Chapter 9. Micronutrients for Energy
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Role of Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Pantothenic acid forms coenzyme A, which is the main carrier of carbon molecules in a cell. Acetyl-CoA is the carbon carrier of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids in the citric acid cycle (Figure 9.6 “The role of pantothenic acid in the citric acid cycle”). Therefore, pantothenic acid plays a key role in fatty acid, glucose, protein, and ketone metabolism. Coenzyme A is also involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, steroids, and acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter), as well as the detoxification of drugs.
Dietary Reference Intakes for Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Because there is little information on the requirements for pantothenic acid, the Adequate Intakes (AI) is based on the observed dietary intakes in healthy population groups. The AI for different age groups for pantothenic acid is listed in the table below. There are no adverse effects of excess consumption.
| Age Group | AI Females and Males (mg/day) |
| Infants (0–6 months) | 1.7 |
| Infants (7–12 months) | 1.8 |
| Children (1–3 years) | 2 |
| Children (4–8 years) | 3 |
| Children (9–13 years) | 4 |
| Adolescents (14–18 years) | 5 |
| Adults (> 19 years) | 5 |
| Data Source: (“Pantothenic Acid,” 2013)[1] | |
Dietary Sources of Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Pantothenic acid is widely distributed in all types of food, which is why a deficiency in this nutrient is rare. Pantothenic acid gets its name from the Greek word “pantothen” which means “from everywhere.” For the pantothenic acid content of various foods, see the table below.
| Food | Serving | Pantothenic Acid (mg) |
| Beef liver | 3 oz. | 8.3 |
| Sunflower seeds | 1 oz. | 2 |
| Fish, trout | 3 oz. | 1.9 |
| Yogurt, plain nonfat | 8 oz. | 1.6 |
| Lobster | 3 oz. | 1.4 |
| Avocado | ½ fruit | 1 |
| Sweet potato | 1 medium | 1 |
| Milk | 8 fl oz. | 0.87 |
| Egg | 1 large | 0.7 |
| Oats, regular and quick, cooked with water | 1/2 cup | 0.4 |
| Orange | 1 whole | 0.3 |
| Whole wheat bread | 1 slice | 0. 21 |
| Data Source: (“Pantothenic Acid,” 2013)[2] and Pantothenic acid, National Institute of Health [3] | ||
Consuming Too Little Pantothenic Acid (B5)
A pantothenic acid deficiency is exceptionally rare. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, irritability, numbness, muscle pain, and cramps. You may have seen pantothenic acid on many ingredient lists for skin and hair care products; however, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that pantothenic acid improves human skin or hair.
- Micronutrient Information Center: Pantothenic Acid. Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/patothenic-acid . Updated in July 2013. Accessed October 22, 2017. ↵
- Micronutrient Information Center: Pantothenic Acid. Oregon State University, Linus Pauling Institute. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/patothenic-acid . Updated in July 2013. Accessed October 22, 2017. ↵
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-HealthProfessional/ ↵
