Pantothenic acid is a fairly common vitamin in nature, which is of great importance for the normal functioning of the human body.
Pantothenic acid: biological characterization . Vitamin B5 is easily soluble in water, so its excess is easily eliminated from the body. In addition, it is stable in a neutral environment. But when heated, exposed to acids and alkalis, pantothenic acid loses its properties - this must be taken into account during cooking.
As for its assimilation, it enters the human body as part of coenzyme A, which subsequently decomposes and is adsorbed in the small intestine. Thus, vitamin B5 is distributed throughout the body through the portal system of the liver. The maximum concentrations of this substance in the body are recorded in the gonads, kidneys, liver, adrenal glands, heart muscle and brain.
It is also interesting that ethyl alcohol disrupts the metabolism of this vitamin, as a result of which its amount in tissues is significantly reduced.
Pantothenic acid and its functions . The value of vitamin B5 for the body is actually difficult to overestimate. As already mentioned, it is an indispensable part of coenzyme A. In turn, it is this substance that is involved in almost all metabolic processes of the body - the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In addition, pantothenic acid plays an important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin and various hormones. She is also partially responsible for the processing of drugs.
Pantothenic acid and its sources . The daily requirement of the human body is approximately 10 to 12 mg. This indicator increases significantly during pregnancy and during lactation - up to 15 - 20 mg.
In fact, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is found in almost all foods. Nevertheless, the main sources are yeast, as well as the brain, liver, kidneys and hearts of animals. In addition, a huge amount of that vitamin enters the body along with eggs, fresh raw vegetables, legumes, dairy products and whole grains.
It is worth noting that a small amount of vitamin is synthesized by the microflora of the human intestine, but it is too small to ensure normal functioning.
Pantothenic acid deficiency . In fact, a deficiency of this vitamin is extremely rarely diagnosed. In most cases, vitamin deficiency develops only with severe and prolonged starvation.
For example, the first deficiency of this vitamin was found in prisoners of war during the Second World War. The most characteristic sign is a burning sensation and slight tingling in the palms and feet. In addition, patients complained of constant fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and colic. Among the symptoms of vitamin deficiency , headache, severe painful abdominal cramps, disturbances in sleep processes, muscle cramps, and impaired coordination can also be distinguished.
As for modern research, in which volunteers took part, in the absence of pantothenic acid in the diet for nine weeks, men complained of severe headaches and chronic fatigue.
In fact, beriberi pantothenic acid in its pure form is very rare - much more often it develops in combination with a deficiency of other vitamins.
The risk group includes, first of all, people who abuse alcohol. In addition, the level of assimilation of pantothenic acid decreases with age, as well as with the development of diabetes. Similar violations can be noted among people who take hormonal drugs, including some contraceptives.
And although, as a rule, people do not need an additional amount of vitamin, in some cases the doctor may prescribe the appropriate drugs. In addition, pantothenic acid is part of all multivitamin drugs.