Pantethine is the active form of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid. Supplementing with regular pantothenic acid will not necessarily increase the body’s levels of pantethine since this conversion process is tightly regulated. Pantethine is involved in hundreds of metabolic processes including energy production and fatty acid synthesis. It regulates the production of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL, supporting healthy cholesterol balance, a role that is not shared by pantothenic acid. Pantethine is also required for the synthesis of stress hormones in the adrenal glands, therefore an inadequate supply may result in adrenal insufficiency, which compromises immunity, energy, metabolism and overall well-being. Lastly, it is also essential for phase II liver detoxification, and may protect against fatty liver degeneration and other types of liver damage better than regular vitamin B5.
