Phenethylamine (PEA) promotes energy, elevates mood, regulates attention and aggression, and serves as a biomarker for ADHD. Elevated PEA may contribute to anxiety, with very high levels having amphetamine-like effects. Elevated PEA levels may be associated with higher cortisol levels. Low PEA may be associated with ADHD, depression, Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorder.

Styrene is used in the manufacturing of plastics, in building materials, and is found in car exhaust fumes. Polystyrene and its copolymers are widely used as food-packaging materials. The ability of styrene monomer to leach from polystyrene packaging to food has been reported. Occupational exposure due to inhalation of large amounts of styrene adversely impacts the central nervous system, causes concentration problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, and nausea, and irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Reduce exposure by eliminating plastic and styrofoam containers for cooking, reheating, eating or drinking (especially warm or hot) food or beverages. Replace these containers with glass, paper, or stainless steel whenever possible. Elimination of styrene can be accelerated by sauna treatment, reduced glutathione supplementation (oral, intravenous, transdermal, precursors such as N-acetyl cysteine [NAC]).

Produced from bacterial degradation of unabsorbed phenylalanine.

Produced from bacterial degradation of unabsorbed phenylalanine.

Phenylacetic acid (PAA) is produced by the bacterial metabolism of phenylalanine. Several bacterial strains are known to produce PAA, including Bacteroidetes and Clostridium species. Dietary polyphenols may also contribute to PAA elevation.

Phenylacetic acid (PAA) is produced by the bacterial metabolism of phenylalanine. Several bacterial strains are known to produce PAA, including Bacteroidetes and Clostridium species. Dietary polyphenols may also contribute to PAA elevation.

Produced from bacterial degradation of unabsorbed phenylalanine.

Produced from bacterial degradation of unabsorbed phenylalanine.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. 

Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.

Phenylalanine is a precursor for the amino acid tyrosine, which is essential for making neurotransmitters (e.g. epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine) and thyroid hormone. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that communicate between nerve cells in the brain. It can relieve pain, alleviate depression, and suppress the appetite. Low levels may indicate a stressful lifestyle, leading to memory loss, fatigue, and depression.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. 

Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.

Phenylalanine is an essential aromatic amino acid that serves as the biochemical starting point for several critical compounds in the body, including the catecholamine neurotransmitters — dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. On the Neurotransmitter XL panel, phenylalanine provides valuable insight into neurotransmitter synthesis capacity, stress metabolism, and amino acid balance.

Because the body cannot produce phenylalanine, it must be obtained from dietary protein sources such as meat, eggs, fish, dairy, soy, and legumes. Once absorbed, phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine via the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), a process dependent on the essential cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), as well as iron and vitamin B6. Tyrosine then serves as the substrate for dopamine synthesis, which can subsequently be converted into noradrenaline and adrenaline.

Thus, phenylalanine is the first building block in the catecholamine biosynthetic chain, influencing motivation, alertness, focus, stress resilience, and energy.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in most foods which contain protein such as meat, fish, lentils, vegetables, and dairy. Phenylalanine is the precursor to another amino acid, tyrosine. Because tyrosine is needed to form several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), as well as thyroid hormone and melanin, phenylalanine intake is important.