• PABA is also named. Para-aminobenzoic Acid. It is a member of the B vitamins.
• PABA is an ingredient in sunscreen lotions, where it has been shown to protect the skin by blocking damaging ultraviolet rays. The UV light that PABA filters out is that UV that gives you a sunburn while PABA lets that UV light pass to your skin that gives you a tan.
• In the last years PABA's popularity as a sunscreen has declined due to reports that it can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions in some people.
• PABA aids in producing folic acid.
• It assists in the formation of red blood cells.
• It aids in the utilization of Pantothenic acid.

Recommended Dietary Allowance for PABA:

• There is no recommended dosage but 50 mg per day is often used in supplementation.

How can deficiency occur?

• Deficiency problems are not very common.
• Fatigue, irritability, nervousness and depression may be signs of deficiency as well as constipation. Weeping eczema has also been noted in people with PABA deficiency.

• Other symptoms of deficiency may include: Extreme fatigue, eczema, anemia.

What foods provide PABA?

• Yeast, liver, kidney, molasses, brown rice, whole grains, wheat germ, bran.

Who may need extra PABA?

• PABA helps protect against sunburn and skin cancer.
• May returns hair to its natural color if stress or nutritional deficiency caused graying.
• Long tem antibiotic use may require more PABA from the body.

What is the health risk of too much PABA?

• High doses of PABA can be irritating to the liver; in addition, nausea and vomiting have occurred, as have anorexia, fever, skin rash, and even vitiligo.