BiochemistryNutrition

Phenylalanine Amino Acid

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained through the diet. It’s a building block of proteins and plays several important roles in the body.

Figure 1: Phenylalanine is an amino acid characterized by a benzyl side chain attached to the α-carbon atom, which is part of the standard amino acid backbone (Alanine + a phenyl ring).

Phenylalanine is found in many protein-rich foods, including meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk. It’s also present in some artificial sweeteners, like aspartame.

In addition to being a component of proteins, phenylalanine is a precursor for several neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters are essential for brain function, affecting mood, alertness, and memory.

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