Pantothenic acid or pantothenate, also known as Vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the healthy functioning of your body. This vital vitamin is also popularly known as an anti-stress nutrient, since it stimulates the production of stress hormones by the adrenal glands.
Pantothenic acid also plays an important role in the production of energy including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, cholesterol, steroid hormones, porphyrin and phospholipids. Important body functions like cell metabolism, hormonal balance, cholesterol synthesis, DNA replication and production of hemoglobin require pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid can be supplied by most foods like meat, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.