Phenylalanine and ADD

The exact causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADD or ADHD, are unclear, but one potential cause is decreased amounts of dopamine in the brain. The amino acid phenylalanine can act as a precursor to dopamine; it is this mechanism that some advocates of phenylalanine supplementation claim helps relieve the symptoms of ADD. Speak to your physician before attempting to treat ADD with phenylalanine as effectiveness is speculative.

Phenylalanine Potential

Phenylalanine breaks down in your body to the nonessential amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine facilitates the production of L-dopa, a precursor to dopamine. Huntington College of Health Sciences professor Gene Bruno reports that DL-phenylalanine, a blend of synthetic and natural forms for the amino acid, has been shown in some small trials to alleviate depression --- another condition caused by low dopamine levels.

Phenylalanine Research

The use of phenylalanine as a treatment for ADD is not a well-researched area. One double blind, placebo-controlled study appearing in the journal "Psychiatric Research" in 1985 produce minor results for ADD subjects consuming phenylalanine for two weeks. A follow up trial and a similarly controlled study appearing in the "American Journal of Psychiatry," however, failed to replicate these results, causing researchers to deem phenylalanine ineffective for the treatment of ADD.

Recommended Dosage

The lack of research into phenylalanine as a potential treatment for ADD means that there is not a well-established dosage for this purpose. The New York University Langone Medical Center states that doctors commonly prescribe 100 or 200 mg daily doses of the amino acid in the treatment of depression, but some trials have given patients up to 2,500 mg daily without adverse side effects. The "American Journal of Psychiatry" study outlines a dose 20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day as being ineffective for the treatment of ADD. Ask your health care provider if phenylalanine is safe to take for ADD, and what dose would be best for you.

Phenylketonuria

If you have the rare metabolic disorder phenylketonuria, or PKU, your body cannot break down phenylalanine. This causes the amino acid to build up in your blood and results in brain damage. If you have this disorder, consuming foods containing phenylalanine may lead to symptoms similar to those associated with ADD, such as lack of concentration and memory loss.