Pantothenic acid or pantothenate, also known as Vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the healthy functioning of your body. This vital vitamin is also popularly known as an anti-stress nutrient, since it stimulates the production of stress hormones by the adrenal glands.
Pantothenic acid also plays an important role in the production of energy including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, cholesterol, steroid hormones, porphyrin and phospholipids. Important body functions like cell metabolism, hormonal balance, cholesterol synthesis, DNA replication and production of hemoglobin require pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid can be supplied by most foods like meat, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Here are some symptoms of Pantothenic Acid Deficiency:
1. Fatigue and Apathy:
Pantothenic acid is a component of CoA that converts carbohydrates, proteins and fats acquired from food into energy. CoA deficiency can make your body feel drained of energy. This can also make you feel sluggish and disinterested in the surroundings.
2. Numbness and Cramps:
Pantothenic acid stimulates the production of the neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine. This function is vital for both the peripheral and central nervous system. Acetylcholine helps in controlling the autonomous muscle contractions and other sensory perceptions. Pantothenic acid deficiency can reduce the production of acetylcholine and cause prolonged muscle tetanus, prickliness or numbness.
3. Hypoglycemia:
When your body is sensitive to insulin, it can cause hypoglycemia. These patients exhibit anxiety, sweating, shakiness, palpitation. Deficiency of pantothenic acid increases the binding ability of insulin receptors and makes you responsive to insulin fluctuations.
4. Excessive Stress:
Pantothenic acid is vital for breaking down fats into fatty acids that are the building blocks of hormones. Pantothenic acid deficiency reduces the production of anti-stress hormones in the adrenal glands and leads to depression, anxiety and irritability. This can also cause chronic fatigue syndrome due to lower adrenal functioning.
5. Insomnia:
Cortisol levels in the blood increase without balanced adrenal regulation. This can cause sleeplessness and increased irritability.
6. Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis inflammation can have a greater impact on the tissues, organs and joints. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffer from joint pain, swelling, stiffness and joint deformation. Rheumatoid arthritis patients have lower pantothenic acid which could otherwise reduce swelling and pain.
7. Poor Blood Profile:
Pantothenic acid breaks down into panthenol which reduces the level of low-density cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Higher triglyceride level patients have less pantothenic acid and this can cause heart attacks and strokes. Pantothenic acid has shown positive results in treating poor blood profiles.
Here are some health benefits of Pantothenic Acid:
1. Synthesizer:
Vitamin B5 aids as a synthesizer for the human body. This is required for the proper formation of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, antibiotics and adrenal hormones.
2. Stress Reducer:
Vitamin B5 is known to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. This helps to maintain the fitness of your mind by regulating the hormones responsible for regulating your mental condition.
3. Heart Health:
This has shown positive results in maintaining a healthy heart. It helps in the regulation of cholesterol and maintains proper blood pressure.
4. Builds Stamina:
Vitamin B5 is useful to reduce body fatigue and weariness of the entire body. This also increases the stamina of your body and helps you to perform tasks in a better way. This is important for active individuals and athletes.
5. Skin and Hair:
Pantothenic acid helps to maintain healthy skin and hair. It can also delay the appearance of premature aging signs like wrinkles and age spots. Pantothenic acid is vital for the pigmentation of your hair and prevents color loss.
6. Health of the Immune System:
Pantothenic acid strengthens the immune system of the body. This is useful to fight off infections and diseases.
7. Hemoglobin:
This acid boosts the level of hemoglobin in the human body.
Here is a list of the most popular Pantothenic Acid Tablets:
1. Biovea:
Biovea helps in the production of red blood cells and adrenal hormones, required for energy production in your body. This tablet enhances the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
2. Amway Nutrilite Daily:
Amway Nutrilite Daily can be consumed every day. This has to be taken in a dose of 1 tablet daily or as advised by your doctor. This is a multivitamin and multi-mineral tablet that contains 13 vitamins and 11 minerals. Amway Nutrilite Daily also comes packed with the goodness of natural products like parsley, spinach, watercress, acerola cherry, alfalfa and carrot. This adds to your daily nutritional value that may not be obtained from your daily diet. This has an exclusive nutrilock coating that makes them easier to swallow. This is free from artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
3. Puritan’s Pride Pantothenic Acid 200 mg:
Puritan’s Pride Pantothenic Acid helps to maintain the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This converts fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. Puritan’s Pride Pantothenic Acid doesn’t contain any artificial color, flavor, sweetener, preservatives, starch, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, wheat, yeast, fish or sodium.
