Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, helps your body turn food into usable energy. It contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal mental performance, and the normal synthesis of steroid hormones and vitamin D – a lot of quiet, essential work for one nutrient.
The name gives a clue to how easy it is to come by: "pantothenic" comes from the Greek panto, meaning "everywhere," and that's more or less where you'll find it. It's in chicken, beef, eggs and dairy, as well as mushrooms, avocado, lentils, kale and wholegrains – so much so that deficiency is very rare. Because B5 is water-soluble, your body doesn't store it and relies on a regular daily intake, which a varied diet usually provides with ease.
