Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, allows your body to use energy from food and supports nervous and gastrointestinal system health. Both animal and plant foods contain this B vitamin. Significant food sources of vitamin B5 include calf's liver, raw sunflower seeds, mushrooms, corn, yogurt and turnip greens, according to the World's Healthiest Foods.
Carbohydrate and Fat Metabolism
Adequate vitamin B5 intake helps your body release energy from fats, starches and sugar in the food you eat, according to the World's Healthiest Foods. The portion of the body's cells that produce energy, called mitochondria, require vitamin B5 and another molecule called coenzyme A to use energy. Without enough vitamin B5, you may feel tired and weak and experience numbness and tingling in your feet. However, the U.S. National Library of Medicine points out that deficiency in vitamin B5 is rare and occurs only in people who are severely malnourished.
Fat Production
Vitamin B5 is also necessary for fat production, according to the World's Healthiest Foods. The body uses a form of vitamin B5 called coenzyme A to synthesize the cholesterol and fatty acids.
Adrenal Function
You also need vitamin B5 for proper functioning of the endocrine system, particularly the adrenal glands, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys, require vitamin B5 to produce sex and stress-related hormones.
Cholesterol Regulation
Your body needs vitamin B5 to use cholesterol in the foods you eat, and some studies suggest that a form of vitamin B5 called pantethine could reduce harmful cholesterol levels and increase levels of good cholesterol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some of these studies also show that pantethine decreases levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Skin Repair
Laboratory and animal research indicates that vitamin B5 supplements could increase the rate of skin repair and wound healing after surgical procedures, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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