Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency
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Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) deficiency has never been reported in humans, as it is available in adequate amounts in almost all foods. Some people may need a little more of this vitamin, due to their specific health condition:
- Alcoholics
People who drink excessive amounts of alcoholism do not absorb as much of the vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and even other nutrients and may not eat properly, so may be deficient in this vitamin and may need supplementation. The only group who is at real risk of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) deficiency are chronic and long-term alcoholics. - Athletes
Athletes need more vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) as they are using up so much of it when they engage in their vigorous physical exercise and need to replenish it quickly. Supplementation may be required for athletes (or anyone else that exercises strenuously). - People over 65 years
People over 65 years may need a little more vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) as they may not be able to absorb enough of it from the foods they eat and they may not be eating properly too. - People that have recently undergone surgery
People that have recently had surgery may need more vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) as their body is using up so much of it for healing the damaged tissues that have undergone surgery and a deficiency may result. People that will be undergoing surgery need to seek the advice of their doctor to determine how much of this vitamin is required for their individual circumstances.
Athletes need more vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) as they are using up so much of it when they engage in their vigorous physical exercise and need to replenish it
- People under excessive and prolonged stress
People that are experiencing high levels of stress may need more B5 (pantothenic acid) as their body is using up so much of their stores trying to deal with the metabolic effects of the stress, so they need to be replenished. - People with certain gastrointestinal disorders
People with certain gastrointestinal disorders such as sprue (celiac disease) or enteritis may not be able to absorb adequate amounts of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) from the foods they eat and may need a supplementation. - Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding may need more B5 (pantothenic acid) because they are passing on so much of it to their child. Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding need to seek the advice of their doctor to determine how much of this vitamin is required for their individual circumstances.