PABA

PABA as a Supplement

As a supplement PABA can be a standalone product or an ingredient in another product. As a standalone supplement it is often touted as a product that promotes overall good health.

These claims are not necessarily exaggerated due to the fact that PABA does so many good things for the body. Not only does it promote healthy skin, PABA also promotes good digestion, assists in red blood cell production, and assists in a properly functioning metabolism.

Occasionally you'll see PABA included in supplements designed to fight hair loss and graying hair. This amino acid targets hair follicles to prevent the loss of pigmentation as we age.

There are also some studies, though they are still ongoing, that suggest PABA can encourage follicles to grow new hair even after it's been lost. Along those same lines there are other studies that indicate the substance may help prevent loss of pigmentation in the skin.

PABA and Other Uses

Oral forms of PABA are not used medically as frequently as they used to be, mainly because medical science is beginning to question its efficacy. Nonetheless, it has been used in the past to treat some conditions that are fairly common as well as some less common disorders.

Among the more common uses of PABA are as a treatment for headaches, constipation, anemia and aging skin. Less common uses include treatments for rheumatic fever, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and female infertility.

While supplement makers routinely suggest PABA has quite a few benefits when taken as a supplement, the medical community is reevaluating its own knowledge on the subject. As more studies are undertaken it is possible that some of these longstanding medical uses will be dropped.

It's also possible that new uses for PABA will be found and added to the list. The biggest concern among the medical community however, seems to be the possibility of PABA toxicity in some people.

PABA Dosage

Although most of us either ingest or synthesize enough PABA on a daily basis, taking it as a supplement should not be a problem for healthy individuals if dosage instructions are followed. As a general rule, studies seem to indicate that up to 400 mg daily should not be a problem in healthy people.

As to whether or not dosages of that size are more effective than lower ones, we don't know for sure. However, we do know that dosages of PABA higher than 400 mg daily have caused serious side effects.

For example, women who take excess amounts of PABA might possibly develop severe liver toxicity. It's also possible that both men and women can develop a skin disease known as vitiglio.

There are some less serious side effects including rashes, itching, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. It should be noted that most of these symptoms occur when PABA is ingested as an oral supplement. As of 2007, the FDA no longer allows PABA to be used as an ingredient in sunscreen.

Medical professionals caution against giving PABA supplements to young children. Investigative studies have revealed that several children taking PABA in excess of 220 mg daily have died as a result.

This might possibly be due to a buildup of PABA in the kidneys. For this reason, doctors also caution against those with kidney disease taking PABA supplements.

PABA Availability

PABA is a very popular supplement that can be had very readily. You can find it in abundance at your local pharmacy, health food store, or supplement provider. It can also be found online by doing a simple Internet search.

Dozens of well known online retailers carry PABA as both a standalone and an ingredient in other supplements. Some of the sites we visited listed standalone products for between $7 and $10 per bottle.

Multivitamins that included PABA as an ingredient were also found in abundance at prices ranging from $20 to $40 per bottle. To compare PABA products, use the supplement finder now!