Vitamin B5
Pantothenic Acid
also known as Pantothenic acid, Antistress vitamin
A B vitamin found so widely in food that the name comes from the Greek 'pantothen' — meaning 'from everywhere.' Pantothenic acid is the building block of Coenzyme A, which the body uses in over 100 reactions, particularly in turning food into energy and producing hormones. Deficiency from food alone is essentially unheard of.
Recommended daily intake
- Adults · 5 mg (adequate intake)
- Pregnancy · 6 mg
- Lactation · 7 mg
Upper intake limit
Not formally established
Signs of deficiency
- Essentially unknown from dietary causes
- Severe experimental deficiency causes burning feet, fatigue, irritability, headache
- Has been documented in severe malnutrition
- Required to make Coenzyme A — central to fat metabolism, energy production, and the synthesis of cholesterol, steroid hormones, and neurotransmitters
- Supports adrenal function and the body's stress response
- Required for normal growth and tissue repair
- Topical pantothenic acid (panthenol) is widely used in skin and hair care for moisture retention and minor irritation
- Found widely in meat, fish, dairy, eggs, whole grains, legumes, mushrooms, avocados, and broccoli
- Generally not needed as a standalone supplement — diet covers it easily
Generally very safe; very high doses (over 10 grams daily) can cause loose stools
Use caution combining with cholinesterase inhibitors used for Alzheimer's
May interact with blood thinners at high doses
Most multivitamins provide adequate B5; standalone supplementation is rarely necessary
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