What is phenylalanine? Learn about the functions of phenylalanine, the health benefits of this essential amino acid, and where to find it, with information on foods rich in phenylalanine.
Among the different essential nutrients that we must contribute to our body from the diet (highlighting vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants), essential amino acids are essential, since our body is not capable of synthesizing them (that is, producing them by itself same).
There are a total of 10 essential amino acids, which we must contribute to our body through the nutrition that we follow daily. And what are the foods richest in them? Mainly the richest in proteins, which our body breaks down to obtain them and thus form new proteins.
The phenylalanine is coupled with methionine or tryptophan, another of the best known essential amino acids.
What is phenylalanine?
It is an essential amino acid, which our body obtains solely and exclusively from the diet, since it is not capable of synthesizing it.
It is an important amino acid, since our brain uses it to produce norepinephrine (in addition to other chemicals, such as dopamine and epinephrine). In the case of norepinephrine, we are dealing with a substance that transmits signals between nerve cells to promote alertness.
Functions of phenylalanine
- Used by our brain to produce norepinephrine.
- Helps improve mood, memory and learning.
- Helps reduce the sensation of pain.
- Helps in case of headache, muscle and back pain.
- Useful against menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
- Essential in the formation of collagen.
Health benefits of phenylalanine
As we can see, in the first place, phenylalanine stands out for being a fundamental essential amino acid, which our brain uses to produce certain neurohormones and chemical substances: dopamine, epinephrine and noradrenaline, above all.
Therefore, it is an amino acid that helps keep our brain active, promoting alertness, learning and memory.
It is also useful when it comes to reducing the sensation of pain, in cases such as back pain, muscle pain, headache, menstrual cramps … And also for rheumatoid arthritis.
Where to find phenylalanine?
Here are the foods rich in phenylalanine:
- Foods of animal origin: milk and dairy products, eggs, meat and fish.
- Plant-based foods: vegetables, legumes and cereals.
