What are the functions of pantothenic acid?

Answer 1

Pantothenic acid helps your body by:

• Releasing energy from carbohydrates and fats: In its CoA form, pantothenic acid plays a crucial role in helping release energy from sugars, starches, and fats. Most of this energy release occurs in your mitochondria, the energy-production factories in every cell.
• Producing fats: While the CoA form of pantothenic acid is important for releasing energy stored as fat, it is equally important for synthesizing fatty acids and cholesterol. Your body also requires pantothenic acid to synthesize sphingosine, a fat-like molecule that helps deliver chemical messages inside your cells. In order for pantothenic acid to support fat production, it must usually undergo a second chemical change in addition to the conversion to its CoA form. The second change, which is called acetylation, converts the CoA form of pantothenic acid into acteyl CoA. This conversion process occurs continually within your cells. In its acteyl CoA form, pantothenic acid helps provide fat with its chemical structure because the acetyl portion of acetyl CoA is the basic building block for fat. Pantothenic acid is also important in the functioning of acyl carrier protein (ACP), which transports acetyl building blocks of fat from the large, watery cytoplasm into the mitochondria, where fat is actually produced.
• Changing the shape and function of proteins: Your cells can make small chemical changes in the shape of cell proteins. For example, to prevent proteins from being chemically broken down into other substances, your cells can modify their structure. One way to accomplish this task is by attaching a special chemical group, called an acetyl group, to the proteins. Pantothenic acid, in the form of CoA, can be used to help acetylate proteins, thereby protecting them from chemical breakdown. Sometimes the acetylation of a protein can dramatically change its function; for example, sometimes it can pave the way for a protein's conversion into a hormone. This process is especially well-researched in relationship to your body's adrenal glands, where stress-related hormone production requires participation of pantothenic acid.
• Improving your ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal glands: Your adrenal glands secrete cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that kick into high gear during moments of intense anxiety or physical strain. But if stress has become your status quo, ceaseless cortisol and adrenaline secretion may deplete your adrenal glands and wipe out energy reserves. Pantothenic acid can help nourish your adrenal glands and return your cortisol production back to normal. Pantothenic acid, as coenzyme A, is closely involved in adrenal cortex function and has come to be known as the "antistress" vitamin. It supports the adrenal glands to increase production of cortisone and other adrenal hormones to help counteract stress and enhance metabolism. Acetyl co-enzyme A is a precursor to all the steroid hormones.

Answer 2

Pantothenic acid is necessary for proper growth and development.