Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B5
For the body system: Acetylcholine

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is a precursor to coenzyme A (CoA), a molecule that plays a central role in the synthesis of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter in the nervous system. The biochemical pathway is well established: CoA is essential for the production of acetyl-CoA, which donates the acetyl group in the synthesis of acetylcholine from choline. Thus, there is a clear scientific rationale for why sufficient Vitamin B5 is necessary for normal acetylcholine production.

However, direct evidence that Vitamin B5 supplementation enhances acetylcholine levels or cognitive function in healthy individuals is limited. Most people obtain adequate Vitamin B5 from their diet, and deficiency is rare. Studies in animals have shown that pantothenic acid deficiency can reduce acetylcholine synthesis and impair nervous system function. In humans, case reports of deficiency suggest neurological symptoms, but clinical trials demonstrating benefit from supplementation in the absence of deficiency are lacking.

Therefore, while the biochemical role of Vitamin B5 in acetylcholine synthesis is scientifically validated, the evidence supporting its use as a supplement specifically to boost the acetylcholine system—beyond correcting a deficiency—is limited. The current scientific support is moderate at best, primarily grounded in mechanistic plausibility and animal studies rather than robust human clinical evidence.

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Products containing Vitamin B5

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