Compound or practice · Supplement
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
A ubiquitous B-vitamin (deficiency is nearly nonexistent) with niche pantethine-for-cholesterol data.
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade C · 1 at grade D — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- LDL/triglycerides (pantethine)Evidence grade C
Modest
Smallmixed
- Acne (high-dose B5)Evidence grade D
Weak
Triviallow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: LDL/triglycerides (pantethine) (grade C); Acne (high-dose B5) (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
Pantothenic acid (B5) is the precursor to coenzyme A, central to fat and energy metabolism. Its derivative pantethine is studied for lipids.
How it works
As coenzyme A it is essential to countless metabolic reactions; pantethine additionally influences cholesterol synthesis.
What the evidence shows
Deficiency is essentially unseen. Pantethine (not plain B5) has modest evidence for lowering LDL and triglycerides. High-dose B5 for acne is popular but weakly supported.
How to use it
No supplementation needed for adequacy; pantethine ~600–900 mg/day for lipids if used.
Safety & interactions
Very safe; GI upset at very high doses.
Bottom line
You already get enough B5. Pantethine is a minor lipid option; the acne megadosing is unconvincing.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Lipids (pantethine)
- 600–900 mg/day.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Niacin (B3)Corrects pellagra, powerfully shifts blood lipids — but as a heart drug it failed to cut events and added harm.Evidence grade B
- Pantothenic Acid (B5) for Acne (high-dose B5)Evidence grade D — WeakEvidence grade D
- Pantothenic Acid (B5) for LDL/triglycerides (pantethine)Evidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- Pantothenic Acid (B5): dosage and how to take it600–900 mg/day.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.