KIN 343 - 11.20 Vitamin B5 Toxicity and Excretion

Vitamin B5: Toxicity and Excretion

No Established Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)

• As of now, there is no documented toxicity of Vitamin B5 in humans.

Dosage and Effects

• 10 grams per day: Consuming this amount for up to 6 weeks has shown no toxic symptoms.

• 15 to 20 grams per day: This dosage may lead to mild intestinal distress and diarrhea.

  • Note: The adverse effect is not unique to Vitamin B5 and could be expected with any purified chemical intake.

Quantity Perspective

• 15 to 20 grams equates roughly to 50 mL of a liquid form of Vitamin B5.

• This amount represents a significant volume when considering consumption:

  • 15 mL fills about three-quarters of a typical 20 mL container.

Intestinal Distress Explanation

• The occurrence of intestinal distress and diarrhea may not be due to the vitamin itself but rather the response to consuming concentrated forms of any compound.

  • This could also relate to a water retention effect due to the high volume of intake.

Excretion of Pantothenic Acid

• Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.

• Daily losses typically range from 2 to 7 milligrams per day, which assists in determining adequate intake recommendations.