How phenylalanine works
For the body to function, it needs proteins. They build up the muscles, for example, but are also found in every cell of the body, where they transport substances, regulate chemical reactions and form docking sites (receptors) for a large number of messenger substances.
The building blocks of proteins are the so-called amino acids. Some of them can be produced by the body itself (non-essential amino acids), others must be ingested with food (essential amino acids).
Phenylalanine is one of the essential amino acids, i.e. it is only available to the body through food. It is needed to build proteins and also forms the precursor for many hormones that regulate a wide variety of functions in the body.
Absorption, breakdown and excretion
When is phenylalanine used?
Phenylalanine is a component of nutrient solutions for artificial nutrition, which are administered via a tube or infusion.
How phenylalanine is used
The amino acid is usually administered in ready-made mixtures together with other amino acids either in the form of tube feedings or infusions. The dosage and composition are determined individually for each patient based on nutritional status and disease.
What are the side effects of phenylalanine?
Phenylalanine can cause side effects if overdosed or underdosed.
If too much of the amino acid is absorbed, the body tries to excrete the excess. In the long run, this can lead to a functional impairment of the kidney.
What should be considered when taking phenylalanine?
Contraindications
The amino acid must not be administered if the body is unable to break it down due to a disease (e.g. phenylketonuria).
Drug interactions
There are no known interactions with drugs.
Age restriction
There are separate pediatric preparations for use in children.
Pregnancy and lactation
There are no specific findings on use during pregnancy and lactation.
Since phenylalanine occurs naturally in the diet, preparations containing the amino acid in usual daily doses may be given to pregnant women and nursing mothers if absorption through the normal diet is not possible.
How to obtain medications containing phenylalanine
Medicines containing phenylalanine usually require a prescription in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, because the exact amount of artificial nutrition needed must be determined by a doctor.
Since when is phenylalanine known?
Phenylalanine was discovered in 1879 and extracted from certain bacterial cells. Since then, the composition of proteins from amino acid building blocks in general has been studied very thoroughly and their functions in the body have been researched.
What else you should know about phenylalanine
Dietary supplements contain synthetically produced phenylalanine, which is a mixture of two forms of the amino acid (D,L-phenylalanine). However, the body can only use the naturally occurring L-phenylalanine for protein production and hormone synthesis.
Phenylalanine is said to have an effect against depression. The body has various messenger substances that regulate reactions to external circumstances such as stress, fear or anxiety. Normally, such messenger substances are in balance.
The treatment of depression always belongs in the hands of an experienced physician, because this includes not only drug therapy, but also psychological care. Therefore, discuss any treatment attempts with phenylalanine or other over-the-counter remedies with your doctor.
