299 Views
PARA –Aminobenzoic acid
PARA –Aminobenzoic acid -PABA vitamin Bx PABA
Description
Para – aminobenzoic acid (PABA), is also known as vitamin Bx, a bacterial vitamin and anti- grey – hair factor. PABA, is an integral part of the B- complex vitamins. Water soluble and required regularly from the diet. PABA is considered unique in that it is a vitamin within a vitamin occurring in combination with folic acid vitamin B9.
PABA stimulates intestinal bacteria enabling them to produce folic acid. This action inturn enables the production of pantothenic acid – vitamin B5.
Even though PABA is a component of folic acid, there is no evidence yet that suggests we can make folic acid from it. PABA can be synthesized when favourable conditions exist.
PABA’s statis is controversial as it has not been recognised officially as a vitamin, and therefore, not recognised as being essential in the human diet.
It is interesting to understand here, the fewer nutrients that are recognised as essential, the fewer the food industry will have to replace it within their processed foods, or even list it as being absent on food labels.
Evidence in favour of PABA’s essentially must be so overwhelming, that the government is more willing to bear the wrath of the food industries powerful lobbies, than it is the weight of scientific evidence.
Function
PABA is stored in body tissue as a co-enzyme. Its function is to breakdown and utilize proteins. As well as the formation of blood cells particularly red blood cells. PABA protects red blood cells from ozone due to its antioxidant properties. It shields the skin from ultra violet damage when used in a topical sunscreen and plays an important role in skin health. It enhances activity of intestinal flora, stimulating good intestinal bacteria enabling the production of folic acid although the body is not able to utilise the folic acid produced. PABA has restored greying hair to its original colour although continual use of this is needed to keep the colour and prevent it from returning to its original state.
PABA included in an ointment helps reduce aging, wrinkles, dry skin and dark spots on the skin.
Medicinal and therapeutic Uses
Vitiligo, fibrotic skin diseases, phemphigus, schizophrenia, fibrous cavenitis, typhus, rocky mountain fever, chronic discoid lupus, erythematosus, eczema, parasites, nervousness, baldness, constipation, stress, overactive thyroid, rheumatic fever, infertility, alleviates burns and sunburn immediately (even more so with vitamin E included) one of the most effective sun screens shielding the skin from ultra violet radiation.
Deficiency Effects
Greying of hair colour, uneven skin pigmentation, fatigue, irritability, depression, nervousness, headaches, anaemia and constipation.
Deficiency may result from the use of sulphur drugs – reducing the ability of PABA to function properly in the intestine.
Toxicity Effects
Usually considered non- toxic in small doses. Continued ingestion of high doses (over 30mg) can be toxic to the liver, heart and kidneys, causing nausea, vomiting, depression, itching and skin rash and jaundice.
Caution: The risk of taking supplements in pregnancy and breastfeeding is far outweighed by the benefits.
Good Food Sources
The richest foods sources include: Liver, fish, eggs, citrus fruit, currants, fresh vegetables, molasses, brewer’s yeast.
Other sources: fresh fruit, bran, brown rice, mushrooms, kidney, yoghurt, whole grain products, other B vitamins, papaya, boneset, cornsilk, horsetail and sunflower seeds.
PABA diminishes: Coffee, alcohol, food processing, sulphur drugs, oestrogen and water.
