Pantothenic acid: Encyclopedia II - Pantothenic acid - B5 on Acne

Pantothenic acid - B5 on Acne

In 1997, Dr. Lit-Hung Leung conducted a study of 45 Asian males and 55 Asian females. He found that acne could be related to a B5 deficiency. According to the study, despite the fact that deficiency in B5 in our diet is rare, one of the possible causes of acne is a B5 deficiency. This is due to the fact that Coenzyme-A is made from B5, and while the body has enough B5 to produce sex-hormones, it does not have enough to produce sex hormones and metabolise fatty-acids together. When there is enough B5 in the body, there will be enough Coenzyme-A to regulate both processes. If there is not enough Coenzyme-A in the body, the body will choose the "natural" path and seek to produce sex-hormones instead of metabolising fat for the supposed survival of the species. At the same time lipids start to accumulate around the sebaceous glands, and therefor more oil must be produced to compensate. Because over-production of oil is the main cause of acne in many teens and adults, stopping this process is key to acne free skin.

The FDA generally suggests 10mg of Vitamin B5 a day. The study done here consisted of patients taking doses of 10g(sometimes 15-20g for more severe cases) of B5 a day along with a topical 20% by weight B5 cream. To give one an idea of how much this is, consider 10mg as the RDA of B5 so it is 100% of the DV. Since 1000mg = 1g, the dosage recommended in the study is around 100,000% (150,000%-200,000% for more severe cases) the DV of B5. In defense of such serious mega-dosing, Dr.Leung suggests that B5 is water soluable and like Vitamin C, cannot be overdosed on since excess is secreted through human waste. Success was found to be rivaled of that of Accutane. Though the severity of the cases varied among the patients, Dr.Leung found success as an additional bonus was discovered: pore size decreased as well. Dermatologists have longed argued that pore size cannot be reduced but only "visibly shrunk" with OTC medications and such. He argues that because while the sebaceous glands themselves do not shrink, the pores do since less oil is being produced to a more optimum level for the skin. Results, as the study states, were as immediate as in 1 week, with less breakouts occuring, smaller pore sizes, red marks fading, and the face becomes less oily. Severe cases often took a few months with mild cases the results were seen within the same week. However, a maintinance dose is required after the initial clearing, but the study did not specify an exact amount.

Though this study was done in 1997, news did not spread due to the way health news is covered in certain parts of Asia. However, by word of mouth and eventually the internet, success stories have came in by the thousands since (with others claiming no effect at all, while a smaller minority claimed it had worsened their acne). Because of this, as expected, many independent companies have composed their own B5 for acne supplements with other B vitamins to decrease chance of deficiency in other vitamins. Generally, many suggest starting off the first three days with 5g and then moving up to 10g a day for three months. Since the largest pill available is 500mg (a 1g pill of B5 has been made, but is extremely difficult to swallow), this can result in as many as 20 pills a day. The average cost for a bottle of 200 B5 500mg tablets is $10, so the cost can be steep. However, after three months many users suggest decreasing to 3-5g a day, with some claiming 1g a day is sufficient. This is to ensure that enough Coenzyme-A is available at all times to prevent lack of fatty-acid metabolism and to prevent future outbreaks.

Symtoms of overdose include fatigue, bright yellow urine, softer stools, stomach aches, and diarrhea, though reports of these symptoms are generally rare and non-life threatening.

However, this treatment is not without criticism. Some users report that cuts heal very slowly, hair loss is more apparent, and concerns of liver safety has also arisen. While the majority of B5 users have reported success, there is not enough documented study done on the long-term effects of B5 and because of this many dermatologists would not recommend such ultra-high doses of B5 (much less any other vitamin). The only documented study on the effects of B5 on acne was done by Dr. Leung back in 1997 (but based on a relatively small number of trials at 100, and there is no known follow-up study since) and this treatment is therefore taken at the patient's own risk.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "B5 on Acne", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki