What is Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)?
Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, can be found in food naturally, added to food, and taken as a supplement[1]. Coenzyme A (CoA), a chemical compound that aids enzymes in the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids and other metabolic processes, and the acyl carrier protein, which is also involved in the synthesis of fats, are both produced using it. Many different foods contain pantothenic acid. Although not enough to meet dietary needs, gut bacteria can produce pantothenic acid.
You can find panthenol in body wash or hair conditioner ingredients. A lot of skincare and cosmetic products contain panthenol. These substances naturally improve the appearance and feel of your skin and hair. Using panthenol-containing products [7] could make your hair appear and feel fuller and shinier. You can find a lot of shampoos and conditioners with panthenol if you’re looking for a product to moisturize and nourish your hair. You can also find it in several de-tangles, hair mousses, hair sprays, and styling gels.
How Does Pantothenic Acid Support Hair Health?
A healthy mane is a great treasure, but we can all experience split ends and flaky scalps. Fortunately, we are aware of how vitamins function and are beneficial. Vitamin B5 is a hero when it comes to skin and hair. It is essential for preserving general health[6] as well. See how it benefits our hair below.
It can be frightening to find hair fragments in a comb or shower. Worry not; vitamin B5 can assist. It can lessen hair loss and dandruff while strengthening follicle bases and strands. In turn, this will give hair a rich, thick appearance. After providing your hair with nutrients that will boost and increase elasticity, vitamin B5 can help you take care of your hair.
On the other hand, over time, heat and pollution can harm your hair. Fortunately, vitamin B5, which has humectant-like properties, can help. This vitamin keeps the hair moisturized and hydrated. Hair is shielded from damaging airborne pollutants by moisture that forms a thin layer on top of it. Over time, this also helps to stop breakage.
Hair essentially needs vitamin B5. Your hair follicles won’t receive enough nutrients to function well if you don’t consume enough vitamin B5. Your hair follicles may become malnourished if you lack vitamin B5, which could lead to hair loss or slower hair growth. One of the main Vitamin B5 benefits for hair is preventing this all together.
7 Benefits of Vitamin B5 for Hair
Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, helps rebuild the individual hair shafts, which get harmed frequently by blow dryers and heated hair tools, frequent shampooing, and sun exposure. By assisting and safeguarding the adrenal glands, vitamin B5 can also aid in promoting hair growth. If you eat more eggs, avocados, potatoes, beef, chicken, nuts, and legumes, you can increase your intake of vitamin B5.
It’s essential to comprehend the benefits of using pro-vitamin B5 for hair before jumping on the pro-vitamin B5 bandwagon. Always choose products that nourish your hair and remain suitable for your hair type.
Here are seven key benefits [2] of including this vitamin B5 in your hair care routine.
1. Improved Shine
As you get older, your scalp produces less sebum, which causes your hair to become dull and dry. However, adding panthenol to your hair care routine can considerably improve the shine and softness of your hair. Your hair becomes glossier and healthier as a result of its humectant qualities. Additionally, it remains a vital component of shampoos that thickens and volumizes hair.
2. Increased Hydration
Pro-vitamin B5 penetrates the hair shaft deeply, giving each strand the ideal amount of moisture it requires to flourish. Panthenol is a great ingredient to find presence in hair conditioners because it can easily be relied upon to achieve hydrated and nourished hair for those with dull and dry hair.
3. Minimizes Tangles
Pro-vitamin B5 creates a thin film around each hair strand to make combing simpler and smoother, which reduces breakage. This ingredient can significantly reduce split ends and hair breakage when added to hair growth oils and serums.
4. Reinforces Elasticity
Your hair may become dry and brittle after each heat-styling session. Consequently, they become more prone to breakage, frizz, and split ends. Pro-vitamin B5 significantly increases your hair’s elasticity while also locking in moisture. It nourishes your hair while simultaneously shielding it from styling-related damage.
5. Promotes Hair Growth
Your scalp receives all the necessary nutrients from pro-vitamin B5 to promote healthy hair growth[3]. It hydrates your hair and seals in all the moisture, preventing split ends and early breakage. Your strands will maintain their length and be in good health thanks to pro-vitamin B5. Therefore, using pro-vitamin B5 to promote hair growth will be very successful.
6. Improves Scalp Health
The potent humectant pro-vitamin B5 deeply moisturizes your scalp. It prevents dryness and itchiness, which enhances the health of your scalp. You can also avoid dandruff and other scalp issues like scaling. If you begin using a dry, frizzy hair mask enriched with pro-vitamin B5, it is a great way to hydrate your scalp adequately.
7. Enhances Hair Texture
Your hair gains structure and strength as a result of vitamin B5[4], and it has an impact on each strand individually. Thus, enhancing the general texture of hair and reducing hair breakage. All this can get accomplished without weighing down your hair or giving it a greasy or flat appearance. Your hair will undergo a complete transformation when you use pro-vitamin B5.
What Are The Best Sources Of Vitamin B5?
Pantothenic acid, well-known as vitamin B5, is one of the vital vitamins for human life. It aids in converting the food you eat into energy and is crucial for the production of blood cells. Since the vitamin is present in all living cells, you can find it in almost all plant and animal foods. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way to ensure you receive enough vitamin B5 daily.
Sources of Vitamin B5[8] include:
- Fish: Shellfish, salmon, and lobster.
- Grains: Cereals and whole grain bread. Although milling can remove up to 75% of the vitamin B5 content, whole grains are a good source of the vitamin.
- Dairy items: Milk, yogurt, cheese, and milk-based products.
- Legumes, including soybeans, split peas, and lentils.
- Vegetables: Kale, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, avocado, and avocado.
Brewer’s yeast, peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, royal jelly, and oatmeal are additional sources of vitamin B5. Despite being widely present in food, pantothenic acid gets lost during processing, such as canning, freezing, and milling. Foods should be consumed fresh rather than processed to ensure an adequate intake. Vitamin B5 gets destroyed when food is boiled, like all other water-soluble vitamins.
Vitamin B5 does not have a Recommended Dietary Allowance, in contrast to other vitamins. The following daily intakes of dietary vitamin B5 are advised by experts:
Pediatric:
- Infant birth – 6 months: 1.7 mg
- Infant 7 months – 1 year: 1.8 mg
- Children 1 – 3 years: 2 mg
- Children 4 – 8 years: 3 mg
- Children 9 – 13 years: 4 mg
- Teenagers 14 – 18 years: 5 mg
Adults:
- 19 years and older: 5 mg
- Pregnant women: 6 mg
- Breastfeeding women: 7 mg
A healthcare professional might advise using higher doses to treat a particular condition.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking Vitamin B5 Supplements?
Using a supplement is probably safe[8] for people who consume the advised daily allowance of Vitamin B5 or a little bit more, but if you are thinking about taking a supplement should speak with a doctor first. A very high dose, such as 10–20 grams (gm) per day, may result in diarrhea and raise the possibility of bleeding. When you take vitamin B5 as a supplement, it may tip the balance of other B vitamins. It is best to take a B complex vitamin for this reason. It needs to get consumed with water after a meal.
It is always advisable to consult a doctor before taking a supplement, particularly for those who have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking other medications.
How Much Vitamin B5 Should I Take for Optimal Hair Health?
Like all other B vitamins, vitamin B5 is best known for nourishing hair follicles for their normal functioning. To maintain the hair follicle’s health and ability to grow hair, it strengthens and improves its function. It indicates that vitamin B5 is necessary for healthy hair growth, and deficiency will result in the malnourishment of hair follicles, which can cause reduced hair growth or even hair loss. Pantothenic acid is frequently used in cosmetic products like shampoo to increase one’s levels and guarantees steady, healthy hair growth.
A deficiency of vitamin B5[5] is uncommon because you can find it in many different foods. However, a vitamin B5 deficiency would lead to malnourished hair follicles, which would reduce hair growth and cause hair loss. Along with hair loss, you may experience other symptoms like depression, exhaustion, trouble sleeping, and irritability. These conditions can all make the effects of hair loss worse. The recommended daily intake of vitamin B5 is between 25 and 50 mg, but higher doses are unlikely to harm our health.
Vitamins that Boost Hair Growth
Numerous factors, including nutrition, genetics, illnesses, hormones, and stress, can impact hair growth and health. According to research, a lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy cell growth and function may be a factor in hair loss.
The first step to having gorgeous hair[6] is eating a balanced diet. To begin your hair restoration, however, you might require additional help. You can safely determine which hair growth shampoos and supplements would be most appropriate with the assistance of your primary care physician or dermatologist. Hair loss may heighten by nutrient deficiencies, including those in some B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, and zinc.
1. B Vitamins
Hair loss has been linked to riboflavin, biotin, folate, vitamin B5, B7, and B12 deficiencies. Some people, such as those who follow restrictive diets, might be more at risk. Deficits in vitamin B12 are more prevalent, particularly in older adults and those who consume vegan food.
2. Vitamin C
Powerful antioxidant vitamin C plays several roles that may impact the health of your hair.
3. Iron
The most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world, iron deficiency, can cause anemia and hair loss, especially in women.
Vitamin A
What tissue in your body grows the quickest? That’s right – it’s your hair. And vitamin A is necessary for cell growth, which in turn promotes hair growth.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 is a nutrient that naturally occurs in foods like fish and flaxseed and dietary supplements like fish oil. It’s vital to cell health and thought to improve the health of your scalp and hair.
The Bottom Line
The pro-vitamin B5 is a perfect component for your hair. There are numerous ways you can include it in your haircare routine. Your hair’s pro-vitamin B5 game will reach entirely new heights when you use it on your hair. Make sure it works well for your scalp and hair before going all out.
Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is essential for having healthy hair. To encourage healthy hair growth and stop hair loss, it aids in nourishing and strengthening hair follicles. Natural sources of this vitamin include fresh meat, vegetables, and whole, unprocessed grains. Ensure you don’t experience any side effects later by talking to your doctor before taking any supplements.
Vitamin Shots at City Doctor
In case of vitamin deficiency, you can contact City Doctor in Dubai. Our team will come to your location after receiving just one call from you, perform a thorough examination, and make arrangements for the necessary vitamin shots. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals with extensive training, credentials, and experience make up our team. We are available 24/7 all across the UAE. You can call us at 800 5060 or drop a text on WhatsApp at +971 54 5060 704.