Vitamin B5 is also called pantothenic acid, derived from a Latin word meaning “everywhere”. Its name, therefore, informs of how common the Vitamin is. Pantothenic acid is almost ubiquitous in our diets provided they are whole or at least minimally processed. It is found in Vitaminfood natural meal replacement shakes as well as the recommended daily intake amounts.
The availability of these nutrients in natural foods stresses the importance of having natural meals with all the nutrients, fiber and phytonutrients retained. Vitaminfood is a natural product that meets all these conditions and the nature of processing ensures that what you get equals that which is straight from the farm. Natural meal replacements are designed to help you substitute that which you cannot obtain naturally.
Vitamin B5, though not so often talked about, has several health benefits and is important for the body. Some of the benefits of including Vitamin B5 in your diet are these listed below:
1. Supports adrenal function
Like all other B complex Vitamins, B5 is vital in the energy production mechanisms by the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It helps convert food to glucose and provide energy that enables the muscle to perform effectively. The energy is also used for other functions like muscle repairs and absorption of end-products of digestion.
Deficiency in vitamin B5 is a great toll on the metabolism and an organ like the brain which has the highest energy demand suffers a great feat in terms of productivity. Maintaining healthy amounts and regularly supplementing is a boost to such organs.
2. Promotes healthy skin.
Vitamin B5 is probably the most renowned vitamin for skincare. It has made its way into many skincare products in the form of panthenol and continually proves its effectiveness. The benefits begin with a healthy dietary intake of the vitamin. It is more effective if taken in the diet and absorbed into the bloodstream than applying on the skin surface. Its water-soluble property hinders absorption through the skin.
As a humectant, it moisturizes the skin and has the ability to retain moisture within the pores by regulating the size of pores and water loss. This keeps the skin supple, smooth and avoids dryness or cracking that comes with dryness.
It is also anti-inflammatory enabling it to speed up the wound healing process and promoting full skin recovery with no scars. The anti-inflammatory property also makes it effective in reducing acne, preventing acne breakouts and skin lesions too.
The benefits to the skin go far beyond just these into sebum production and more. Eating natural food, in general, will help improve your skin as Vitamin B5 is in abundance in most of these.
3. Promotes healthy hair, eyes and liver
The anti-inflammatory effect that it has on these different organs is the key to the positive impact it has. Inflammation very easily causes discomfort, inhibits optimal functioning and leads to the development of several complications within these organs and others like the heart.
Inflammation of cells impairs their function and causes harm to the organs. Pantothenic acid acts as an antioxidant to help reduce inflammation caused by free radicals.
4. Synthesis of coenzyme A.
Coenzymes enhance the efficiency of metabolic reactions by activating the responsible enzymes. Without them, the processes would be much slower and unable of keeping up with the bodies’ demands.
Coenzyme A is useful in the metabolic pathways for the synthesis of fatty acids, creation of sphingosines (a lipid class that delivers chemical messages to the different body cells) and metabolism of drugs and detoxification processes.
5. Synthesis and control of cholesterol in the body.
Pantothenic has been shown to affect the production of cholesterol in the body especially in the liver where it impacts metabolism. This is the high-density cholesterol that is needed by the brain and heart for example. Production of HDL cholesterol benefits these organs.
Beyond that, it also regulates the level of bad cholesterol which is low-density cholesterol and is harmful to the body. The regulation allows for the maintenance of required amounts of HDL and reduction of LDL. It promotes the benefits and keeps away the harm.
6. Reduces bacterial growth by moderating innate immunity and cell-mediated immunity.
An experiment conducted on TB patients proves the effect it has on promoting phagocytosis by macrophages limiting the growth of mycobacteria within the cells. This enhancement on adaptive immunity spreads to other diseases that require immunomodulatory and adaptive effects.
7. Involved in red blood cell production as coenzyme A is used in fatty acid and some protein synthesis.
One of the fatty acids it is involved in manufacturing is essential in the structure of red blood cells which supply oxygen to the body tissues allowing them to develop healthily.
8. Synthesis of sex and stress hormones.
Majorly because of the cholesterol, fatty acids and protein synthesis, vitamin B5 is required for the synthesis of these hormones which affect our mood and sexual desire, pleasure and satisfaction.
9. Maintain a healthy digestive system.
Vitamin B5 is helpful in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and also helps the body in absorbing and utilizing other nutrients. Riboflavin (B2), for example, requires vitamin B5 for absorption.
Deficiency
Because of the bioavailability of vitamin B5 in large amounts and in many common foods, a deficiency is very rare and in cases where present, there is a serious underlying issue with the patient’s diet. Alcoholism, starvation and severe gastrointestinal tract illnesses are among the few such causes.
Pantothenic acid is also unstable in heat and cooking can destroy up to 75% of the vitamin. It breaks down easily. A raw source or one minimally cooked with moderate heat is suitable and should be refrigerated for preservation. An advantage of using Vitaminfood natural meal shakes is that no refrigeration or cooking is required to get your 100% Vitamin B5.
The symptoms of a B5 deficiency include:
- General malaise – tiredness, irritability, confusion
- Apathy
- Stomach pains and vomiting
- Depression
- Hypoglycemia
- Numbness and muscle cramps
- Poor growth
- Nerve disorder symptoms
Toxicity
As a water-soluble vitamin, toxicity is very rare as the excess is often just flushed out in urine and very little is stored in the body so the accumulation of toxic amounts really is not possible. However, in the case of a few large doses, diarrhea and increased risk of bleeding if injured or pierced have been observed.
Vitamin B5 is not a buzzword but how often it is not spoken often doesn’t reflect its importance. It is vital for your body and you need to get enough vitamin B5 for healthy living.
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