L-Phenylalanine
90 Capsules

Neurological

L-phenylalanine is a protein amino acid. It is classified as an essential amino acid because the body requires a dietary source of the amino acid to meet its physiological demands. L-phenylalanine is found in proteins of all life forms. Dietary sources of the amino acid are principally derived from animal and vegetable proteins. Vegetables and juices contain small amounts of the free amino acid. The free amino acid is also found in fermented foods such as yogurt and miso. The alternative sweetener aspartame is a dipeptide of L-phenylalanine, as is the methyl ester, and L-aspartic acid.

In addition to being involved in protein synthesis, L-phenylalanine is the precursor of L-tyrosine. The conversion of L-phenylalanine to L-tyrosine is via the enzyme L-phenylalanine hydroxylase. It is this enzyme that is virtually absent in those with the inborn error of metabolism phenylketonuria (PKU). L-tyrosine produced from L-phenylalanine is a precursor in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, among other reactions. L-phenylalanine is marketed as a nutritional supplement and used by some for its putative antidepressant activity.

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