Phenylalanine

• Method of Action

• Food Sources

Description

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. This means that it must be obtained through the diet in adequate quantities to meet the body's needs.

Phenylalanine serves in the body as a precursor to the catecholamine family of hormones. The catecholamines include adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are activating substance in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well being produced by the adrenal medulla (adrenal gland).

Therapeutic doses of phenylalanine may have useful roles in the management of blood pressure disorders and the control of certain forms of depression. Both low blood pressure and elevated blood pressure have been normalized by administration of therapeutic doses of phenylalanine and tyrosine to animals. Therapeutic doses used in humans range between 300 and 1,500 mg per day. It is best to administer these amino acids along with a carbohydrate source in the diet to facilitate absorption in the nervous system.

Contraindications of phenylalanine supplementation are in those individuals who display a hyper-functioning nervous state (anxiety) that may be aggravated by adrenaline. Supplementation with phenylalanine in these people can actually amplify the problem. Phenylalanine is known to be the antagonist of tryptophan. Whereas tryptophan has been used to induce sleep, phenylalanine has been used to increase states of arousal. Phenylalanine supplementation should be discontinued if headaches result.

Method of Action

Phenylalanine can be converted to tyrosine by way of an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme has been shown to be genetically impaired in some individual, resulting in a disorder called phenylketonuria. In these cases a phenylalanine restricted diet must be administered in infancy or mental retardation will result. The sweetener aspartame contains phenylalanine as part of its chemical makeup. Feeding this sweetener at high levels to individuals with the tendency toward phenylketonuria can aggravate their problem.

Food Sources

Foods high in phenylalanine include:

· Cottage cheese (dry) 2,300 mg/cup

· Cottage cheese (crmd) 1,647 mg/cup

· Fish & other seafoods 3,000-4,500 mg/lb

· Meats 1,000-4,500 mg/lb

· Poultry 2,000-4,500 mg/lb

· Peanuts, roasted w skin 3,500 mg/cup

· Sesame seeds 3,000 mg/cup

· Dry, whole lentils 2,500 mg/cup