Question 1

is phenylalanine in soft drinks bad for you?

Accepted Answer

Not if normal: This protein is a normal part of many foods or drinks we consume. There are some people born with an inherited defect in phenylalanine metabolism that permits it to build to toxic levels &amp; cause brain damage to developing kids. This is detected in routine newborn screening exams in all 50  US states. Otherwise it has no effect on normal people.

Question 2

what is phenylalanine in pickled ginger and is it bad for you?

Accepted Answer

Amino acid, no-maybe: You need phenylalanine in your diet as it is one of the essential amino acids that you cannot make.  However, in this case the reason it is likely listed on the package is because the product probably has aspartame (an artificial sweetener that contains phenylalanine) in it and by law foods with aspartame must list it to warn people with the rare disease phenylketonuria that it has phenylalanine.

Question 3

why must there be phenylalanine in the pku diet?

Accepted Answer

Essential amino acid: We can not make our own phenylalanine so there must be some in our diet. In general, the idea is to consume only the amount of phenylalanine that's necessary for normal growth and body processes, but no more.

Question 4

is phenylalanine in vitamins harmful to your health?

Accepted Answer

No: It is an essential dietary ingredient

Question 5

what are the side effects of phenylalanine supplements?

Accepted Answer

An Amino Acid: Phenylalanine is possibly safe for most people.  Having too much phenylalanine during pregnancy can increase the chances of birth defects especially facial, nervous system and heart defects. Patients suffering from phenylketonuria must avoid phenylalanine as it can cause mental retardation, high blood pressure and strokes.  In schizophrenics it can make tardive dyskinesia (movement disorder) worse.

Question 6

what level of phenylalanine is in diet snapple?

Accepted Answer

Ask: You may have to ask the manufacturer directly. Contact information is usually on the product label.

Question 7

does phenylalanine cause cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: Phenylalanine is an essential Amino Acid required for healthy protein metabolism.

Question 8

does chicken contain phenylalanine?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Phenylalanine is an amino acid which is part of many proteins, and it is found in meats, including chicken.

Question 9

can phenylalanine make depression worse?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it could...: This would not be expected but since it is active in the central nervous system, and thus "psychoactive"... Could have an effect either directly or indirectly on other neurotransmitter systems that may be involved in mood regulation.  It is therefore "possible" for it to affect a depression even if that is not the usual impact in most people.

Question 10

its been brought to my attn that its bad to take both methylphenidate and phenylalanine.  is it safe for me to be taking these medications together?

Accepted Answer

May be wrong med: Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication used to treat adhd and phenylalanine is an Amino Acid and is not a medication. Some people have problems with that Amino Acid because of a genetic disorder called pku but for most people it is not an issue. It would be unusual to have a stand alone Amino Acid supplement like that but it would not be problem. If that is not what you meant ask again.

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A member asked:

Is phenylalanine in soft drinks bad for you?

A member asked:

What is phenylalanine in pickled ginger and is it bad for you?

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Why must there be phenylalanine in the pku diet?

A member asked:

Is phenylalanine in vitamins harmful to your health?

A member asked:

What are the side effects of phenylalanine supplements?

A member asked:

What level of phenylalanine is in diet snapple?

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Does phenylalanine cause cancer?

A member asked:

Does chicken contain phenylalanine?

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Can phenylalanine make depression worse?

A member asked:

Its been brought to my attn that its bad to take both methylphenidate and phenylalanine. is it safe for me to be taking these medications together?

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