Acne Treatment

Vitamin B for Acne

Vitamin B5, or Pantothenic acid, is required by every cell in the body, including the brain cells. This vitamin is important for the synthesis of adrenal hormones, wound healing, normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, glucose metabolism, and the utilization of other vitamins.

It was the Chinese doctor Lit-Hung Leung who first proposed that pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, was essential and very effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris (common acne). EH conducted a study in which hundreds of patients of Chinese descent were included. These patients were given a daily dose of pantothenic acid and were asked to apply a cream containing pantothenic acid 3-4 times a day. In Dr. Leung's words, results were as prompt as they were impressive.

Pantothenic acid belongs to the vitamin B family, which is collectively known as the vitamin B Complex.. It includes Biotin, Cobalamine (B12), Folic Acid (B9), Inocitol, Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyrodoxine (B6), Riboflavin (B2) and Thiamin (B1). These vitamins promote healthy nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and brain function.

The term vitamin is derived from two words, vital and amines. Vitamins are vital for life and these were thought to be amines. Although now we know that not all the vitamins are amines, they are organic compounds required by humans in small portions of our diet. A deficiency of some particular vitamin may cause certain diseases.

The B complex group of vitamins is extremely important for our body. It must be acquired through our diet, or supplements, to enable it to transform food into energy, maintain a strong immune system, balance many of the bodyís hormones, and perform other tasks.

The B vitamins work together and all the vitamins in the group are dependent on each other for performing their individual work in the body. If there is deficiency of any one B vitamin, it can create imbalance and deficiencies in others and thus hinder the bodyís ability to metabolize and assimilate them.

Surprisingly, the most common deficiency in the world today is that of folic acid. This deficiency is characterized by a bad mood and can cause deformities in unborn children. Deficiencies in vitamin B-12 or B-6 can produce the same symptoms, which makes it difficult to find out if the patient suffers from the lack of folic acid deficiency. That is why B vitamins are taken as a group, as vitamin B Complex.

If we take each B vitamin separately, we will find that each one has its own unique benefit. B-1 or Thiamin is needed to process carbohydrates to release energy. It also aids in the functioning of our nervous system, and helps maintain stomach acidity and a normal appetite. B-2 (Riboflavin) is needed for converting proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy. It is also necessary for healthy skin and eyes. B-3 (Niacin) is needed to release energy from food. It maintains the health of our skin, mouth and digestive tract. For normal mental functioning, niacin is necessary. It can increase blood circulation and help bring down high blood pressure. B-5, or pantotheic acid, helps in the functioning of the adrenal gland and thus balances hormonal activity, which makes it beneficial in acne treatment. It also helps in the formation of antibodies. B-6, Pyridoxine, is needed for the metabolism of protein, and helps maintain fluid balance, which is required for healthy red blood cells. B-12 is also required for red blood cell production. Folic acid is important for growth and reproduction of cells, particularly red blood cells, whereas Biotin is required for healthy skin and hair.

There are a few things which may lead to the deficiency of vitamin B. It includes consumption of sugar, white flour products, processed foods, alcohol, stress, environmental pollution, illness, malnutrition and inadequate digestion.