Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin involved in the cycle of energy production in our body and is needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Vitamin B5 also helps in supporting and marinating a healthy digestive system. It i s used by the body for detoxification and removal of harmful herbicides, insecticides and drugs.

Functions and Benefits of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

The Vitamin B complex keeps both body and mind functioning and in good health. It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from the cellular level on up. This makes it a critical part of the body's efforts to fight the physical damage to which excessive stress contributes. Choline is metabolized (broken down) and converted into the neurotransmitter acetylcholine via a critical process called Acetyl Coenzme A making Vitamin B5 a critical nutrient for brain metabolism. Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it cannot be stored by the body and must be replenished every day. Pantothenic acid is virtually ubiquitous.

The benefits of vitamin B5 vitamin may also potentially be used: "orally for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), prostatitis, protection against mental and physical stress.

Recommended Dosage for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind. We all need to take Vitamin B5, although the 10-25 mg found in many multivitamin supplements might improve your pantothenic acid status. Most cholesterol researchers using pantethine have given people 300 mg three times per day (total 900 mg).

Food Sources of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

The best dietary sources for Vitamin B5 are beef, poultry, fish, brewer's yeast, whole-grain breads, whole grain cereals, legumes, avocados, nuts, cheese, potatoes, eggs, milk, and bananas, Peanut butter, Peanuts, Peas, Soybeans, Sunflower seeds, Wheat germ, Whole-grain products.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Because vitamin B5 is needed to release energy from carbohydrates and fats, its deficiency is often related to low energy-related symptoms. These symptoms include fatigue, listlessness, and sensations of weakness. One rare symptom of B5 deficiency is called "burning foot syndrome. Symptoms of deficiency, such as insomnia, leg cramps, or burning feet, have only occurred in experimental situations. Even then, severe symptoms have occurred only if people also take a drug that interferes with the vitamin.