Part of coenzyme A, central to making and breaking down fats and to energy production.
What does Pantothenic Acid (B5) do?
Builds coenzyme A, which carries carbon fragments in fat synthesis, fat breakdown and the citric acid cycle.
Where does Pantothenic Acid (B5) act in the body?
Every cell.
Which foods contain Pantothenic Acid (B5)?
Found in almost all foods; rich in chicken, beef, eggs, mushrooms, avocados, whole grains.
How much Pantothenic Acid (B5) do adults need?
Adequate Intake: 5 mg for adults. No upper limit set.
What happens with too little Pantothenic Acid (B5)?
Extremely rare; seen only in severe malnutrition.
Can you get too much Pantothenic Acid (B5)?
No known toxicity; very large doses can cause diarrhea.
What does Pantothenic Acid (B5) interact with?
Panthenol in hair and skin products is a form of B5 used as a humectant.
What is known and unknown about Pantothenic Acid (B5)?
Coenzyme role is established.
Evidence & sources
The Adequate Intake for pantothenic acid is 5 mg/day for adults. Evidence: regulatory. Known: Set by the Institute of Medicine (1998). Unknown: Too little data to set an RDA. Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Pantothenic Acid — Health Professional Fact Sheet (Current revision).