PABA 500mg | 100 Capsules | NOW Foods

PABA 500mg by NOW Foods

PABA is a substance you don't often come across in the drugstore, and therefore very few people know exactly what it is. This PABA by NOW Foods contains 500mg of para-aminobenzoic acid per capsule. You take one per day, so a bottle of 100 capsules will last well over three months. Interesting for anyone specifically looking for this substance and wanting a simple product with a clear dosage.

What para-aminobenzoic acid actually is

Para-aminobenzoic acid, PABA for short, is a small organic compound. Chemically speaking, it is a benzene ring (a ring of six carbon atoms) with an amino group on one side and an acid group on the other. That structure explains the name. PABA occurs naturally in food, including whole grains, eggs, milk, meat, and mushrooms. It is often considered part of the vitamin B family and sometimes called vitamin B10 or vitamin Bx. However, it is officially not a vitamin. Your body does not produce it itself, but there is also no recommended daily amount established. That is why there is no percentage of reference intake on the label.

The link between PABA and folic acid

What many people do not know: PABA is a building block of folic acid. Bacteria and plants make folic acid by linking PABA to two other components. The bacteria in your intestines do this too. Humans lack the enzymes to perform that step themselves, and therefore get ready-made folic acid from food. That is also where the well-known interaction with sulfa preparations comes from. Those antibiotics are structurally very similar to PABA and block exactly the step in bacteria where PABA is converted. If you take PABA with it, that can counteract the effect of such a medication. Therefore, do not use PABA in combination with sulfonamides. The reverse is not true, by the way: regular antibiotics from other groups do not have that interaction. If you are unsure which type you have been prescribed, check the package leaflet or ask your pharmacist. They can look it up for you in a few seconds.

PABA in supplement form, here is how it works

Many people actually know PABA from the past, as an ingredient in sunscreen. It is hardly used in skin products anymore, because some users had skin reactions to it. As a supplement, it is a different story. You swallow it, and your body absorbs it through your intestines, just like the PABA from your food. This capsule contains 500mg, an amount that aligns with what PABA supplements usually contain. Preferably take the capsule with a meal, as that is easiest on the stomach for most people. You only use one capsule per day, so the dosage is clear and easy to stick to. In short: one capsule with breakfast or lunch, and you're done. Anyone already using other B vitamins can simply take PABA alongside them, because the substances do not interfere with each other. Just make sure you do not exceed the recommended amount of one capsule per day.

The capsule is made of gelatin and is therefore not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Furthermore, the product only contains stearic acid, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate as excipients, without wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, or nuts. NOW Foods produces in its own GMP-certified factory in the United States and tests the raw materials in its own laboratory. If you are looking for a para-aminobenzoic acid supplement with a clear composition, then this bottle of 100 capsules is a sensible choice. If you have liver or kidney complaints, or use medications, consult your doctor beforehand.