L-Phenylalanine:
Helps Fight Depression
L-Phenylalanine is an
amino acid that acts as a building block for various proteins in
the body. This amino acid can be converted to a series of other
amino acids and phenylethylamine, which is a substance that occurs
naturally in the brain and helps to improve your overall mood. If
anyone wants to use L-phenylalanine to better their frame of mind,
they can find this amino acid in most foods that contain protein.
Aside from combating depression, L-phenylalanine is also thought
to be a help for those suffering from vitiligo, a disease that causes
the loss of pigment of the skin.
L-phenylalanine can be found in the breast milk of mammals and is
related to dopamine, adrenaline and tyrosine. Although very uncommon,
people who do not have enough protein in their diets are more susceptible
to L-phenylalanine deficiencies. Again, this is not very common.
It is recommended that people take up to 3.5 grams of L-phenylalanine
on a daily basis and under the supervision of a physician. It should
also be taken between meals since it is thought that the amino acid
may interfere with the proteins in the meal, resulting in a decrease
in its effect.
It is also recommended that users not take more than 1500 mg of
L-phenylalanine a day, and if they do, they should consult a physician.
Those who suffer from tardive dyskinesia, a condition which causes
the body to have uncontrollable movements, are advised to not take
L-phenylalanine supplements. Some studies have shown that sufferers
process the amino acid abnormally.
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