Pantothenic acid deficiencies are virtually non-existent in the general population. It was noted that pantothenic acid is widely distributed in foods and since it is absorbed throughout that small intestine, it is possible that intestinal bacterial synthesis also makes a contribution to pantothenic acid nutrition.
Deficiencies of this vitamin cause degeneration of nerve tissues with resulting muscular weakness, numbness, and malaise.
These people suffered symptoms that included irritability, restlessness fatigue, apathy, sleep disturbances, nausea, tingling, muscle cramps, staggering gait, and hypoglycemia.
Scaling skin and dermatitis, diarrhea with bloody stools, and ulceration of intestine are also deficiency symptoms.
Deficiency in pantothenic acid have been shown to adversely affect the immune system in both humans an animals, indicating that the nutrient also has a role in our system of defense.
Historically, it has been implicated in the the “burning feet” syndrome, a condition noted among malnourished prisoners of war during World War II.
Deficiency of pantothenic acid symptoms