Pantethine is considered the "active" form of B5 (not to be confused with pantothenic acid, which is another form of B5, common in nutritional supplements). It's been used as an OTC drug for cholesterol for over 20 years in Japan, but only very slowly gaining acceptance in North America. Maybe this new study can help spur people to consider natural and safe alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions to cholesterol issues.
In this new study, two groups used pantethine at doses of 600 and 900 mg. At the end of the study, the pantethine groups showed modest decreases in LDL (4%) and total cholesterol (3%) over the placebo group.
Source: Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5 used as a nutritional supplement, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in low– to moderate–cardiovascular risk North American subjects: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation
Even though these results were statistically significant, I'm surprised at the results, and would have expected to see much greater reductions. According to a meta-analysis published in 2005, pantethine was shown to have much greater benefits, with the most benefit being a huge decrease in triglyceride levels. In this meta-analysis (which combined results from 28 previous clinical trials), results showed pantethine, after 4 weeks lowered LDL by 20.1%, total cholesterol by 15.1%, and triglycerides by 32.9%.
From my clinical experience, I'd say the therapeutic dose is 900 mg/day (I think 600 mg is too low), but that's just me, and the evidence does suggest some people will get results with doses as low as 600 mg daily.
Now for a separate discussion...
I've come across a number of studies in the last couple weeks, and I've covered them here almost daily. For those who subscribe by email, I want your feedback. Is this too much? I don't want to become a bother like some believe Dr. Mercola's emails have become (I get them daily). Keep in mind I only post when I find a new study...there have been weeks where I don't discuss a single study. Post a comment below to let me know your thoughts. I'm always looking for ways to improve this blog and make it more relevant.
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I, for one, don't mind the daily emails as long as there is something interesting to read. I love to read about all the studies you cover that mass media doesn't.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, not too interested in post like the petition for EWG against childhood obesity. Yes, it's an important issue and related to your nutrition blog, but I don't see this blog as an "activist" blog/site.
But that's just my opinion, and I'm just one subscriber (of many, I'm sure).
...not to be confused with the "other" Dan above.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the emails. It's my choice to read/ignore an email/post, so no skin off my back. Keep up the great posts!
Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteI'm an email subscriber, but many times I dn't even read the emails. I just check your blog about weekly and catch up on the various posts all at once.
ReplyDeleteI have encouraged my elderly parents to sign-up. they need to know about this stuff, and also the guff. :)
I don't mind either. I like the real science you cover.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can be a little loquacious, but I do enjoy your coverage of the newly published studies. So much to learn!
ReplyDeleteBTW, you're better than Mercola...he repeats the same point 10 times in an article, and all he's trying to do is sell his products. I rarely read him now.
I haven't had great success with pantethine alone. You may remember you recommended krill oil in combination...wow, what a great combination! Thanks for the suggestion. I've got a few of my friends doing the same now, all getting great results. We call it "Dr. Know's Cholesterol Protocol." :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to many more enlightening posts.
I'll read those post I feel apply to me. it's just like a newspaper where you get all this stuff to read, but you'll only read what interests you. So in that regard, I don't mind the daily emails either.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback everyone! If you keep reading, I'll keep posting.
ReplyDelete