Common Questions About Phenylalanine

What is phenylalanine?

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, meaning it cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from the diet. It is a building block of proteins.

What does phenylalanine do for the body?

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that plays a key role in the synthesis of proteins.

How much phenylalanine do I need?

The recommended amount of phenylalanine is usually expressed as the sum of phenylalanine and tyrosine in your diet. Generally, adults should aim to consume about 33 milligrams of phenylalanine plus tyrosine per kilogram of body weight per day.

Can phenylalanine be harmful?

Phenylalanine can be harmful for individuals with the rare genetic disorder Phenylketonuria. People with this disease are unable to metabolize phenylalanine, leading to a buildup of this amino acid in the body, which can cause serious health issues. For the general population, phenylalanine is considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts from natural food sources.

What if your phenylalanine is low?

It's important to consume phenylalanine-rich foods such as eggs, dairy products, seafood, lean meats, and certain plant-based sources like soybeans and lentils to maintain optimal levels.

How do vegans get their phenylalanine intake?

Vegans can get their phenylalanine intake from plant-based sources such as soybeans, peanuts, almonds, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, and pumpkin seeds. These foods are rich in phenylalanine and can help vegans meet their dietary requirements for this essential amino acid.

Phenylalanine Daily Requirement Calculator

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Phenylalanine Daily Suggested Intake:
1.2g

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