Phenylalanine Deficiency
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Phenylalanine deficiency is quite rare as most people get enough of this essential amino acid in their diet.
The only groups of people that are at risk of deficiency of phenylalanine are:
- People on certain low protein fad diets
People who are on low protein diets may become deficient not just in phenylalanine but all of the amino acids (and especially the essential amino acids) if their protein intake is not sufficient. - People who are malnutritioned or starving
People who are malnutritioned or starving are not not be eating enough foods to sustain health and will not be getting enough of not just GABA but also all the amino acids (and especially the essential amino acids).
Phenylalanine deficiency is quite rare as most people get enough of this essential amino acid in their diet
Phenylalanine Deficiency Symptoms
Symptoms of moderate phenylalanine deficiency include:
- Lowered levels of certain proteins in the blood
- Slowed growth in children
Symptoms of severe phenylalanine deficiency include:
- Apathy
- Damage to the liver
- Fluid retention
- Lethargy, weakness
- Skin lesions
- Wasting of muscle and loss of fat
- Whitening of the hair
People with any of these symptoms should seek advice from their medical practitioner to determine if phenylalanine supplementation is required.