---

Pantothenic Acid is one of the major vitamins in the B Complex group and it's widely known as Vitamin B5. The name, derived from the Greek word 'panthos' which means everywhere reflects the presence of the vitamin in most food sources and its importance to your health.

Discovered in the 1930s, this vitamin has plenty of uses. Besides working like all its other cousins in the B complex group in converting food into energy, it's also best known as a 'stress busting' vitamin. One of the main reasons is because the vitamin plays a role in regulating stress hormones produced by your adrenal glands.

Next, the vitamin is also known to assist in boosting your immune system and help ward off many infections and diseases. It's needed to produce antibodies and proteins that fight of foreign substances in the blood.

A biologically active derivative of vitamin B5 is Pantethine, recently popular as a dietary supplement that helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Many say that this derivative is much more effective than the original vitamin B5.

---

Main functions of Pantothenic Acid

• Vital for energy conversion
• Boosts your immune system
• Keeps skin and hair in good condition
• Reduces stress levels
• Assists in antibodies production

It's said that the vitamin also seems to be effective in preventing acne breakouts. If you are suffering from acne problems, a high dose of Pantothenic acid might be able to help you to control the problem. However, taking higher dosages are only recommended under medical supervision as possible side effects might occur.

---

Hair Benefits

In case you don't realize by now, another form of vitamin B3 is very closely associated with many hair products like shampoos and conditioners. Panthenol, a derivative of Pantothenic acid and acting as a pro-vitamin is mainly found in many hair products and cosmetics as a primary ingredient due to its benefits on the hair and skin.

Panthenol has many known positive effects on the hair including being a humectant, soothing agent and also a very effective moisturizer. The pro-vitamin is able to coat the hair fibres with a thick transparent lubricant that creates a shinning and smooth layer on the hair. Even the world's famous shampoo Pantene Pro-V gets its name from this particular pro-vitamin.

For the skin, Panthenol has great anti-inflammatory qualities and assists in regenerating skin cells. It's also medically used for treating certain wounds and infections too.

It's important that you do not confuse Pantothenic acid as an oral supplement and Panthenol for topical application. Although the latter is derived from the former vitamin, its modified form and application method can yield very different results.

---

Deficiency Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Poor Concentration
• Tingling of hands and feet
• Muscle cramps and tremors
• Headaches

It's highly unlikely that you will face deficiency in this particular vitamin because most diets provide more than adequate quantities. However, do take note that caffeine, alcohol, smoking, sleeping pills and contraceptives can reduce the levels of vitamin b5 in your body.

---

Essential Information

Recommended Daily Allowance for Adults

6mg

Main Food Sources Royal Jelly Liver and kidney Brewer's yeast Nuts Whole grains

---

Precautions

Vitamin B5 is not known to be toxic to humans but you might encounter stomach upsets when you take doses above 300mg per day. There are reports that using high doses (>300mg) per day of the vitamin leads to hair thinning. This is probably when taken in high doses, the vitamin can overlap the efficacy of other essential nutrients, so thread with caution and take only what you need.

Return to Top of Pantothenic Acid
Back to Vitamin B Complex
Back to Hair Supplements
Return to Surviving-Hairloss.com

---