Vitamin B5/Pantothetic Acid
Vitamin B5, or pantothetic acid, is used by the body to convert fats and carbohydrates into usable energy, and to produce healthy fats in the body. It also plays a role in supporting the adrenal glands and in the production of stress-related hormones.
Pantothetic Acid deficiency is typically associated with lack of energy, weakness, and listlessness. In rare cases, deficiency can cause a condition known as "burning foot syndrome," characterized by numbness, tingling, burning, and shooting pains in the feet.
Toxic levels through food sources alone are unheard of for pantothetic acid. Extreme doses (200 or more times the recommended daily allowance) of supplemental B5 may cause mild diarrhea.
Some amount of pantothetic acid is found in most fruits and vegetables, but cooking, freezing, processing, and packaging all lead to loss of this vitamin.
| US Recommended Daily Allowance: | 10 mg |
Health Benefits of Vitamin B5/Pantothetic Acid
| Colon | High supplemental doses have been used to treat constipation. |
| Heart | May help lower cholesterol. |
| Skin | Helps wounds heal faster and strengthens scar tissue. Can be used topically or orally. |
Food Sources of Vitamin B5/Pantothetic Acid
| Sweet Potatoes | 1.8 mg | 18% | |
| Buckwheat | 1 mg | 10% | |
| Endive | 0.9 mg | 9% | |
| Jerusalem Artichokes | 0.6 mg | 6% |