Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. It is also found in several foods including grains, eggs, milk, and meat. PABA is part of the folic acid molecule....

Understanding the Context

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), also known as vitamin B10, is an organic compound found in certain foods and produced by the chemical industry. It was once added to sunscreen and has been used as... Plants produce PABA in their chloroplasts, and store it as a glucose ester (p ABA-Glc) in their tissues. Humans lack the enzymes to convert PABA to folate and so require folate from dietary sources, such as green leafy vegetables.

Key Insights

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is a natural substance found in some foods and it is part of the B complex group. PABA is a precursor to folate and it helps certain skin conditions. PABA, in the form of Potaba (potassium aminobenzoate) was used to treat Peyronie’s disease, in research conducted in the mid-1900’s. This involved medium to large doses administered under professional advice. The results were encouraging, but more studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Final Thoughts

What is PABA | Benefits & Deficiency Symptoms | PABA Side Effects Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a chemical found in the folic acid vitamin and also in several foods including grains, eggs, milk, and meat. PABA is taken by mouth for skin conditions including vitiligo, pemphigus, dermatomyositis, morphea, lymphoblastoma cutis, Peyronie's disease, and scleroderma. PABA is needed for digestive health and acts as a coenzyme assisting with protein metabolism needed by the cells. It also helps with beneficial intestinal bacteria which are needed for the production of folic acid.