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