DLPA is a combination of the amino acid L-Phenylalanine and its mirror image molecule, D-Phenylalanine. Whilst D forms of amino acids do not normally act in the body, D-Phenylalanine is a rare exception.
DLPA is thought to prolong the life of endorphins, our “feel good” hormones which are released during exercise and are pain relieving.
What is DLPA Good For?
- Anti-Depressant: Phenylalanine is a precursor to the mood elevating compound dopamine, which is found to be low in some depressed patients. It also enhances other mood enhancing chemicals such as PEA and endorphins.
- Pain Reliever: DLPA appears to prevent the actions of a pain-inducing protein called enkephalinase, while also elevating morphine-like endorphins in the brain.
- Mental Alertness:
Aside from dopamine, DLPA converts into other stimulatory brain chemicals, such as noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which may ultimately enhance mental alertness. - Appetite Control:
CCK (cholecystokinin) is an intestinal hormone that signals the brain to feel satisfied when enough food is consumed. Phenylalanine governs the release of CCK and as such, is thought to act as an appetite suppressant. - Premenstrual Syndrome:
Phenylalanine has been shown to alleviate several psychological and emotional symptoms associated with PMS.
Potential Uses
Depression | Mental fatigue | Migraines |
Appetite control | PMS | Fibromyalgia |
Back ache | Lumbago | Toothache |
Osteoarthritis | Rheumatoid arthritis | Menstrual cramps |
Food sources of DLPA include soybeans, cottage cheese, fish, meat, poultry, almonds, brazil nuts, pecans, pumpkin, sesame seeds, chickpeas and lentils.
Cautions
Do not use in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
Combined use with antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.
Phenylalanine may cause hypertension if taken with MAOI medication.
PKU sufferers should avoid DLPA as they are not able to absorb it.