Diet & Fitness

Pantethine, a byproduct of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) metabolism with a critical role in converting fatty acids into energy, may reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the body.²  In a randomized placebo-controlled trial that included 32 subjects with low to moderate heart disease risk participating in a healthy lifestyle intervention program, treatment with pantethine, at a dose of 600 mg per day for eight weeks followed by 900 mg per day for another eight weeks, resulted in an 11% reduction in LDL-cholesterol levels, while placebo resulted in no significant change. In addition, 6% and 8% reductions in total and non-HDL-cholesterol levels, respectively, were seen in the pantethine group, but no significant changes were seen in the placebo group.³In a similar trial conducted by the same research group that included 120 participants with low to moderate heart disease risk, the 16-week pantethine treatment protocol reduced total cholesterol levels by 3% and LDL-cholesterol levels by 4% relative to placebo.⁴ Several uncontrolled trials have also found that pantethine, at doses of 300 mg two to four times per day, improved cholesterol levels.^5,6,7 A meta-analysis of findings from 28 clinical trials including 646 participants with high cholesterol levels found pantethine, when taken in doses of 600–1,200 mg daily, reduced total and LDL-cholesterol levels and increased HDL-cholesterol levels; in addition, the analysis suggested beneficial effects on lipid levels may not be fully realized until 16 weeks of treatment with pantethine.⁸ Common pantothenic acid has not been reported to have any effect on high blood cholesterol.

 

Pantethine is a byproduct of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Several clinical trials have shown that 300 mg of pantethine taken three times per day will lower TG levels.^9,10,11 Pantothenic acid, which is found in most B vitamins, does not have this effect.

 

Research suggests that people with RA may be partially deficient in pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).¹² In one placebo-controlled trial, those with RA had less morning stiffness, disability, and pain when they took 2,000 mg of pantothenic acid per day for two months.¹³

 

In a preliminary trial, people with acne were given 2.5 grams of pantothenic acid orally four times per day, for a total of 10 grams per day—a remarkably high amount.¹⁴ A cream containing 20% pantothenic acid was also applied topically four to six times per day. With moderate acne, near-complete relief was seen within two months, while severe conditions took at least six months to respond. Eventually, the intake of pantothenic acid was reduced to 1 to 5 grams per day—still a very high amount.