You may wonder: Where do vitamins get their names? In the case of pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, its moniker is derived from the Greek word pantos, which means “everywhere.” That’s an apt description for this busy nutrient, whose duties include assisting an enzyme (a protein that helps chemical reactions to take place) that drives numerous reactions, including generating energy your body can use from carbohydrates, fat, and protein.*

The friendly bacteria that live in your large intestine produce pantothenic acid, but experts are unsure whether our bodies can absorb enough pantothenic acid from the intestine to satisfy our daily needs. That’s why it’s important to consume pantothenic acid from foods and dietary supplements every day.