D-Phenylalanine helps increase endorphin production, which is associated with pain endurance.

Each capsule contains 500mg of the highest quality pure D-Phenylalanine available.

What are the benefits of D-Phenylalanine?

� Elevating endorphin levels associated with pain endurance
� Providing relief from arthritis an other back and joint pain
� Control feelings of stress and frustration
� Control the cravings for addictive substances

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one to five capsules daily, or as recommended by a health care professional. It is recommended that this product be taken with vitamins and minerals.

What is D-Phenylalanine? It is the dextrorotatory form of the amino acid Phenylalanine. The L-forms (levorotatory) of amino acids are ones that are bioavailable and are for protein synthesis and regulatory function. The L and D forms are like mirror images of one another, however the D-Phenylalanine is not absorbed into the body, but acts as an inhibiting agent to the enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of endorphins, which control pain perception.

D-Phenylalanine and Endorphins; Endorphins are naturally occurring opiate-like peptides, which control pain perception and produce an analgesic effect. Their effects are only of short duration because of metabolic enzymes, especially Carboxypeptidase A. D-Phenylalanine prohibits these enzymes, allowing increased endorphin production, therefore prolonging and intensifying analgesic effects.

How does D-Phenylalanine effect pain? Low levels of endorphins have been noted on those suffering from chronic pain, and supplementation with D-Phenylalanine helped to increase these levels. By prohibiting carboxypeptidase A from preventing endorphin production, the body can continue to increase its own natural tolerance mechanism. In studies with chronic pain patients, the pain threshold has been enhanced and prolonged. This has been effective with various chronic pain conditions, including back pain and osteoarthritis.

How can D-Phenylalanine help cravings? When the body lacks endorphins, cravings may arise for foods or drugs that temporarily elevate endorphins. Once these spikes of endorphins begin to wear off, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Supplementation with D-Phenylalanine helps to keep these levels up. Therefore D-Phenylalanine may help to control these cravings.

D-Phenylalanine and Acupuncture Pre-administration or D-Phenylalanine enhances the effects of acupuncture on back and other pain. Up to 2 grams one hour prior to acupuncture treatment may result in more pain relief and for longer periods of time.

Dental Pain Two grams of D-Phenylalanine has been given one hour prior to dental extractions, thus increasing the pain threshold for a prolonged period of time.

Why NOT DLPA (a combination of both D-Phenylalanine and L-Phenylalanine and L-Phenylalanine) ? D-Phenylalanine is the form of phenylalanine that effects endorphins production. L-Phenylalanine has other functions in the body. D-Phenylalanine will assist in pain tolerance to those needing this function. By combining the two, the concentration of the effective form of D-Phenylalanine would be less effective, therefore more would be required to achieve results. The Third World Congress on Pain recommended D-Phenylalanine and numerous medical studies have confirmed this recommendation. Some suggest that L-Phenylalanine will stimulate catecholamine production for those whose pain causes depression. Since L-Phenylalanine must convert to L-Tyrosine in the body in order to raise neurotransmitter levels, it would be best to take L-Tyrosine alone for this purpose. In some forms of depression patients have responded to D-Phenylalanine. In addition, L-Phenylalanine is not recommended for those with elevated blood pressure levels, diabetes, or pregnant women, therefore would not be the best choice for mood enhancement or pain relief. D-Phenylalanine is the recommended form of Phenylalanine for chronic pain control.

On August 19, 2004 one of our Newsletter articles described the benefits of D-Phenylalanine (Elevates Endorphin Levels). One of our readers pointed out that D-Phenylalanine "Has been known to increase blood pressure so should be used with caution in persons with that problem." Thank you!

I did some research into this point and I "re-discovered" some of the serious problems associated with this amino acid. Sure, phenylalanine is an important amino acid - for most of us. However, some people are born with a genetic difficulty that makes it dangerous to consume most protein material. They have a condition known as phenylketonuria (PKU). Without a doubt, those who HAVE PKU know it and avoid things that contain phenylalanine. They also avoid aspartame (aka, NutraSweet^�), because one of the major components of that artificial sweetener is phenylalanine.

Here's something that Dr. Joe Mercola wrote about aspartame in one of his newsletters;

Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood. Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame.

What does this mean for The Compounder? We have decided to remove D-Phenylalanine from our catalog. The risk of harm is just too great in my opinion to offer this product.

We also offer this warning to anyone who suffers any symptoms of depression. Do not use phenylalanine supplements. Furthermore, stop using any product that contains aspartame (NutraSweet^�). Approximately 50% of this sweetener is phenylalanine. Every diet product you consume could be making your depression worse.

340 Marshall, Unit 100
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 859-0333
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