DLPA (DL-phenylalanine) Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage

Flip and mix molecules of phenylalanine, and you’ll get DPLA: an amino acid mixture with surprising features. It may help you overcome depression, chronic pain, and the inability to focus. Read on to see if DLPA is for you and how to take it. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phenylalanin(L-und_D-Phenylalanin)_V1.png DLPA (DL-phenylalanine) is a nutritional supplement with 2 different forms of phenylalanine in equal amounts: D- and L-phenylalanine. As you can see in the image above, they are “mirror images” of the same amino acid oriented differently in space [ 1 ]. L-phenylalanine is the active form in the human body; it builds proteins, neurotransmitters, and other crucial molecules. It’s an essential amino acid , which means we need to get it from foods such as eggs, meat, soy, nuts, and dairy [ 2 , 3 ]. D-phenylalanine is the synthetic form made in the lab. Although our bodies can’t use it as a building block, it produces specific health effects [ 4 , 5 ]. People take DLPA to boost energy, manage pain, balance mood, and more. Let’s see what the science and clinical evidence say about this supplement… May help with depression May reduce pain May boost mental clarity Not well studied in humans Dangerous for people with phenylketonuria L-phenylalanine builds neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline that control mood, mental health, heart rate , and other vital functions. As a supplement, it may help with [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]: Your body converts about ⅓ of D-phenylalanine into the L-form, while the rest has unique effects. Supplementation with D-phenylalanine can increase your natural opioids , enkephalins , and soothes inflammation. It may help with [ 4 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]: In theory, DLPA should deliver the combined health benefits of both forms […]

Click here to view full article