Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid

About Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, is a water soluble B vitamin whose name comes from the Greek pantothen, meaning from everywhere, reflecting how widely it occurs in plant and animal foods. It was identified in the 1930s by the American biochemist Roger Williams. In the body it is used to build coenzyme A and the acyl carrier protein, molecules central to the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy and to the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, steroid hormones and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Because it is present in almost every food, deficiency in isolation is very rare and has mainly been seen in severe malnutrition or in experimental settings. Prisoners of war held in Asia during the Second World War developed a condition called burning feet syndrome that was attributed in part to pantothenic acid deficiency. Derivatives such as panthenol are widely used in cosmetic and hair care products.