PABA stands for Para Aminobenzoic acid. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a chemical found in the folic acid vitamin and also in several foods including grains, eggs, milk, and meat.
Contents
Uses
- PABA is taken by mouth for skin conditions including vitiligo, pemphigus, dermatomyositis, morphea, lymphoblastoma cutis, Peyronie’s disease, and scleroderma. PABA is also used to treat infertility in women, arthritis, “tired blood” (anemia), rheumatic fever, constipation, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and headaches. It is also used to darken gray hair, prevent hair loss, make skin look younger, and prevent sunburn.
- PABA is best known as a sunscreen that is applied to the skin (used topically).
- PABA doesn’t seem to be taken by mouth as often as it used to be, possibly because some people question its safety and effectiveness.
Benefits
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Vitiligo
Vitiligo describes a skin disorder where you lose your skin pigmentation, resulting in white patches seen on the skin. The local destruction of the pigment-producing cells of the skin results in the appearance of the white skin patches. According to Palo Alto Medical Foundation, approximately 1 to 4 percent of the global population has this skin problem. It suggests that a regular intake of 100 mg PABA supplement thrice to four times per day combined with the PABA injections may help in the improvement and repigmentation of the skin areas affected by vitiligo.
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Female Infertility
Infertility serves to describe a condition where you fail to get pregnant despite having unprotected sexual activity for a period of one year. Various medical and gynecologic problems result in the development of female infertility. The most common causes of female infertility include decreased thyroid function, scarring of the fallopian tubes, the tubes that transport the ovum from the ovaries into the uterus and endometriosis, the abnormal growth of uterine tissues in other areas of the body. According to Palo Alto Medical Foundation, some studies suggest that infertile women may become pregnant with the regular intake of PABA supplement 100 mg four times per day. However, more clinical trials are still needed in order to establish this.
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Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis results from the onset of severe food allergy leading to the formation of itchy, uncomfortable appearance of rashes. As mentioned by Palo Alto Medical Foundation, most patients affected by dermatitis herpetiformis are those usually between ages twenty to forty, although it can also occur in any age. According to Palo Alto Medical Foundation, some studies suggest that if you suffer from this conditiona nd use PABA supplements in high amounts, you can reduce the occurrence of the skin lesions. However, the intake of PABA for the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis must only be done with the supervision of a qualified and experienced health care professional since the high dosage of PABA may result in many dangerous side effects.
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Sunscreen
PABA may serve as a broad-spectrum sunscreen that can protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, according to the American Melanoma Foundation. However, some patients are allergic to this type of sunscreen protection. Furthermore, the use of PABA may also result in the staining of your clothes and this discourages most patients from using this.
Cautions
- Children: When applied directly to the skin, PABA is LIKELY SAFE for children. PABA is POSSIBLY SAFE for children to take by mouth appropriately. Dose is important, as serious side effects can occur. PABA is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses. Some children who took doses of PABA greater than 220 mg/kg/day died.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: PABA is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin during pregnancy or breast-feeding. However, there is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking PABA by mouth if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Bleeding disorders: Using PABA intravenously (by IV) might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
- Kidney disease: PABA might build up in the kidneys making kidney disease worse. Do not use it if you have kidney problems.
- Surgery: Using PABA intravenously (by IV) might increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Stop taking PABA 2 weeks before surgery.
Interactions
- Antibiotics (Sulfonamide antibiotics) interacts with PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA)
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) can decrease the effectiveness of certain antibiotics called sulfonamides.Some of these antibiotics include sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra). - Dapsone (Avlosulfon) interacts with PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA)
Dapsone (Avlosulfon) is used as an antibiotic. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) might decrease the effectiveness of dapsone (Avlosulfon) for treating infections. - Cortisone (Cortisone Acetate) interacts with PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID (PABA)
The body breaks down cortisone to get rid of it. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) might decrease how quickly the body breaks down cortisone. Taking PABA by mouth and getting a cortisone shot might increase the effects and side effects of cortisone.
Other names
4-Aminobenzoic Acid, ABA, Acide 4-aminobenzoïque, Acide Aminobenzoïque, Acide p-aminobenzoïque, Acide Para-Amino-Benzoïque, Acide Paraaminobenzoïque, Acide Para-Aminobenzoïque, Acido Para Aminobenzoico, Aminobenzoic Acid, Aminobenzoate Potassium, Bacterial Vitamin H1, Ethyl Dihydroxypropyl Aminobenzoate, Glyceryl Paraaminobenzoate, Octyl Diemthyl PABA, P-Aminobenzoic Acid, Padamate O, Para-Aminobenzoate, Vitamin B10, Vitamin Bx, Vitamin H1, Vitamine B10, Vitamine Bactérienne H1, Vitamine B
References
Live Strong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/418608-benefits-of-the-supplement-paba/