# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) →

Vitamin B12 is a cobalt-containing water-soluble corrinoid synthesized exclusively by microorganisms. Adult RDA is 2.4µg/day (no Upper Limit established), required for DNA synthesis, methionine synthase homocysteine conversion, and myelin sheath maintenance.

View full Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) spec sheet →
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) →

Vitamin B5 is an essential water-soluble vitamin required for the synthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP), vital in fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation. Adequate Intake (AI) is 5.0 mg/day (no Upper Limit established).

View full Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Nutrient Type
Water-Soluble Corrinoid Vitamin Water-Soluble Amide Vitamin
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (Extremely low toxicity) None Established (Extremely low toxicity)
Chemical Forms
Methylcobalamin (Active), Adenosylcobalamin (Active), Cyanocobalamin (Stable synthetic) D-Pantothenic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate (Stable synthetic), Pantethine (Active dimer)
Primary Biological Function
Methionine synthase cofactor, Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase cofactor, Myelin integrity, Erythropoiesis Coenzyme A (CoA) backbone (Acetyl-CoA, Succinyl-CoA), Acyl Carrier Protein in fatty acid synthase, Steroid hormone synthesis
Deficiency Condition
Pernicious / Megaloblastic Anemia, Irreversible Neurological Peripheral Neuropathy Extremely rare ('Pantothen' = everywhere in foods); 'Burning Feet' syndrome (paresthesia), fatigue
Top Whole Food Sources
Oysters, Beef Liver, Sardines, Salmon, Beef, Dairy, Eggs (Absent in unfortified plant foods) Shiitake Mushrooms, Beef Liver, Chicken Liver, Sunflower Seeds, Egg Yolk, Hass Avocado, Whole Milk
Adult RDA / RDI
2.4 µg / day (2.6µg pregnancy, 2.8µg lactation) —
Absorption Mechanism
Requires Gastric Acid, R-Protein, and Intrinsic Factor (IF) via Ileal Cubam receptors —
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
— 5.0 mg / day (6.0mg pregnancy, 7.0mg lactation)
Thermal Processing Losses
— 20–50% lost during meat canning, boiling, and flour milling refining

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Calcium (Elemental Ca) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Iodine (Elemental I) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Iron (Heme & Non-Heme) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Magnesium (Elemental Mg) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Potassium (Elemental K) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Selenium (Elemental Se) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Sodium (Elemental Na) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin A (Retinol & Beta-Carotene) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B3 (Niacin / Nicotinic Acid & Nicotinamide) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin B9 (Folate & Folic Acid) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) → Compare Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) vs. Zinc (Elemental Zn) →