What is PABA? Food Sources of PABA and PABA Sunscreen

What is PABA? PABA is otherwise known as para-aminobenzoic acid or 4-Aminobenzoic acid. It’s not strictly regarded as a vitamin on its own, but its activity closely involves the B complex vitamins. It is typically found in B complex supplements. Food sources of PABA include wholegrain products and organ meats. You can also obtain PABA sunscreen because of its ability to absorb UV rays.

What is PABA Good For?

PABA is needed to manufacture folic acid in the gastrointestinal tract and for the absorption of vitamin B5 pantothenic acid. The effects of PABA help in red blood cell formation, improve connective tissues, and assist in the metabolism of proteins.

PABA Sunscreen Benefits

You can buy PABA sunscreen products to protect against ultra-violet B rays (UVB) and it can also be taken as a supplement to protect your skin from UVB and possible skin cancer.

Some think that PABA supplements can encourage hair growth and restore graying hair to its original color, if graying was caused by stress or nutritional deficiency.

PABA can help relieve arthritis and other connective tissue disorders, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and can be helpful for autoimmune disorders.

PABA has a softening effect on the skin and has a long history of helping with vitiligo, a skin pigment disorder. It may also help counter the effects of gluten allergy.

Effects of PABA Deficiency

Factors that may increase PABA deficiency include alcohol consumption, coffee, and long-term use of antibiotics.

The effects of PABA deficiency can lead to depression, irritability and nervousness, fatigue, vitiligo – patchy areas of white skin, eczema, constipation and gastrointestinal problems, and graying of the hair.

PABA Side Effects

There’s no official recommended dietary allowance, but PABA supplements often provide a daily dosage of up to 300mg. It is considered safe and non-toxic, but extreme doses may cause PABA side effects of nausea and vomiting, skin rashes and possibly liver damage.

Food Sources of PABA

Here are examples of where to find animal best food sources of PABA and plant PABA rich foods :

Animal food sources of PABA : Liver and kidneys, brewer’s yeast.

Plant food sources of PABA : Wholegrain products, spinach, mushrooms, unrefined molasses.