PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA)

General - water-soluble;

• An, integral part of folic acid & procaine (Gerovital) molecule;
• Essential for some bacteria, that make folic acid from it, but not for man;

Nutrition

• Sources: liver, kidney, whole grains, bran; made by bacteria in healthy intestines;
• Supplements: B-complex, multi-vitamin & multi-mineral-vitamin supplements;
• Absorption from small intestine;
• Metabolism: nutritional benefit has not been confirmed;
• Interactions: PABA antagonizes actions of sulpha drugs;

Functions of PABA

• Necessary for synthesis of folic acid by bacteria in gut, that in turn stimulate synthesis of B-5;
• Co-enzyme in amino acid metabolism & in formation of red blood cells;
• Together with pantothenic acid, PABA maintains pigmentation of hair;
• Externally, PABA prevents sunburn & skin cancer from UV light;

Quantities

• Measurement: milligrams;
• Optimum: (SONA) average ranges not set;
• Individual optimum must be determined for each individual case;
• Minimum: (DRI) not yet established; essential nutrient for bacteria, but not for humans;
• Deficiency of PABA can only be achieved by oral administration of sulpha drugs;
• Symptoms include: hypertension, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders including constipation; fatigue, nervousness, headache;
• Toxicity symptoms: nausea, vomiting; long-term ingestion of high doses (more than 30 g./day) can be toxic to liver, heart & kidneys;

Therapy with PABA

• Constituent of folic acid;
• Helps utilization of pantothenic acid (B-5);
• Topical application protects against skin cancer;
• Topically applied sunscreen — prevents & soothes pain & damage of sunburn;
• Said to soothe pain of burns even better than vitamin E;
• Useful for treating some parasitic diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever;
• Treatment of vitiligo, depigmentation of skin;
• Certain schizophrenia-like behaviours discontinued on administration of 2 g of PABA/day;
• May prevent amines from forming hallucinogens; used in schizophrenia (2,000 mg/day);
• With folic acid, B-5 & biotin, PABA restores colour to grey & greying hair (animals);
• Used to treat Peyronie’s disease, a fibrous penis condition in post-middle aged men;
• Used in lupus, apparently with some success;