Is phenylalanine bad for you. It is used in diet products.?


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Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid since other amino acids are formed from it in the body. Along with tyrosine, it provides raw material from which the body makes the hormones adrenaline and thyroxine. The body can also convert phenylalanine to tyrosine but not vice versa.

Phenylalanine comes in two forms, L-phenylalanine (LPA) and D-phenyalanine (DPA), which are mirror images of each other. LPA has the nutritional value, while DPA has painkilling and depression-alleviating properties. A third form, DL-phenylalanine (DLPA) is both nutritional and therapeutic.

Recommended Daily Allowance - Phenylalanine
Men 16 mg
Women 16 mg
Children 22 mg
Infants 132 mg

Phenylalanine Benefits - Functions in the Body
Phenylalanine is effective for weight control because of its effect on thyroid secretion. It also plays an important role in the control of appetite. If taken before meals, it suppresses the appetite substantially. This amino acid is also essential for the efficient functioning of the kidneys and the bladder.

Phenylalanine has many therapeutic uses. It is considered beneficial in the treatment of obesity and is being successfully employed as an appetite suppressant for this condition. It has been demonstrated that in the intestinal tract, the amino acids tryptophan and phenylalanine trigger the release of cholycystokinin (CCK) which induces satiety, and a termination of eating.

An intake of half a teaspoon of phenylalanine powder 30 minutes before each meal, can lead to a loss of as much as 100 to 200 g of weight a day.

Studies have shown that DLPA can alleviate the pains of chronic conditions such as arthritis, lower back pain and headaches by protecting endorphins - the natural pain- blocking hormones secreted by the nerve cells. You may buy phenylalanine here.

The other positive effects noticed after 24-48 hours of taking phenylalanine are a feeling of greater alertness, an increase in sexual interest, and memory enhancement. It diminishes depressant feelings, if any. The depressant states are generally relieved within a few days by taking 100 mg-500 mg of 1-phenylalanine per day.

Phenylalanine Food Sources
Phenylalanine is found in abundance in curd, milk, cottage cheese, pulses and legumes, poultry, piyal seeds, groundnuts, pistachio nuts, almonds, leafy vegetables, and whole grains.

Phenylalanine Deficiency Symptoms
Deficiency of phenylalanine can lead to a variety of symptoms including bloodshot eyes, cataract, and several behavioural changes, such as psychotic and schizophrenic behaviour.

Phenylalanine Side Effects - Phenylalanine Dangers
Excessive dosage of phenylalanine can cause irritability, insomnia and high blood pressure. Caution should be observed in the use of phenylalanine in hypertensive individuals. Phenylalanine should not be taken by those who are taking drugs such as Aldomet for high blood pressure.

Other Answers:
It depends on if you're a phenylketoneuric. if you are, it's bad. But diet sodas that contain phenylalanine usually have aspartame in them - which is bad for you anyway, so just avoid them.
There is a medical condition called phenylketonuria that can cause brain damage in infants and children who have it, and they are placed on a phenylalanine restricted diet until their brain development is mostly complete, which is why products containing phenylalanine are labeled. It is an essential amino acid, used by your body in building proteins, and you actually need a certain amount of it daily, which means it is not bad for you. However, the debate is still out as to whether artificial sweeteners are bad for you or not, which is something you should consider. :)
If you have a rare disease known as phenylketonuria, your body is unable to process phenylalanine and it eventually becomes lethal. It deteriorates your brain mass. I am an avid mint fan and have consumed more phenylalanine than most people have. I have not suffered brain damage yet. Phenylalanine is found in mints and artificial sweeteners. Unless you have this condition, you are in no danger from it.


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