Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
pantothenic acid and energy-yielding metabolism (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171,
172, 208), mental performance (ID 57), maintenance of bone (ID 61),
maintenance of teeth (ID 61), maintenance of hair (ID 61), maintenance of
skin (ID 61), maintenance of nails (ID 61) and synthesis and metabolism of
steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters (ID 181)
pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
Pantothenic acid
bone
energy-yielding metabolism
hair
health claims
mental
nails
neurotransmitters
skin
steroid hormones
teeth
vitamin D
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods.
Pantothenic acid occurs naturally in foods and is authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1925/20063 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC4). This evaluation applies to pantothenic acid naturally present in foods and to those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, pantothenic acid, which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Metabolizm energetyczny (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171, 172, 208)
The claimed effects are “fat and carbohydrate metabolism”, “macronutrient metabolism”, “energy metabolism”, “metabolism of fat” and “carbohydrate and amino-acid metabolism”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel notes that, in the context of the proposed wordings, “energy metabolism” and “macronutrient metabolism” relate to energy-yielding metabolism of macronutrients.
The Panel considers that normal energy-yielding metabolism is beneficial to human health.
2.2. Zdolności umysłowe (ID 57)
The claimed effect is “mental performance (where mental performance stands for those aspects of brain and nerve functions which determine aspects like concentration, learning, memory and reasoning, as well as resistance to stress)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal mental performance is beneficial to human health.
2.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal bone is beneficial to human health.
2.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu zębów (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal teeth is beneficial to human health.
2.5. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu włosów (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal hair is beneficial to human health.
2.6. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu skóry (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal skin is beneficial to human health.
2.7. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu paznokci (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal nails is beneficial to human health.
2.8. Synteza i metabolizm hormonów steroidowych, witaminy D i niektórych neurotransmiterów (ID 181)
The claimed effect is “synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamins A, D, B12 and neurotransmitters”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters are beneficial to human health.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka
Pantothenic acid is required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA), a cofactor and acyl group carrier for many enzymatic processes and for the synthesis of the prosthetic group of the acyl carrier protein (ACP), a component of the fatty acid synthesis complex. Most tissues transport pantothenic acid into cells for the synthesis of CoA (IoM, 1998). The evidence for essentiality of pantothenic acid consists of its well known role in cellular biochemistry.
Deficiency symptoms have only been observed in experimental settings such as giving a pantothenic acid metabolic antagonist and not in dietary studies. Deficiency symptoms included irritability, restlessness, fatigue, apathy, malaise, sleep disturbances, numbness and muscle cramps (IoM, 1998).
3.1. Metabolizm energetyczny (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171, 172, 208)
Pantothenic acid as a component of CoA and ACP has central roles in energy, carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism (IoM, 1998; SCF, 2002; EVM, 2002; Sadler at al., 1999).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal energy-yielding metabolism. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired energy-yielding metabolism occurs in the general EU population.
3.2. Zdolności umysłowe (ID 57)
The references provided included two articles and two textbooks (Haller, 1995; IoM, 1998). The articles were two narrative reviews, one on the influence of micronutrients on cognitive function and performance (Huskisson et al., 2007a) and the other on the role of vitamins and minerals in energy metabolism and well-being (Huskisson et al., 2007b). Both reviews describe the well established roles for pantothenic acid in biochemical processes.
Pantothenic acid has a role in the metabolism and functioning of all cells including brain and nerve cells. Although no references have been provided to support a specific role of pantothenic acid in concentration, learning, memory and reasoning, as well as resistance to stress, deficiency symptoms of pantothenic acid in experimental settings indicate a role for pantothenic acid in mental performance.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal mental performance. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired mental performance occurs in the general EU population.
3.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości (ID 61)
The Panel notes that no evidence has been provided to support the role of pantothenic acid in maintenance of normal bone.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal bone.
3.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu zębów (ID 61)
The Panel notes that no evidence has been provided to support the role of pantothenic acid in maintenance of normal teeth.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal teeth.
3.5. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu włosów (ID 61)
The Panel notes that no evidence has been provided to support the role of pantothenic acid in maintenance of normal hair.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal hair.
3.6. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu skóry (ID 61)
The Panel notes that no evidence has been provided to support the role of pantothenic acid in maintenance of normal skin.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal skin.
3.7. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu paznokci (ID 61)
The Panel notes that no evidence has been provided to support the role of pantothenic acid in maintenance of normal nails.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal nails.
3.8. Synteza i metabolizm hormonów steroidowych, witaminy D i niektórych neurotransmiterów (ID 181)
Pantothenic acid, in the form of CoA, is required for the synthesis of isoprenoid derivatives, such as cholesterol, steroid hormones, vitamin D. Acetyl-CoA provides the essential acetyl group to the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters occurs in the general EU population.
4. Uwagi do zaproponowanego brzmienia oświadczenia
4.1. Metabolizm energetyczny (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171, 172, 208)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism”.
4.2. Zdolności umysłowe (ID 57)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance”.
4.3. Synteza i metabolizm hormonów steroidowych, witaminy D i niektórych neurotransmiterów (ID 181)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters”.
5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of pantothenic acid as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of
a balanced diet. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels have not been established for pantothenic acid in children, adolescents and adults.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data available, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, pantothenic acid, which is the subject of the health claim is sufficiently characterised.
Energy-yielding metabolism (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171, 172, 208)
The claimed effects are “fat and carbohydrate metabolism”, “macronutrient metabolism”, “energy metabolism”, “metabolism of fat” and “carbohydrate and amino-acid metabolism”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal energy-yielding metabolism is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal energy-yielding metabolism.
The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired energy-yielding metabolism occurs in the general EU population.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism”.
Mental performance (ID 57)
The claimed effect is “mental performance (where mental performance stands for those aspects of brain and nerve functions which determine aspects like concentration, learning, memory and reasoning, as well as resistance to stress)”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal mental performance is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal mental performance.
The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired mental performance occurs in the general EU population.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance”.
Maintenance of bone (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal bone is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal bone.
Maintenance of teeth (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal teeth is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal teeth.
Maintenance of hair (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal hair is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal hair.
Maintenance of skin (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal skin is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal skin.
Maintenance of nails (ID 61)
The claimed effect is “bone/teeth/hair/skin and nails health”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal nails is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between dietary intake of pantothenic acid and maintenance of normal nails.
Synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters (ID 181)
The claimed effects are related to “synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamins A, D, B12 and neurotransmitters”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters are beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has been established between dietary intake of pantothenic acid and normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters.
The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of pantothenic acid leading to impaired synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters occurs in the general EU population.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters”.
Conditions and possible restrictions of use
In order to bear the claims a food should be at least a source of pantothenic acid as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.
