Vitamin B5. Properties

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is a nutrient belonging to the B vitamin complex. The fact that it is a vitamin of the B complex makes it share the characteristic of being water-soluble or water-dependent for its dissolution. Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in fats, organs or muscles, so once their intake is finished, the excess of this vitamin is eliminated through urine, and very little of it is retained in our organism.

Vitamin B5 has numerous qualities that make it an essential substance for the normal development of our body's vital functions. This is why an adequate and continuous supply of vitamin B5 is required to ensure the maintenance of healthy patterns in our body. To further understand why we need this important nutrient, we will go into the development of this guide.

Next, we will review some of the most important benefits associated with vitamin B5 intake. We will also see which are the recommended sources for its acquisition and the side effects that may arise as a result of the abuse of its consumption.

General benefits of vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 is a nutrient that offers broad-spectrum benefits, which implies that it has an impact on many of the functions performed by our organism. That said, it is one of the 13 vitamins essential for the normal development of human health. Among the most important benefits attributed to the consumption of pantothenic acid are those related to the production of fatty acids as a result of its participation in the metabolic reactions of our organism and the decomposition of the food we eat.

This compound is also associated with growth periods, participating in the production of essential hormones for our body.

How to acquire vitamin B5?

As we have mentioned in the case of other vitamins, we will always recommend the food source as the main source for acquiring these nutrients. An adequate intake of balanced foods rich in vitamin B5 is sufficient to meet the minimum requirements demanded by our body. Always bearing in mind that, as with the rest of the water-soluble vitamins, we must maintain a strong discipline in our dietary plans, to ensure that we do not suffer the consequences related to the deficit of this nutrient.

Among the foods that we can access to satisfy the demands of vitamin B5 are: avocado, some poultry, offal, milk, potatoes, eggs, legumes, cereals fortified with this nutrient, cabbage, broccoli, among others.

Effects of hypersupplementation

Hypersupplementation is the phenomenon that originates from the excess consumption of certain nutrients. As vitamin B5 has the characteristic of being water soluble, it is easily excreted in the urine in case of excess. The above mentioned does not mean that we should consume high amounts of vitamin B5, in some cases adverse effects such as stomach discomfort or diarrhea have been reported.

Try to always consume the recommended amounts to avoid complications related to the consumption of this vitamin. If you notice that some of these signs appear as a result of vitamin B5 intake, consult a health specialist to evaluate and adjust your dosage.

The amounts of vitamin B5 recommended to satisfy the daily requirements of our organism are between 5 mg for adult men and women daily. In cases where the age is lower, it is recommended that you consult a specialist who can adjust the doses and adapt them to your particular needs.