Mega Dose Pantothenic Acid (CT–417)
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Pantothenic acid was discovered in 1933 by the noted American biochemist Roger Williams. Dr. Williams found that animals deprived of vitamin B-5 developed a variety of degenerative diseases and eventually died. After many years of research on pantothenic acid, Dr. Williams concluded that the vitamin was commonly deficient in the American diet. In his words, “it is wishful thinking to suppose that people always get enough (from their diets).” Further, Dr. Williams provided convincing data that humans require as much as twice the pantothenic acid as animals. What’s more, he clearly documented the heightened need for B-5 in individuals suffering from constant psychological stress. Thus, it is no surprise that soon after he published his research, pantothenic acid became known as the “anti-stress vitamin.”
Pantothenic acid should also be nicknamed “the power vitamin.” That is because a deficiency of this vitamin results in weakness and/or fatigue, and supplementation with it usually leads to an immediate increase in vitality and strength. It makes sense that pantothenic acid would have this effect. It is required for the synthesis of adrenal hormones, and these hormones are responsible for the human body’s ability to cope with the normal stresses of existence and the abnormal ones as well.
The adrenal glands produce dozens of hormones, each of which is an essential component of the stress-coping mechanism. These hormones are also involved in the maintenance of normal body functions, such as salt and water retention, blood sugar regulation, anti-inflammatory activity, calcium and magnesium metabolism, libido, and immune activation.
Stress rapidly depletes tissue stores of pantothenic acid. Without adequate amounts of this vitamin the stress-induced deficiency of adrenal hormones becomes extreme. A severe deficiency of adrenal hormones may lead to a potentially fatal disease, known as Addison’s disease. More commonly, individuals suffer from the debilitating but rarely fatal condition called subclinical Addison’s disease. This condition results in such a wide range of symptoms that it is often underdiagnosed by physicians. This is unfortunate, since untold millions of Americans suffer from this debilitating condition.
Millions of Americans suffer from extreme and prolonged psychological stress. It is crucial to realize that the invaluable and life-preserving adrenal hormones are “used up” by stress. People who have endured prolonged stress are usually severely deficient in both pantothenic acid and adrenal hormones. What’s more, prolonged stress, as might occur form grieving, chronic health problems, and/or marital discord, can damage the adrenal glands, but only if a deficiency of pantothenic acid exists. This illustrates how crucial it is to maintain adequate tissue stores of the vitamin. Regular supplementation with pantothenic acid can help reverse stress-induced adrenal damage.
One particularly amazing feature of pantothenic acid is that a deficiency can cause symptoms to develop rather rapidly. Usually, it takes several months or perhaps years for a deficiency of a nutrient to surface in the form of symptoms and/or ailments. In contrast, Vitamin B-5 deficiency may cause symptoms to occur within days. Researchers discovered that a whole catalog of illnesses and symptoms resulted when pantothenic acid was selectively removed from the diet of human volunteers. Perhaps the most dominating finding was the damage that occurs to the adrenal glands. The researchers discovered that this damage was particularly acute if the adrenal glands were already severely stressed. Stress combined with pantothenic acid deficiency resulted in cell death within the glands. As a result, the ability of the glands to produce adrenal hormones was severely impaired. However, when the diet was supplemented with pantothenic acid, the damage was prevented and the function returned to normal.
Unfortunately, pantothenic acid is found in large amounts in relatively few foods. Top sources include organ meats, egg yolks, muscle meats, soybean flour, and royal jelly. Fruits, pasta, vegetables, and most beans are devoid of pantothenic acid. Thus, strict vegetarians frequently develop B-5 deficiencies.
Pantothenic Acid – Vitamin B-5
Water soluble. Needs water to be absorbed in the digestive tract.
Nutrients that maximize the amount the body can use: B complex (essential for proper functioning), B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, C.
Foods, drugs, nutrients and conditions that prevent the maximum utilization of this vitamin by the body: Alcohol, coffee.
Excellent natural sources: Brewer’s yeast, legumes, organ meats, salmon, wheat germ, whole grains. Here are some foods and their approximate pantothenic acid content:
Liver (beef), ¼ lb. (115 g) 8 mg.
Mushrooms (cooked), 1 cup (250 ml) 25 mg.
Elderberries (raw), 1 cup (250 ml) 82 mg.
Orange juice (fresh), 1 cup (250 ml) 45 mg.
Main body parts that it benefits: Adrenal glands, digestive tract, nerves, skin.
Main body functions it supports: Antibody formation, energy conversion (of carbohydrates, fats and protein), growth stimulation, vitamin utilization.
Symptoms of deficiency: Diarrhea, duodenal ulcers, eczema, hypoglycemia, intestinal disorders, kidney trouble, loss of hair, muscle cramps, premature aging, respiratory infections, restlessness, nerve problems, sore feet, vomiting.
Helpful in treating these conditions: Allergies, arthritis, baldness, cystitis, digestive disorders, hypoglycemia, tooth decay, stress.
Functions of pantothenic acid in your body:
Symptoms of pantothenic acid deficiency:
Deficiency due to:
The following are food sources of pantothenic acid from most to least: yeast (brewer’s), liver (calf), liver (chicken), kidneys (beef), peanuts, heart, mushrooms, soybean flour, split peas, tongue (beef), perch, blue cheese, pecans, soybeans, eggs, lobster, oatmeal(dry), buckwheat flour, sunflower seeds, lentils, rye flour (whole), cashews, salmon (fresh), Camembert cheese, garbanzos beans, wheat germ (toasted), broccoli, hazelnuts, turkey (dark meat), brown rice, whole-wheat flour, sardines, peppers (red chili), avocados, veal, black-eyed peas (dry), wild rice, cauliflower, chicken (dark meat), and kale.
Side Effects: None.
Pantothenic acid is used to treat:
VITAMIN B-5 (PANTHOTHENIC ACID) TEST
(each response worth 1 point)
Which of these apply to you?
1. chronic fatigue
2. fall asleep more easily sitting up
3. insomnia
4. bloating and/or distension after eating
5. rapid pounding of heart/pulse on exertion
6. burning feet and/or heels
7. hard pebble-like stools
8. chronic constipation
9. vague abdominal pains
10. nervousness
11. mood swings
12. anxiety and/or panic attacks
13. depression
14. extreme weakness
15. muscle cramps, especially cramps in the feet or toes
16. quarrelsome or hot-tempered behavior
17. low blood pressure
18. susceptibility to infections, especially sore throats
19. patchy hair loss (alopecia)
20. lack or coordination
21. faintness or fainting spells (blackouts)
22. crying spells
23. nausea and/or vomiting
24. eczema and/or psoriasis
25. jumpiness and/or shakiness
26. noise sensitivity
27. headaches
28. food allergies
29. sensitivity to chemicals
30. infrequent urination
31. compulsive behavior
32. inability to cope with stress
33. excessive sweating of palms and feet
34. impaired memory
35. pains in the lower neck and upper back
36. receding gums
37. vague abdominal pain
38. lack of appetite
39. restless leg syndrome (constant motion of legs at night)
40. bruxism (grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw at night)
41. sleep apnea
42. sleepiness during the day
43. agitation and/or temper tantrums
44. Do you take cortisone and/or use cortisone creams?
45. Have you been under severe stress recently?
46. Do you have a history of severe allergic disease such as hives,
eczema, and/or asthma?
47. Do you consume alcohol on a regular basis (one or more drinks per day)?
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8 or more checks = mild vitamin B-5 deficiency
Your Score ____ 10 or more checks = sub-clinical vitamin B-5 deficiency
___ 15 or more checks = severe vitamin V-5deficiency______