Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Pantothenic Acid in Whole Blood
Clinical Information
A component of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, panthothenic acid is important for many anabolic and catabolic reactions in the body. These include but are not limited to fatty acid synthesis and degradation and transfer of acetyl and acyl groups1.
Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency or Toxicity
Since the deficiencies are rare, symptoms specific to vitamin B5 is difficult to identify1.
Deficiency in vitamin B5 is rare due to its widespread availability in foods. However, deficiency may exist as a result of secondary causes1.
Toxicity of water-soluble vitamins is unlikely2.
Biomarker and Methods of Analysis
PANTOTHENIC ACID IN WHOLE BLOOD.
Whole blood contains the vitamin itself and the pantothenate metabolites which reflect intake3. Furthermore, serum contains free panthothenic acid which is devoid of co-enzyme A, important compound to free pantothenic acid6.
Supplementation Guide
No established clinical guidelines for supplementation. However, a supplemental dosage of 200 mg/day is acceptable7.
A UL for B5 is yet to be determined for Filipinos. However, the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IDSA) suggests an observed safe level of 1,000 mg4.
Large doses of panthothenic acid may compete with biotin for uptake by human sodium-dependent transporter5.
Food Sources
Panthothenic acid is abundant in foods of both plant and animal origin. The most significant sources are animal organs such as liver and kidney, fish, shellfish, milk products, eggs, avocadoes, legumes, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes5.
(1) Office of Dietary Supplements-National Institutes of Health. Panthothenic Acid. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-HealthProfessional/
(2) Sriram K and Lonchyna VA. Micronutrient supplementation in adult nutrition therapy: Practical considerations. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 2009; 33(5): 548-562.
(3) Bralley, J.A., Lord, R.S. (2012). Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine. 2nd ed. Duluth, Ga: Metametrix Institute.
(4) Hathcock , John H. Safety of Vitamin and Minral Supplements. Safe Levels Identified by Risk Assessment. April 2004.
(5) Higdon J, Drake VJ, Delage B. (April 2015). Micronutrient Information Center. Panthothenic Acid. Retrieved from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/pantothenic-acid.
(6) Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6,pantothenic acid, and biotin http://mineralmed.com.pt/documentos/pdf/f90b6b01-df5b-418b-99be-b7fe28324d90.pdf (7) Council for Responsible Nutrition. (2013). Excerpted from: Vitamin and Mineral Safety 3rd Edition (2013) Council for Responsible Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.crnusa.org/sites/default/files/files/resources/18-CRNVMS3-PANTOTHENICACID.pdf Retrieved: 8/4/2017
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