Phenylalanine is a vital amino acid. Phenylalanine has got immense metabolic role in the body. It is ketogenic as well as glycogenic. Phenylalanine is primarily but irreversibly hydroxylated to tyrosine. Tyrosine then undergoes series of metabolic changes leading to the creation of hormones epinephrine, thyroxin, nor epinephrine and tri-iodothyronine. It is not synthesized in the body but in the microorganisms it is synthesized.
Phenylalanine may experience bacterial breakdown in the intestine by the bacterial enzyme with the creation of phenyl acetic acid. This phenyl acetic acid may be transformed into benzoic acid. These toxic substances are wrapped up and detoxicated in the liver. Similar to all other amino acids, phenylalanine also takes part in the synthesis of tissue protein.
It is accessible in 3 chemical forms:
-L-phenylalanine, the natural form of phenylalanine found in proteins throughout the body.
- D-phenylalanine, a mirror image of L-phenylalanine that is synthesized in a laboratory.
- DL-phenylalanine, a combination of the previous two forms.
Sources of phenylalanine
L-phenylalanine is found in most foods that include protein like beef, soy products, poultry, pork, fish, milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese and certain nuts and seeds.
Banana is also a good source of phenylalanine.
Benefits of phenylalanine
D-phenylalanine may help decrease chronic pain associated with certain health circumstances by stimulating nerve pathways in the brain that reduce pain.
D-phenylalanine may get better rigidity, speech difficulties, walking disabilities and depression linked with Parkinson's disease.
Proof suggests that combining L-phenylalanine with UVA radiation for people with vitiligo may guide to some darkening or repigmentation of the whitened regions, mainly on the face.
Phenylalanine is also used to provide relief to the patients suffering from depression. This is thought to be due to improved production of brain chemicals such as dopamine and nor epinephrine.
Phenylalanine behaves as an analgesic. It also behaves as an appetite suppressant by administrating the release of an intestinal hormone that signals the brain to feel satiated later than eating. As an analgesic, it has been exposed to reduce back pain, toothaches and pain linked with migraine headaches.
Deficiency symptoms of phenylalanine
Symptoms of phenylalanine deficiency contain confusion, lack of energy, reduced alertness, decreased memory and diminished appetite.
Its deficiency can also guide to stunted development, apathy, muscle loss and flaw.
A rare metabolic disorder known as phenylketonuria occurs in people who are absent an enzyme that is wanted to correctly metabolize phenylalanine. Symptoms of PKU, which tend to come out between 3 and 6months of age, include eczema, developmental delay, an unusually small head, and hyperactivity. If it is not treated earlier than 3 weeks of age, PKU can reason severe, irreversible mental retardation.
Symptoms of high intake
Doses in surplus of 5,000mg a day may be toxic and can reason nerve damage.
High quantities of DL-phenylalanine may reason mild side effects such as nausea, headaches and heartburn.
Most consumers do not know that extreme Phenylalanine is a neurotoxin and excites the neurons in the brain to the point of cellular death.
Behavioral and emotional disorders can all be triggered by above Phenylalanine in the daily diet.
Phenylalanine can reason irreversible brain damage and death, particularly when used in high quantities or during pregnancy.
Extreme amounts can also lead to hypertension and migraine headaches.
Daily requirement
Birth to 4 months: 125 mg per kgm of body weight per day
Children 5 months to 2 years : 69 mg per kgm of body weight per day
Children 3 to 12 years: 22 mg per kgm of body weight per day
Teenagers and adults: 14 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
