Phenylalanine Health Benefits: The Essential Amino Acids Guide
We regularly speak about the importance of amino acids and the central role they play in ensuring we maintain our overall health. They’re considered the building blocks of life, and for good reason. They help keep us functioning at optimal energy and speeds.
We’re going to break apart and highlight one amino acid today: Phenylalanine!
Amino acids...I’ve heard of them, but what do they do?
Organic compounds. That’s what they are.
They join together to produce proteins and synthesize hormones. Our body needs amino acids to create a protein that helps breaks down the food we consume. There are 20 amino acids in total, and each one is required for living a healthy life. But why are only 9 of them considered “essential” you might ask?
What are essential amino acids (EAAs)?
It’s important to note that not all amino acids are produced by the body, and therefore, we need to get them from our diet. That’s what essential amino acids are; amino acids that aren’t naturally made in the body.
If we aren’t consuming enough foods that contain EAAs, a variety of different health issues can occur, including growth and development problems and a lack of energy.
Say it with me: Phenylalanine!
Phenylalanine, pronounced fen-l-al-uh-neen, is one of nine essential amino acids required for optimal functioning. It’s vital to the biosynthesis of other acids and the functioning of several proteins and enzymes.
As we mentioned earlier, Phenylalanine is not produced by our bodies naturally. Therefore, we need to ensure that we include foods in our diet that are rich in them. There are a lot of foods that are high in Phenylalanine, including:
- Beef, lean pork, chicken breast
- Firm tofu
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Liver
- Milk
- Pinto beans and soybeans
- Squash and pumpkin seeds
- Sweet potatoes
- And many more
Choosing a diet rich in these foods can help prevent Phenylalanine deficiencies.
What benefits do you get from Phenylalanine?
There are many great benefits to phenylalanine, like its ability to alleviate chronic pain and ease psychological stress and depression.
It’s important to note that its uses stretch across mental and physical problems we may face in life, like attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis and multiple sclerosis.
How much Phenylalanine is required for me each day?
The recommended daily intake of Phenylalanine varies across different types of people; A review journal, by Yongqing Hou and Guoyao Wu, titled “Advances in Nutrition,” suggests that 33mg of both Phenylalanine and Tyrosine is optimal for adults.
Let’s say I don’t get enough Phenylalanine. What’s the worst that can happen?
If your body does not get enough Phenylalanine, you can contract eczema, fatigue, and memory problems. Facing these issues is far worse than simply combatting them by consuming the right combinations of food.
But does Rejuvenate Muscle Health contain Phenylalanine?
Rejuvenate Muscle Health’s proprietary blend is the way to go if you find that your diet doesn’t contain enough Phenylalanine. Simply having one glass of Rejuvenate a day is clinically proven to rebuild and repair lost muscle and boost immune function.
Give your body the essential amino acids (like Phenylalanine) it deserves; the amino acids it NEEDS!
Where can I learn more about Phenylalanine and the other amino acids?
Although it’s important your body gets enough Phenylalanine, there are eight more essential amino acids you need to maintain your health! Stay tuned for more of our Essential Amino Acids Guide blogs coming soon!
In the meantime, check out our blog on which 7 foods are the best sources of essential amino acids!
And find out more about each EAA in our 9 Essential Amino Acids Health Guide blog!
To learn more about amino acids, healthy living over 40, or how Rejuvenate Muscle Health can help you live your best life, check out our blog here!