Para-Hydroxybenzoate
The presence of organic compounds such as p-Hydroxybenzoate in the urine may point towards significant dysbiosis (=impaired microbiota). p-Hydroxybenzoat may reflect intestsinal overgrowth, usually accomanied by microbal hyperpermeability.
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What does it mean if your Para-Hydroxybenzoate result is too high?
High levels of parahydroxybenzoate may occur if the patient is on a high-protein diet or a diet high in plant materials. High levels may also occur if there is a large amount of undigested or poorly digested food left in the gastrointestinal tract for bacteria to ferment. The use of amino acid supplements (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan) may also increase levels. High levels of para-hydroxybenzoate can also result from exposure to chemical parabens. Parabens may be found in processed foods, in cosmetics, medications, and body care products. Para-hydroxybenzoate from the gut is also incorporated into CoQ10 synthesis on a magnesium-dependent pathway; higher levels may indicate a problem with CoQ10 synthesis. A lack of CoQ10 will affect mitochondrial function, ATP production, and the Citric Acid Cycle.
Hydroxymethylglutarate is also on the CoQ10 (ubiquinone) synthesis pathway. High levels of hydroxymethylglutarate also indicate a problem with CoQ10 synthesis. If indicated, consider CoQ10 supplementation and support the synthesis pathway with L-carnitine and alcohol avoidance.
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What does it mean if your Para-Hydroxybenzoate result is too low?
Low levels of para-hydroxybenzoate may occur if there is little or no exposure to chemical parabens, or if the patient is on low-protein diet or a diet poor in plant materials. Parabens may be found in processed foods, in cosmetics, medications, and body care products. Low levels may also occur if there is a loss of diversity in the gastrointestinal bacteria (the gut microbiome), which may be caused by antibiotic use, gastrointestinal disorders, or psychological stress.
- Evaluate the diet, and if indicated, evaluate the status of the gut microbiome and digestion/absorption with a stool test. Environmental stress or chronic psychological stress can not only decrease the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, but it can increase the levels of neurotransmitter metabolites (vanilmandelate, homovanillate, 5-hydroxyindoleacetate), para-hydroxyphenyllactate, and hippurate.
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