Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic
acid, serves the body in many ways. It is a member of the nutritionally
elite group of eight vitamins known collectively as the Vitamin
B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a role nearly every
major body system and process. The Vitamin B complex serves to
keep both body and mind functioning and in good health.
Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins that form
the B complex, is essential to the body’s ability to use the food it takes
in as fuel for its myriad of processes, great and small. It works
in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from
the cellular level up. This makes it an essential part of the body’s
efforts to fight the physical damage that excessive stress
contributes to.
Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system,
especially in terms of nerve function and health. Among the contributions
that Vitamin B5 makes to the nervous system is the production of
neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves
to communicate.
Because of its important role in the growth and health of the
hair and necessity to healthy skin, it is used frequently in a
variety of cosmetic products. Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor
to other members of the Vitamin B complex and other nutrients,
has an important role in the functioning of the adrenal glands
and also serves to promote normal growth of the body, due to its
role in hormone production throughout the body.
Deficiency in Vitamin B5 can have a variety of negative consequences
for the body and the mind. Physical symptoms include fatigue, headache,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakened immune system, abdominal
pain, neurological disorders, muscle weakness and cramps, increased
insulin sensitivity, acne, digestive problems, and slow or retarded
growth.
Mental symptoms of Vitamin B5 include depression, personality
disorders and change, sleep disturbances, and insomnia, which generally
makes most other deficiency symptoms feel much worse. In general,
adults should have about 5mg of Vitamin B5 per day, with women
increasing their daily intake to 6mg to 7mg while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Children, depending on size and weight, should have about 2mg to
4mg of Vitamin B5 each day.
The importance of the Vitamin B complex to
physical health and mental functioning cannot be overstated.
For optimum performance
of the body and the mind, including cognitive functions and
emotional responses and stability, the standard recommended
daily intake
levels of these vitamins should be achieved every day. Because
these are water-soluble vitamins, they are washed away daily
with the urine and thus, the body’s supply of these essential
nutrients must be renewed daily.
Nutritional supplements are a reliable and safe way to meet these
important nutritional goals, provided that attention is given to
the accepted limits of dosage. Too much of any nutrient can be
toxic, and often can cause as much damage as having too little.
The body is a delicately balanced system, and requires that balance
to be maintained to function at its best.
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