| Co-enzyme A is needed to break down fatty acids in | | | | have gone below your individual maintenance dosage; |
| the body. When, levels of co-enzyme A are low, the | | | | increase to the amount taken before the last reduction. |
| efficient breakdown of fatty acids is thus impaired | | | | One may ask why, the doses of d-calcium |
| which leads to excessive accumulation of fatty acids | | | | pantothenate, are so high. Well, the purpose of taking |
| in the blood stream. The fatty acids are the deposited | | | | 20 capsules per day is to kick-start the body to |
| into the sebaceous glands (sweat glands) and | | | | produce co-enzyme A. After the levels of co-enzyme |
| secreted as oil, giving the skin an oily complexion. | | | | A are high, (after about three months), they can then |
| Co-enzyme A is also needed for sex hormone | | | | be reduced to a maintenance therapy levels; as |
| synthesis. When the levels of sex hormone are low, | | | | explained above. |
| the body has to make use of what co-enzyme A is | | | | Efficacy |
| available for sex hormone synthesis (as hormone | | | | The use of d-calcium pantothenate has been shown |
| synthesis is given priority; without it, sex organs to do | | | | to be over 90% effective in a medical study. But one |
| not develop) and hence this causes the build-up of | | | | thing to note is that efficacy comes with compliance! |
| fatty acids. | | | | In some people, improvements can be seen at 2 |
| This explains why teenagers are more prone to acne | | | | weeks of therapy whilst others this can take |
| than adults; at that age, sex hormone synthesis is at its | | | | somewhat longer. |
| peak to allow development of sex organs and | | | | During the first week of treatment, some customers |
| secondary characteristics such as pubic hair, muscle | | | | have noticed that their acne has increased. Although |
| mass, voice change etc. | | | | the reason for this is not entirely known, this should not |
| The human body can obtain co-enzyme A from 3 | | | | act as a deterrent; this usually disappears after 1-2 |
| sources; adenosine (naturally produced), cysteine | | | | weeks. |
| (naturally produced) and d-calcium pantothenate, which | | | | Safety |
| needs to be obtained from dietary intake. Although the | | | | Being an all-natural water soluble vitamin, d-calcium |
| naturally produced adenosine and cysteine are able to | | | | pantothenate is safe to take in high quantities. The |
| cope with supplying the adequate levels of co-enzyme | | | | body will just excrete the surplus amounts through the |
| A, at time of high demand dietary intakes of d-calcium | | | | urine. The only contra-indication worthy of note is that |
| pantothenate are needed to quench this demand. | | | | d-calcium pantothenate should not be taken when |
| Treatment Regime | | | | pregnant/ breast feeding. |
| 1.For the first five days of treatment, 5 capsules are | | | | Side Effects |
| usually taken twice a day; this equates to 10 capsules | | | | 1.Loosening of stool ( reported as the main side effect) |
| per day. | | | | The stool consistency is half way between normal and |
| 2.After the first five days, 5 capsules are to be taken | | | | diarrhoea |
| 4 times a day (equates to 20 capsules per day) for 3 | | | | 2.Mild stomach irritation ( occasional) |
| months. | | | | 3.Possible headaches. This may occur at the start of |
| 3.After three months, maintenance therapy can be | | | | treatment and gradually subsides |
| started and this ranges from 4-15 capsules per day. | | | | 4.Must not be taken when pregnant or when breast |
| Maintenance therapy can be titrated according to the | | | | feeding! |
| appearance of your skin and how acne-free it is. | | | | If side effects do occur, then please reduce the |
| Gradually reducing the dose from 20 a day down to 10 | | | | number of capsules being taken or discontinue and |
| then eventually 4 capsules per day is quite a good | | | | consult your local doctor for advice. |
| method. If flare-ups are experienced, this means you | | | | |