Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, helps your body produce energy, make red blood cells, and metabolize food. It's found in many foods, including meat, eggs, vegetables, and milk.
How it helps the body
Energy: Helps convert food into glucose, which the body uses for energy
Red blood cells: Helps your body produce red blood cells
Metabolism: Helps metabolize protein, fat, and carbohydrates
In addition to playing a role in the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates for energy, vitamin B5 is critical to the manufacture of red blood cells, as well as sex and stress-related hormones produced in the adrenal glands, small glands that sit atop the kidneys.