Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic acid, is one of the eight essential water-soluble elements of the B complex that primarily aims at synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins for providing energy to the body. Also Read: Vitamin B5: Functions, Food Sources, Deficiencies and Toxicity
It actively participates in the synthesis of coenzyme (CoA) and helps to convert the consumed food into fatty acids and cholesterol. Pantothenic acid maintains a balance of the cholesterol levels in the body. It keeps the good cholesterol up and the bad cholesterol low, and thus also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and promote heart health.
Vitamin B5 is also beneficial for improving nerve functions and prevent conditions like depression, autism, and treat problems like convulsion, allergies, conjunctivitis, hyperglycemia, etc. The nutrient is also an excellent choice for augmenting skin health and evading various problems related to hair.
Since Vitamin B5 is easily available in most food sources, it is quite uncommon to notice deficiency syndromes. But in certain cases, unhealthy or poor dietary choices can cause a lack of this essential nutrient characterizing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, numbness, paraesthesia, restlessness, muscle cramps, and sleep disturbances.
The Recommended Dietary Intake of vitamin B5 is 5mg for adults. Being a water-soluble element, it gets washed away from the body. But much to our respite, there are several vegetables, whole grains, nuts, dairy products, and animal sources that are laden with vitamin B5 to meet our dietary.
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