Bodybuilders & atheletics are using potent acne clearing vitamins for sustained energy and stamina
Energy Vitamins
Bodybuilding and exercising requires good health, and most important of all, ENERGY! Most people don't realise that a great source of energy is vitamins. So, what vitamins facilitate energy production?
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
A water soluble vitamin that is needed in the making of fatty acids and glucose (the simplest form of carbohydrate that the body can burn), which forms the main sources of fuel for the body. (Do you know that the brain only burns glucose? B5 may help improve co-ordination!) When found in its CoA form, vitamin B5 plays a vital role in helping release energy from sugars, starches, and fats. Most of this energy release occurs in the energy production factories found in every cell called the mitochondria. Increased levels of vitamin B5 in the blood of marathon runners, for example, has led to interest in this vitamin as a potential aid in physical training, where sustained energy release from the mitochondria is critical.
It is also essential for the making of steroid hormones and neuro-transmitters in the brain (body co-ordination).
Vitamin B5 is widely found in foods and the RDA is only 6mg per day, but once again it will not satisfy the needs of an athlete. Pantothenic Acid supplementation of 2.0g per day has shown to reduce lactate build-up by 17% and oxygen consumption by 8%. In addition, B5 is easily destroyed in cooking and modern food processing. See our article on acne and vitamin B5 deficiency.
Zinc
Think zinc for growth. That's right, the mineral zinc is involved in virtually all phases of growth. Even more critical for bodybuilders, studies have shown that high intensity exercise stimulates excessive zinc loss. Further, diets of some athletes have been found to be low in zinc. This potential double edged sword, excess loss coupled with possible low intakes, moves zinc into our number three position. If you're not mindful of your zinc intake, your growth may be stymied.
Biotin
Firstly, as part of the B-complex vitamins, it forms part of two important enzymes, pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase. These two are essential for gluconeogenesis (formation of new glucose) and fatty acid synthesis, which forms two of the major fuel sources for the body. Secondly another coenzyme called 3-methylcrotonyl coenzyme A carboxylase is essential for the breakdown of branched-chain amino acids, which means without it the body cannot break down these amino acids to use them again as building blocks for muscle. Deficiency of Biotin will speed up the balding process, and leave you skinny and weak. Active people should take 300 to 5000mcg daily, even though the RDA specifies only 30-100mcg. The best food sources for Biotin are liver, sardines, egg yolk, and soy flour. Raw egg whites as used by some bodybuilders contain Avidin, which binds biotin and make it useless for the body.
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Named after the retina of the eye, retinol is an oil soluble vitamin that is essential for vision (especially night vision), the skin and mucous membranes, cell growth, reproduction, and normal immunity. Sources of this vitamin are liver and fish liver oils. Beta-carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A, can be found in carrots and dark green leafy vegetables. One large carrot for example contains 18 000 IU of beta-carotene, which is more than three times the RDA of 1000mcg RE (retinol equivalents). It takes 6 mcg of beta-carotene to yield 1 mcg RE of vitamin A.
VitaminB5 for dieting
Better metabolism, better digestion, and an in-sync melody of the vitamins and minerals within can help the dieter reach their weight loss goals a bit quicker and safer. Dieters generally restrict calories, vitamin supplements may help ensure better nutrition and a more efficient metabolism.
SkinB5 a revolutionary acne treatment has many other benefits due to its core ingredient, Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose (sugar), which is "burned" to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, are essential in the breakdown of fats and protein. B complex vitamins also play an important role in maintaining muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting the health of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.
In addition to playing a role in the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates for energy, Vitamin B5 ( pantothenic acid ) is critical to the manufacture of red blood cells as well as sex and stress-related hormones produced in the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop of the kidneys). Vitamin B5 is also important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and it helps the body use other vitamins (particularly B2 [riboflavin]) more effectively. It is sometimes referred to as the "anti-stress" vitamin because it is believed to enhance the activity of the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions.
Pantethine, an active stable form of vitamin B5, has been gaining attention in recent years as a possible treatment for high cholesterol. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, however. Panthanol, another form of vitamin B5, is often found in hair care products because of the belief that it makes hair more manageable, softer, and shinier.
Symptoms of a vitamin B5 deficiency may include fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory infections.
Vitamin B5 cures acne & wrinkles
Derived from the Greek word pántothen, meaning "from all quarters," this B Vitamin is indeed a "do everything, be everywhere" nutrient. It is part of the chemical makeup of Coenzyme A. It is also known in other forms - Calcium Pantothenate and Panthenol.
It has become increasingly popular as a nutritional supplement, widely used for its abilities to boost energy, increase athletic performance, alleviate arthritis, restore color and luster to hair and, in general, rejuvenate. Deficiencies in humans can result in abdominal distress, vomiting, cramps, burning pain in the heels, "burning feet syndrome", fatigue, insomnia. Signs of reduced immunity to some infectious agents have also been noted in pantothenate deficiency.
Some scientists believe Vitamin B5 can also prevent aging. Tests prove that getting an adequate amount of vitamin B5 into the body can stop the growth of wrinkles. For teenagers, Vitamin B5 can help STOP serious oil gland production, which means no acne.
The below extract is from research performed by Lit-Hung Leung, M.D, where Vitamin B5 was used to treat acne.
”One hundred patients of Chinese descent were included in the study, 45 males and 55 females. The age ranged from 10 to 30, and with about 80% between 13 and 23. The severity of the disease process varied. They were given 10 grams of pantothenic acid a day in four divided doses.There is a noticeable decrease in sebum secretion (skin oil) on the face usually 2-3 days after initiation of therapy. The face becomes less oily. After two weeks, existing lesions start to regress while the rate of eruption of new acne lesions begins to slow down. In cases with moderate severity, the condition is normally in complete control in about eight weeks, with most of the lesions gone and new lesions only to erupt occasionally.”
Good sources of Vitamin B5 include the organ meats, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, fish, chicken, whole grain cereals, cheese, peanuts, dried beans, and a variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, green peas, cauliflower, and avocados. SkinB5’s combination of Vitamin B5, Zinc, Vitamin A and Biotin will give you serious results in treating acne and wrinkles
