WHAT IS IN WHAT YOU EAT?

A balanced diet influences our health, fitness, and

general well-being in more ways than we realize.

Every bite we take determines the ability of our body

to maintain our overall health. That’s because the

foods we eat are full of nutrients that aid in various

bodily functions and keep us going.

Vitamin B5 is one such nutrient that, although

overlooked because of the popularity of other nutrients,

is crucial for our well-being.

What is Vitamin B5?

Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic Acid, is a water

soluble vitamin that belongs to the B-complex family

of vitamins. Its name i.e. Pantothenic Acid is derived

from the Greek word “Pantothen” which means “from

everywhere”. This signifies the widespread availability

of vitamin B5 in different foods. B5 plays a crucial role

in various psychological functions such as the production

of energy, hormone synthesis, and neurotransmitter function.

Vitamin B5, although an essential vitamin, cannot be

stored in our bodies. Luckily, it is widely available in

different foods, so its requirements can be met easily

through a balanced diet.

Why is Vitamin B5 essential to your health?

Pantothenic Acid or Vitamin B5 is essential for optimal

health and different bodily functions, here are the reasons

why.

Production of energy

Coenzyme A is a molecule that is essential for breaking

down fats and carbohydrates for the production of

energy and Vitamin B5 is a building block of

coenzyme A. Without it, this coenzyme will not be able

to produce energy efficiently.

Synthesis of hormones

Vitamin B5 is also responsible for the production of

hormones such as Cortisol. Cortisol is crucial for the

management of stress and inflammation. B5 also aids

reproductive health as it helps the synthesis of various

sex hormones.

Skin & Hair care

Vitamin B5 promotes the growth of hair and reduces

hair loss. It is also found in various skincare products

for its ability to improve the elasticity and hydration

of the skin.

Brain function

Vitamin B5 also plays a role in Acetylcholine production

which is a key neurotransmitter for optimal brain

function and muscle activity.

Boosting the immune system

Pantothenic Acid also supports the function of the

adrenal gland and red blood cell production which

means it is also indispensable for the immune system.

What foods are rich in Vitamin B5?

Many food sources are rich in Pantothenic Acid which

makes it easy to incorporate this nutrient into your

diet. Here are the foods rich in vitamin B5.

Animal-based

Meats such as chicken, beef, pork, and turkey are rich in

Vitamin B5. It is also found in fish such as trout and

salmon and eggs in abundant quantities.

Plant-based

Vegetables such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, mushrooms,

and avocados, whole grains such as rice and wheat,

legumes such as lentils, and seeds such as sunflower

and peanuts are also rich in Vitamin B5.

Dairy products

In addition to calcium and protein, dairy products such

as milk, yogurt, and others also have vitamin B5 in

moderate quantities.

In addition to these, breakfast cereals and nutritional

bars are also excellent sources of vitamin B5. Vitamin

B5 is essential for your body and its deficiency can

cause weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, depression,

confusion, and other problems. Incorporate foods

rich in B5 into your diet to keep your body functioning

at its best.