Calcium pantothenate and pantothenic acid are often considered the same ingredient because of their similar names. Judging from the names, what they both have in common is that they both contain pantothenic acid. But calcium pantothenate also contains calcium. Next, Nutri Avenue will introduce you to these two ingredients.
What Is Pantothenic Acid?
Pantothenic acid is an organic acid. It is a form of vitamin B5 and is widely found in nature. It is a water-soluble vitamin and one of the essential vitamins for the human body. It plays important physiological functions in the human body, such as participating in energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and normal growth of skin cells.
Pantothenic acid combines 2,4-dihydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid (pantoic acid) and 3-aminopropionic acid (beta-alanine). Its name comes from the Greek pantos, meaning “everywhere,” because it is present in almost all foods as coenzyme A or acyl carrier protein. When these compounds enter the intestines, they are degraded. First, it releases 4-phosphopantetheine. It is then dephosphorylated to produce Pantotheylethylamine. This compound is rapidly converted into pantothenic acid by the enzyme thiol in the intestine. However, foods contain higher levels of pantothenic acid. But its bioavailability is only about 40% to 60%.
Pantothenic acid is absorbed in two forms. When its concentration is low, it is absorbed through active transport. When its concentration is high, it is absorbed through simple diffusion. In plasma, pantothenic acid is mainly in the free state. In red blood cells, it exists as co-alcohol A. When pantothenate enters cells, a specific carrier protein is required for transport.
Pantothenic acid deficiency in humans is rare. So, this ingredient has not been thoroughly studied. In the rare cases where pantothenic acid deficiency occurs (prisoners of war during World War II, victims of starvation, or some volunteer trials), oral pantothenic acid can treat almost all symptoms.
Pantothenic acid supplements are usually pantothenol, a shelf-stable functional analog. When ingested by the human body, it is converted into pantothenic acid. Related supplement products may contain up to 1,000 mg of pantothenic acid. It is 200 times the adequate intake for adults. However, no evidence exists that such large amounts of pantothenic acid provide any benefit.
Calcium pantothenate is the form of pantothenic acid commonly used as a dietary supplement or animal feed ingredient, compared to sodium pantothenate or free pantothenate. The reason is that calcium pantothenate has good chemical stability. Therefore, the product has a long shelf life.
What Is Calcium Pantothenate?
Calcium pantothenate is also vitamin B5. It is a salt compound formed by combining pantothenic acid with calcium ions. This ingredient is more resistant than pantothenic acid to factors that reduce stability, such as acids, bases, or heat. It is an indispensable trace substance for humans and animals to maintain normal physiological functions. Its chemical formula is C18H32CaN2O10. Calcium pantothenate appears as a white crystalline powder. It is soluble in glycerin and also slightly soluble in ethanol and acetone.
It mainly comes in the form of additives. 75% is used as feed, 15% in food, and 10% in pharmaceuticals. It is used clinically for several issues, like treating vitamin B deficiency, peripheral neuritis, and post-operative colic.
Calcium Pantothenate VS Pantothenic Acid: What’s Different?
Pantothenic acid and calcium pantothenate differ primarily in chemical form and use. Pantothenic acid is a form of vitamin B5 that can be obtained through food intake or vitamin B5 supplements. Calcium pantothenate is a nutritional supplement mainly used to supplement the intake of pantothenic acid. It can provide the necessary amount of vitamin B5.
Calcium pantothenate isn’t the only supplement form of pantothenic acid. Other forms of pantothenic acid supplements, such as pantothenate, are on the market.
Is Calcium Pantothenate The Same As Pantothenic Acid?
To some extent, these two ingredients are the same. Pantothenic acid and calcium pantothenate are both vitamin B5. But pantothenic acid deficiency rarely exists in life. Additionally, pantothenic acid has low bioavailability. However, calcium pantothenate exhibits high stability. Therefore, another form of pantothenic acid as, calcium pantothenate, is almost always used in dietary supplements and animal feeds.
However, at its core, pantothenic acid is an organic compound. It is a key component of coenzyme A. It is involved in the metabolism of sugar, protein, and fat. It promotes growth and development and maintains the integrity of cell membranes. It also promotes brain development. Supplemental forms of Pantothenic acid, such as calcium d-pantothenate, are complementary medicines. It prevents and treats pantothenic acid deficiency disorders such as polio, malabsorption syndrome, neonatal sepsis, etc.
Conclusion
Vitamin B5 Calcium pantothenate, a salt form of pantothenic acid, has better bioabsorption, especially for people with vitamin B deficiencies. Nutri Avenue recommends this ingredient in food products such as nutritional supplements. Welcome to contact us for more product information, such as COA and the latest quotation.
