Pantothenic Acid

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is a B complex vitamin involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates. Coenzyme A, which can be synthesised from pantothenic acid, is involved in the synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, ketones, cholesterol, phospholipids, steroid hormones, neurotransmitters, and antibodies.

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

ME/CFS is not diagnosed unless nutritional deficiencies that may cause the patient's symptoms are treated first, so vitamin treatments or nutrition are not a cure or an effective treatment.[1][2]

Dexpanthenol[edit | edit source]

Dexpanthenol is a derivative of vitamin B5.[3] Brand names of dexpantheol include Fortaplex, Infuvite, Infuvite Pediatric, Mvi Pediatric, and Neo-bex.[3] Dexpanthenol uses include:

  • as a supplement or application to support a healthy epithelium (skin layer)[3]
  • preventing vitamin deficiency in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition, which is intravenous nutrition[3]
  • applied to the skin, such as in the form of a cream, ointment or lotion to treat skin conditions, itching, or promote wound healing, as a topical protectant or moisturizer[3]
  • stimulating the stomach/intestines, particularly after stomach surgery[4][5]
  • it also has some anti-inflammatory properties[3]
  • it is an ingredient in Myers' Cocktail, an intravenous vitamin and mineral treatment promoted for a wide variety of different medical conditions[6]

Panthenol[edit | edit source]

Panthenol is a mix of dexpanthenol levopanthenol (another B5 derivative)[3]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]