Health Effects of Vitamin B5

Needs and Benefits from This Vital Supplementation in Your Diet

Aug 15, 2008

The average American diet is deficient in vitamin B5. There are a myriad of symptoms associated with this deficiency. Supplementation can yield many health benefits.

Vitamin B5 is an essential nutrient that the body requires in order to sustain life. It is also known as pantothenic acid which contributes to the body’s production of coenzyme-A, a crucial enzyme for the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Subsequently, a deficiency in Vitamin B5 can cause a wide array of physical symptoms.

Symptoms Associated with Vitamin B5 Deficiency

Some studies indicate that the average American intake of vitamin B5 is as high as 50% deficient. Deficiency to vitamin B5 can result in a myriad of symptoms. These include minor symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, allergies, fatigue, and burning sensations of the feet.. Additionally, more serious conditions are adrenal insufficiency and hepatic encephalopathy. It should be noted that these latter symptoms are rare, and are reversible.

In addition to possibly preventing the previously mentioned symptoms associated with vitamin B5 deficiency, there are a number of other benefits with vitamin B5 supplementation. Some of these benefits have been demonstrated with the use of vitamin B5 independently, or in conjunction with other vitamins, enzymes, or drugs.

Studies Demonstrating Health Benefits of Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 has shown to enhance the human skin healing process when taken in conjunction with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and Vitamin E. One particular study demonstrated increased healing for participants who had surgery related to their tattoos with this vitamin combination.

Yet another study demonstrated that 84% of participants with diabetic neuropathy reported enhanced improvement of symptoms when taking a combination of vitamin B5 and alpha-lipolic acid over taking alpha-lipolic acid (a common treatment for diabetic neuropathy) alone.

Acne is yet another malady that seems to be improved by vitamin B5 supplementation. Many theories suggest that hormones play a role in the development of acne vulgaris, although a specific mechanism has not been identified. Some theories hold that vitamin B5 influences the role of these hormones and that a deficiency of vitamin B5 triggers the development of acne. It has been shown that vitamin B5 supplementation reduces acne.

Vitamin B5 may be instrumental in preventing the development of ulcerative colitis. Tissue samples taken from the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis has shown significantly low levels of coenzyme A. Wherein a deficiency of vitamin B5 is related to reduced production of coenzyme A, it is suggestive that lower levels of vitamin B5 plays a role in the development of ulcerative colitis.

There is evidence that vitamin B5 is useful in treating patients with viral hepatitis. A study examined the use of supplemental vitamin B5 in patients with hepatitis A and found that there was an overall improvement in immune system function.

Vitamin B5 has been found to relieve constipation. A study examining the effect of vitamin B5 on constipation found that participants had significant relief from constipation as compared to those who were taking a placebo. Additional studies have confirmed that vitamin B5 helps relieve constipation in all age groups.

Yet another study examined the use of a topically applied vitamin B5 preparation. The results indicated that with vitamin B5 supplementation, there was reduced water loss through the skin. This suggests that vitamin B5 is beneficial to improve the form and function of the skin. This has an effect on the aging appearance of the skin.

Conclusion

The benefits of vitamin B5 have been clearly demonstrated through various studies. Given that there is a general lack of vitamin B intake in the average American’s diet, it makes sense to consider and implement vitamin B5 supplementation as part of your dietary intake.

Tarr JB. Tamura T. Stokstad EL., Availability of vitamin B5 and pantothenate in an average American diet in man. , American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 34(7):1328-37, 1981 Jul.

Vaxman F. Olender S. Lambert A. Nisand G. Aprahamian M. Bruch JF. Didier E. Volkmar P. Grenier JF., Effect of pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid supplementation on human skin wound healing process. A double-blind, prospective and randomized trial., European Surgical Research. 27(3):158-66, 1995.

Ellestad-Sayed JJ. Nelson RA. Adson MA. Palmer WM. Soule EH., The Role of Vitamin B5 in Colitis., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 29(12):1333-8, 1976 Dec.

Leung LH., Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris., Medical Hypotheses. 44(6):490-2, 1995 Jun.

Komar VI., The use of pantothenic acid preparations in treating patients with viral hepatitis A., Terapevticheskii Arkhiv. 63(11):58-60, 1991.

Gehring W. Gloor M., Effect of topically applied dexpanthenol on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum hydration. Results of a human in vivo study., Arzneimittel-Forschung. 50(7):659-63, 2000 Jul

Hanck AB. Goffin H., Dexpanthenol (Ro 01-4709) in the treatment of constipation., Acta Vitaminologica et Enzymologica. 4(1-2):87-97, 1982.

The copyright of the article Health Effects of Vitamin B5 in Vitamins & Minerals is owned by Ron Baams. Permission to republish Health Effects of Vitamin B5 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.