Phenylalanine occurs naturally in many protein-rich foods, such as milk, eggs and meat. Phenylalanine is also sold as a dietary supplement. The
artificial sweetener aspartame
(Equal, NutraSweet
Is phenylalanine safe to drink?
When taken by mouth: L
-phenylalanine is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken in amounts commonly
found in foods. L-phenylalanine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken as medicine, short-term.
Why is phenylalanine toxic?
This enzyme converts the amino acid phenylalanine to other important compounds in the body. If gene mutations reduce the activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase, phenylalanine from the diet is not processed effectively. As a result, this amino acid can
build up to toxic levels in the blood and other tissues
.
Is phenylalanine the same as aspartame?
The ingredients of aspartame are aspartic acid
and phenylalanine
. Both are naturally occurring amino acids. Aspartic acid is produced by your body, and phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that you get from food.
Is DL phenylalanine safe?
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.
Is phenylalanine a laxative?
Quite apart from all of the possible effects already mentioned, consuming too much of products containing phenylalanine (notably sugar-free gum and sweets) can
produce a laxative effect
…
Why is phenylalanine toxic to 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
.
How much phenylalanine is safe?
Optimal doses of phenylalanine have not been set for any condition. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it difficult to set a standard dose. However, commonly used dosages, depending on the condition, range from
150 mg to 5,000 mg daily
.
Is phenylalanine bad for your liver?
Phenylalanine is thought to mediate or exacerbate hepatic encephalopathy, and an
impaired liver may not be able to
cope with the ammoniagenic properties of the amino acid constituents, or adequately metabolize methanol.
What does aspartame do to the body?
Dozens of studies have linked aspartame — the world’s most widely used artificial sweetener — to serious health problems, including cancer,
cardiovascular disease
, Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, stroke and dementia, as well as negative effects such as intestinal dysbiosis, mood disorders, headaches and migraines.
Is aspartame made from poop?
Apparently the E. coli are grown in tanks and, as they defecate, their
fecal matter
is harvested because it contains aspartic acid-phenylalanine amino acid –the protein needed to make the aspartame. These fecal proteins are then treated with methanol to produce the artificial sweetener.
What happens when phenylalanine accumulates in the body?
Phenylalanine is an essential nutrient, but some individuals are born with a genetic disorder, phenylketonuria (PKU), that prevents them from metabolizing phenylalanine, and, if untreated, phenylalanine accumulates in the body,
becomes converted into phenylpyruvate
, and the individual usually develops seizures, brain …
Which is worse sugar or aspartame?
Effects on body weight
Aspartame contains 4 calories per gram (g), similar
to sugar
. It is, however, around 200 times sweeter than sugar. This means that only a tiny amount of aspartame is necessary to sweeten foods and drinks. For this reason, people often use it in weight-loss diets.
What is the benefit of phenylalanine?
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. Some people apply it directly to the skin for vitiligo.
Why do we need phenylalanine?
It’s
Important for Normal Functioning of Your Body
Your body needs phenylalanine and other amino acids to make proteins. Many important proteins are found in your brain, blood, muscles, internal organs and virtually everywhere else in your body.
Does DL phenylalanine work?
No research has evaluated
the effectiveness of DL-phenylalanine, a related supplement, in treating people with RA. The effect of either form of phenylalanine in the treatment of people with RA remains unproven.
