Vitamin B5

Pantothenic acid

Water-soluble vitamins

Aliases / common names

Pantothenate; calcium pantothenate; panthenol (provitamin B5 in cosmetics)

Natural food sources

Widely distributed: meat, eggs, milk, mushrooms, avocado, legumes and whole grains.

Main wellness functions

Component of coenzyme A; supports fatty-acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis.

Deficiency signs

Very rare; may include fatigue, numbness, burning feet, sleep disturbance and irritability.

Recommended intake

AI adults: 5 mg/day. Children: about 2-5 mg/day. Pregnancy: 6 mg/day. No established UL.

Excess intake effects

High doses may cause diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort.

Contraindicated / caution groups

Generally safe at standard doses; high-dose use during pregnancy or illness should be supervised.

Common dosage forms

Tablets, capsules, B-complex; panthenol in topical products.

Common product strengths

5-100 mg; specialty products may provide 250-500 mg.

Use precautions

Take with food if stomach upset occurs.

Supplement notes

The name means “from everywhere,” reflecting its broad food distribution.

This information is for general nutrition education and product reference only. It does not replace medical diagnosis, treatment or individualized dietary advice.