What is phenylalanine used for?
Phenylalanine is used for depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and a skin disease called vitiligo.
What are the side effects of phenylalanine?
Side effects may include:
- Heartburn.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Constipation.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Anxiety and hypomania (a milder form of mania)
- Sedation.
Does phenylalanine increase dopamine?
Phenylalanine is a precursor to synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. [2] Supplementing with DL-phenylalanine has been shown to boost dopamine levels and function, making it a key ingredient in Procite-D.
What is the difference between DPA and DLPA?
DPA has twice the endorphinase inhibitory effect of DLPA, while DLPA is more energizing and more readily available in health food stores, pharmacies, and online.
Is phenylalanine bad for humans?
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.
Does phenylalanine cause anxiety?
DL-phenylalanine may cause symptoms of anxiety, jitteriness, and hyperactivity in children. Doses higher than 5,000 mg a day may be toxic and can cause nerve damage. High quantities of DL-phenylalanine may cause mild side effects such as nausea, heartburn, and headaches.
What time of day should I take DLPA?
If DPA is not available, a related product, D,L-phenylalanine (DLPA), may be substituted (1,500 to 2,000 mg per day). Phenylalanine should be taken between meals, because protein found in food may compete for uptake of phenylalanine into the brain, potentially reducing its effect.
How quickly does DLPA work?
More. Supplementation with D-phenylalanine (DPA), a synthetic variation of the amino acid , L-phenylalanine (LPA), has reduced chronic pain due to osteoarthritis in a preliminary trial. In that study, participants took 250 mg three to four times per day, with pain relief beginning in four to five weeks.
How does phenylalanine affect the brain?
The high plasma phenylalanine concentrations increase phenylalanine entry into brain and restrict the entry of other large neutral amino acids. In the literature, emphasis has been on high brain phenylalanine as the pathological substrate that causes mental retardation.
Is phenylalanine cancerous?
Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. Phenylalanine isn’t a health concern for most people. However, for people who have the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) or certain other health conditions phenylalanine can be a serious health concern.
What are the health effects of D phenylalanine?
D-phenylalanine is typically available only in the form of health supplements. It is sold as both pure D-phenylalanine and as part of a racemic mixture of phenylalanine. D-phenylalanine’s pharmacological effects generally relate to its ability to inhibit the actions of enzymes that affect the brain and nervous system.
What is the chemical formula for D phenylalanine?
D-Phenylalanine Background and Benefits Phenylalanine is an amino acid with the chemical formula C6H5CH2CH (NH2)COOH. It has two distinct forms known as enantiomers, including L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. A mixture of these two enantiomers is called a racemic mixture of phenylalanine.
Which is the most effective form of D-phenylalanine?
A small amount of D-Phenylalanine may be converted to L-Phenylalanine in the body.1 L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid and is a key building block of proteins. Based on many studies, D-phenylalanine has been shown to be the most effective form of phenylalanine that can impact endorphin production.
What should you know about phenylalanine in food?
Federal regulations require that any beverage or food that contains aspartame bear this warning: “Phenylketonurics: Contains phenylalanine.” This warning helps people with PKU avoid products that are a source of phenylalanine.