Tag: Vitamin b10

Despite its popular moniker, a true, recognized vitamin B10 does not exist in human nutrition. Instead, the term refers to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a compound with a much more limited, and sometimes controversial, role in the body. This article answers: is there such a thing as vitamin B10?

Historically, PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid, was once mistakenly called a B vitamin, often referred to as 'vitamin B10' or 'vitamin Bx'. Though it shares a close relationship with the B-complex, PABA is now classified as a nonessential nutrient, not a true vitamin, primarily because the body's gut bacteria can produce it.

According to historical research, the organic compound para-aminobenzoic acid, commonly referred to as PABA, was first identified in the mid-19th century and later called vitamin B10. This article clarifies what is vitamin B10 also known as, exploring its history, functions, and distinction from true B vitamins.

While often labeled as a B vitamin, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), or "vitamin B10", is not a true, essential vitamin for humans because our gut bacteria can produce it. This makes the question, 'How much vitamin B10 per day?', fundamentally different than for other essential vitamins.

A single term can have vastly different meanings depending on the context, and B10 is a prime example. The answer to "What is B10 used for?" depends entirely on whether you are in a manufacturing plant, a science lab, or a classroom. This term is used across multiple disciplines, including reliability engineering, nutritional science, mathematics, and even specific brand naming.

Over one-third of adults in the United States take a multivitamin, but few are aware that "vitamin 10" is not a standard, recognized vitamin. Instead, the term most often refers to Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an organic compound that is sometimes called vitamin B10, or Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like antioxidant. Both have distinct functions and potential health benefits that have led to their casual classification as “vitamin 10.”

Originally dubbed "vitamin B10," PABA is an organic compound that our gut bacteria can produce, but it is also present in many common foods and sold as a supplement. For those interested in this substance, understanding its sources is key, especially considering the shifting perspectives on its use in products like sunscreen.

Although once classified as a vitamin, PABA is no longer considered an essential nutrient for humans, but it is known by a different chemical name. PABA stands for para-aminobenzoic acid, a compound with various biological functions that is also known by the alternate names vitamin B10 and vitamin Bx.

Historically, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) was sometimes designated as vitamin Bx or B10, but this classification is no longer accurate and was based on its role in bacteria rather than human metabolism. In reality, the answer to the question, "Is PABA a vitamin B?" is more complex, involving its status as a non-essential nutrient-like compound rather than a true essential vitamin for human health.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a component of the folic acid molecule and a crucial nutrient for many microorganisms, a fact that highlights its foundational significance in biological processes. This historical compound, sometimes called vitamin Bx, was once a popular supplement and is perhaps best known for its use in early sunscreen formulations.