{
  "slug": "pantothenic-acid",
  "name": "Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Vitamin B5",
    "Calcium D-pantothenate",
    "D-Pantothenic acid",
    "Dexpanthenol (topical derivative)",
    "Panthenol (topical derivative)",
    "Pantethine (disulfide active form · separate molecule)"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "Essential precursor of Coenzyme A (CoA), the cofactor for >70 enzymatic reactions connecting carbohydrate, fat, and amino-acid energy metabolism (research-context mechanism)",
    "Constituent of acyl carrier protein (ACP), a cofactor of fatty-acid synthase (FAS)",
    "Cofactor implicated in synthesis of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and some neurotransmitters (acetylcholine/serotonin) — the basis of the EFSA Article 13.1 authorized function wording",
    "Pantethine (the disulfide active form · a distinct molecule, NOT pantothenic acid itself) has a separate research-context lipid-modulating pathway involving HMG-CoA reductase — evidence does NOT transfer to the parent vitamin",
    "Topical dexpanthenol/panthenol research describes skin-barrier and moisturization effects via a cosmetic/OTC route that is mechanistically and regulatorily separate from oral B5"
  ],
  "target": [
    "Coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis",
    "Acyl carrier protein (ACP)",
    "Fatty-acid synthase (FAS)",
    "Adrenocortical / steroid-hormone synthesis pathway (mechanistic)",
    "HMG-CoA reductase (Pantethine form only · separate molecule)"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "Daily nutritional adequacy / vitamin B5 dietary supplementation",
    "Research-context support of normal energy-yielding metabolism (EFSA authorized function wording)",
    "Research-context support of reduction of tiredness and fatigue (EFSA authorized function wording)",
    "Research-context support of normal mental performance (EFSA authorized function wording)",
    "Research-context support of normal synthesis of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters (EFSA authorized function wording)"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "MITO",
    "ENDO",
    "SKIN",
    "MOOD",
    "CELL"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "C",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 3,
  "dosage_range": "Reference intake (adequate intake) for adults is 5 mg/day across CN RNI / US IOM AI / EFSA DRV. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been set in any of the four markets (CN/US/BR/EU). Marketplace products (DSLD median ~500 mg/day) commonly exceed the reference intake by ~100x with no established toxicity, but research demonstrating added benefit above the reference intake for healthy individuals is lacking. Note: lipid-research doses of 600-900 mg/day apply to PANTETHINE (a separate disulfide molecule), NOT to pantothenic acid itself.",
  "safety_notes": "Water-soluble vitamin cleared renally; among the highest safety margins of the B-vitamin family — no UL set in CN/US/BR/EU and no established drug-nutrient interactions. Very high oral doses (>10 g/day, e.g. historical high-dose acne hypothesis doses) have occasionally been associated with diarrhea / GI upset. Clinical deficiency is extremely rare given wide dietary distribution. Two strict form/route boundaries apply: (1) Pantethine is the disulfide active form — a separate molecule with its own lipid pharmacology; lipid data must NOT be attributed to pantothenic acid itself. (2) Topical dexpanthenol/panthenol skin-barrier evidence follows a cosmetic/OTC route and must NOT be attributed to oral B5 supplements. PKAN (pantothenate-kinase-associated neurodegeneration) is a rare orphan disease and is NOT a supplement indication.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "United States (FDA): Calcium pantothenate is GRAS by regulation under 21 CFR 184.1212 (since 1984). Lawful dietary ingredient under DSHEA 1994 (~194 products in DSLD, median ~500 mg/day). Structure/function claims are permitted with the mandatory disclaimer 'This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.' US IOM Adequate Intake (AI) for adults is 5 mg/day; no UL established. No 21 CFR Part 101 Subpart E Significant Scientific Agreement health claim exists for pantothenic acid.",
    "efsa": "European Union (EFSA / Reg 432/2012): Pantothenic acid has FOUR authorized Article 13(1) general-function health claims in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 — (1) contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism; (2) contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue; (3) contributes to normal mental performance; (4) contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. Conditions of use: the claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of pantothenic acid (>=15% NRV per 100 g/mL or per portion; i.e. >=0.9 mg/day). Permitted supplement forms under Directive 2002/46/EC Annex I include calcium pantothenate, sodium pantothenate, and panthenol/dexpanthenol. DRV AI for adults is 5 mg/day (EFSA 2014); no UL set (EFSA 2006).",
    "anvisa": "Brasil (ANVISA): Acido pantotenico (vitamina B5) e constituinte autorizado de suplementos alimentares sob RDC 243/2018, com limites minimos/maximos de ingestao diaria regulados pela IN 28/2018 (Anexos III/IV). Alegacoes de propriedade funcional, quando aplicaveis, seguem o padrao verbatim oficial do Anexo V e devem ser usadas sem reescrita. Verbatim character-for-character requer consulta direta ao PDF oficial do BVSMS — authorized_claims ANVISA intencionalmente ausentes ate confirmacao manual. Sem UL estabelecido."
  },
  "authorized_claims": [
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "Pantothenic acid contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters"
    }
  ],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/pantothenic-acid/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "skin-beauty",
    "heart-health"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "senior-60-plus"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}