MAIN Health Vitamins & Minerals Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic Acid Fast Facts

Foods: peas and beans (except green beans), red meat, poultry, fish, whole-grain cereals

Nutritional & health benefits: studies suggest its role in nerve system function, wound healing, and anti-cholesterol lowering properties

Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is a vitamin with a number of important roles to play in the functioning of a healthy body.

Like several other vitamins in the vitamin B family, pantothenic acid is used in metabolism, along with the synthesis of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Pantothenic acid has another characteristic in common with many other members of the vitamin B family in that it is considered a stress fighter because of its role in the production of certain key hormones in the body.

Pantothenic acid is also used as a treatment for arthritis. Many people with arthritis suffer from a deficiency of pantothenic acid, and studies have shown that arthritis sufferers who increase their pantothenic acid intake benefit in a number of ways, including reduced pain and morning stiffness.

Pantothenic acid is also often used as a dream stimulant. Many people who take pantothenic acid report more vivid dreams, along with an increased chance of remembering the dreams in the morning.

Pantothenic acid, in particular when combined with vitamin C supplementation, is used for healing purposes. One study showed that when post-surgery patients were given pantothenic acid the speed at which their wounds healed was increased.

Those with persistent allergies may also benefit from pantothenic acid supplementation, which has been shown to reduce the severity of allergic reactions, particularly those affecting the digestive and respiratory systems.

Those wanting to supplement their pantothenic acid intake usually find it quite easy as it is common in many foods. Particularly good sources of pantothenic acid include most meats along with unprocessed grains.

More information about pantothenic acid around the Web:

Pantothenic Acid, Linus Pauling Institute's Micronutrient Information Center - With information on coenzyme A as a component factor, the role pantothenic acid plays in disease prevention with a discussion on wound healing and cholesterol-lowering properties. Also includes facts on deficiency, food sources, recommended intake, drug and nutrient interactions.

MedlinePlus Drug Information: Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B 5) - A summary of function, food sources, recommended daily allowances.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Overview of its role as the "anti-stress" vitamin and as a good converter of glucose to energy, with more info on pantothenic acid's wound healing and anti-cholesterol properties, natural dietary sources, recommended intakes by age level and possible drug interactions.

Pantothenic Acid - A complete description plus information on its benefits, how it works, indications and usage, detailed research summary, drug interactions, dosage by life stage and bibliography from PDRhealth.

Quest Health Library.com - Panthothenic Acid (B5) - Good fact bites on its benefits and uses, recommended daily allowance, natural and synthetic sources, references.