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Pantothenic Acid Sources and Functions
Pantothenic Acid Sources and Functions
All of the B vitamins work together to keep you healthy and feeling good. Here is a summary of the role of pantothenic acid, a water-soluble vitamin, in your good health.
| What it does | Functions as a coenzyme to help release energy from the food you eat. |
| Daily needs | [Infants*: 1.7-1.8 mg] [Children†: 2-5 mg] [Men: 5 mg] [Women#: 5 mg] [Pregnant: 6 mg] [Lactating: 7 mg]] |
| Not enough | Muscle cramps, Nausea, Vomiting, Depression, Low blood sugar |
| Too Much | Diarrhea |
| Foods | Whole or enriched grain products, Meat, Tomatoes, Eggs, Broccoli |
*The lower value is for infants up to 6 mos.,higher value is for infants up to a year old.
† The first value is for children 1-3 with the amount increasing until age 18.
# Women taking birth control pills may require a higher amount.
Destroyed by Processing
Food processing can destroy pantothenic acid, since it is susceptible to canning, freezing and processes that refine food.
Getting Enough
In general, people who live in developed countries like the United States get enough pantothenic acid and deficiency of this vitamin is rare. However, those suffering from eating disorders or living in poverty may not be eating enough food to get sufficient pantothenic acid in their diet.
The bacteria in your colon can produce pantothenic acid, but it is so far unknown whether your body can actually use this as a source of this vitamin.
The sources of pantothenic acid listed above are the best sources, but many foods contain small amounts of this B vitamin. If you eat a variety of fresh foods from all of the food groups, you will more than likely get enough pantothenic acid.
Interesting Facts about Pantothenic Acid Sources and Functions: During World War II, prisoners of war in the South Pacific experienced painful “burning feet,” which could be alleviated by pantothenic acid. In addition, ointment containing pantothenic acid has been shown to aid in the healing of wounds.
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