In order to understand how certain substances affect the body, how their lack or excess will affect their well-being, they conduct numerous studies. Amino acids have come under the scrutiny of scientists, because almost all of them, with the help of complex metabolic processes, turn into substances that play a significant role in maintaining health. One of these amino acids is phenylalanine. What is it, what affects and where is it contained - we will consider in more detail in the article. This information is useful to everyone.
Phenylalanine: what is it and what is responsible for
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. This means that this substance is not synthesized in our body, but comes only from the outside with food. This amino acid is transformed in the body into tyrosine, which in turn is involved in the formation of norepinephrine and dopamine. This means that phenylalanine affects mood, reduces pain, increases learning ability and improves memory, speeds up metabolic processes and lowers appetite, regulates the thyroid gland and promotes the production of skin pigment melanin.
This amino acid is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, obesity, depression, arthritis and pain during menstruation. Phenylalanine is also present in bodybuilder nutrition programs. What does it give? The fact is that this amino acid is part of the proteins contained in muscles, tendons and ligaments. With its lack, it is impossible to achieve an increase in muscle mass, which bodybuilders are so eager for. Because phenylalanine is one of the components of sports nutrition.
Source of Phenylalanine
In most cases, this amino acid in sufficient quantities enters the body with food. It is found in meat (pork and poultry), hard cheese and other dairy products, soy and legumes, wheat germ and rice, eggs and hazelnuts. Adequate amounts of vitamins B3, B6 and C are needed for normal absorption. Copper and iron are required for the absorption of phenylalanine.
This amino acid is used to produce a synthetic sweetener, which is widely used in the food industry. Most often, it is easy to find in chewing gum and carbonated drinks. So it can be said that phenylalanine in lemonade is the source of this essential amino acid.
One form of phenylalanine (DL) acts as a painkiller. Our body constantly destroys endorphins, and the DL form of the amino acid inhibits this process. This phenomenon is used by people who are insensitive to conventional painkillers. For them, the only remedy in this case is phenylalanine.
What else can this substance do? Create a good mood and give a feeling of love: the amino acid is involved in the synthesis of phenylethylamine, which is responsible for these phenomena. In addition, the substance is an integral part of many drugs that stimulate the active functioning of the brain.
Contraindications
Phenylethylamine should not be taken by pregnant women, nursing mothers, people with high blood pressure and a tendency to restless conditions. It is forbidden to use it with immunity to this type of amino acids, that is, with phenylketonuria and pigmented melanoma.