Vitamin

    Vitamin B5

    Pantothenic acid

    TL;DR

    Plain B5 is one of the least useful supplements there is because deficiency essentially never happens — but pantethine, its derivative, lowers LDL by around 11% in randomized trials.

    Ideal For

    • People with moderate dyslipidemia considering pantethine as an adjunct

    Avoid If

    • You are taking multi-gram doses expecting acne clearance

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Overview

    Pantothenic acid is required to build coenzyme A and the acyl carrier protein, making it central to fatty acid synthesis and oxidation and to the citric acid cycle. Its name comes from the Greek for "everywhere", which is the point: it is present in virtually all foods, and isolated human deficiency has only been produced experimentally with antagonists, presenting as burning feet syndrome. Supplementing it for energy has no controlled support. The interesting molecule is pantethine, a disulfide dimer of pantetheine that acts differently from the parent vitamin — it modulates acetyl-CoA carboxylase and HMG-CoA reductase activity and has been tested at 600-900 mg/day in randomized trials, reducing LDL cholesterol roughly 11% and total cholesterol around 8% over 16 weeks in people with moderate dyslipidemia. High-dose pantothenic acid at 2-10 g/day for acne circulates widely online on the strength of a single 1997 open-label study of 45 patients with no control group, which is not evidence.

    How It Works

    • Precursor to coenzyme A, required for fatty acid and citric acid cycle metabolism
    • Pantethine modulates HMG-CoA reductase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity
    • Supports acyl carrier protein function in fatty acid synthesis

    Quick Facts

    • Named for being present in essentially all foods — deficiency is functionally nonexistent
    • Pantethine, not plain B5, is the form with lipid trial data
    • The acne protocol rests on one uncontrolled 1997 study

    Benefits & Outcomes

    No linked outcomes yet. Research is ongoing.

    Health Concerns Addressed

    Acne & Breakouts

    symptom
    Insufficient evidence
    Effectiveness 2/5

    Not enough controlled evidence to recommend, and the multi-gram doses circulating online reliably cause diarrhoea without proven benefit.

    Supporting Research
    6 studies

    Treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia with pantethine: a review and analysis of efficacy and tolerability

    Score: 4/10
    2005
    systematic_review
    n=646

    McRae MP

    Pantethine produced average reductions of about 14% in total cholesterol and 20% in LDL cholesterol across 28 trials.

    View source

    Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in low to moderate cardiovascular risk subjects eligible for statin therapy

    Score: 6/10
    2014
    rct
    n=32

    Evans M, Rumberger JA, Azumano I +3 more

    Pantethine favorably altered total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in subjects eligible for statin therapy.

    View source

    Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in low- to moderate-cardiovascular risk North American subjects

    Score: 6/10
    2011
    rct
    n=32

    Rumberger JA, Napolitano J, Azumano I +2 more

    LDL cholesterol fell approximately 11% after 16 weeks of pantethine supplementation.

    View source

    A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne

    Score: 5/10
    2014
    rct
    n=48

    Yang M, Moclair B, Hatcher V +4 more

    A pantothenic acid-based supplement significantly reduced total and inflammatory facial acne lesions versus placebo.

    View source

    Effect of pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid supplementation on human skin wound healing process

    Score: 5/10
    1995
    rct
    n=49

    Vaxman F, Olender S, Lambert A +6 more

    Supplementation raised blood pantothenate levels without clinically meaningful improvement in wound healing.

    View source

    Pantothenic acid: monograph

    Score: 3/10
    2011
    systematic_review

    Kelly GS

    Pantothenic acid deficiency is rare and therapeutic claims rest on limited controlled data.

    View source

    Safety Information

    Potential Side Effects

    Diarrhoea and gastrointestinal upset at multi-gram doses. Otherwise minimal.

    Contraindications

    None established. Pantethine may add to the effect of lipid-lowering drugs.

    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

    Pregnancy: likely_safe

    Breastfeeding: likely_safe

    Dosage Guidelines

    Dosage Used in Studies

    Consult healthcare provider

    Best Time to Take

    With meals

    Best Form

    Pantethine if targeting lipids; otherwise dietary intake is sufficient

    Bioavailability

    Around 50% absorption from food, higher from supplements via the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter

    Forms Compared

    Standard nutritional form; no clinical benefit above adequacy

    The form with randomized lipid-lowering evidence at 600-900 mg/day

    Food & Timing

    Any time; with food improves tolerance at high doses

    Medical Disclaimer

    The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.

    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.