Vitamin for Energy
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Knowing Your Vitamins and Minerals Facts

Known as a vitamin for energy, Vitamin B5, this essential vitamin is key to almost all bodily functions.  Vitamin B5 is part of the family of B complex vitamins. It is also called Pantothenic Acid.  This one vitamin is used essentially by all of the functions and processes of the body.  Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin and can be found in abundance in most ordinary foods. 

You may be wondering how this all-important vitamin benefits the body?  To start with, similar to the other members of the B-complex family, Vitamin B5 plays a major role in the metabolism process that converts fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. 

Also, Pantothenic Acid acts as an adrenal gland stimulant. As the glands are stimulated, the production of adrenal hormones increase.  Another benefit of this vitamin is that it is believed to be capable of reducing fatigue, thereby increasing stamina levels. Truly a vitamin for energy enhancement.  It is the consensus of specialists that Vitamin B5 can help the body fight off the symptoms of stress, anxiety and even depression.

Vitamin B5 is also one of the vitamins for the heart.  For the cardio-vascular system, vitamin B5 helps to lower bad cholesterol levels.  It also helps reduce the risks involved with heart disease. It can also help prevent arthritis, or if already present, Pantothenic Acid can provide relief of the symptoms of this painful condition.

Your hormone production relies on a steady supply of Vitamin B5, while the creation of healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin also depends of this vitamin.  Healthy skin and hair both are possible because of this important B vitamin.   The fact is that Pantothenic Acid has been helpful in the treatment of both acne and rosacea.  

And last but absolutely not least, this super-charged vitamin can help slow the aging process.  That's a pretty tall order for a single vitamin. 

Sources of Vitamin B5

It is surprising, but the fact is that fruits are not a reliable source of Vitamin B5.  However, Pantothenic Acid is found in almost every other unprocessed food.  The really best sources of this vitamin are: yeast, eggs, poultry, fish, meat, liver, sunflower seeds, milk, soya beans and bean flour, peanuts, peas, peanut butter, legumes, collard greens, broccoli, bananas, mushrooms, oranges, whole grain products and wheat germ.

A caution about Pantothenic Acid - it tends to break down easily in heat. So, care must be taken during food preparation.

Because of the presence of this vitamin in so many different foods, it is rare occasion when people don't get enough from their regular diets. So, guidelines as to the recommended daily intake of Vitamin B5 have not been established. For the average adult, 4 - 7 mg per day is sufficient. If your get more than this, it generally isn't a problem since this vitamin is water soluble.  

Symptoms of a Vitamin B5 Deficiency

Though very rare, a person who experiences a Vitamin B5 deficiency will show the following symptoms: muscle cramping, overall weakness,  insomnia and fatigue, possible water retention, nausea, a low resistance to infection or a tingling sensation in the extremities.

It should be noted that these symptoms can indicate a deficiency in one of the other B vitamins in the B complex vitamins family also. Since it is so rare to have a Vitamin B5 deficiency, if symptoms do arise, the investigative process should probably focus on a shortage of one of the other B vitamins first.

The vitamins and minerals facts for Vitamin B5, or Pantothenic Acid, are clear that this vitamin is an essential part of your diet and is a vitamin for energy enhancement.  As an extra precaution against a deficiency of this vitamin, you may wish to consider high quality B complex vitamins, or nutritional multivitamin supplement, to augment your regular diet.