Nutrient

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)

Water-soluble vitamin that is a precursor of coenzyme A. Needed for the synthesis of adrenal steroids (cortisol, DHEA), acetylcholine, and fatty acids. Popularly associated with 'adrenal support' although clinical evidence is limited.

How to take it

5–10 mg/day covers needs. For 'adrenal support', 500 mg/day is used for 4–8 weeks. For acne, 2.5–10 g/day (high doses).

Safety

Very safe. At very high doses it can cause digestive discomfort. May skew certain lab tests (like biotin).

Effect by goal · level of evidence

B5 deficiency

improves Very high consensus (A)

Essential

Deficiency is rare, but it corrects neurological and fatigue symptoms when present.

Acne (high dose)

improves Low-moderate small RCTs (A)

↓ Acne lesions

2.2–10 g/day for 12 weeks: moderate reduction of inflammatory lesions in mild-to-moderate acne. Likely effect by reducing sebum production.

View the study (small RCTs) →

Cholesterol and triglycerides

reduces (modest) Low-moderate RCT (AA)

LDL −10 to −15%

Pantethine (bioactive form) 900 mg/day: lowers LDL and triglycerides by 10–15% in mild dyslipidemias. Plain pantothenic acid is less active.

View the study (RCT) →

Adrenal support / chronic stress

improves (uncertain) Very low mechanistic hypothesis (A)

No RCTs

Obligate precursor of cortisol and DHEA; the logic is that supplementing it 'supports' adrenal synthesis in chronic stress. There are NO robust RCTs demonstrating this in humans; it is extrapolated from animals and clinical deficiency. Popular without a solid basis.

Information, not medical advice. Scientific evidence reflects the quality of the studies.