Pantothenic Acid Deficiency

Pantothenic Acid, also known as vitamin B5, is essential to all forms of life.

It is a component of coenzyme A (CoA), which is an essential coenzyme in a variety of reactions that sustain life. Liquid vitamins are especially helpful with this nutrient as they deliver a consistent and recommended amount with each dosage.

CoA is required for chemical reactions that generate energy from food (fat, carbohydrates, and proteins). The synthesis of essential fats, cholesterol, and steroid hormones, requires CoA.

World War II prisoners experienced pantothenic acid deficiency as they reported numbness and painful burning and tingling in their feet, which was relieved specifically by this supplement.

The administration of pantothenic acid orally and application of pantothenol ointment to the skin has shown to accelerate the closure of "skin wounds" and increased the healing of scar tissue in animals.

Although not directly related to deficiency of this nutrient, there are some real potential benefits with this supplement.

A derivative called pantethine has been reported by a number of investigations to have cholesterol lowering effects.

It has also been found to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood of diabetic patients on hemodialysis without any side effects.

You should always check with your physician before taking any type of supplements.

Food sources of this vitamin are available in a variety of foods.

Foods that are rich in this vitamin include liver and kidney, yeast, egg yolk, and broccoli. Fish, shellfish, milk, yogurt, mushrooms, avocado, and sweet potatoes are also very good sources.

Liquid vitamins and supplements are excellent sources of this vitamin also because of their superior absorption ratio.

Supplements commonly contain pantothenol, a more stable alcohol derivative, which is rapidly converted by humans to pantothenic acid.

Calcium and sodium D-pantothenate, the calcium and sodium salts of this nutrient are also available as supplements.

There are several very good brands of liquid vitamins and supplements available in today's market.

Pantothenic Acid Deficiency

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