L-Phenylalanine

What is L-Phenylalanine?

L-Phenylalanine is an essential aromatic amino acid in humans and must be obtained either through supplementation or food sources. It plays a key role in the biosynthesis of other amino acids and is also important in the structure and function of many proteins and enzymes. There are three different forms of this supplement: L-Phenylalanine, D-Phenylalanine, and DL-Phenylalanine (combination of L and D forms). Only L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in proteins.
L-phenylalanine is converted to amino acid tyrosine, used in the biosynthesis of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. L-phenylalanine may be helpful in people with depression and vitiligo. It is also used by schizophrenic patients and people who have used neuroleptic drugs. It is also used by people with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.[1]

L-Phenylalanine Health benefits

L-Phenylalanine has many potential benefits for brain as well as overall health. Supplementing L-phenylalanine provides with a number of key benefits to the brain including improving memory, enhancing overall alertness, and probably expanding learning capacity. The overall nervous system also works more potently. L-phenylalanine is also used for many neurological disorders. It helps people with depression, bipolar disorder, hyperactivity, and Parkinson’s disease.
L-phenylalanine is also believed to work as an effective pain reliever. It is very effective for migraines and other headaches. Also it helps reduce the lower back and neck, arthritis, and menstrual cramps.
The common health benefits of L-phenylalanine include:

Reduces depression [2]
Helps with vitiligo [3]
Increases dopamine levels [4]
Improves cognitive function [5]
Helps people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [6]
Helps people with Parkinson’s disease [7]
Helps with multiple sclerosis [8]
Promotes weight loss [9]
Helps people with Alzheimer’s disease [10]

A number of neurotransmitters produced by L-phenylalanine supplement are effective at improving overall mood and impart a feeling of greater well-being which can help you with stress levels, relieve anxiety, and even reduces depression.

How L-Phenylalanine works?

The specific mechanisms of action for L-phenylalanine are not well understood but it is clear that the supplement can cross the blood-brain barrier and enters into the central nervous system. Again, the mechanism of L-phenylalanine’s putative antidepressant activity may be accounted for by its precursor role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Elevated brain norepinephrine and dopamine levels are thought to be associated with antidepressant effects. The mechanism of L-phenylalanine’s possible antivitiligo activity is not well understood. It is thought that L-phenylalanine may stimulate the production of melanin in the affected skin.[11] L-phenylalanine supplementation is used to form amino acid tyrosine which is thought to be useful in reducing anxiety and depression. It is also crucial to proper metabolic function and can help reduce body fat.

Considerations and recommendation

The l-phenylalanine supplement is possibly safe and very well-tolerated. However, it may be associated with some side effects like nausea, headaches, and heartburn. Avoid using this supplement if you are currently taking anti-psychotic medication or other anti-depressants. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this supplement. Consult your physician or healthcare provider to start any medications.

The effective dosage range of L-Phenylalanine is fairly extensive. However, a common and suggested dosage for cognitive benefit can be 500 mg up to 3-times daily. Typical users may stick to the 1,000 to 2,000 mg range daily.
You can take L-Phenylalanine with Vitamin B6 and vitamin C to further maximize absorption and to give your body whatever it needs to produce the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.

Source?

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