Knowing About Vitamin B5
By Sam Cyrus

Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. The vitamin B5 is involved in all vital functions in the body. It increases vitality, speeds recovery from illness, provides protection against damage caused by radiation, and prevents premature aging.

Vitamin B5 is critical to the manufacture of red blood cells as well as sex and stress-related hormones produced in the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop of the kidneys). Vitamin B5 is also important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and it helps the body use other vitamins (particularly vitamin B2) more effectively. This vitamin B5 is sometimes referred to as the anti-stress vitamin because it is believed to enhance the activity of the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions.

Vitamin B5 can be found in all living cells and is widely distributed in foods. Fresh meats, vegetables, and whole unprocessed grains have more vitamin B5 than refined, canned, and frozen food. The best sources of this vitamin are brewer's yeast, corn, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, avocadolegumes, lentils, egg yolks, beef (especially as liver and kidney), turkey, duck, chicken, milk, split peas, peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, whole-grain breads and cereals, lobster, wheat germ, and salmon.

Vitamin B5 deficiency is rare. Symptoms of a vitamin B5 deficiency may include fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory infections.

Pantethine, an active stable form of vitamin B5, has been gaining attention in recent years as a possible treatment for high cholesterol. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, however. Panthanol, another form of vitamin B5, is often found in hair care products because of the belief that it makes hair more manageable, softer, and shinier.