Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate)
For the body system: Hair

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate) is sometimes included in hair health supplements based on its role in cellular metabolism and anecdotal reports of supporting hair growth and hair quality. Biologically, Vitamin B5 is essential for the synthesis of coenzyme A, which plays a part in fatty acid metabolism and energy production in cells, including those in hair follicles. However, the scientific evidence supporting a direct benefit of Vitamin B5 supplementation for hair health in people who are not deficient is limited.

Most of the support for Vitamin B5’s role in hair health comes from its necessity in overall nutrition: severe B5 deficiency can cause symptoms like hair loss, but such deficiency is extremely rare in developed countries due to its widespread presence in food. A few small studies and animal experiments suggest that pantothenic acid may promote hair pigmentation and strength, but these findings have not been robustly replicated in large, high-quality human trials. The common inclusion of B5 in hair products and supplements is largely based on its general role in skin and hair cell metabolism rather than clear evidence of efficacy when taken as a supplement in people with adequate nutrition.

In summary, Vitamin B5 is scientifically necessary for normal hair growth, but supplementation above the recommended dietary allowance has not been convincingly shown to enhance hair health in otherwise healthy individuals. Thus, its use for supporting the hair body system is grounded in basic nutritional science, with weak evidence for additional benefits from supplementation.

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