Vitamin B-Complex

At Work in Athletic Performance

Traditionally, pantothenic acid has been overlooked since usually an ample supply is found in a well-balanced diet. However, recent findings have suggested supplementation with this vitamin to be very beneficial, especially when taken in conjunction with the other B vitamins. It is important to keep in mind that all the B vitamins work best when taken together. In combination, they create a synergism for maximum benefit to the body. They are much more powerful when taken together than when alone. The key to vitamin B5 is timing its intake into the body with the other B vitamins, which is difficult to do in a regular diet.

Pantothenic acid is a component of the vitamin B-complex that plays a number of vital metabolic roles in the body. Included in these functions are aiding in the production of energy and also adrenal gland hormones.* Because of its relationship to these activities, it has become increasingly popular in regard to energy and athletic performance.

Pantothenic acid may also promote joint and skin health.* Further, it may also play a role in the normal functioning of the immune system.* There have been findings of reduced immunity to certain infectious agents when a vitamin B5 deficiency occurs.

Scientific References

Aprahamian M, et al. Effects of supplemental pantothenic acid on wound healing: Experimental study in rabbit. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 41:578-589. 1985.

Barton-Wright EC and WA Elliot. The pantothenic acid metabolism of rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2:862-863. 1963.

Borets VM. Lis MA. Pyrochkin VM. Kishkovich VP. Butkevich ND. [Therapeutic efficacy of pantothenic acid preparations in ischemic heart disease patients]. [Russian] Voprosy Pitaniia. (2):15-7, 1987 Mar-Apr.

Gilman AG, Rall TW, Nies AS, et al (eds). Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed. Pergamon Press. New York. NY 1990.

Hemmer W, Bracun R, Wolf-Abdolvahab S, et al. Maintenance of hand eczema by oral pantothenic acid in a patient sensitized to dexpanthenol. Contact Dermatitis. 37:51. 1997.

Leung LH. Pantothenic acid as a weight-reducing agent: fasting without hunger, weakness and ketosis. Medical Hypotheses. 44(5):403-5, 1995 May.

Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Med Hypotheses. 44(6):490-492, 1995 June.

Litoff D, Scherzer H and J Harrison. Effects of pantothenic acid supplementation on human exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 17:287. 1985.

Moiseenok AG. Komar VI. Khomich TI. Kanunnikova NP. Slyshenkov VS. Pantothenic acid in maintaining thiol and immune homeostasis. Biofactors. 11(1-2):53-5, 2000.

Nice C, et al. The effects of pantothenic acid on human exercise capacity. Journal of Sports Medicine. 24:26-29. 1984.

Ostman-Smith I. Brown G. Johnson A. Land JM. Dilated cardiomyopathy due to type II X-linked 3-methylglutaconic aciduria: successful treatment with pantothenic acid. British Heart Journal. 72(4):349-53, 1994 Oct.

Walsh J, Wyse B and R Hansen. Pantothenic acid content of 75 processed and cooked foods. J Am Diet Assoc. 78:140-144. 1981.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.