Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for pantothenic acid

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which is a component of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl-carrier proteins. Pantothenic acid is ubiquitous and deficiency is rare. There are no suitable biomarkers that can be used to derive the requirement for pantothenic acid. Data available on pantothenic acid intakes and health consequences are very limited and cannot be used to derive DRVs for pantothenic acid. As there is insufficient evidence available to derive an Average Requirement and a Population Reference Intake, an Adequate Intake (AI) is proposed. The setting of AIs is based on observed pantothenic acid intakes with a mixed diet and the apparent absence of signs of deficiency in the EU, suggesting that current intake levels are adequate. The AI for adults is set at 5 mg/day. The AI for adults also applies to pregnant women. For lactating women, an AI of 7 mg/day is proposed, to compensate for pantothenic acid losses through breast milk. For infants over six months, an AI of 3 mg/day is proposed by extrapolating from the pantothenic acid intake of exclusively breast-fed infants aged zero to six months, using allometric scaling and reference body weight for each age group, in order to account for the role of pantothenic acid in energy metabolism. The AI for children and adolescents is set at 4 and 5 mg/day, respectively, based on observed intakes in the EU. In 1993, the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) proposed an Acceptable Range of Intakes of pantothenic acid for adults of 3-12 mg/day, based on observed intakes of pantothenic acid in European countries, which were considered adequate to meet requirements and prevent deficiency. © EuropeanPantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which is a component of coenzyme A (CoA) and acylcarrier proteins. Pantothenic acid is ubiquitous and deficiency is rare. Foods rich in pantothenic acid include meat (products), eggs, nuts, avocados and cruciferous vegetables. The main contributors to pantothenic acid intakes include meat products, bread, milk-based products and vegetables.Data on pantothenic acid absorption are lacking. Most of the pantothenic acid in tissues is present as CoA, mainly found in mitochondria, with lesser amounts present as acyl-carrier protein and free pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is excreted in urine, after hydrolysis of CoA in a multistep reaction.Urinary excretion of pantothenic acid and, to a lesser extent, pantothenic acid concentration in whole blood or erythrocytes reflect pantothenic acid intake. Data from the general population are limited so that the variability characteristics of these biomarkers and their ability to discriminate between pantothenic acid insufficiency and adequacy are not well known. No cut-off values have been established for these biomarkers. The Panel considers that there are no suitable biomarkers that can be used to derive the Aver...

Biological Properties of Vitamins of the B-Complex, Part 1: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5

“…Major sources include meat, offal (liver and kidney), eggs, milk, cheese, nuts, mushrooms, yeast, whole grain cereals, legumes, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli or cauliflower), avocado, potatoes, and tomatoes [ 445 , 672 , 687 , 688 , 689 , 690 , 691 , 692 , 693 ]. The main contributors to pantothenic acid intakes are meat products, bread, milk-based products, and vegetables because of the quantities consumed [ 471 , 692 , 694 ]. One of the richest natural sources of pantothenic acid is royal jelly [ 672 , 692 , 695 , 696 , 697 ].…”

“…Regarding fortification of foods using pantothenic acid, adult human intake of that vitamin has generally been considered adequate in view of the absence of deficiency in normal populations and the fact that the daily requirement for pantothenic acid is easily fulfilled from most natural dietary sources owing to its ubiquitous distribution [ 99 , 749 ]. Pantothenic acid (as calcium pantothenate or sodium pantothenate or dexpanthenol) is added to various foods (such as milk-based products, breakfast cereals, and rice powders) to prevent deficiency due to incorrect nutrition or malnutrition or for certain nutritional requirements (baby foods, e.g., for non-breastfed infants; athletes’ products; low-calorie, reduced-calorie, and vitamin-rich foods) [ 174 , 337 , 671 , 694 , 749 , 750 , 751 , 752 , 753 ]. Concerning biofortification of crops for pantothenic acid, no extensive research has been conducted in exploring possibilities of enhancing pantothenate levels in plants through breeding or genetic engineering [ 61 , 679 , 680 , 754 ].…”

Vitamins as Possible Cancer Biomarkers: Significance and Limitations

“…It should be considered that, for instance, a deficiency in vitamins B 6 /B 12 , can cause DNA damage just like the exposure to radiation or some chemical carcinogens [18]. Table 1 summarizes the RDAs and the recommended blood concentrations for the vitamins [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. There are tantalizing results connecting diet to the risk of cancer.…”

Scientific Opinion on the essential composition of total diet replacements for weight control

“…In a previous opinion (EFSA NDA Panel, 2014g), the Panel has set an AI for pantothenic acid for adults of 5 mg/day based on observed pantothenic acid intakes and the absence of signs of deficiency in the EU.…”