In order to attain the most optimal health status, it is very important to have a healthy diet plan that includes many foods which possess numerous essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals. These will help you achieve the finest health status. One of the most essential of these nutrients is pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5. Just like other B vitamins, pantothenic is water-soluble. The particular type of B vitamin helps alleviate anxiety and stress, allergies, hair loss, asthma, heart conditions and respiratory conditions. There are more health benefits to pantothenic acid than meets the eye. In this article, we will be learning more about this particular essential vitamin.
Pantothenic Acid, or Vitamin B5: What Is It?
Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble type of B vitamin. It is widely available in both animals and plants, including milk, eggs, legumes, cereal grains, vegetables and meat. The major function of this vitamin is in the synthesis of the coenzyme A, or CoA, and the acyl carrier protein. Furthermore, CoA is important for degrading and synthesizing fatty acid, transferring acyl and acetyl groups and other catabolic and anabolic processes. The main function of the acyl carrier protein is actually in the synthesis of fatty acid.
A wide range of animal and plant food sources actually contain pantothenic acid. Approximately 85 percent of dietary pantothenic acid is in either the phosphopantetheine or the CoA form. These two forms are then converted to pantothenic acid through the digestive enzymes in the intestinal cells and lumen. Pantothenic acid is immersed into the intestine and delivered straight to the bloodstream through active transport. Most of the pantothenic acid in your tissues is actually in the CoA form, but smaller quantities are present as free pantothenic acid or the acyl carrier protein.
Pantothenic acid has a long list of uses, although there is not enough scientific evidence to determine if it’s effective for most of these. People take pantothenic acid to treat dietary deficiencies, asthma, baldness, alcoholism and more. It is also beneficial in reducing the signs of aging and reducing the risk of colds and infections.
Furthermore, pantothenic acid is important for the body to appropriately use lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, as well as to promote healthy skin.
Sources of Pantothenic Acid
Almost all plant-based and animal-based products contain pantothenic acid in wavering amounts. Some of the most saturated dietary sources are whole grains, organ meats, chicken, beef and various types of vegetables. Furthermore, pantothenic acid is a good addition to various foods, like cereals and beverages.
Plant and animal tissues may contain relatively high amounts of pantothenic acid. Nevertheless, food processing may cause a significant losses of this.
Recommended Intake of Pantothenic Acid
| Age | Male | Female |
| Newly Born to 6 months | 1.7 milligrams | 1.7 milligrams |
| 7 to 12 months old | 1.8 milligrams | 1.8 milligrams |
| 1 to 3 years old | 2 milligrams | 2 milligrams |
| 4 to 8 years old | 3 milligrams | 3 milligrams |
| 9 to 13 years old | 4 milligrams | 4 milligrams |
| 14 to 18 years old | 5 milligrams | 5 milligrams |
| 19 years old and above | 5 milligrams | 5 milligrams |
Health Benefits of Pantothenic Acid
Here are some of the most striking health benefits of pantothenic acid:
- Helps increase hemoglobin levels.Pantothenic acid is essential in enhancing or increasing the levels of hemoglobin in the body. Furthermore, it also helps the liver metabolize toxic substances.
- Helps boost immunity. Pantothenic acid is essential in making the immune system stronger and fighting against numerous diseases and infections. Eat vitamin B5-rich foods, and you’re guaranteed to have a boost in immunity.
- Aids in hair and skin health. Vitamin B5 is essential in keeping the skin healthier and more attractive. Furthermore, it also helps delay the appearance of premature signs of aging. like age spots and wrinkles.
- Helps improve heart health. Pantothenic acid is essential in keeping the heart in normal functioning condition. Moreover, it also regulates cholesterol levels and helps control blood pressure.
- Helps relieve stress. Pantothenic acid has the ability to relieve anxiety and stress, which may ensure fitness of the mind. It actually does this by regulating the hormones that are responsible for the onset of these mental conditions.
- Helps stimulate the hormones. Since pantothenic acid may act as a synthesizer of various components necessary for the body, it is beneficial in stimulating the hormones.
The health benefits of pantothenic acid can attest to the fact that this vitamin is really beneficial for you!
