Vitamin B5 -- pantothenic acid -- facilitates the production of sex and adrenal hormones. But current scientific evidence does not indicate that vitamin B5 supplements can bring those hormones into balance if it is ever necessary. This nutrient is available from a variety of foods. If you suspect you have a vitamin B5 deficiency or another health condition that can benefit from supplementation, get your doctor's advice before taking it in pill form.
Vitamin B5's Function
In conjunction with the other B-complex vitamins, B5 breaks down fats and carbohydrates into energy to fuel your body. The B vitamins are also essential for healthy eyes, hair and skin. This family of nutrients also facilitates the operation of your nervous system. Vitamin B5, in particular, participates in the production of red blood cells, in addition to playing a role in the manufacturing of hormones.
Potential Supplementation Benefits
Laboratory tests tell your doctor whether you need supplementation to correct a vitamin B5 deficiency. The Linus Pauling Institute also says that animal tests show that pantothenic acid pills and ointments speed up the rate at which skin cuts close. Human skin cells created and wounded in a laboratory responded positively to the nutrient. But real human skin on individuals whose tattoos were removed did not heal faster with vitamin B5 supplementation. In addition, studies reveal that pantethine, a substance that derives from pantothenic acid, can lower cholesterol and triglycerides. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that one study published in 1980 shows that vitamin B5 also has the potential to relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. These healing claims need further investigation in human trials. MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, says that vitamin B5 supplementation is possibly only effective to stop a deficiency of the nutrient. There is no readily available documentation of research seeking to find out whether pantothenic acid pills can correct a hormonal imbalance.
B5 Deficiency Symptoms
An inadequate supply of vitamin B5 may cause tingling, burning and numbness in your feet and hands. You may also feel fatigued and experience insomnia. Science does not link a deficiency of this nutrient to a hormonal imbalance in humans. But the adrenal glands of laboratory rats suffering from pantothenic acid deficiency showed damage, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Recommended Daily Intake
To prevent a deficiency -- and potential negative effects on your sex and adrenal hormone production -- eat foods that provide vitamin B5. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine offers guidelines for an adequate daily intake by age group. The organization recommends that newborns to 6 months get 1.7 mg of B5 in their mothers' milk or from formula. At 7 months, babies need 1.8 mg of the nutrient daily. Between 1 and 3 years of age, children thrive on 2 mg of pantothenic acid. By age 4, they need to start taking in 3 mg of the nutrient every day. At 9 years of age, kids' vitamin B5 requirements rise to 4 mg. From 14 years through adulthood, everyone needs 5 mg of the substance.
B5 Food Sources
You may never need to supplement vitamin B5 if you eat plenty of codfish, tuna, chicken, dairy, eggs, broccoli, avocados, mushrooms and sweet potatoes. The University of Maryland Medical Center says some of the richest sources of the nutrient are brewer's yeast, cauliflower, legumes, kale and organ meats.
