This article discusses what Vitamin B5 is and why we need it. It also tells about different sources of Vitamin B5.

Vitamin B5 As A Supplement For Our Body

Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin that's part of the family of B vitamins. Vitamin B5, which is also known as Pantothenic Acid, helps the body get its energy from fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and food in general. Another function of Vitamin B5 is to help us deal with stress. It also contributes to the production of red blood cells and hormones in our adrenal gland. In fact, it is often recommended to help the adrenal hormone function. Unlike many vitamins, it is safe to take Vitamin B5 in large doses. However, the required daily amount of this vitamin is 5 milligrams per day for adults.

Deficiency in Vitamin B5

Deficiencies in Vitamin B5 are very rare. In fact, most people that eat an average diet get the recommended sources of Vitamin B5. Very seldom are patients recommended to take Vitamin B5 supplements. Occasionally, pregnant women may be instructed to take supplements of Vitamin B5 because pregnancy raises havoc with their hormone level. Researchers state that about the only time Vitamin B5 deficiencies have been seen in research or experimental cases. In one research, certain patients were given all necessary vitamins except for Vitamin B5 to determine what, if any, symptoms would develop from a deficiency of this vitamin. After a certain period, the patients that were not getting Vitamin B5 complained of feeling tired and rundown. Some also had symptoms of insomnia and leg cramps. It was then determined that Vitamin B5 is necessary to maintain good health.

Sources of Vitamin B5

There are many good sources of Vitamin B5, many of them in our normal daily eating habits. Some foods that contain Vitamin B5 are eggs, liver, organ meats, fish and shellfish, salmon, peanuts, poultry, soybeans, lentils, peanuts, split peas, milk, yogurt and fresh vegetables. Canned vegetables are not as good as fresh because the process of canning takes away a lot of the Vitamin B5.

There are many different types of Vitamin B. The family of the Vitamin B complex consists of panthotenic acid (Vitamin B5, biotin, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Folate. Although many of their characteristics are similar, it's important not to confuse them. Although each of them is important and necessary for cell metabolism, each of them does also has different individual functions in the body.

Vitamins such as Vitamin B5, which are water-soluble vitamins, don't stay in our bodies long. They enter our bodies, stay there for a while and we lose them when we urinate. Because our bodies require such a small amount of Vitamin B5, the amount we lose is usually regained with our meals. If your doctor feels that you have a , you will probably be given supplements.