B5 Vitamin

The B5 Vitamin is a critical vitamin to the body. Its official name is pantothenic acid, but for obvious reasons, it's known mainly as vitamin B5. It gets its name "panthos" from the Greek language meaning "everywhere." The Vitamin B5 is also a core member of the B complex family of vitamins. Like all B vitamins, it is a water soluble vitamin and needs to be replenished by the foods containing B5 or with supplementation.

Vitamin B5 Facts

Core Vitamin B5 facts or functions is to work in the adrenal glands to produce energy,working with the digestive tract to help with the absorption of nutrients. It supports all digestion activities from carbohydrate, fat, protein and hemoglobin metabolism. B5 Vitamin is actually converted in the body to coenzyme A, which then helps metabolize fats, carbs, and protein, but it also helps produce fats, cholesterol (good cholesterol - HDL), bile, Vitamin D, red blood cells, neurotransmitters, and steroid hormones. It also helps the immune system protect the body from infection, calms the nerves, and contributes to health skin.

Another key function of vitamin B5 is that it helps the body utilize cholesterol properly, the good cholesterol (HDL). Some of the uses of B5 in the human organism experts say may include, environmental stress, insomnia, low blood pressure, limiting grey hair synthesis, heart disease, dandruff, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, acne, alcoholism, allergies, etc.

Studies are ongoing, however, and may in time refute some of the above currently held viewpoints. The food sources of B5 vitamin include beef liver, brewer's yeast, broccoli, brown rice, cashew nuts, eggs, mushrooms, peanuts, pecans rolled oats, trout, and wheat germ. The U.S. government says, between 4 and 7 mg is sufficient for most adults. However, doses of 50 to 100 mg seem to bear therapeutic effects.

Many physicians believe there is a significant lack of all the B vitamins. One Dr. Bruce West of Carmel, California has said the "B-complex deficiency syndrome scenario [is] played out every day in doctors' offices around the country."

Other Key Vitamin B5 Facts

• Hypoglycemia
• Continual craving for sweets
• Frequent exhaustion or chronic fatigue
• Panic attacks
• Heart palpitations & skipped beats
• Excessive appetite
• Chronic headaches
• Difficulty sleeping

These "symptoms" many consider problems in and of themselves, yet they could just be, doctors maintain, evidence of a lack of B vitamins in the system. Supplementation of vitamin B5 is recommended by most doctors, which is something most vitamin manufacturers are aware of as virtually all multivitamin supplements have B5 in it.

It has also show promise as a "detoxifier" for those who suffer with alcoholism. In addition, doctors who care for AIDS and HIV patients have found good success with the B5 metabolite as an immune system enhancer as it amplifies killer T cells and lymphocytes.

Clearly, the B5 vitamin is a very diversified vitamin with many functions and unsuspected capability. One last word on B5's capability: If you suffer from stress, or the ill effects of stress, the B5 vitamin actually helps to limit the drop in white blood cells. These cells fight infection and are a powerful microorganism within the immune system.

Precautions: Vitamin B5 Toxicity

One general precaution is that whenever you embark upon any supplementation program that you speak with your doctor -- especially pregnant/nursing women. Err on the side caution. If you are taking prescription medication, be advised high doses of certain vitamins, minerals, or herbal extracts can interact with the drugs and lessen or amplify their effect.

This is potentially dangerous. The B5 vitamin toxicity is almost unheard of and is very, very uncommon. However, doctors report stomach upset and diarrhea as well as nausea could result with excessive amounts of B5 vitamin.

How To Choose A B5 Vitamin Supplement

The following criteria is what we recommend you follow when selecting a vitamin biotin as well as in taking supplements in general. The first thing to bear in mind is that it should be a complete and scientifically formulated supplement.

1. The B5 vitamin supplements, and supplements in general, should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. Look for tablets that have enteric coating as this type of pharmaceutical like coating preserves the nutrients while in the harsh environment of the stomach acids, allowing it to go safely to the upper intestine where it is then released in the blood stream. (This lack of protection is why 90% of all vitamins are excreted out as waste.)

3. Make sure your Vitamin B5 supplement has the other B vitamins as they need each other in their various processes.

Quality B5 Vitamin Supplement: Alternative Health Supplement

I have found a company that meets the criteria in New Zealand. I mention New Zealand deliberately for this country has one of the most rigid regulatory standards they must adhere to in the world. Dietary supplements in New Zealand undergo the same exact certification standards as in the U.S. for pharmaceutical medications. In fact, their standards surpass the FDA.

Their multivitamin product has the B5 vitamin (and all the B complex) plus over 70 vitamins, minerals, enzymes, trace and specialty nutrients, and herbal extracts to form a comprehensive supplement. We have been taking for a little over a year and have experienced wonderful results. In all honesty, it's the best supplement I've ever taken.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com