Vitamin B5 – Pantothenic acid

Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin. B5 works in conjunction other B group vitamins, Vitamin A, C and E.

 

Functions
Vitamin B5:

• Helps convert stored fats and sugars into energy
• Is necessary for adrenal function
• Is required for a healthy nervous system
• Helps produce hormones
• Helps to reduce stress
• Contributes to healthy muscles

 Sources of Vitamin B5:

• Organ meat
• Green leafy veg
• Whole grains
• EggsNuts
• Beef
• Yeast
• Pork
• Mushrooms
• Salt water fish
• Legumes

 Deficiency symptoms:

• Tingling hands and feet
• Teeth grinding
• Muscle cramps
• Insomnia
• Chronic headaches

Pantothenic acid can be lost in cooking, with exposure to acids, such as vinegar, or alkalis, such as baking soda. B5 is largely destroyed in the canning process.

 

People under stress or prone to allergies and those eating mainly refined foods may be short of B5, but always check with your doctor before taking supplements of any kind. An excess of any vitamin can have unpleasant side effects. The water soluble vitamins are readily excreted in urine, so toxicity is rare.