Pantothenic acid – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

Abstract

Pantothenic acid, also referred to as vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that has essential functions in the body as a component of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP). It is widely distributed in animal and plant-source foods. Nutritional deficiency of pantothenic acid is rare and toxicity negligible. Information on pantothenic acid intakes in the Nordic countries is limited and biomarker data from Nordic and Baltic populations is missing. Due to a lack of data, no dietary reference values (DRVs) were given for pantothenic acid in the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) since 2012. The aim of this scoping review was to examine recent evidence relevant for updating the DRVs for NNR2023. Scientific literature since 2012 on associations of pantothenic acid with health-related issues in Nordic and Baltic countries was searched. No health concerns related to pantothenic acid were identified.