Acne Specialist believes there is a correlation between Vitamin B5 deficiency and acne (the most common skin disease), due to modern food processing.

Vitamin B5, aka pantothenic acid, serves the body in many ways. It is a member of the nutritionally elite group of eight vitamins lovingly called the Vitamin B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a role in nearly every major body system and process. The Vitamin B complex keeps both body and mind functioning and in good health.

Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins in the B complex, is essential to the body for a number of reasons (also see other sections of acne-specialist.com for more information):

-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. Coenzyme A is vital in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, steroids, sphingosines, and phospholipids. It also helps synthesize porphyrin, which is connected to hemoglobin.

-Through the above mechanism, Vitamin B5 is also thought to help prevent aging and wrinkles and is important for hair and healthy skin. As you can imagine, it is used in a variety of cosmetic products.

-It has the ability to utilize the food it takes in as fuel for its myriad of processes, great and small. As the coenzyme, Vitamin B5 is important in cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to release energy.

-It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from the cellular level on up. This makes it a critical part of the body’s efforts to fight the physical damage to which excessive stress contributes.

-Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system — for example, Vitamin B5 contributes to the production of neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves to communicate.

-Through its adrenal support, Vitamin B5 may reduce potentially toxic effects of antibiotics and radiation.

-Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor or partner to other members of the Vitamin B complex as well as other nutrients, has a great role in the functioning of the adrenal glands and also promotes normal growth of the body. This is due to its role in hormone production throughout the body.

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B5 is stable to moist heat and oxidation or reduction (adding or subtracting an electron), though it is easily destroyed by acids (such as vinegar) or alkalis (such as baking soda) and by dry heat. Over half of the pantothenic acid in wheat is lost during milling, and about one-third is degraded in meat during cooking. In many whole foods, Vitamin B5 is readily available.

Only recently the general public is becoming more aware of the importance of whole foods. Yet, diets of the majority of the population are still made up of mostly heavily processed foods (available Vitamin B5 activity is lost during refinement of foods) due to our fast pace, time poor lifestyle of the modern world.

”NO WONDER THE SERIOUS GLOBAL ACNE PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY AMONGST DEVELOPED NATIONS!!!”
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Vitamin B5 / pantothenic acid is found in yeasts, molds, bacteria, and plant and animal cells, as well as in human blood plasma and lymph fluid.

Good sources of pantothenic acid include the organ meats, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, fish, chicken, whole grain cereals, cheese, peanuts, dried beans, and a variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, green peas, cauliflower, and avocados. Vitamin B5 is also made by the bacterial flora of human intestines, another source for this important metabolic assistant or coenzyme.

Fatigue is probably the earliest and most common symptom of pantothenic acid deficiency. A diet high in refined and processed foods or a reduction or destruction of intestinal flora, most commonly by antibiotic use, can lead to a vitamin B5 deficiency.

Teenagers are more likely to experience a deficiency, because their diets often include high amounts of “fast foods” sugars, and refined flours (all low in B vitamins). And the problem may be compounded because the acne often associated with this type of diet is commonly treated with tetracycline antibiotics, which reduce the intestinal bacteria and thereby the production of pantothenic acid in the colon.

Studies of pantothenic acid deficiency in rats showed increased graying of the fur, decreased growth, and, in the extreme, hemorrhage and destruction of the adrenal glands. In humans, the decreased adrenal function caused by B5 deficiency can lead to a variety of metabolic problems. Fatigue is most likely; there may also be physical and mental depression, a decrease in hydrochloric acid production and other digestive symptoms, some loss of nerve function, and problems in blood sugar metabolism, with symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) being the most common. Pantothenic acid affects the function of cells in all systems, and a deficiency may reduce immunity, both cellular and antibody responses. Other symptoms of B5 deficiency include vomiting, abdominal cramps, skin problems, tachycardia, insomnia, tingling of the hands and feet, muscle cramps, recurrent upper respiratory infections, and worsening of allergy symptoms.

Therapeutic ranges are more like 250-500 mg daily and even higher, taken, of course, along with the other B complex vitamins. Individual needs vary according to food intake, degree of stress, and whether one is pregnant or lactating. Those people who eat a diet of processed foods, have a stressful lifestyle, or have allergies require higher amounts of pantothenic acid.

As with other B vitamins, there are no specific toxic effects from high doses of pantothenic acid. Over 1,000 mg daily has been taken for over six months with no side effects; when 1,500 mg or more is taken daily for several weeks, some people experience a superficial sensitivity in their teeth. However, it is possible that if B5 is taken without other B vitamins, it may create metabolic imbalance.

Everyone would agree that we need nutritious and healthy food to keep up with the latest everyday challenge at highest performance. It is also become a current lifestyle for people to eat nutritional food as well as supplements. We can find everywhere, these kinds of vitamins, herbal supplements, and healthy menus in markets or restaurants. But what about buying healthy food online? Although many years ago this kind of question would result in raising eyebrows, people nowadays can enjoy the simple kind of buying natural food supplements online.

There are already many nutritional stores today, which operate online. As the current trend in consuming food supplements, you can also find nutritional stores in major cities. Health-hub.com is one of the biggest health stores providing discount vitamin and herbs for people. They also carry various medicines for diseases and sickness.

People nowadays would prefer to consume organic food or some would love to be vegetarian. This shift of people’s attitude is also supported by the trend brought by public figures and advertisement. We can see now in lifestyle magazines or newspaper, all are arguing the trend of eco-gastronomy. For good tips on health as well as advices on healthy food, visit Health-hub.com and find many essential health information through their articles.

by : Colin Platt

The body’s immune systems defence and strength relies mainly on the foods we eat and don’t eat. The relationship between food and health is critical. We are in effect what we eat.

We need a steady intake of essential vitamins which are ever present in a diet high in fruit and vegetables. One of the best nutrients to support and build the immune system is the precursor to Vitamin A:

Beta-Carotene

The nutrient which is found in highly pigmented fruit and vegetables in colors of orange, red, and yellow. It is not a vitamin but it is converted by the body into vitamin A. Residuals not used by the body is converted to an antioxidant, to build the immune system by controlling the destructive free radicals, which can lead to disease.

Best Sources: Gac (note), carrots, sweet potatoes, raw parsley, spinach, raw watercress, spring greens, cantaloupe melon, tomatoes, apricots, broccoli, and peaches. (The gac fruit contains by far the highest beta-carotene of any known fruit. It is grown in Southeast Asia, and not common as yet in the West, but recently available in juice form). The sweet potato has almost twice the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A averaging 8,800 IU’s (International Unit) and is high in fiber and low in sodium, and contains over 40% of the RDA of vitamin C. Beta-carotene content is usually increased by cooking by releasing it from the cell walls of vegetables.

Beta-carotene is considered safe and does not appear to be toxic in large doses, however, taken over a sustained period can lead to the skin taking on a yellowish orange hue. As a consequence, high doses can be found in tanning pills.

As beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A in the body, it does in fact enhance vision, as the vitamin travels to the retina of the eye where it is converted into Retinol. It is said that British pilots during Word War 2 ate a plentiful supply of carrots to enhance night blindness so they could see better at night. This was the basis of a myth started by the Royal Air Force to fool the Germans into thinking that they were not using radar.

Taking beta-carotene supplements have been found to increase the risk of developing lung cancer amongst smokers and those who have been exposed to asbestos during their work. The advice of the FSA (Foods Standards Agency) concludes that you should be able to get the amount you need by eating a balanced and varied diet.

Too much supplementation can be harmful, as a result the Agency advises against taking more than 7mg of beta-carotene per day unless it is under proper medical supervision.

by : Cavyl Stewart

Since no one prefer to* live a life of embarrassment due to acne scarring, it is good to know that using vitamin E for acne scars can be a great way to reduce their appearance and make your skin look much better in the process.  There are a lot of options available when trying to make acne scars less noticeable, including expensive products and operations.  However, vitamin E is a great place to start; because it is a low-cost solution that is easy to use and can provide great results.  Maybe you’ll find that you don’t need to try the other options, after all.

A Simple Solution

Using vitamin E for acne scars is really quite simple, as it is a solution that is simply applied topically to your skin.  Also, you do not need any kind of prescription for vitamin E, as it can be easily found at the grocery store or your local pharmacy as an over the counter product.  One of the reasons why vitamin E is such a popular solution for acne scars is that it is so affordable and easy to obtain, actually.

When you decide to use vitamin E to help diminish your acne scars and improve your skin quality, you will have several options regarding how to do so.  For instance, you are able to apply vitamin E oil to your scars directly, often at night, or you can even rub it into your skin like a moisturizer.  If you do use a lotion with vitamin E, try to avoid mineral oil, as it may clog your pores and contribute to future breakouts.  Furthermore, vitamin E can be purchased in caplet form at many stores, and then you can simply take it orally, which provides a very convenient option, especially for busy people who are on the go.

Now that you’ve read some of the compelling reasons why using vitamin E for acne scars is a good idea, you know why it is a good idea to give such a simple, easy solution a shot before turning to more extreme methods to remove acne scars.  Even if you do opt for other methods, vitamin E is still a great way to improve the quality of your skin while helping to prevent future breakouts at the same time.  Never mind how you apply it, you really can’t fail.