Evidence supporting the use of: Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
For the body system: Adrenal Glands

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Synopsis

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

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) has a traditional use in supporting adrenal gland health, particularly in the context of stress and adrenal fatigue. This stems from early biochemical research and naturopathic traditions, which note that pantothenic acid is essential for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA), a molecule involved in energy metabolism and the production of steroid hormones, including cortisol, by the adrenal glands. Animal studies from the mid-20th century showed that severe pantothenic acid deficiency led to impaired adrenal function in rats, such as reduced ability to produce corticosteroids. These findings led to the hypothesis that pantothenic acid supplementation might support adrenal health in humans, especially under stress.

However, robust human clinical trials demonstrating a direct benefit of pantothenic acid supplementation for adrenal support are lacking. Most evidence is either extrapolated from animal studies or based on the vitamin’s general role in metabolism and hormone synthesis. While deficiency in pantothenic acid is rare and supplementation is typically safe, its specific use for adrenal “support” remains more rooted in tradition and early experimental findings than in contemporary, high-quality scientific validation.

More about pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
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Other body systems supported by pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)

Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Glands
Brain
Cortisol
Glandular System
Hair
Mitochondria
Nerves
Skin