Patient's question:
Because of feeling unwell, I went to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor said it was phenylalanine metabolism disorder. Although I don't have a very clear understanding of what this disease is, I would like to know what factors or causes lead to it.Doctor's answer:
Hello, as one ages, the amount of phenylalanine consumed for protein synthesis gradually decreases. After birth, the daily intake of phenylalanine is approximately 0.5g. For children and adults, it increases to 4g, of which a larger portion is oxidized into tyrosine. This process primarily relies on phenylalanine hydroxylase but also requires cofactors to participate. If this oxidative process is impaired, phenylalanine accumulates in the body.