The Anti-Stress Vitamin : Vitamin B5

Pantothenic acid, also known as Vitamin B5 is a member of the Vitamin B complex family. It was discovered in 1938 by a brilliant biochemist, Dr. Roger J. Williams. Dr. Williams and the other research groups that follow after him, have found that panthothenic acid certainly improves endurance and strength, which is why super achieving athletes love it.

Benefits  discovered of this B5 vitamin are : Pantothenic acid boosts the auto-immune system, and protects against serious illness or infections ; It helps repair exhausted adrenal glands ; improves our capacity to handle stress ; relieves arthritis and all allergic conditions; gradually restores color to graying hair. Quite an impressive list for a vitamin, which in the words of it’s discoverer, Dr. Williams was left languishing unnoticed for thirty years before anyone realized  it’s full potential.’

 One English study, reported in the medical journal Lancet, showed how dramatically pantothenic  acid helped the adrenal glands. The Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain found that a high proportion of schizophrenics had impaired adrenal function and consequently low levels of testosterone, the male hormone. When pantothenic acid was given to the patients, adrenal function improved and there was ‘a considerable improvement in lassitude and depersonalization symptoms.’

Dr. Williams named it appropriately enough, after the Greek word meaning ‘everywhere,’ indicating that every cell and every muscle needs this nutrient. This nutrient is found in a wide variety of everyday foods. Best food sources are : cod’s roe, Royal Jelly, liver (calf and chicken), kidney (beef), peanuts, brains, mushrooms, soybean flour, eggs,oatmeal, sunflower seeds, cashews, salmon, turkey, chicken (dark meat).

If taken in supplement form, Dr. Williams believed that everyone would benefit from 50 mg taken with a Vitamin B complex and an all-round multi-vitamin.