Evidence supporting the use of: Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands

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Synopsis

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

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) has a traditional association with the treatment of "burning feet syndrome," particularly stemming from observations made during and after World War II. This syndrome, characterized by burning sensations in the feet and sometimes the hands, was notably prevalent among prisoners of war and populations suffering from severe malnutrition. Early reports, especially from Southeast Asia, suggested that dietary deficiencies—specifically of B vitamins including pantothenic acid—were linked to these symptoms. Supplementation with pantothenic acid reportedly resulted in symptom improvement in some cases, leading to the traditional use of this vitamin for burning feet syndrome.

However, subsequent scientific investigation into this association has been limited and inconclusive. While it is true that pantothenic acid is essential for nerve health and metabolism, and deficiency can produce neurological symptoms, well-controlled clinical trials supporting its efficacy in treating burning feet or hands in the general population are lacking. Most modern cases of burning feet are due to causes unrelated to pantothenic acid deficiency (such as diabetes or neuropathy), and supplementation is unlikely to benefit these cases.

In summary, the use of pantothenic acid for burning feet or hands is primarily justified by historical accounts and traditional practice, with a moderate level of supporting observational evidence but a lack of robust, contemporary scientific validation.

More about pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
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Other health conditions supported by pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)

Acne
Adrenal Fatigue
Burning Feet or Hands
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Hair (loss or thinning)