PABA (Para-aminobenzoic Acid)

Requirements:

• Have not been established
  PABA is not considered an essential vitamin since the body can synthesize it
• Daily Optimal Intake:
  
  25 - 300 mg. for adults

Supplement Forms:

• Usually included in B-complex vitamin formulas

Food Sources:

• Bran
• Brewer's yeast
• Eggs
• Liver
• Milk
• Molasses
• Organ and muscle meats
• Rice
• Yeast
• Wheat germ

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

• No known cases have been reported

Adverse Effects and Toxicity:

• > 12 gm. per day:
  
  Leukopenia
  Fever
  Liver disease
  Malaise
  Rare cases of fatal idiosyncratic reactions have been reported
  Rash

Drug/Nutrient Interactions:

• Interferes with sulfonamides
• Potentiates the effect of corticosteroids

Biochemical Functions:

• Required for the formation of folic acid
• Required for the metabolism of protein

Clinical Indications:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Dermatomyositis
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Peyronie's disease
• Protect against sunburn
• Scleroderma
• Thyroiditis (clinical observation)
• Vitiligo

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).