Phenylalanine

Scientific Name:  2-Amino-3-phenyl-propanoic acid (C9H11NO2).

Other Names:  Phe, F.

Phenylalanine is an alpha-amino acid that is considered to be an essential amino acid in humans due to the inability of the human body to produce it naturally. 

It is an aromatic compound, putting out a notable odor. 

It is one of the twenty protein-forming amino acids considered to be the “common” amino acids that are found in all animal proteins.

Forms of Phenylalanine: At room temperature, phenylalanine is a white, powdery solid.

Sources of Phenylalanine: Phenylalanine is found in most foods that are rich in protein, with especially high concentrations in pulses and legumes (mainly peanuts and lima beans), dairy products, nuts (particularly almonds and pistachios), whole grains, poultry, fish and other seafoods, and leafy vegetables.

Phenylalanine is in a number of dietary products, including sugarless soft drinks like Diet Coke, sugarless gums, Icebreakers Mints, Lipton Tea, and other products requiring the artificial sweetener aspartame, which is an ester of phenylalanine.

All such products must be labeled.

Home Remedies using Phenylalanine:

Benefits and Uses of Phenylalanine:

L-phenylalanine is used to form proteins, as are all of the twenty common amino acids. 

It can also be converted into L-tyrosine, which is further used by the body to create epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. 

D-phenylalanine can be synthesized artificially and is a non-protein amino acid that is used in combination with the L-type as a nutritional supplement.

DL-phenylalanine is a mixture of both the D and L type of phenylalanine.

Phenylalanine and amino acids are essential in the synthesis of proteins which are necessary for a strong, healthy body and muscles.

These also help in the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue which is often caused by strenuous sports such as bodybuilding.

There are some potentially therapeutic uses of phenylalanine:

L-Phenylalanine:

Some studies have suggested that L-phenylalanine can help with appetite suppression, alleviating depression, and vitiligo (loss of pigmentation in the skin).

Though more research is necessary on the findings of using it for vitiligo.

D-Phenylalanine:

Research and animal studies using D-phenylalanine suggests it may improve some disabilities and difficulties associated with Parkinson’s disease.

More research in people with Parkinson's is necessary before this can be recommended for treatment.

It may also improve symptoms from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, dental pain, menstrual cramps and migraine headaches.

DL-Phenylalanine:

This nutrient could prove beneficial for those suffering from alcohol withdrawal, depression, putative analgesic, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Side Effects of Phenylalanine:

In large quantities, phenylalanine can interfere with the production of serotonin, and important neurotransmitter. 

In some individuals, a genetic disorder known as phenylketonuria prevents the metabolizing of phenylalanine. 

This is also true of some pregnant women. 

In such individuals, phenylalanine must be avoided through a strict low protein diet to avoid high levels of phenylpyruvic acid building up in the blood and causing severe side effects such as mental retardation, loss of pigmentation in the skin, hair, or eyes, muscle aches and pains, and even seizures.