Pantothenic Acid and Your Health

Pantothenic acid is an essential nutrient required to sustain life even if you don't know how to spell it. Find out if you're getting enough or if you need supplements and a new shampoo.

Pantothenic Acid: Overview

Pantothenic acid is also called vitamin B5. It's part of coenzyme A that is necessary for many chemical reactions that sustain your life and health. You need it for everything from maintaining proper liver function to getting adequate nutrition by transforming your food into energy. It's widely available in most foods and contained in many health supplements. It's very rare for a person to suffer a deficiency unless they are severely malnourished. Sadly, this hasn't stopped experimentation on animals so researchers have induced spinal nerve damage, skin irritation and other effects in animals for issues as trivial as restoring hair color. In the end, they found out it doesn't even reverse gray hair in humans, but having learned this I may never use some hair and skin products again such as Pantene shampoo.

Pantothenic Acid: Nutrition

As mentioned, pantothenic acid is found in most foods. Many nutritious foods are also especially good source of pantothenic acid including whole grains, broccoli, yogurt, shellfish, mushrooms, avocado, sweet potatoes, royal jelly, and legumes. The Linus Pauling Institute suggests that a varied diet will provide an adequate level for most people including seniors, but that taking oral contraceptives may increase the requirement for pantothenic acid.

Pantothenic Acid: Supplements

If you eat a healthy diet you probably do not need supplements. Still, if you are concerned about your nutrition and want additional sources, these are some of the most popular supplements at Vitacost where you can usually find the best prices on vitamins and other products. Their top seller is NSI Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid containing 200 capsules with a 500 mg dose for $9.99 compared to a retail price of $21.20. It gets 4 and a half stars from 19 users who say it gives them energy, clears up their acne, and makes their hair grow faster. The directions are to take one capsule a day or as recommended by your physician. Twinlab Pantothenic Acid also containing 200 capsules with a 500 mg dose gets a full 5 stars from 7 users citing similar benefits. The price is $11.69 compared to the retail price of $27.29.

Pantothenic acid is vital for your health and nutrition, but most people get enough from natural sources without having to buy supplements.

Sources: Linus Pauling Institute