Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): What Is It & What Does it Do?

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is one of the eight B vitamins. All B vitamins are water-soluble, which means the body doesn’t store them, so they need to be obtained regularly through your diet or, if appropriate, a supplement.

This guide explains what vitamin B5 is, what it does, how much you need, which foods naturally contain it and the supplements that provide it.

What is vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)?

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin and one of the eight essential B vitamins. The name pantothenic acid comes from the Greek word pantothen, meaning “from everywhere”, because it’s found in a wide variety of foods.

In the body, pantothenic acid forms part of coenzyme A (CoA), a compound involved in metabolic processes. Since vitamin B5 is water-soluble, it isn’t stored in the body, so it needs to be obtained regularly through your diet or a vitamin B supplement.

What does vitamin B5 do?

The main benefits of vitamin B5 come from the important functions it contributes to in the body. Like the other B vitamins, it has several specific roles, while sharing some functions with vitamins B3, B6 and B12.

• Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism – This is the process of releasing energy from the food you eat. Vitamins B2, B3, B6 and B12 also contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
• Pantothenic acid contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue – In everyday terms, this relates to feeling tired or fatigued. Vitamins B2, B3, B6 and B12 also contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
• Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance – This may includethe mental tasks you carry out every day, such as concentrating, and learning..
• Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters – Here, synthesis and metabolism simply mean the body’s normal processes for making and using these substances.

How much vitamin B5 do you need?

According to the NHS, no amount has been set in the UK for how much pantothenic acid you need. Most people can get enough vitamin B5 by eating a varied, balanced diet, as it’s naturally found in a wide range of foods. However, those following very restrictive diets or relying heavily on highly processed foods may want to pay closer attention to their intake.

If you don’t think you’re getting enough vitamin B5 through your diet, a supplement may help support your daily intake.

What are the best food sources of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)?

Vitamin B5 is found in a wide range of foods, including meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, pulses, dairy products and wholegrain foods. Eating a varied, balanced diet is usually enough to help you meet your daily vitamin B5 needs. If you’re looking to increase your vitamin B5 intake, these are some of the richest dietary sources: