What Effect Do Phenylketonurics Like Phenylalanine Have on the Body?

Question by Tess the ScLientist™: What effect do phenylketonurics like phenylalanine have on the body?
I have this terrible addiction to chewing gum and artificial sweeteners. For a long time I’ve known that a majority of these products contain the chemical phenylalanine. I never really hear a whole lot about it other than some gum packets allude to it in an allergy warning as some people are possibly allergic to it. I consume it in ridiculous amounts and this practise often results in minor migraines and gastric disturbances. Is it hazardous?

Best answer:

Answer by Deni
phenylketonurics is a condition where one can’t digest phenylalanine. the phenylalanine will be excrete from urine, and the urine will have strong smell.

Answer by Erin
First of all, phenylketonurics are not chemicals, they are people. In fact, I am one of them. A phenylketonuric is a person who has the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is present in natural foods we eat each day. Those with PKU lack an enzyme to metabolize phenylalanine.

In natural foods we eat, phenylalanine is only about 4-6% of the protein chain. In aspartame, it is separated from its protein chain, and it is a whopping 50% of aspartame. Because of these facts, the phenylalanine in aspartame may adversely effect anyone. Because of the enormous amount of phenylalanine in aspartame, by law, there must be a warning for phenylketonurics, as too much phenylalanine can result in severe mental retardation in us.

The effects of phenylalanine are in the brain. Several of the 92 different effects of aspartame are neurological. Aspartame is considered a an excitotoxin, which means it can stimulate brain cells to death.

Aspartame is also 40% aspartic acid and 10% methyl ester, methanol, wood alcohol, which converts to formaldehyde in the body. These components may cause problems as well.

The most common of the reactions is headaches, including migraines. One of the most common is abdominal pain, and I think another reaction is diarrhea.

You can google it and find all 92. To see an official FDA document listing the most common reactions with the amount of complaints for each as of April 20, 1995, go to www.dorway.com under “Official Documents,” and click on “92 Symptoms.”

Aspartame accounts for at least 75% of complaints to the FDA.

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