What Happens if You Have Too Little Vitamin B5? A Guide to Deficiency

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Vitamin B5 deficiency is extremely rare in humans, primarily occurring in cases of severe malnutrition or specific genetic disorders. For most people, a balanced diet provides sufficient amounts of this essential nutrient, but understanding what happens if you have too little vitamin B5 can shed light on why proper nutrition is so vital.

Quick Summary

A lack of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) can cause a range of non-specific symptoms, including debilitating fatigue, numbness or tingling, irritability, and gastrointestinal distress. The condition is difficult to diagnose as it often co-occurs with other nutritional deficiencies.

Key Points

Rare Condition: Severe malnutrition or specific genetic issues are the primary causes of vitamin B5 deficiency, making it very uncommon.
Neurological Effects: One of the most distinctive symptoms is paresthesia, or a burning and tingling sensation in the hands and feet.
Broad Symptoms: Deficiency can manifest with non-specific symptoms like fatigue, irritability, headaches, and digestive problems.
Impaired Energy Production: A lack of pantothenic acid impairs the body's ability to convert food into energy, leading to extreme tiredness.
Treatment and Prevention: Increasing intake through a varied diet rich in whole grains, meat, and vegetables, or via supplements, can reverse the effects.
Accompanying Deficiencies: It is often accompanied by other B vitamin deficiencies, which can complicate diagnosis.
Genetic Link: Rare cases are associated with a genetic mutation causing pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN).

The Role of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions. Its name, derived from the Greek word "pantos," meaning "everywhere," reflects its presence in nearly all plant and animal tissues. B5 is essential for metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into energy. It is also involved in the synthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA), which is vital for the production of hormones, cholesterol, and red blood cells. Given its broad functions, a deficiency can disrupt multiple systems throughout the body.

Symptoms of Pantothenic Acid Deficiency

While very uncommon, experimentally induced or severely malnourished individuals have demonstrated a range of symptoms. These often resemble the effects of other B vitamin deficiencies, making precise diagnosis challenging.

Neurological Symptoms

Numbness and Burning: One of the most distinctive symptoms is paresthesia, or a burning and tingling sensation in the hands and feet. This was historically known as "Burning Feet Syndrome" among prisoners of war suffering from severe malnutrition.
Fatigue and Weakness: Extreme tiredness, apathy, and general malaise are common, stemming from impaired energy production.
Headaches: Frequent or persistent headaches can occur.
Irritability and Restlessness: The central nervous system is affected, leading to mood changes and difficulty with sleep.

Gastrointestinal Distress

Nausea and Vomiting: A feeling of sickness and an upset stomach are frequently reported.
Stomach Cramps: Severe abdominal pain can accompany other digestive issues.
Loss of Appetite: Anorexia, or a decreased desire to eat, is a possible symptom.

Other Signs

Weakened Immunity: The body's ability to fight off infections may be compromised.
Skin and Hair Issues: Reports have included acne, brittle hair, hair loss, and skin irritation, though these are less common.

Causes of Vitamin B5 Deficiency

Due to its prevalence in the food supply, deficiency is almost exclusively linked to extreme circumstances. The primary causes include:

Severe Malnutrition: This is the most common reason for a deficiency, where a person's diet is severely lacking in nutrients.
Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol use can interfere with the body's absorption and metabolism of B vitamins.
Genetic Mutations: A very rare genetic disorder called pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) prevents the body from properly utilizing vitamin B5, leading to severe neurological symptoms.
Malabsorption Disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease and Celiac disease can impair nutrient absorption in the gut.
Processed Diets: Diets consisting heavily of processed foods, which are often stripped of nutrients, can contribute to lower intake.

Comparing B5 Deficiency to a Common B-Vitamin Lack

To put the rarity of B5 deficiency into perspective, here is a comparison with a more commonly known B-vitamin deficiency, Vitamin B12. This highlights why isolating B5 symptoms can be so difficult.


Feature	Vitamin B5 Deficiency (Rare)	Vitamin B12 Deficiency (More Common)
Prevalence	Very rare; linked to severe malnutrition or genetic issues	More common, especially in vegans, older adults, and those with malabsorption [1.5.1, search for B12 info]
Key Symptoms	Fatigue, paresthesia (burning/tingling), headaches, GI upset	Fatigue, megaloblastic anemia, glossitis, nerve issues, mood changes [1.5.1, search for B12 info]
Nerve Impact	Burning feet, numbness, impaired muscle coordination	Numbness, tingling, balance problems, memory issues [search for B12 info]
Energy Levels	Extreme tiredness, apathy	Significant fatigue, lethargy [search for B12 info]
Primary Causes	Severe malnutrition, alcoholism, genetic mutation (PANK2)	Vegan diet, pernicious anemia, bariatric surgery, older age [1.5.1, search for B12 info]

Preventing and Treating Vitamin B5 Deficiency

For the vast majority of people, prevention is simple and involves maintaining a diverse diet. Treatment for an diagnosed deficiency focuses on increasing intake through food and, if needed, supplementation.

Dietary Sources of Vitamin B5

Meat and Fish: Beef, chicken, organ meats (liver, kidney), and fish are excellent sources.
Vegetables: Mushrooms (especially shiitake), avocados, broccoli, corn, and sweet potatoes are good plant-based options.
Dairy and Eggs: Milk, yogurt, and eggs provide significant amounts of B5.
Legumes and Grains: Lentils, split peas, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and whole grains like oats and brown rice are rich sources.

Treatment Options

If a deficiency is confirmed by a healthcare provider, treatment involves correcting the nutritional gap. For cases of severe malnutrition, this can be done through a combination of dietary changes and supplements. The typical adult recommendation for B5 is 5 mg per day, which is easily met through a standard diet.

Conclusion

While it is reassuring to know that natural vitamin B5 deficiency is an exceptionally rare condition, understanding its symptoms reinforces the importance of a balanced nutritional diet. The wide array of symptoms, particularly neurological and gastrointestinal issues, highlights the vital role pantothenic acid plays in our body's fundamental processes. By consuming a diet rich in a variety of whole foods, you can ensure your body receives not only adequate vitamin B5 but also the full spectrum of nutrients needed for optimal health.

For additional information on the functions and requirements of pantothenic acid, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements offers a comprehensive fact sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) deficiency is a rare condition that occurs when the body lacks sufficient levels of this essential nutrient, leading to various health problems.

Key symptoms include fatigue, headache, irritability, sleep disturbances, and a numbness or burning sensation in the hands and feet.

No, it is very rare because vitamin B5 is widely available in many foods. It typically only affects individuals with severe malnutrition or specific genetic disorders.

The main causes are severe malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, malabsorption issues like Crohn's disease, and rare genetic mutations affecting its metabolism.

Burning Feet Syndrome is a historical term for the paresthesia (burning and tingling) in the feet, which was one of the key symptoms observed in cases of vitamin B5 deficiency during wartime.

You can increase your intake by consuming foods rich in B5, such as meat, eggs, mushrooms, avocados, and whole grains. A balanced diet generally provides enough for most people.

Treatment involves increasing pantothenic acid intake through a nutrient-rich diet or dietary supplements, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Yes, heavily processed foods often have a reduced vitamin B5 content. A diet lacking whole, unprocessed foods can contribute to lower intake, especially if coupled with other risk factors.