Vitamin B5 (Pantethine)

WHAT IS PANTETHINE (Vitamin B5)?

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, or pantothenate, is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins and is found in all of the body's cells, especially concentrated in the organs. Vitamin B5 fulfills a variety of important functions in the body including helping to convert food into energy, balancing blood sugar, reducing cholesterol, controlling blood pressure, supporting nervous system function, and preventing nerve damage. B5 is also widely recognized as a stress support vitamin because supplementation helps tame symptoms of mood disorders including low mood, irritability, and anxiety.

In the diet, vitamin B5 is found in its natural form, pantothenic acid. Foods rich in vitamin B5 include, most vegetables, fish, eggs, chicken, beef, pork, avocados, sunflower seeds, milk, and lentils.

Pantethine, a metabolite of pantothenic acid, is considered the most stable and active form of B5 and the most effective at lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Pantethine has also been shown to lower serum triglycerides, a feature that is unique to this form of B5.

The body needs pantothenic acid to produce pantethine, and in turn, pantethine is needed for the proper functioning of Coenzyme A (CoA), a naturally occurring isomer that plays a critical role in the maintenance of healthy lipid profiles. As such, pantethine is the preferred form of B5 and offers especially robust heart health benefits.

BENEFITS of PANTETHINE

• Boosts Immune Function
• Maintains Healthy Nerve Function
• Improves Cardiovascular Health
• Supports Red Blood Cell Formation
  
  

WHO NEEDS PANTETHINE?

Pantethine supplementation may be recommended for a variety of reasons including; maintain healthy nerve function and associated symptoms such, as muscle impairment and pain, burning feet syndrome, fatigue, and weakness. It’s also frequently recommended to support cardiovascular health. Many people also supplement with B5 to support liver detoxification, and help their body better deal with stress because B5 has been shown to help maintain healthy adrenal production of stress hormones such as cortisol.

PANTETHINE POTENCY & FORMATS

Pantethine Potency

Pantethine supplements can primarily be found in the 300 – 600 mg dose range. Make sure to read labels carefully as many products list both the total pantethine complex, as well as the active pantethine ion, which may be misleading, as you may be getting as little as 20% of the total complex amount listed. More reputable brands will list both amounts.

Pantethine Formats

Vitamin B5 supplements in pantethine form can be found in capsules, softgels, and tablets. Pantethine is also available as part of multivitamins and B complex blends, along with the other B family of vitamins.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PANTETHINE SUPPLEMENT

Vitamin B5 may increase the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to treat dementia. If you are on such medications, make sure to discuss the appropriateness of taking vitamin B5 with your health care practitioner.

Vitamin B5 may interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics like tetracycline. Therefore, it’s important to take your supplement a few hours before or after your antibiotic recommendation.