Pantethine is not itself a vitamin; it is a special derivative of vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid. Several studies found that pantethine, taken three times daily in therapeutic doses of 300 mg (a daily dose of 900 mg) can:
- lower cholesterol (http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html)
- lower triglycerides (a blood lipid)
- raise HDL (“good” cholesterol)
- lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol).
Studies found the same effect in dialysis-dependent diabetics without side effects, which is extremely important because kidneys in these patients are particularly sensitive to stronger high cholesterol medication.
Pantothenic acid itself does not appear to lower cholesterol, so be sure you have chosen pantethine as part of a wider high cholesterol treatment regimen. If you decide you would like to take pantethine to lower cholesterol or triglycerides and raise HDL, ask your doctor so you can receive follow-up diagnosis and treatment of high cholesterol.
Vitamin B5 is one of eight B vitamins. It is water-soluble so the body gets rid of whatever vitamin B5 is not immediately used. Pantethine and pantothenic acid are nontoxic in humans. Animals and plants - all forms of life - need Vitamin B5 in order to live. All B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose, which is how the body produces energy. When taking a therapeutic dose of pantethine for high cholesterol (or any other single B vitamin), experts believe that one needs to also take a multi B-vitamin complex to avoid imbalance and deficiency of the other B-vitamins.
The functions of Vitamin B5 are:
- manufactures red blood cells
- used in the synthesis of coenzyme A, which helps regulate cell functions and basic chemical reactions (pantethine is closer to coenzyme A than vitamin B5)
- manufactures sex hormones
- manufactures “stress” hormones produced by the adrenals
- manufactures cholesterol, and regulates the manufacture of cholesterol, so that it can lower cholesterol or prevent high cholesterol from occurring
- helps maintain healthy digestive tract
- helps the body use other B
- wound healing, especially in burn and post-surgical patients
- treats acne
- Its derivative, pantethine, is part of a overall prevention or effective treatment for high cholesterol (http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html).
Pantothenic acid gets its name from the Greek “pantothen,” meaning “from everywhere,” because it is available in almost all food. Foods containing the highest amounts of Vitamin B5 are:
- whole grains, such as wheat germ
- legumes, especially soybeans and peanuts
- meat, especially liver, kidney, chicken
- fish/shellfish
- vegetables, especially mushrooms, avocado, sweet potatoes, corn, cauliflower, kale, broccoli
- brewers yeast
- dairy, especially milk and blue cheese
- oranges, tomatoes
- sunflower seeds
Oral supplementation of pantethine, not just eating foods containing vitamin B5, is required to effectively lower cholesterol (http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html)
Vitamin B5 deficiency in humans is very rare though sometimes observed in cases of severe malnutrition. B vitamins should not be taken concurrently with tetracycline because they reduce effectiveness of the antibiotic. People on estrogen, sulfa drugs, sleeping pills, and excess alcohol may need higher levels of vitamin B5.
Vitamin B5 is found in all living cells. In its active form, pantethine may lower cholesterol according to multiple research studies.
Article Source: http://www.fitnesshealtharticles.com.
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Research Shows Pantethine Can Lower Cholesterol
