Phenylalanine: Benefits, Side Effects and Food Sources

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Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in many foods and used by the body to produce proteins and other important molecules. Some studies have shown that Phenylalanine has an effect on depression, skin-related diseases. The following article will help us understand more about the benefits and side effects of phenylalanine as well as food sources that contain a lot of phenylalanine.

1. What is Phenylalanine?

Phenylalanine is an amino acid, which is considered the building block of protein in the human body.
Phenylalanine consists of 3 forms: D-phenylalanine , L-phenylalanine, and the mixed form used in the experiment called DL-phenylalanine.
D-phenylalanine is not an essential amino acid, its role in the human body is not clearly understood. Form D can be synthesized for use in some medical devices; L-phenylalanine is found in food and is used to produce protein in the human body. This is an essential amino acid. The L form is the only form of phenylalanine found in proteins. L-phenylalanine is found in food sources such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk. In addition to producing protein, phenylalanine is used to make other important molecules in your body, one of which is sending signals between different parts of your body.
Some studies have shown that phenylalanine is used to treat some skin conditions, depression ... However, phenylalanine can be dangerous for people with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria ( PKU).

2. What is the effect?

The body needs phenylalanine and other amino acids to make proteins. Many important proteins are found in the brain, blood, muscles, internal organs and virtually all parts of the body. Furthermore, phenylalanine is important in the production of other molecules including :
Tyrosine : This amino acid is produced directly from phenylalanine. It can be used to make new proteins; Epinephrine and norepinephrine: When you're stressed, these molecules are important;

Dopamine: This molecule is involved in your brain's feelings of pleasure, as well as forming your memories and skills; If the functions of these molecules are impaired, negative health effects can result. Because phenylalanine is used to make these molecules in the body, it is considered a potential treatment for a number of conditions, including depression.
Some studies have shown that phenylalanine can be effective in the treatment of vitiligo. L-phenylalanine can be used in combination with ultraviolet (UV) exposure to improve skin pigmentation, effectively treating vitiligo in adults and children.
Some studies show that patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lower levels of amino acids in the body, such as levels of phenylalanine. Therefore, it can be hoped that the administration of phenylalanine will treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Phenylalanine can be used to produce the molecule dopamine. Dopamine in the brain has been linked to some forms of depression. A study of 12 patients with depression showed the benefit of a mixture of D and L forms of Phenylalanine in the treatment of depression, in two-thirds of the patients improving.
In addition to vitiligo and depression, phenylalanine also works for some of the following cases:
Pain relief: The D form of phenylalanine can relieve pain in some cases such as tooth extraction; Alcohol withdrawal: Taking a combination of D - phenylalanine along with certain other amino acids may improve some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal; Skin aging: Research shows that applying a modified form of phenylalanine called undecylenoyl phenylalanine as a 2% cream twice a day for 12 weeks can reduce age spots; Parkinson's: D-phenylalanine may reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

3. What are the side effects of Phenylalanine?

Phenylalanine is found in many foods that contain protein. This amount of amino acids would not pose a risk to healthy individuals.
Pregnant women should supplement phenylalanine in normal levels because if there is too much phenylalanine in the mother's body, it can increase the possibility of birth defects in the fetus. For subjects with normal levels of phenylalanine, phenylalanine should only be supplemented in food with a sufficient amount. Do not take additional supplements. Women with high levels of phenylalanine, even with food supplements, is not safe. In addition, experts recommend eating less foods containing phenylalanine for at least 20 weeks before becoming pregnant. This will reduce the risk of birth defects in the unborn baby.
Subjects with the disordered amino acid phenylketonuria (PKU) have blood levels of phenylalanine that are approximately 400 times higher than normal compared with those without PKU. People with this disorder can experience mental retardation, high blood pressure, stroke and many other serious health problems if they consume extra phenylalanine. People with PKU will be put on a special low-protein diet, which will usually be maintained for life.
Phenylalanine may make movement disorders worse in people with schizophrenia.

4. Phenylalanine in which foods?

Foods that contain phenylalanine are derived from plants and animals:
Soy products are a rich source of this amino acid, as are some other seeds such as pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. Soy protein supplements can provide about 2.5 grams of phenylalanine per 200-calorie serving;

For animal products such as eggs, seafood and some other meats, 2-3 grams per 200 calorie serving; You don't have to specifically choose foods based on phenylalanine content.
Eating a variety of protein-rich foods will give you all the phenylalanine you need along with other essential amino acids.
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in both animal and plant foods. Phenylalanine is generally considered safe, but for people with PKU there can be dangerous side effects.

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Reference source: healthline.com; webmd