Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

WHAT IS PANTOTHENIC ACID (Vitamin B5)?

Did you know that vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, or pantothenate, is often referred to as the “Anti-Stress Vitamin”? Indeed, pantothenic acid can relieve the most common symptoms of stress, as well as mitigate the damage done to the body by physical, emotional, and psychological stressors. An adequate intake of pantothenic acid via food and/or supplementation helps support the adrenal glands and can down-regulate the secretion of stress hormones such as cortisol, allowing both mind and body to recover.

Beyond stress support, vitamin B5 is also arguably one of the most important vitamins for human life and required for the body to break down fats, carbohydrates, and protein to be used as energy, as well as for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and healthy nervous system function. Pantothenic acid is also critical for effective liver detoxification.

Fun fact: “pantothenic” means "from everywhere," which references the fact that vitamin B5 is naturally present in so many foods including; meat, fish, whole-grain bread and cereal, dairy products, legumes, and most vegetables. As such deficiency per se is uncommon, but supplementation does offer some very distinct benefits to heart health, brain health, and nervous system function, among others.

BENEFITS of VITAMIN B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

• Essential for the Production of Red Blood Cells
• Helps Control Cholesterol
• Key to a Healthy Stress Response
• Supports Cardiovascular Health
  
  

WHO NEEDS PANTOTHENIC ACID?

Pantothenic acid is often recommended for the treatment of anemia (to stimulate red blood cell formation), mood disorders, feelings of anxiety and fatigue, and to help improve cardiovascular health. In addition, vitamin B-5 is widely used to help support a range of conditions including; migraines, acne, etc.

PANTOTHENIC ACID POTENCY, FORMS & FORMATS

Vitamin B5 Potency

Pantothenic acid supplements are widely available in varying potencies, the most common of which are generally in the 300 - 1,000 mg range. Of course, different conditions will call for different doses. Speak to your health care provider about the appropriate dose for you.

Vitamin B5 Forms

Pantothenic acid supplements are offered in a few different forms, the most common being

calcium pantothenate which is the most chemically stable form, so offering the best shelf life. Other forms of pantothenic acid include sodium pantothenate or free pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 featuring only pantothenic acid can be found in supplement form, as well as in blends along with the other B vitamins. B5 can also be found in multivitamin/mineral formulas.

Vitamin B5 Formats

Pantothenic acid supplements are sold in capsules (gelatin-based or veggie), tablets, powders, as well as liquid forms, and even gummies. Higher doses of pantothenic acid are also frequently offered in sustained-release tablets, to provide a constant nutrient delivery.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PANTOTHENIC ACID SUPPLEMENT

Vitamin B5 is essential to all of the body's cells, and supplementation can be beneficial for a variety of conditions. A toxic level of dietary pantothenic acid has not been established, though especially high doses (10 g + daily), can cause side effects such as upset stomach and diarrhea.

Your pantothenic acid supplement should be taken with water, preferably with a meal or snack. Also, please note that taking any one of the B vitamins by itself can throw the other B vitamins out of balance, so for longer-term supplementation, it's best to take a B complex formula that supplies the full family of B vitamins.