Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid works together with the other B vitamins to turn carbohydrates, proteins and other fats into energy. In addition to this, it also works with the other B vitamins to help your body metabolize fats and to produce red blood cells. Just like any vitamin, it’s important for you to consume enough vitamin B5 for your body to stay healthy.
Vitamin B5 has also been shown to be helpful in reducing stress because it works together with your adrenal gland that produces stress hormones. There is also a form of vitamin B5 called pantethine, which helps your body lower cholesterol levels. Pantethine helps lower the LDL cholesterol (which is the “bad” form of cholesterol) and raise the levels of HDL cholesterol (which is the “good” form of cholesterol.)
This particular vitamin has also been used to help support the adrenal gland when there are other issues present. Since vitamin B5 is one of the water-soluble vitamins, toxicity is not a known issue because even at high doses of 10 grams to 20 grams per day, only diarrhea was an issue for some individuals. Excess amounts of vitamin B5 that are not used by the body are released through normal bowel movements.
Deficiency Issues
It is next to impossible for your body to have a vitamin B5 deficiency. In fact, it is so rare that deficiency has only occurred in experimental situations. Deficiency symptoms include leg cramps and insomnia, but again, have only been shown in experimental situations. It is extremely easy to get the required amount of vitamin B5 in nearly any diet. Even in these particular situations, another drug was present in the body that interfered with proper consumption of vitamin B5.
Where Can I Find Vitamin B5 In My Diet?
If you’re eating beef, liverwurst, ham, eggs, pork, ground beef, almonds, steak, or salmon on a regular basis – you’re more than likely getting enough B5 in your daily diet.
The RDA (or recommended daily allowance) of vitamin B5 is the same for men and women. It is recommended that you consume at least 5 milligrams of vitamin B5. It has also been shown that an intake between 4 milligrams and 7 milligrams would be adequate. However, the average American gets nearly double the recommended daily allowance. Americans consume anywhere from 10 milligrams to 20 milligrams of vitamin B5 which is obtained through ordinary diets.
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Sources Cited:
Jennifer Brett, N.D. – “How Vitamin B5 Works”
Wikipedia; “Pantothenic Acid”
