Phenylalanine

[glenandgerry]

Is phenylalanine a worthwhile supplement to take for PWPs?

[sharoncrayn]

I seriously doubt it especially if you are using any form of L-DOPA which most PD/PSP patients use in one way or another.

"...Because the phenylalanine from aspartame is in free-form (unbound to protein), it is absorbed suddenly and can spike the blood plasma levels of phenylalanine (Caballero 1986, Matalon 1988, Stegink 1987). Pardridge's theory is that this sudden rise in phenylalanine levels interferes with L-DOPA used to treat Parkinson's Disease."

Another way to look at it this issue is by understanding that L-DOPA is transported on the same pathway as phenylalanine which is undesirable if L-DOPA is the primary med.

IOW, free form phenylalanine (or for that matter any food containing significant amounts of it) will increase your tremors.

An interesting case study published in PUBMED....identifies some other issues you would want to avoid...(again, the issue is high levels)...

"...Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder of phenylalanine metabolism caused by a deficiency or inactivity of phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme is responsible for conversion of the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe) to the amino acid tyrosine (Tyr). If left untreated, high levels of Phe cause intellectual disability, microcephalia, behavioral disturbances, dermopathy, and epilepsy (Blau et al. 2010; Williams et al. 2008).

[glenandgerry in reply to sharoncrayn]

Thank you for this Sharon

[sharoncrayn in reply to glenandgerry]

As a further note to this issue, you will note that Marty Hinz never mentions or refers to the use of phenylalanine (Phe) in any of his Pub Med studies or cases (of which he has many). You would think he, if anyone, would know if this amino acid is beneficial.

If you are determined to try it, then I would suggest starting out by stacking it with Acetyl Tyrosine. If you now have tremors or palsy shakes, you should see very quickly if this stack exacerbates them.

You could "flip" this stack by going on it for two weeks (or until you decide to stop it) and then flip to a stack using theanine and tyrosine. See what you think works better (assuming one does but neither may).

Remember free form amino acids compete for transport (usually) and with complete proteins to cross the BBB. You want the BBB crossing if at all possible without the amino acids becoming a drug (per Marty Hinz's emphasis)

What form if you try it? D? L? or DL?

My suggestion is that your choice hinges of what each form does and what is most beneficial for you.. D form is a synthetic and is primarily used to reduce or ameliorate pain. L is the natural amino acid and presumably elevates mood. DL is commonly used in drinks and prepared foods and obviously is a combination of the two forms.