Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic acid is abundant in fish, legumes, organ meats, whole grains and yogurt. However, if these foods are pre-processed, their Pantothenic acid content is significantly reduced. For example, whole grain products contain 50% less Pantothenic acid than the unprocessed whole grains, and legumes (beans) lose 80% of this nutrient when they are canned.

Why Pantothenic Acid Is Vital To Human Nutrition . . .

Also known as vitamin B5, Pantothenic acid assists the other B complex vitamins in converting food into usable energy. It is also an essential part of the body’s ability to produce various enzymes, which act as the catalyst to numerous biochemical reactions in the body. Pantothenic acid also helps support the central nervous system by preserving communication lines between the nervous system (nerves) and the brain. Pantothenic acid may also prove to be beneficial for dealing with allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, heartburn, migraines, and stress.

Pantothenic acid is an essential part of the body’s ability to produce stress hormone, and it is believed that when a person becomes over-stressed and thus overproduces stress hormones, the body becomes depleted of this vitamin and its stores must be replenished. Depression and anxiety are two forms of stress that increase the need for Pantothenic acid, so if you are experiencing any symptoms of stress, it is important that you take a daily multivitamin that includes vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid). Stress is a common factor in life-changing events. Migraines and chronic fatigue also trigger high levels of stress hormones, meaning that extra supplementation is also needed.

Interestingly, combining Pantothenic acid with choline and thiamin, two other B vitamin factors, may prove a helpful treatment for heartburn by acting on the central nervous system to maintain the digestive process. Pantothenic acid can also act as a decongestant helping to unclog nasal congestion during the allergic response.

How To Assure Adequate Pantothenic Acid Intake:

There is no RDA for Pantothenic acid, which is readily supplied in the foods we eat every day. In fact, Pantothenic acid is found in so many foods that deficiency is extremely rare. Experts recommend that you obtain adequate levels of this essential vitamin every day. You should be able to obtain adequate Pantothenic acid from daily diet and good multivitamin supplementation.