Acne And Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency

Acne Specialist believes there is a correlation between Vitamin B5
deficiency and acne (the most common skin disease), due to modern
food processing.

Vitamin B5, aka pantothenic acid, serves the body in many ways. It is
a member of the nutritionally elite group of eight vitamins lovingly
called the Vitamin B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a
role in nearly every major body system and process. The Vitamin B
complex keeps both body and mind functioning and in good health.

Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins in the B complex, is essential to
the body for a number of reasons (also see other sections of
acne-specialist.com for more information):

-Pantothenic acid as coenzyme A is closely involved in adrenal cortex
function and has come to be known as the "antistress" vitamin. It
supports the adrenal glands to increase production of cortisone and
other adrenal hormones to help counteract stress. Coenzyme A is vital
in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, steroids, sphingosines,
and phospholipids. It also helps synthesize porphyrin, which is
connected to hemoglobin.

-Through the above mechanism, Vitamin B5 is also thought to help
prevent aging and wrinkles and is important for hair and healthy skin.
As you can imagine, it is used in a variety of cosmetic products.

-It has the ability to utilize the food it takes in as fuel for its
myriad of processes, great and small. As the coenzyme, Vitamin B5 is
important in cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to release
energy.

-It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues,
from the cellular level on up. This makes it a critical part of the
body's efforts to fight the physical damage to which excessive stress
contributes.

-Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system ---
for example, Vitamin B5 contributes to the production of
neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves to
communicate.

-Through its adrenal support, Vitamin B5 may reduce potentially toxic
effects of antibiotics and radiation.

-Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor or partner to other members of the
Vitamin B complex as well as other nutrients, has a great role in the
functioning of the adrenal glands and also promotes normal growth of
the body. This is due to its role in hormone production throughout the
body.

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B5 is stable to moist heat and oxidation or reduction (adding or
subtracting an electron), though it is easily destroyed by acids (such
as vinegar) or alkalis (such as baking soda) and by dry heat. Over
half of the pantothenic acid in wheat is lost during milling, and
about one-third is degraded in meat during cooking. In many whole
foods, Vitamin B5 is readily available.

Only recently the general public is becoming more aware of the
importance of whole foods. Yet, diets of the majority of the
population are still made up of mostly heavily processed foods
(available Vitamin B5 activity is lost during refinement of foods) due
to our fast pace, time poor lifestyle of the modern world.

"NO WONDER THE SERIOUS GLOBAL ACNE PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY AMONGST
DEVELOPED NATIONS!!!"

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Vitamin B5 / pantothenic acid is found in yeasts, molds, bacteria, and
plant and animal cells, as well as in human blood plasma and lymph
fluid.

Good sources of pantothenic acid include the organ meats, brewer's
yeast, egg yolks, fish, chicken, whole grain cereals, cheese, peanuts,
dried beans, and a variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes,
green peas, cauliflower, and avocados. Vitamin B5 is also made by the
bacterial flora of human intestines, another source for this important
metabolic assistant or coenzyme.

Fatigue is probably the earliest and most common symptom of
pantothenic acid deficiency. A diet high in refined and processed
foods or a reduction or destruction of intestinal flora, most commonly
by antibiotic use, can lead to a vitamin B5 deficiency.

Teenagers are more likely to experience a deficiency, because their
diets often include high amounts of "fast foods" sugars, and refined
flours (all low in B vitamins). And the problem may be compounded
because the acne often associated with this type of diet is commonly
treated with tetracycline antibiotics, which reduce the intestinal
bacteria and thereby the production of pantothenic acid in the colon.

Studies of pantothenic acid deficiency in rats showed increased
graying of the fur, decreased growth, and, in the extreme, hemorrhage
and destruction of the adrenal glands. In humans, the decreased
adrenal function caused by B5 deficiency can lead to a variety of
metabolic problems. Fatigue is most likely; there may also be physical
and mental depression, a decrease in hydrochloric acid production and
other digestive symptoms, some loss of nerve function, and problems in
blood sugar metabolism, with symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) being the most common. Pantothenic acid affects the function of
cells in all systems, and a deficiency may reduce immunity, both
cellular and antibody responses. Other symptoms of B5 deficiency
include vomiting, abdominal cramps, skin problems, tachycardia,
insomnia, tingling of the hands and feet, muscle cramps, recurrent
upper respiratory infections, and worsening of allergy symptoms.

Therapeutic ranges are more like 250-500 mg daily and even higher,
taken, of course, along with the other B complex vitamins. Individual
needs vary according to food intake, degree of stress, and whether one
is pregnant or lactating. Those people who eat a diet of processed
foods, have a stressful lifestyle, or have allergies require higher
amounts of pantothenic acid.

As with other B vitamins, there are no specific toxic effects from
high doses of pantothenic acid. Over 1,000 mg daily has been taken for
over six months with no side effects; when 1,500 mg or more is taken
daily for several weeks, some people experience a superficial
sensitivity in their teeth. However, it is possible that if B5 is
taken without other B vitamins, it may create metabolic imbalance.

_By: *Acne Specialist*_

*About the Author:* Acne Specialist
http://www.acne-specialist.com [1]

Kansieo.com

Links:
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