Phenylketonuria

1 min readEvidence-linked topicGreen Medicine Encyclopedia

Also known as:  PKU

 

Description

Phenylketonuria is an inherited disease which causes people to be unable to metabolize Phenylalanine.

 

Toxic Effects of PKU

Metabolism

 PKU prevents the manufacture of the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase enzyme which normally catalyses the conversion of Phenylalanine into Tyrosine - this causes excessive and dangerous levels of Phenylalanine to accumulate within the body and prevents the manufacture of Tyrosine-dependent Neurotransmitters and Hormones.

 

Nervous System

 PKU may cause Mental Retardation.

 

PKU Patients Should Not Consume these Substances

Amino Acids

 PKU patients should not consume Phenylalanine.

-           When PKU patients consume Phenylalanine, it causes a dangerously excessive build-up of Phenylalanine within the body.

 

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