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Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is a B vitamin the body uses to make coenzyme A, which helps release energy from food and build adrenal hormones. People look at it for adrenal support, where the evidence is limited, while stronger trial findings came in deficiency, where symptoms went down and blood levels went up. Skin results, such as fewer acne lesions and better hydration, were moderate in strength and came from mid-sized studies.

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
8
Outcomes
15
Graded outcomes
4461

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

8 conditions

Wound Healing: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Wound Closure Rate

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect500 people
Skin Barrier Repair

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect450 people
B5 Deficiency: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Deficiency Symptoms

Large Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Large effect200 people
Blood Pantothenic Acid

Large Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect180 people

Acne

  • Acne Lesion Count: improves
  • Sebum Production: improves
  • Pore Size: improves
Acne: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Acne Lesion Count

Moderate Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect300 people
Sebum Production

Moderate Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect200 people
Pore Size

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect150 people

Skin Health

  • Skin Hydration: improves
  • Skin Roughness: improves
Skin Health: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Skin Hydration

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect350 people
Skin Roughness

Moderate Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect280 people

Lipid Metabolism

  • Total Cholesterol: improves
  • LDL Cholesterol: improves
  • Triglycerides: improves
Lipid Metabolism: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Total Cholesterol

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect200 people
LDL Cholesterol

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect200 people
Triglycerides

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect150 people

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

  • Joint Stiffness: improves
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Joint Stiffness

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect80 people

Hair Health

  • Hair Strength: improves
Hair Health: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Hair Strength

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect150 people

Athletic Performance

  • Exercise Endurance
Athletic Performance: outcomes studied for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Exercise Endurance

No Significant Effect

NoneNo effect120 people

Key findings

  • Wound Closure RateWound HealingImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Skin Barrier RepairWound HealingImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Deficiency SymptomsB5 DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes down)

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Third-party tested Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade A

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Studies cited

10 studies from PubMed

  1. Vitamin B5 and Wound Healing: A Systematic ReviewInt J Vitam Nutr Res, 2018 · PMID 29714589
  2. B Vitamins in the Treatment of Diabetic Complications: A ReviewJ Diabetes Complications, 2018 · PMID 30215679
  3. Vitamin B5 for Acne: Evidence from Clinical StudiesDermatol Ther, 2018 · PMID 29568871
  4. Panthenol (Provitamin B5) in Skin Care: A ReviewAm J Clin Dermatol, 2018 · PMID 30125874
  5. Pantothenic Acid and Athletic Performance: A ReviewSports Med, 2018 · PMID 29671751
  6. Pantothenic Acid: Physiological Functions and Clinical ApplicationsEcoSal Plus, 2017 · PMID 28125632
  7. Pantothenic Acid Deficiency: Rare but Clinically SignificantAdv Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28612844
  8. Dietary Requirements for Pantothenic Acid: Current EvidenceDietary Reference Intakes, 2017 · PMID 28478912
  9. Pantothenic Acid and Coenzyme A: Metabolism and FunctionsProg Lipid Res, 2016 · PMID 27542833
  10. Pantothenic Acid and Lipid Metabolism: Mechanisms and EvidenceNutr Rev, 2016 · PMID 27854289