Vitamin+B5+(Pantothenic+Acid)

Pantothenic acid or coenzyme A is the center of energy production in glycolysis and lipolysis and fundamental in all kinds of metabolism. An essential component of acetyl-coA and the Krebs cycle. Found in all kinds of food, hence the Greek name ‘pantos’

Functions
-Participates in the oxidation of carbohydrates (or glycolysis), of fats (lipolysis) and protein or oxidative deamination -Produces a large number of enzymes -Helps maintain precise communication between the brain and central nervous system -Helps manage stress due to psychological tension: migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome; or coffee, alcohol and tobacco withdrawl. -When combined w/ choline and thiamine, fights gastric reflux -Controls cholesterol levels through patenting (which is a metabolite of panothenic acid that the body can assimilate) -Reduces certain allergy symptoms (nasal congestion from seasonal allergies)

Daily Needs

 * AGE || ADEQUATE INTAKE ||
 * 0-12 months || 1.7-2.8mg. ||
 * 1-8 years || 2-3mg. ||
 * 9-13 years || 4mg. ||
 * 14+ years || 5mg ||
 * Pregnant women || 6mg. ||
 * Breastfeeding women || 7mg. ||

Pro-Compounds
B-Complex, B6, B8, B9, B12, and C

Anti-Compounds
Antibiotic treatments, alcohol and coffee can cause deficiency

Deficiency
Insomnia, leg cramps, paresthesia of feet and hands (pins and needles, burning or numbness), fatigue, gastro-intestinal problems, depression, respiratory infections, hypoglycemia, and immune deficiency.

B5 deficiency is technically inexistent as pantothenic acid is omnipresent in our food. Refined grains, canned foods, freezing and cooking destroy good part of the B5. Thus a diet high in ready-to-eat meals and refined foods in addition to antibiotic use can cause a deficiency.

Excess
No toxicity even @ 10mg./day, only known symptom is diarrhea

Food Sources

 * Food || Serving Size || Amount of B5 ||
 * Shitake mushroom, dried || 10 mushrooms (36g) || 8mg ||
 * Lamb, turkey, beef, chicken, veal or pork liver, cooked || 100g (3 1/2oz) || 4-6mg. ||
 * Chicken Giblets, cooked || 100g (3 ½oz) || 3-4mg. ||
 * Caribou, roasted || 100g (3 1/2oz.) || 3mg. ||
 * Breakfast cereals, 100% bran || 30g (1oz.) || 3mg. ||
 * Pork kidney, braised || 100g (3 ½oz.) || 3mg. ||
 * Shitake mushroom, cooked || 4 mushrooms (125ml, 1/2cup) || 3mg. ||
 * Turkey, chicken, pork or veal hearts, stewed || 100g (3 1/2oz.) || 2-3mg. ||
 * Sunflower seeds, grilled or dry or oil roasted || 60ml (1/2cup) || 2mg. ||
 * Sunflower seed butter || 30ml (2 tbsp) || 2mg. ||
 * Beef or lamb kidneys, braised || 100g (3 1/2oz.) || 2mg. ||
 * Salmon, baked || 100g (3 ½oz.) || 2mg. ||
 * Canada Goose, meat only, roasted || 100g (3 1/2oz.) || 2mg. ||
 * Mushroom, boiled || 125ml (½ cup) || 2mg. ||
 * Atlantic cod, dried and salted || 100g (3 1/2oz.) || 2mg. ||
 * Veal shoulder, braised || 100g (3 1/2oz.) || 2mg. ||
 * Hard boiled egg || 1 egg || 1mg. ||
 * Turkey, dark meat || 100g (3 ½oz.) || 1mg. ||
 * Caviar, black or red, granular || 30g (1oz.) || 1mg. ||
 * Blue cheese || 50g (1 1/2oz.) || 1mg. ||

Therapeutic Doses
-Allergies: 500mg, 3 times a day with meals -Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 500mg, 2 times a day -Gastric Reflux 1000mg, 2 times a day -High Cholesterol 300mg of patenting, 3 times a day -Stress 100mg/day