Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA): Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage
What is Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)? Para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, is a chemical that assists bacteria and plants to make folate. It’s a structural component of folic acid, which human bodies need to make DNA (and other genetic material). Cells need it to divide properly as well. Supplementing with PABA can help the body produce more folic acid (x).
PABA occurs naturally. Plants make it and humans also produce some in the colon. Molasses, kidney, whole grains, liver, fruit, nuts and brewer’s yeast are good food sources of folate.
Most Americans are able to get enough folate from food. However, folic acid is better absorbed through supplementation than from foods.
Certain demographics are at higher risk for folate deficiency, such as younger women, those with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and celiac disease. Both IBS and celiac disease make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients. People with folate deficiency may also be anemic.
PABA Benefits
Skin Benefits PABA protects skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, so it’s often useful as a sunscreen or along with other ingredients in sunscreens. Ultraviolet rays cause photo-oxidation, which causes damage to our cells — skin cells in particular (x).
Why block UV rays? Excessive exposure to these wavelengths can damage the eye’s cornea and retina. Ultraviolet light damages the collagen in skin and harms the cells. UVA and UVB rays destroy the vitamin A in skin, which is necessary for a healthy body.
Getting too much UVB can result not only in painful sunburn, but can also cause some types of skin cancer. Skin cancer is often fatal (x). UVB rays harm DNA directly, whereas UVA causes damage indirectly by promoting the release of free radicals.
Utilizing PABA to manipulate color in the body is reasonably common. PABA has been used to treat vitiligo, which is a disease that affects skin pigmentation. In addition, anyone who would like to darken their gray hair might be interested in PABA as studies demonstrate that taking a supplement can result in hair color changes (x).
Fights Against Auto-Immune Disorders Auto-immune conditions occur when the body’s immune system essentially turns against itself and begins to see the body’s own tissues as a threat. A healthy and functioning immune system will target only foreign invaders.
PABA has also been used to treat scleroderma, which is an auto-immune disorder. Scleroderma results in collagen deposits in the skin and other organs such as the heart and lungs. PABA can also decrease the progression of skin fibrosis and improve survival (x).
In combination with acetylsalicylic acid (better known as aspirin), PABA has been shown to have beneficial effects for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (x). This type of arthritis happens when the immune system attacks the body’s own joints. This is different from the more well-known type of arthritis — osteoarthritis, which is due to breakdown of joint tissue mainly through overuse and age.
Antioxidant Benefits Antioxidants help slow down the destructive effects of free radicals. They can provide an electron to the free radical, without becoming free radicals themselves.
As an antioxidant (x), PABA provides protection against cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. It also helps protect collagen from free radicals, which otherwise may result in fibrotic diseases.
Fibrosis occurs when there’s an excess of connective tissue. Scars that form over wounds are a pretty benign example of this. However, inside the body the formation of scar tissue can damage the underlying organ or tissue and prevent it from functioning correctly.
Brain Health Folate is a key nutrient for brain function and the nervous system at all ages (x). People who have issues with absorbing enough folate have a higher rate of neuropsychiatric disorders and behavioral problems in both childhood and adulthood (x).
Teenagers who are dealing with depression which is resistant to treatment often don’t have enough folic acid in their brain matter (x).
The lack of folic acid, or inadequate amounts of it, is also associated with some cognitive disorders in aging such as dementia (x). Derivatives of PABA are promising methods of slowing Alzheimer’s disease (x).
Adequate folate is also necessary for mood regulation. It’s an important component in the process of making the neurotransmitter serotonin. Depression is often a result of chemical imbalances in the brain. A common one is lower than required serotonin levels (x).
Lowering Homocysteine Higher levels of folic acid in the body is associated with lower levels of homocysteine (x). This is good because high levels of the amino acid homocysteine, found mainly in meat, is linked to increased risk of artery damage (x) as well as neural tube defects. It causes oxidative stress as well and has been associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
There are strong links (x) between high levels of homocysteine and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to migraine headaches. AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness in older people (x).
The macula in the human eye helps us to see straight ahead in our central vision. AMD damages this part of the eye. It happens quickly for some people, and more slowly for others. It doesn’t result in total blindness, however. Rather, it causes limited ability to see straight ahead, which in turn makes seeing in general difficult.
In addition to protecting the eye, lowering the amount of homocysteine in the blood could reduce the risk of stroke (x). Typically, the amount of this amino acid rises with age and men tend to have elevated levels more than women do.
PABA Side Effects Usually when applied topically, para-aminobenzoic acid has relatively few side effects beyond skin irritation. For some people, it increases their sensitivity to allergies.
Gastric Distress There are some possible complications when PABA is taken as a pill. It can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Liver Damage High doses of PABA (more than 12 g a day) can cause more serious damage to the liver, blood and kidneys. It should not be used by anyone with kidney problems.
Drug Interactions of PABA When taken with some antibiotics, PABA can reduce their effectiveness. It may also increase the negative side effects of cortisone by causing the body to break it down more slowly.
Warnings PABA should not be taken by anyone with kidney issues, liver conditions or those allergic to asprin.
PABA Dosage and Instructions Between 100 and 500 mg of PABA powder can be used daily. This is approximately the same as 1/16 to ¼ of a teaspoon.
Due to its solubility in water, PABA moves quickly through the body and out as urine. The dosage should be spread out over the day.
The Bottom Line Para-aminobenzoic acid has long been approved by the FDA as a sunscreen when used topically. Because skin cancer can be deadly, it’s important to protect skin from the damaging rays of the sun.
It’s also essential to shield the body from free radical damage and autoimmune disease, or at least slow down these processes where possible. PABA has been shown to be helpful in both of these situations when taken orally.
It’s a key component of folate/folic acid, which is required for a healthy body and mind. Folic acid is necessary for many functions — DNA regeneration, red blood cell formation, proper neural tube synthesis and others. Ensuring there’s enough PABA in your system can support having enough folic acid.
Though the risks of taking para-aminobenzoic acid are generally minor, those with existing liver and kidney conditions, aspirin allergies or who are taking cortisone should not take PABA. Always discuss new supplements with a doctor before beginning the regimen, and stop if you experience side effects.