Pantothenic Acid-Vitamin B-5 | Benefits, Overdose, and Deficiency Symptoms





Vitamin B-5 is known as pantothenic acid. It is a vitamin that is important to many body functions.

Think of this vitamin as the "antistress vitamin." It supports the adrenal glands by giving them what they need to produce hormones.

Pantothenic acid helps to support our "calmness" in emergency situations and our ability to function rationally during stressful situations that occur daily.

Like other B-vitamins, vitamin B-5 helps cells metabolize fats and helps our bodies use the energy it gets from carbohydrates.

This vitamin also supports blood sugar levels, defends against infections, and protects the blood cells that carry oxygen through the body which also aids in maintaining stress levels.

Other Key Uses of Vitamin B-5

Vitamin B-5 is often used to treat stress and fatigue in surgery patients or during recovery from illness.

It may also prevent and treat some kinds of acne. This vitamin is added in some acne treatment creams.

Taken along with vitamin C, pantothenic acid can strengthen skin and promote the healing of wounds.


Pantothenic Acid-Vitamin B-5 Food Source

Pantothenic acid come from the Greek work pantos which means everywhere. It is found in most foods.

Particularly good food sources include egg yolks, fish, whole grains, sweet potatoes, green peas, cauliflower, and avocados.


Vitamin B-5 Overdose and Deficiency

Overdose of toxicity of pantothenic acid is highly unlikely. Large doses of this vitamin have no known side effects. Excess amounts are usually passed through the urine with no problems.

Deficiency of vitamin B-5 is more common but still considered a rare occurrence. Deficiency is usually found in those with poor diets or those that suffer from eating disorders.

Deficiency symptoms include:

  • fatigue
  • Nervousness
  • Problems with metabolism
  • Premature graying of hair
  • Restlessness
  • Abdominal pain


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