Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin your body uses to turn food into energy. Its name gives away just how widespread it is: it comes from the Greek pantothen, meaning “from everywhere” — and true to that, it’s found in almost every food.
What does vitamin B5 do?
B5 forms coenzyme A, one of the most important helper molecules in the body — central to releasing energy and to building fats and hormones. It’s sometimes called the “anti-stress vitamin” because of its role in the adrenal glands, which make the hormones your body leans on during busy, demanding times. In short, it:
Helps release energy from the food you eat
Supports the adrenal glands and hormone production (including stress hormones)
Helps form haemoglobin and build and break down fats
Keeps skin and hair healthy (you'll often see it in cosmetics as “panthenol”)
Which foods are rich in vitamin B5?
Happily, almost everywhere. Particularly good sources include meat, eggs, whole grains, legumes, avocado, mushrooms, broccoli and sweet potato — and royal jelly is famously one of the richest sources of all. One thing to know: a fair amount of B5 is lost in cooking, freezing and processing, so fresh, lightly cooked foods hold on to more of it.
Can you have too little — or too much?
Because it's so widespread in food, a true deficiency is very rare. And as a water-soluble vitamin, excess is simply passed out of the body rather than stored — so it isn't something to worry about.
Common questions
Why is B5 called the anti-stress vitamin? It’s needed by the adrenal glands to produce the hormones your body uses to respond to stress.
Can I be deficient in vitamin B5? It’s very unlikely — pantothenic acid is found in nearly all foods.
This is general information to help you eat well, not medical advice. If you have a specific concern, your doctor is the best person to help.
