Pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5 is an essential nutrient that is naturally present in some foods, and often used as a supplement. Vitamin B5 may help with managing stress levels as it supports health adrenal function, so your body can adapt to situations which can be stressful or anxiety provoking. 

It is needed to help you make blood cells, and converting food into energy as well as promoting healthy skin, hair and eyes. 

We use 100% of Australia's Recommended Dietary Intake of vitamin B5. 

Benefits of Vitamin B5

• Prevents neurodegeneration
• Reduces depression, anxiety and stress symptoms
• Significant for a healthy digestive system
• Required for the process of other vitamins, especially Vitamin B12, by the body
• Synthesises Cholesterol
• Very important for the synthesis of stress-related and sex hormones
• Required for the proper functioning of the nervous system and liver
• Important for healthy skin, hair and eyes

Benefit 1: Prevents neurodegeneration

Xu, Jingshu, et al. ‘Cerebral deficiency of vitamin B5 (d-pantothenic acid; pantothenate) as a potentially-reversible cause of neurodegeneration and dementia in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.’ Biochemical and biophysical research communications. Volume 527. Issue 3. 2020. pp. 676-681. [Link]

This research study identified that in Alzheimer’s disease severe cerebral deficiency of vitamin B5 was identified. The study also found out that administration of the vitamin orally was well-tolerated to humans and other mammals. Thus it was found that the deficiency of B5 may cause neurodegeneration and dementia in Alzheimer patients that can be reversed in early stages through suitable oral doses.

Patassini, Stefano, et al. "Cerebral vitamin B5 (D-pantothenic acid) deficiency as a potential cause of metabolic perturbation and neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease." Metabolites9, no. 6 (2019): 113 [Link]

This research article identified the correlation of vitamin B5 with Huntington’s disease. The deficiency of cerebral Pantothenate is newly identified to be connected to metabolic defects of Huntington’s disease. Thus the case-controlled study summarised that Pantothenate deficiency could lead to neurodegeneration or dementia which could be prevented by the administration of vitamin B5.

Mikkelsen, Kathleen, and Vasso Apostolopoulos. ‘Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6 and the Immune System.’ In Nutrition and immunity, Springer, Cham. 2019. pp. 115-125. [Link]

The study identified the association of B vitamins with the methylation process that can influence chronic neurological disorders. In specific, Pantothenic acid was found to be essential to maintain the normal functioning of neurotransmitters, Vitamin B6 and neurotransmitters that affect sleep, appetite, and mood disorders.

Di Meo, Ivano, et al. ‘Inborn errors of coenzyme A metabolism and neurodegeneration.’ Journal of inherited metabolic disease. 2018. pp. 1-7 [Link]

Vitamin B5 helps in the synthesis of CoA (Coenzyme A). The above mentioned research paper discussed two inborn errors of CoA metabolism that can cause neurodegeneration along with brain iron accumulation in different parts of the brain. Thus it was evident that dysfunction in CoA synthesis is very crucial for the normal functioning and metabolism of the nervous system.

“Vitamin B5 is an essential trace nutrient that functions as the obligate precursor of coenzyme A through which it plays key roles in myriad biological processes, including many that regulate carbohydrate, lipid, protein and nucleic acid metabolism.”

The research study found out that administration of Pantothenate led to localization in the cerebral region and supported Myelin synthesis since the degradation of the myelin membrane is very closely associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Auciello, Giulio, et al. ‘Cyclic Phosphopantothenic Acid Prodrugs for Treatment of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration.’ Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2020. [Link]

“Mutations in the human PANK2 gene are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) and result in low levels of coenzyme-A in the CNS due to impaired production of phosphopantothenic acid from Vitamin B5.”

Benefit 2: Reduces depression, anxiety and stress symptoms

Mahdavifar, Baharak et al. ‘Dietary intake of B vitamins and their association with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms: A cross-sectional, population-based survey.’ Journal of Affective Disorders. Volume 288. 2021. pp. 92-98 [Link]

The research study identified the correlation of B vitamins with depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. The study revealed that moderate intake of pantothenic acid was associated with low odds of anxiety. In specific, the study identified that Biotin was associated to lower depression, stress and anxiety.

Hendrix, Curt and CNS CCN. ‘Stress, Anxiety and Cognitive Function.’ Stress. Volume 3. 2020 [Link]

This study discussed the importance of nutrients in combating stress-related anxiety and mild cognitive impairment. Vitamin B5 protects against anxiety, cognitive decline, brain plasticity and age-related memory loss. The benefits of the B vitamin for the brain is due to their role in synthesising Acetylcholine that is used by the brain for cognitive processes like brain encoding and concentration.

Mikkelsen, Kathleen, and Vasso Apostolopoulos. ‘B vitamins and ageing.’ Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Ageing: Part I Biomedical Science. 2018. pp. 451-470 [Link]

“B5 aids in the normal development of the central nervous system, and deficiency, although rare, can lead to fatigue and depression, insomnia and irritability,…”

Li, Irene. ‘Stress & anxiety improvements with Ashwagandha and B-vitamins.’ PhD diss., University of Delaware, 2020 [Link]

This study investigated the efficiency of B vitamins and Ashwagandha in reducing stress and anxiety. B vitamins, including Pantothenic acid, were found to be effective in improving mood and cognition while reducing stress and anxiety.

There was no preferential form mentioned in literature for cognitive benefits even though most of them mention Pantothenic acid itself.