| Vitamin B5 is also known as pantothenic acid. | | | | |
| Its name is derived from the Greek word | | | | · abdominal and muscle cramps |
| pantos meaning "from everywhere," as small | | | | |
| quantities of pantothenic acid are found in | | | | · vomiting |
| nearly every food. | | | | |
| | | | · anaemia |
| In its functional form, vitamin B5 gets | | | | |
| combined with another small, | | | | · insomnia and depression |
| sulfur-containing molecule to form coenzyme A | | | | |
| (or CoA). | | | | · stunted growth |
| | | | |
| This conversion allows vitamin B5 to | | | | · restlessness |
| participate in a wide variety of chemical and | | | | |
| organic reactions. Coenzyme A is needed to | | | | Most of these symptoms and signs get resolved |
| carry out various metabolic functions, and | | | | with external administration of pantothenic |
| for the generation of energy in the form of | | | | acid. |
| ATP from fats, carbohydrates and proteins. | | | | |
| | | | Vitamins B12, folic acid and biotin are |
| Roger J. Williams, the discoverer of | | | | required for proper use of vitamin B5 in the |
| pantothenic acid suggested that Vitamin B5 | | | | body's biochemical activities. In addition, |
| might be helpful in the management of certain | | | | vitamin C somewhat helps prevent B5 |
| medical disorders, such as rheumatoid | | | | deficiency. |
| arthritis. | | | | |
| | | | Dosage of Vitamin B5 - |
| Functions of Vitamin B5 -v Vitamin B5 is also | | | | |
| known as the anti-stress vitamin at times. It | | | | Since deficiency of pantothenic acid is rare, |
| is one of the eight water soluble B complex | | | | so there is no recommended daily intake for |
| vitamins.v Vitamin B5 helps production of the | | | | this vitamin. Pantothenic acid is mostly |
| cellular antioxidant glutathione, and is | | | | included in B-complex multivitamins. The RDA |
| therefore an essential vitamin for all life | | | | for men is 10 mg and women is 8 mg. |
| forms.v Helps in the break down | | | | |
| carbohydrates, proteins and fats for energy - | | | | Normal daily intake of pantothenic acid for |
| thus a stamina enhancer.v This vitamin plays | | | | adults is 4 to 7 milligrams. Vitamin B5 |
| an important role in production of adrenal | | | | should be taken with water, preferably after |
| hormones in the adrenal glands.v Vitamin B5 | | | | eating. |
| helps to produce neurotransmitters, | | | | |
| cholesterol required for proper nerve and | | | | Pantothenic acid does not usually cause any |
| muscle performance.v It is also responsible | | | | side effects, but pregnant and lactating |
| for haemoglobin production and metabolism of | | | | mothers should be careful to consume only the |
| toxins by the liver.v It plays an important | | | | normal daily intake. |
| role in cell division, DNA reproduction and | | | | |
| RNA transcription.v It regulates the | | | | Vitamin B5 can be found in multivitamins, B |
| formation of stress hormones and hair | | | | complex vitamins, or sold individually under |
| pigmentation. | | | | the name of pantothenic acid and calcium |
| | | | pantothenate. It is available in a variety of |
| Deficiency of Vitamin B5 - | | | | forms including tablets and capsules, and |
| | | | must be taken under medical supervision. |
| It is an unlikely that an adult will have a | | | | |
| deficiency of vitamin B5 because of the | | | | Dietary sources of Vitamin B5 - |
| availability of B5 in many foods, plus the | | | | |
| fact that it is also produced by our | | | | The term pantothenic acid is derived from the |
| intestinal bacteria. | | | | Greek word pantos, meaning everywhere. |
| | | | Vitamin B5 is widely distributed in plant and |
| However, a deficiency of Vitamin B5 causes | | | | animal food sources, where it occurs in both |
| fatigue, muscle weakness, personality | | | | bound and free forms. |
| changes, psoriasis, and headache. Vitamin B5 | | | | |
| is often used to treat the symptoms of | | | | Pantothenic acid is richly found in peanuts, |
| rheumatoid arthritis, edema, swelling, pain, | | | | liver, kidney, cauliflower, mushrooms, seeds |
| and stiffness in joints. | | | | and other nuts, pumpkin, mushrooms, legumes, |
| | | | sweet potato, milk, soya, cheese, egg yolk, |
| Pantothenic acid is also recommended to | | | | fish, chicken, wholegrain bread and cereals, |
| prevent stress and relieve insomnia, | | | | and bananas. The richest sources of the |
| arthritis, food intolerance and teeth | | | | vitamin are the ovaries of cod and tuna fish. |
| grinding. | | | | |
| | | | Breakfast cereals are also a good source if |
| Oral application of pantothenic acid helps | | | | they have been fortified with pantothenic |
| relieve many skin problems and cure wounds. | | | | acid. |
| | | | |
| Who are at risk of Vitamin B5 deficiency?v | | | | Do not add soda to the water used for cooking |
| Women who are on birth control pills are | | | | vegetables - it will destroy the pantothenic |
| recommended to take extra doses of Vitamin | | | | acid. |
| B5.v Smokers and alcoholics also fall under | | | | |
| this category.v People undergoing stress, | | | | Vitamin B5 storage - |
| prone to allergies or eating too many refined | | | | |
| foods might develop a shortage of this | | | | Vitamin B5 is relatively unstable in food, |
| vitamin. | | | | and significant amounts of this vitamin can |
| | | | be lost through cooking, freezing, and |
| Symptoms of Vitamin B5 deficiency - | | | | commercial processing. |
| | | | |
| ·painful & burning feet | | | | Vitamins are easily destroyed and washed out |
| | | | during food preparation and storage. Store |
| · skin abnormalities | | | | vitamin supplements at room temperature, in a |
| | | | dry place that is free of moisture. |
| · numbness and poor coordination | | | | |