your hair grow back.

For more information about the advantages of vitamin B5, please contact Zancheng for its latest offer!