What effect does phenylalanine have on the body?

What effect does phenylalanine have on the body?

Phenylalanine can cause intellectual disabilities, brain damage, seizures and other problems in people with PKU . Phenylalanine occurs naturally in many protein-rich foods, such as milk, eggs and meat. Phenylalanine is also sold as a dietary supplement.

What is the health benefit of tryptophan?

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps the body make proteins and certain brain-signaling chemicals. Your body changes L-tryptophan into a brain chemical called serotonin. Serotonin helps control your mood and sleep.

Does phenylalanine help with weight loss?

The researchers found that the single-dose of phenylalanine reduced food intake, increased levels of GLP-1 and decreased levels of ghrelin. Repeated administration also caused weight loss in the obese mice. The researchers also observed that the rats were moving around more, which might encourage them to lose weight.

What are the side effects of phenylalanine deficiency?

It’s also involved in the production of norepinephrine and epinephrine, both of which are neurotransmitters released by the body in response to stressful situations. A deficiency in this important amino acid can cause a long list of symptoms, including confusion, depression, memory loss and low energy levels.

Why is phenylalanine important in the human body?

And m uch like other amino acids like L-alanine, arginine and leucine, phenylalanine is considered an important building block that is used to form the proteins that your body needs to function and thrive.

Is it safe to take phenylalanine as a supplement?

Like other amino acids, phenylalanine is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration when used as a food additive. In supplement form, it has been shown to be well-tolerated in doses up to 45 milligrams per pound of body weight.