Good afternoon johnman-ga and thank you for the question.
In all the reports I have seen online concerning Phenylalanine (not to
be confused with articles re: aspartame/aparsate), all have stated
that to the normal human being, ingestion of Phenylalanine is not
harmful UNLESS you have penylketonuria (PKU), take certain medications
or take high doses.
PLEASE understand, I am NOT a doctor, nor do I play one on TV,
however, I will state as a friendly warning, because of the potential
for side effects and interactions with medications, ANY dietary
supplement should be taken only under the supervision of a
knowledgeable healthcare provider. Please contact your family doctor
if you have any more questions.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, which means that it is
essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For
this reason, phenylalanine must be obtained from food. It is available
in three chemical forms:
1. L-phenylalanine, the natural form of phenylalanine found in
proteins throughout the body;
2. D-phenylalanine, a mirror image of L-phenylalanine that is
synthesized in a laboratory (not found in food); and
3. DL-phenylalanine, a combination of the previous two forms.
The body converts phenylalanine into tyrosine, another amino acid
essential for making proteins, certain brain chemicals, and thyroid
hormones. Symptoms of phenylalanine deficiency include confusion, lack
of energy, decreased alertness, decreased memory, and diminished
appetite.
Rare metabolic disorder (phenylketonuria, a.k.a PKU) occurs in people
who are missing an enzyme that is needed to properly metabolize
phenylalanine. People with PKU who digest phenylalanine stand the
chance of developing mental retardation, especially in children.
Even though children seem to be most highly effected, adults with PKU
will experience mental and intellectual disturbances after an intake
of phenylalanine.
Phenylalanine can be taken as a capsule, powder, or tablet or used as
a topical cream. Recommended dosages of phenylalanine vary depending
on the health condition being treated. Supplements are recommended 15
to 30 minutes before meals.
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE:
According to the National Research Council, the daily recommended
dietary allowances (RDAs) for phenylalanine are as follows:
Pediatric
Birth to 4 months: 125 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
Children 5 months to 2 years: 69 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
Children 3 to 12 years: 22 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
The combination of oral and topical phenylalanine (together with
ultraviolet light) have been used to treat children with vitiligo. The
dose and appropriate length of time to continue the therapy would be
determined by your physician.
Adult
Teenagers and adults: 14 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
Some experts suggest that adults may need as much as 39 mg per
kilogram of body weight per day for general health and doses as high
as 50 to 100 mg per kilogram have been used in studies of those with
vitiligo. The most common amounts used range from 750 to 3,000 mg per
day for adults.
DOSES IN EXCESS OF 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
Source: University of Maryland Medical Center
( http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Phenylalaninecs.html )
* * * * * * * * * *
"High blood concentrations of L-phenylalanine are harmful to human brains
in at least three situations:
(a) In older than 6 months old children and adults with mature brains,
high blood concentrations will prolong performance time, slow brain
wave cycles (EEG) and reduce neurotransmitter production in a
reversible manner.
(b) In newborns to 6 months old with rapidly growing brains elevated blood
phenylalanine produces irreversible brain damage by slowing migration of
oligodendroglia (brain cells) and altering myelin (nerve insulation)
formation.
(c) In pregnancy, if the mother's blood phenylalanine is raised in high
concentrations, her child's brain development can be irreversibly damaged. "
Source
( http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/02p0317/02P-0317_emc-000424.txt )
* * * * * * * * * *
INTERRACTIONS: (the following are drugs that I have identified that
interact with Phenylalanine)
Antidepressant Medications, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) -
Phenylalanine may cause a severe increase in blood pressure in people
taking MAOIs (such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline, and
selegiline). This severe increase in blood pressure (also called
"hypertensive crisis") can lead to a heart attack or stroke. For this
reason, individuals taking MAOIs should avoid foods and supplements
containing phenylalanine.
Baclofen - The absorption of baclofen, a medication used to relieve
muscle spasms, may be reduced by phenylalanine. Therefore, it is best
to avoid taking this medication with a meal, especially one that is
high in protein content, or with phenylalanine supplements.
Levodopa - A few case reports suggest that phenylalanine may reduce
the effectiveness of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's
disease. Some researchers speculate that phenylalanine may interfere
with the absorption of this medication. Therefore, phenylalanine
should not be taken at the same time as levodopa.
= = = = = = = = = = =
The following are articles I have found regarding the safety of an
individual who takes phenylalanine:
?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed phenylalanine on its
GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list, largely due to it vast usage
and because of the availability of scientific literature showing the
safety and non-toxic nature of PA.
Additional less documented and as yet unsubstantiated uses have been
for improving memory, increasing mental alertness, promoting "sexual
interest", and the suppression of appetite. Considering the various
effects produced during depression, and the ability of phenylalanine
as an anti-depressant, these uses may be more of a consequence of the
depressive state that has been modified.?
Source: Nutrition Farm
( http://www.nutritionfarm.com/Glossary/GLOSSARY/REPORTS/dlpareport.htm )
* * * * * * * * * * *
The Food and Drug Administration classifies phenylalanine as ASP,
meaning ?Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought.?
Source: Food and Drug Administration GRAS List
( http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/eafus.html )
* * * * * * * * * * *
?It may not have been proven, however, that taking phenylalanine
supplements of, let's say, 500 mg a day will straighten out the
absence of sexual desire. The dosage may be insignificant, or there
may be limitations to absorbency, and so on. Conventional wisdom is
that taking phenylalanine supplements will not hurt one's sex and
general life (unless one is a phenylketonuric), while it may or may
not mean an improvement.
For its prosexual benefits, phenylalanine is certainly not a wonder
drug such as Viagra.
Among the additional alleged health benefits of phenylalanine and
phenylalanine supplementation are a use in the suppression of pain and
as an weight loss aid through the suppression of appetite.?
* * * * * * * * * * *
?To people who are not phenylketonurics, there is by and large little
danger from phenylalanine, especially if it's part of a normal diet.
The exception are people on monoamine oxidase inhibiting drugs (MAO
inhibitors), as phenylalanine is converted into the amino acid
tyrosine. If the enzyme which breaks down monoamines such as tyrosine
is inhibited, the body is flooded with substances that can cause
extreme hypertension. ?
Source: Pphenylalanine.net
( http://www.phenylalanine.net/ )
If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher
Additional Sources:
Food & Drug Administration
( http://www.fda.gov/ )
Web MD
( http://www.webmd.com )
National Research Council:
( http://www.nationalacademies.org/ )
Google Search Terms:
phenylalanine safety reports
( ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=phenylalanine+safety+reports )
libido phenylalanine reports
( ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=libido+phenylalanine++reports ) |
