A B vitamin that helps generate energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein

What is Pantothenic Acid?

You may wonder: Where do vitamins get their names? In the case of pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, its moniker is derived from the Greek word “pantos”, which means “everywhere”. That’s an apt description for this busy nutrient, whose duties include assisting an enzyme (a protein that helps chemical reactions to take place) that drives numerous reactions, including generating energy your body can use from carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

The friendly bacteria that live in your large intestine produce pantothenic acid, but experts are unsure whether our bodies can absorb enough pantothenic acid from the intestine to satisfy our daily needs. That’s why it’s important to consume pantothenic acid from foods and dietary supplements every day.

Why is Pantothenic Acid Important?

Pantothenic acid is involved in the production of cholesterol and hormones, as well as in making essential fats. As if all that wasn’t enough, red blood cells need pantothenic acid to make heme, the part of the cell that ferries oxygen throughout the entire body. Proper cell reproduction and replication are also dependent on pantothenic acid.

5 mg/day for Adults 

Adequate Intake

Sources of Pantothenic Acid

• Shiitake Mushrooms
• Sweet Potatoes
• Oats

Show References :

1. Pantothenic Acid – Vitamin B5. The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pantothenic-acid-vitamin-b5/



2. Office of Dietary Supplements - Pantothenic Acid. National Institue of Health. 

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-Consumer/