We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we'll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more
B57.5
Pantothenic Acid Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
24 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Pantothenic Acid appears to help in 6 of 7 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2024 with a typical study size of 32 participants.
Based on 24 studies · 3 meta-analyses · 11 RCTs · 2,696 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
6helped1didn't help· 17 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Micronutrient & trace-element status
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Likely helps5 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Likely helps4 studies
Cognitive function
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Energy & fatigueSupported energy metabolism through CoA synthesis · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Weight management
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Endurance & exercise performance
Too few graded studies2 studies
Neuroprotection & brain aging
Too few graded studies1 study
Immune support
Too few graded studies1 study
Inflammation
Too few graded studies1 study
Women's health
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 18 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
2,696
typical study: 32 people
Strongest designs
14
3 pooled, 11 randomised
Showed benefit
86%
6/7 studies
How long studies ran
Under a week
1
1–4 weeks
1
1–3 months
1
3+ months
2
Populations Studied
General population5
Patients with mouth ulcers1
Adults with cardiovascular risk1
CKD patients1
Active research area
9 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2022
200520142024
1Vitamin B efficacy for mouth ulcer treatmentMeta-AnalysisCited 4×n=1,534 · large study2021
Additionally, both the ulcer healing time [standardized mean difference (SMD) =-2.15, 95% CI: -2.80 to -1.50, P<0.001] and treatment time (SMD =-2.31, 95% CI: -2.67 to -1.96, P<0.001) in the treatment group were shorter than those of the control group.
Shi J et al. · Annals of palliative medicine (2021)
Huge harm
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
In comparison with the control group, the effective rate was higher [odds ratio (OR) =5.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.72 to 7.37, P<0.001] while the recurrence rate was lower (OR =0.194, 95% CI: 0.128 to 0.295, P<0.001) in the treatment group.
Additionally, both the ulcer healing time [standardized mean difference (SMD) =-2.15, 95% CI: -2.80 to -1.50, P<0.001] and treatment time (SMD =-2.31, 95% CI: -2.67 to -1.96, P<0.001) in the treatment group were shorter than those of the control group.
The overview of studies showed that in general, vitamins in foods originating from animals are more bioavailable than vitamins in foods sourced from plants.
Chungchunlam SMS et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2024)
Plant-based foods are the main natural sources of vitamin C (76% bioavailable), provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene (15.6% bioavailable), riboflavin (65% bioavailable), thiamin (81% bioavailable), and vitamin K (16.5% bioavailable).
The bioavailability of naturally occurring choline, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K in food awaits further studies.
The overview of studies showed that in general, vitamins in foods originating from animals are more bioavailable than vitamins in foods sourced from plants.
4Vitamin supplementation impact in CKDSystematic ReviewCited 16×2023
Taking into account the research conducted so far, it seems that the use of vitamin supplementation in CKD patients may have a positive impact on the treatment process and maintaining a disease-free condition.
Kędzierska-Kapuza K et al. · Nutrients (2023)
Taking into account the research conducted so far, it seems that the use of vitamin supplementation in CKD patients may have a positive impact on the treatment process and maintaining a disease-free condition.
6B-complex vitamin requirements across life stagesSystematic ReviewCited 34×2022
More research should be invested in studying each vitamin individually concerning nutritional disparities in each life stage, with extensive attention paid to cultural differences and lifestyles.
Ali MA et al. · Nutrients (2022)
During infancy and childhood, B vitamins are integrated with physical and psychological development that have a pivotal impact on one's overall health in adolescence and adulthood.
A higher intake of B vitamins in the elderly is also associated with preventing some aging problems, especially those related to inflammation.
All supplementation should be carefully monitored to avoid toxicity and hypervitaminosis.
7Biological properties of B-complex vitaminsSystematic ReviewCited 128×2022
The article also sums up: (i) the current methods for detection of the vitamins of the B-complex in biological fluids; (ii) the food and other sources of these vitamins including the effect of common processing and storage methods on their content; and (iii) their physiological function.
Hrubša M et al. · Nutrients (2022)
The therapeutic use of B-complex vitamins is mostly limited to hypovitaminoses or similar conditions, but, as they are generally very safe, they have also been examined in other pathological conditions.
Nicotinic acid, a form of vitamin B3, is the only exception because it is a known hypolipidemic agent in gram doses.
The article also sums up: (i) the current methods for detection of the vitamins of the B-complex in biological fluids; (ii) the food and other sources of these vitamins including the effect of common processing and storage methods on their content; and (iii) their physiological function.
The deficiency of vitamins in the body causes various neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and depression.
Kumar RR et al. · CNS & neurological disorders drug targets (2022)
The deficiency of vitamins in the body causes various neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and depression.
We have discussed the role of vitamins in neurological disorders and the normal human body.
Depression is linked to a deficiency of vitamin-C and vitamin B.
9B vitamins role in immune regulation and cancerSystematic ReviewCited 208×2020
Much work remains to be carried out to fully clarify these relationships as the complexity of B vitamins' essential functions complicates an unequivocal assessment of their beneficial or detrimental effects in inflammation and cancers.
Peterson CT et al. · Nutrients (2020)
More recently, another source of B vitamins has been identified which is derived from portions of the 1013 bacterial cells inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract.
Here we review the expanding literature examining the relationship between B vitamins and the immune system and diverse cancers.
Evidence of B vitamin's role in immune cell regulation has accumulated in recent years and may help to clarify the disparate findings of numerous studies attempting to link B vitamins to cancer development.
10B vitamins mechanisms and efficacy for brain healthSystematic Review2016
Furthermore, evidence from human research clearly shows both that a significant proportion of the populations of developed countries suffer from deficiencies or insufficiencies in one or more of this group of vitamins, and that, in the absence of an optimal diet, administration of the entire B-vitamin group, rather than a small sub-set, at doses greatly in excess of the current governmental recommendations, would be a rational approach for preserving brain health.
Kennedy DO · Nutrients (2016)
However, human epidemiological and controlled trial investigations, and the resultant scientific commentary, have focused almost exclusively on the small sub-set of vitamins (B9/B12/B6) that are the most prominent (but not the exclusive) B-vitamins involved in homocysteine metabolism.
Scant regard has been paid to the other B vitamins.
This review describes the closely inter-related functions of the eight B-vitamins and marshals evidence suggesting that adequate levels of all members of this group of micronutrients are essential for optimal physiological and neurological functioning.
11Association between B-group vitamins and venous thrombosisMeta-AnalysisCited 14×2012
Further prospective clinical studies are needed to provide additional evidence on the clinical benefits of B-group vitamin supplementation for VT.
Zhou K et al. · Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis (2012)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Significant standardized mean differences were obtained for plasma folic acid (-0.55; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.36) and vitamin B12 (-0.34; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.13).
Moreover, a qualitative systematic review indicated that low level of vitamin B6 was an independent risk factor of VT.
Randomized clinical studies of B-group vitamins supplementation showed varying results on VT prevention.
These processes are regulated by a variety of factors and conditions, and the regulation involves transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional mechanisms.
Also well recognized now is the fact that the large intestine possesses specific and efficient uptake systems to absorb a number of water-soluble vitamins that are synthesized by the normal microflora.
This source may contribute to total body vitamin nutrition, and especially towards the cellular nutrition and health of the local colonocytes.
13B vitamin effects on mitochondrial energy metabolismSystematic ReviewCited 340×2006
The effectiveness of B vitamins as antioxidants preventing oxidative stress toxicity is also reviewed.
Depeint F et al. · Chemico-biological interactions (2006)
Biotin (B7) is the coenzyme of decarboxylases required for gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation.
Pyridoxal (B6), folate and cobalamin (B12) properties are reviewed elsewhere in this issue.
The experimental animal and clinical evidence that vitamin B therapy alleviates B deficiency symptoms and prevents mitochondrial toxicity is also reviewed.
Serum vitamins B1, B3, B5, and B6 were not associated with all-cause or CV mortality in HD patients.
Wang Y et al. · Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (2023)
Serum vitamins B1, B3, B5, and B6 were not associated with all-cause or CV mortality in HD patients.
16LDL cholesterol levelsRCTCited 36×n=32 · small study2014
This study confirms that pantethine lowers cardiovascular risk markers in low to moderate CVD risk participants eligible for statins according to NCEP guidelines.
Evans M et al. · Vascular health and risk management (2014)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
An 11% decrease in LDL-C from baseline was seen in participants on pantethine, at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16, while participants on placebo showed a 3% increase at week 16.
This decrease was significant between groups at weeks 8 (P=0.027) and 16 (P=0.010).
Coenzyme Q10 significantly increased from baseline to week 4 and remained elevated until week 16, in both the pantethine and placebo groups.
The obtained data shows the necessity of addition of the vitamin-mineral complex to the diet of patients with DM2 and obesity.
Lapik IA et al. · Voprosy pitaniia (2014)
After the low-calorie diet therapy average body weight reduction was 4.2 +/- 0.2 kg in the main group, and 4.4 +/- 0.1 kg in the control group, without statistically significant differences between groups.
Statistically significant decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose concentration in blood serum was registered in both groups.
After the dietotherapy significant increase of vitamin C, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and phosphorus concentration in blood serum was observed in patients receiving VMC.
18RCTCited 3×n=8 · very small study2012
Acute feeding with pantothenic acid and cysteine does not alter muscle CoASH content and consequently does not impact on muscle fuel metabolism or performance during exercise in humans.
Wall BT et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) (2012)
On three occasions, eight healthy male volunteers (age 22.9 ± 1.4 yr, body mass index 24.2 ± 1.5 kg/m(2)) cycled at 75% maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) to exhaustion, followed by a 15-min work output performance test.
Resting muscle CoASH content was not altered by supplementation in any visit.
Furthermore, no difference in work output was observed when comparing CON and CP.
Red Bull® Energy Drink significantly improves driving performance and reduces driver sleepiness during prolonged highway driving.
Mets MA et al. · Psychopharmacology (2011)
Red Bull® Energy Drink significantly improved driving relative to placebo: SDLP was significantly reduced during the 3rd (p < 0.046) and 4th hour of driving (p < 0.011).
Red Bull® Energy Drink significantly reduced the standard deviation of speed (p < 0.004), improved subjective driving quality (p < 0.0001), and reduced mental effort to perform the test (p < 0.024) during the 3rd hour of driving.
Subjective sleepiness was significantly decreased during both the 3rd and 4th hour of driving after Red Bull® Energy Drink (p < 0.001 and p < 0.009, respectively).
20Postprandial B-vitamin and vitamer responsesRCTCited 8×n=15 · very small study2019
Biological age and food composition had minimal impact on postprandial B-vitamin concentrations, yet the differences between the ED and ND meals for riboflavin highlight the importance of riboflavin intake to achieve adequacy.
Sharma P et al. · Nutrients (2019)
Eleven differing B-vitamins and vitamers were determined in plasma samples by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, in the fasting and postprandial state (hourly for 5 h).
While postprandial thiamine concentration increased following both meals, riboflavin increased only following a ND meal in both age groups.
Many vitamins including nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal-5'phosphate, and 4-pyridoxic acid remained unaltered, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), nicotinamide and nicotinuric acid concentrations reduced following both meals.