Pantothenic acid content of a nursing home diet 1,2

21 meals, representing the usual weekly dietary intake of residents of a northern Utah nursing home, were analyzed for pantothenic acid using a radioimmunoassay. Beverages were not included in the analysis. The mean daily pantothenic acid content of the diet exclusive of beverages was found to be 3.75 mg. The diet as analyzed supplied 2.22 mg of the vitamin per 1,000 kcal. If not supplemented by beverages and snacks, this diet supplies less than the 4-7 mg suggested for adults by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences.