PABA ( para-aminobenzoic acid )

PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid, like choline and inositol, has not yet been "officially" recognized as a vitamin.

The most common use of PABA is as a sunscreen. In solution (usually alcohol), PABA applied to the skin is the most effective sunscreen available. A sunscreen has the ability to screen out harmful portions of the ultraviolet rays, those that cause sunburn and cancer. A sunshade merely blocks all the sun's rays. PABA has been shown to protect animals almost completely from the cancer-causing effects of ultraviolet light, even when they were also treated with a substance that becomes highly carcinogenic when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Skin cancer is the single most common form of cancer. More than 300,000 cases of skin cancer develop each year, 5000 of which are eventually fatal. Sunburn is also a factor in aging, and many doctors advise avoiding the sun as much as possible. For people who can't or won't stay out of the sun, PABA is a must.

PABA has been used in oral doses ranging from twelve to twenty-four grams per day in the treatment of many skin diseases, including fibrotic skin diseases and pemphigus, Peyronie's disease, reticulum cell sarcoma, and scleroderma. Doses of one to four grams, taken every two to three hours, produced a good response in seven out of ten people with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.

PABA has been shown to have a protective effect against ozone. Rats injected with PABA better survive the effects of ozone exposure. Human red blood cells also are protected from ozone by PABA. These effects are most likely attributable to PABA's antioxidant properties. PABA taken orally has also been shown to decrease the toxicity of arsenic and antimony.

No RDA has been set for PABA. Natural sources include yeast, liver, and other B vitamin sources. Supplements of PABA are available in amounts ranging from a few milligrams to several hundred milligrams. PABA is generally considered nontoxic to people. The vitamin should not be given in supplemental form at the same time as sulfa medications, since PABA deactivates the medications. Fatty changes in the liver, kidneys, and heart have been reported in a small number of people taking extremely large doses of PABA for extended periods of time.

Where is it found ?

PABA is found in grains, yeast,  and foods of animal origin.

Who is likely to be deficient ?

Deficiencies of PABA have not been described in humans, and most nutritionists do not consider it an essential nutrient.

How much to take

Small amounts of PABA are present in some B complex vitamins and multi-vitamin formulas. The amount of PABA used for the conditions ranges from 300 mg per day and up to 12 grams per day for autoimmune, connective tissue, or skin disorders. Anyone taking more than 400 mg of PABA per day should consult a nutritionally oriented physician.

Side effects

No serious side effects have been reported with 300 to 400 mg per day. Larger amounts (such as 8 grams per day or more) may cause low blood sugar, rash, fever, and (on rare occasions) liver damage. One report exists of vitiligo appearing after ingestion of large amounts of PABA, and use of amounts over 20 grams per day in small children has resulted in deaths.

No interactions between PABA and other nutrients have been reported. However, PABA interferes with sulfa medications (a class of antibiotics) and therefore should not be taken when these medications are being used.

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