Its name is derived from the Greek pantothen meaning "from everywhere" and small quantities of pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, with high amounts in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs, meat, and royal jelly.
It is commonly found as its alcohol analog, the provitamin panthenol, and as calcium pantothenate. The dimeric form Pantethine is considered to be the more active form of the vitamin in the body, but is unstable at high temperatures or when stored for long periods, so calcium pantothenate is the more usual form of vitamin B5 when it is sold as a dietary supplement.
Another form of pantothenic acid called panthoderm is added to skin creams and lotions for soothing cuts, scrapes, and mild burns (some believe that Vitamin B5 helps wounds heal more quickly by stimulating the cells to grow).
Pantothenic acid deficiency is exceptionally rare and has not been thoroughly
studied. In the few cases where deficiency has been seen (victims of starvation
and limited volunteer trials), nearly all symptoms can be reversed with the
return of pantothenic acid.
Symptoms of deficiency are similar to other vitamin B deficiencies. Most are
minor, including fatigue, allergies, nausea, and abdominal pain. In a few rare
circumstances more serious (but reversible) conditions have been seen, such as
adrenal insuffiency and hepatic encephalopathy.
Gopalan's Burning Foot Syndrome Severe Burning of the sole with lightening pain
was reported in tests conducted on volunteers.
