PABA

Long it was assumed that PABA, or technically para-aminobenzoic acid was an essential vitamin for humans and was even listed as vitamin Bx. Recently however, it was found out that PABA is neither a vitamin nor a nutrient essential to the human body. What it really is – is an organic compound produced by intestinal bacteria.

Under the premise of intestinal bacteria, beneficial bacteria, PABA is therefore an essential nutrient for these intestinal bacteria that it facilitates whatever function of these organisms in the human intestine. We all know that beneficial intestinal bacteria help break down food by enzymes thus facilitating absorption of nutrients in the human body. These bacteria also eat up other less beneficial bacteria in the intestine, hereby controlling the growth of harmful organisms normal to the intestinal tract. So therefore PABA isn’t directly essential for the human body, yet it is essential under the assertion that it can stimulate the growth of these intestinal bacteria, such as the lactobacillus strain.

PABA is conversely known as the chemical 4-aminobenzoic acid. It has the characteristics of a solid substance that has slight solubility property in water. As discussed earlier, PABA acts as an intermediate during the synthesis of folic acid by the intestinal bacteria, and this is how naturally occurring PABA is generally produced. PABA’s structural feature closely resembles the sulfonamide antibiotics that it also interferes with the synthesis in sensitive microorganisms of nucleic acids.

PABA has seen many uses, even in health treatments though oftentimes its holistic in approach. In the realm of cosmetics and skin care, para-aminobenzoic acid is widely used for sunscreen solutions. Applied topically in the skin, it enters the skin cells easily as protein and helps in protecting the skin against UV radiation. In the recent studies with PABA however, have revealed that the PABA substance promotes the growth of a certain cellular defect in human cells, thus encouraging skin cancer to people who have defects in repairing skin cells. Currently, sunscreen solutions are using safer and more efficient alternative, such as octyl dimethyl PABA.

Side Effects Of PABA

While PABA is generally a reasonable ingredient in sunscreen formulations, that they help filter out amounts of UV radiation, the side effects of PABA make it an unlikely ingredient in the next batch of skin care sunscreen solutions. There is the risk of toxicity with PABA sunscreen with SPF levels higher than 8. The manufacture of vitamin D would be reduced drastically that there would be an insufficient amount of vitamin D produced. Nausea, then developing to vomiting can occur to individuals with severely lacking of vitamin D. To supplement the loss of vitamin D when using sunscreen with PABA its best to supplement with oral dosages of vitamin D or else usage of fatty extracts such as lanolin. Like all elements, excessive levels of PABA get stored into the liver. If there is no way to release these excessive PABA levels, liver damage can occur.

The PABA levels in the body can be regulated to a safe level though. By using general antibiotics repeatedly, the antibiotics can decimate the flora populations in the small intestine, therefore limiting the amount of PABA that is produced in your body. In skin care, for sunscreen lotions it is as easy as switching to another brand that’s PABA free. There’s already an ongoing awareness of the effects of PABA, its benefits circulating between consumers, health experts and health products manufacturers. So it’s relatively easy to avoid topical applications having PABA.

However, in spite of the allegations that it causes cancer by promoting skin defects, PABA in a regulated amount can have a healthy benefit. The rule of the thumb is always regulation.