Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 is also known as Pantothenic acid and is formed by combining pantoic acid with β-alanine. It is an essential nutrient required to metabolise and synthesise proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Vitamin B5 is also used to synthesise many hormones including the brain and muscle bioactive, acetylcholine. It is used to treat stress, fatigue and skin acne problems. Additionally it can be used to deal with sleep disturbances and a whole range of metabolism problems, possibly through an influence on the synthesis of serotonin levels.

Vitamin B5 plays a key role in the production of coenzyme A, which is required for synthesis of fatty acids and for cellular energy production. The liver also needs coenzyme A to metabolise drugs and toxins safely. Coenzyme A regulates many cell functions, which explains why vitamin B5 has such a wide range of biological activities in humans.

The salt, calcium pantothenate, is more stable than the biologically active acid form and is thus the preferred form for use in supplements.

Vitamin B5 is widely found in both animal and plant sources such as meat, fish, grains, dairy products and vegetables.

1 medium avocado contains 1.6 mg of vitamin B5.

100 grams of salmon contains 2.9 mg of vitamin B5.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin B5 is 5 mg.

Benefits:

1. Helps in maintaining healthy and radiant skin.
2. Can be taken as a supplement to treat acne.
3. Needed to make the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and serotonin.
4. Recommended to treat dandruff and hair loss.

Did you know…

The name is derived from the Greek “pantou”, meaning “everywhere”. Vitamin B5 is found in small amounts in nearly all foods.

EFSA claims

1. Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
2. Pantothenic acid contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
3. Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance.
4. Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters.