Focus on Amino Acids: Phenylalanine

You are probably most familiar with phenylalanine from reading the side of Coke bottles on the kitchen table: "Phenylketonurics: This product contains phenylalanine." Phenylalanine is essential to our vital processes. Today we are looking at phenylalanine and its function in the body, and why phenylalanine amino acid supplements are sometimes recommended.

The Basics

Phenylalanine's formal name is (2S)-2-Amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid, and its chemical formula is C9H11NO2, which means it is composed of 9 carbon atoms, 11 hydrogen atoms, one nitrogen and two oxygens. These atoms are common to all amino acids; however, the proportions of them changes. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, although the word "essential" means we must get it from our diet. Phenylalanine is one of the amino acid supplements that our body needs. Phenylalanine is quite close in structure to dopamine, epinephrine, and tyrosine -- dopamine and epinephrine being essential neurotransmitters that are used in daily brain function.

Why do we need phenylalanine?

It is essential to so many basic processes in our bodies -- and we can’t manufacture it ourselves. Phenylalanine, whether from food or from amino acid supplements, helps in:

• The production of adrenaline
• The production of catecholamines in the brain -- dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine
• It has an analgesic effect -- helping reduce the sensation of pain
• It can act as an appetite suppressant when we are full, by regulating the release of digestive hormones

Food sources of phenylalanine

Phenylalanine is essential to include in your diet, but using concentrated sources (like Coke, or even amino acid supplements) can harm some people. Phenylketonurics have trouble utilizing the phenylalanine that they intake, and an overdose of this amino acid eventually leads to medical and mental problems such as progressive retardation and seizures. These people are better off getting their phenylalanine from natural food sources like:

• Almonds
• Avocadoes
• Pumpkin seeds
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Corn
• Bananas
• Brown rice

Depression: Helping Your Loved Ones Through

If you've never been depressed, it can be very, very difficult to understand what is going on inside that brain. "But you have so many people who love you! You’re healthy, your senses are intact, there are people starving in countries and watching their children die -- you have nothing to worry about" -- all of this is commonly heard by depression sufferers. Unfortunately, people will still say these things after it is clear that the patient is clinically depressed … not just being self-indulgent. Understanding that the disease is not their fault is the first step to helping someone you love with natural treatment of depression; here are some other guidelines.

Be there for them

You don't have to constantly be around at their home, asking how they feel, trying to get them to come rollerskating … if they don’t feel like any of these things, your constant offers will only make them worse. Do offer your company … and do keep offering it, even when they don't seem like themselves.

Help them remember their nutrition

If your friend or family member isn’t well enough to make their own food, you can help a lot by doing it for them. Ensure that they are getting the correct alternative health supplements to help them out of their depression -- this can be just the kickstart that brings depressed people back to a positive mindset.

Exercise with them

Try to get your friend or loved one to do some exercise with you -- this is one of the most powerful aids in mild and moderate cases of depression. It is also critical after they are well -- an exercise regime is preventative as well as curative.

Remind them that others have been through it

When you are depressed, you feel like you are the only one in the world, there is nobody that could possibly understand you, and that things will never, ever, change. Keep reminding them that treatment brings many people back to a normal life. Finding a support group and encouraging them to go (even going along with them) can be an excellent natural treatment of depression also.