
D-calcium pantothenate is known to help get rid of acne. It is a vitamin B5 supplement. To know more about this new acne treatment, read on…
Vitamin B5, also referred to as pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and is found in almost all foods. The commercial name of vitamin B5 is D-calcium pantothenate. Vitamins, particularly vitamin B5, assists metabolism and maintains the skin in optimum condition. Deficiency in vitamin B5 can lead to headache, nausea, fatigue and skin abnormalities. However, deficiency of pantothenic acid is rarely found in humans. People who follow fad diets for long periods of time are at increased risk of suffering from vitamin B5 deficiency.
Vitamin B5 is vital for the body for a variety of reasons. Basically, a water-soluble vitamin, it is important for the production of energy in our body. Vitamin B5 plays a key role in breaking the carbohydrates and fats to release energy, which is then utilized by the body for everyday activities. Adequate intake of vitamin B5 is vital to produce antibodies to fight against viral infections. Vitamin B5, an integral part of coenzyme-A, is necessary for normal carbohydrates metabolism. Vitamin B5 serves the body by manufacturing red blood cells and stress-related hormones.
The term pantothenate is derived from greek vocabulary. The word ‘pantos’ signifies ‘everywhere’ and as vitamin B5 is present in almost all food groups, it makes sense to name it as pantothenic acid. Although vitamin B5 is found in all foodstuffs, mushrooms, beef, milk and chicken are considered to be excellent sources of vitamin B5. It is observed that cooking is said to reduce pantothenic acid content by 15-50% in meats. The processing of vegetables is said to destroy 35-78% of pantothenic acid. Employing unhealthy methods of cooking can also decrease the amount of pantothenic acid present in foods.
What is D-Calcium Pantothenate?
D-calcium pantothenate is synthetically prepared from pantothenic acid and is sold as a vitamin B5 supplement. Usually, it is available as a white powder. Most importantly, it does not have a smelly odor. It is bitter in taste and shows hygroscopic property. The aqueous solution of D-calcium pantothenate is slightly alkaline and easily dissolves in water. These supplements are prescribed to relieve morning stiffness and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and also as an acne treatment.
As the name suggests, this commercial preparation of vitamin B5 is a combination of calcium and pantothenic acid. The supplement has around 8% of calcium, while the rest constitutes 92% of pantothenic acid. As far as stability is concerned, D-calcium pantothenate has an edge over pure form of pantothenic acid. In other words, the freely available pantothenic acid has less stability than the one containing calcium. Also, the absorption of D-calcium pantothenic acid in our body is significant and higher than that of free pantothenic acid.
Side Effects
There may be few side effects, when using the supplement. However, one really does not have to worry as these side effects are minor and tolerable, that go away within a few days. It does not cause any adverse or serious side effects. Vitamin B5, when taken along with B complex supplements, provides an easy way to reduce possible side effects. Recent studies have also approved its safety. Some of them are listed below:
- Headache
- Diarrhea (softening of the stool)
- Stomach irritation
Caution
If you are going to use D-calcium pantothenate supplement powder for medicinal purposes, make sure it is authentic and purchased from a reliable source. Powder added with fillers and other substances is no good and least effective. Also, keep the powder in a cool, dry place at room temperature and do not expose it to direct sunlight.
D-Calcium Pantothenate for Acne
Skin specialists are of the opinion that occurrence of acne is strongly associated with vitamin B5 deficiency. Hence, intake of this vitamin B5 supplements can play a crucial role to alleviate and clear up acne. Alternative therapies for acne have become the order of the day and one of them is the use of D calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5). Available in oral and topical form, it has shown amazing results in acne treatment.
Acne is the result of hyperactive oil (sebaceous) glands that causes overproduction of sebum (oil). The sebaceous glands that are present on the face, chest, back and shoulder produce excess sebum that clogs the skin pores, allowing the bacteria to get trapped inside. This, eventually, leads to the formation of pimples and blackheads. Overproduction of sebum is the major reason behind the development of acne. Vilantae curbs this surplus secretion of sebum, which helps to get rid of acne. It is known to restore the natural look of the skin and keep it in good condition.
Although, vitamin B5 is known to be the best acne treatment, don’t expect it to cure acne within a week or two. The affected skin will show remarkable improvement, only when this form of treatment is taken for a period of 2-3 months. The use of vitamin B5 supplements have been extremely beneficial for acne sufferers, as many of them have shown significant improvement in their skin condition.
Initially, higher dosage of vitamin B5 supplements (pills) is required to treat this condition. One may have to take as many as 20 pills per day, for the first three months, to accelerate the healing process. However, consultation with the doctor is equally important, before one decides to take this mega dose for acne treatment.
In a study, a group of 75 patients suffering from acne were put on vitamin B5 treatment. The results proved that D-calcium pantothenate was undoubtedly one of the best approach to treat acne. It was found that over 90% patients showed dramatic improvement in their skin condition.
Supplements
Using this supplemental form of vitamin B5 is one of the best ways to address the problem of acne. There are pharmaceutical companies that manufacture D-calcium pantothenate supplements in the form of pills, tablets and capsules. Vilantae is a vitamin B5 supplement that enables acne prevention by reducing the release of excess skin oil. Though, it is known to have minimum side effects, it is better to consult your doctor before using it.
D-calcium pantothenate is an innovative way to treat teenage and adult acne. So whether acne has affected the shoulder, chest or back use of D-Calcium Pantothenate is effective to speed up the healing process. It is the best solution to ward off acne and prevent recurrence of acne.