Pantothenic acid
Helps your body make coenzyme A and release energy from food.
Why it matters
Pantothenic acid helps your body make coenzyme A, which is needed to release energy from food and to synthesize fatty acids, cholesterol, and some hormones.
- Supports coenzyme A production.
- Helps release energy from carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
- Contributes to fatty acid and hormone synthesis.
If intake is too low
Pantothenic acid deficiency is very rare, but it can affect the nervous system and general energy levels when it occurs.
- Numbness or burning sensations in the hands and feet.
- Fatigue, irritability, or headache.
- Digestive symptoms and sleep disruption in more severe deficiency.
If intake is too high
No upper limit has been established, but very large supplemental doses can still cause diarrhea and stomach distress.
- No established upper limit.
- Very large doses can cause diarrhea.
- Upset stomach is the main practical sign of excess intake.
No adult upper limit established
No tolerable upper intake level has been established, but more is not necessarily helpful once you meet your needs.
Common food sources
Pantothenic acid is present in many foods, which is one reason true deficiency is rare.
- Chicken, beef, organ meats, and eggs
- Mushrooms, avocados, potatoes, and sunflower seeds
- Fortified cereals and other mixed-diet staples
Who may need closer attention
Pantothenic acid deficiency usually shows up only when overall nutrition is severely limited.
- People with severe undernutrition
- Anyone eating an extremely restricted diet for long periods
- People stacking very high-dose B-complex formulas without a clear reason
Use extra caution if
Small details change the risk picture with nutrients more than most people expect.
You use multiple B-complex products or very high-dose formulas. Pantothenic acid is usually safe, but it can quietly stack across supplements.
Supplement and label notes
Useful context when this nutrient shows up across more than one product.
- Pantothenic acid usually comes along for the ride in multivitamins and B-complex products.
- Very high doses are more likely to upset the stomach than to provide extra benefit.
- If you already meet your needs through food and a standard multi, more B5 is rarely the missing piece.
Daily Value targets in SuppMap
These are the same label-style Daily Value targets used in the app.
Official references
These pages were used to draft the summaries on this guide.
Educational only. These pages are not a diagnosis or a substitute for personal medical care.
More guides
Keep moving through the rest of the Daily Value chart from here.