Can you have phenylalanine while pregnant?
High phenylalanine levels during pregnancy are harmful to the developing baby. If you are of childbearing age and you have phenylketonuria, talk to your doctor to make sure that you are eating a proper diet with low enough levels of phenylalanine.
Is phenylalanine safe in chewing gum?
Side effects of chewing sugar-free gum The phenylalanine in aspartame can be dangerous for people who have an inherited disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). Excessive use of sorbitol has been reported to cause problems with digestion, such as diarrhea and, in some rare cases, dramatic and unwanted weight loss.
Can pregnant lady eat chewing gum?
Could a Chewing Gum in Pregnancy Help Prevent Premature Deliveries? THURSDAY, Feb. 3, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Gum disease has been linked to an increased risk for preterm birth, and now new research suggests that chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol during pregnancy may lower this risk.
Is gum with aspartame safe during pregnancy?
Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) during pregnancy According to the FDA, aspartame is safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. A packet or two of the blue stuff now and then is fine (so yes, a small piece of sugarless gum is safe).
What is phenylalanine pregnant?
Phenylalanine is an indispensable amino acid and, via tyrosine, is the precursor for the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Currently, dietary requirements for phenylalanine during pregnancy are unknown.
Does phenylalanine cross the placenta?
The fetal brain and heart are particularly vulnerable to high maternal concentrations of phenylalanine. The levels of phenylalanine in fetal blood are higher than would be expected based on the maternal blood levels because phenylalanine crosses the placenta by an active transport process.
Why is there a warning for phenylalanine?
Phenylalanine can cause intellectual disabilities, brain damage, seizures and other problems in people with PKU . Phenylalanine occurs naturally in many protein-rich foods, such as milk, eggs and meat. Phenylalanine is also sold as a dietary supplement.
Can phenylketonuria be detected before birth?
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. If you have PKU or a family history of it, your health care provider may recommend screening tests before pregnancy or birth. It’s possible to identify PKU carriers through a blood test.
Can I drink Diet Coke when pregnant?
Yes. The Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women shouldn’t take more than 200mg of caffeine a day. A can of Coca‑Cola Classic contains 32mg of caffeine and a can of Diet Coke contains 42mg.
What is phenylalanine in gum?
The synthesized chemical called ASPARTAME is the artificial sweetener that is used in many kinds of diet soda, sugar-free candies and gums, and many other sugar-free products. Aspartame has phenylalanine as an ingredient, but is itself a completely different chemical.
Is phenylalanine the same as aspartame?
The ingredients of aspartame are aspartic acid and phenylalanine . Both are naturally occurring amino acids — also know as the “building blocks” of proteins. Aspartic acid is produced naturally by your body, and phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that you get from food.
Does all gum have xylitol?
Sugar-free gum almost always contains xylitol. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes difficult to tell whether other products contain this ingredient. The labels may list sugar alcohols, but not whether one of them is xylitol.
Can you test for PKU in the womb?
Yes. If you or your partner has PKU or is a PKU carrier, you can have a prenatal test to find out if your baby has PKU or is a carrier. You can have either of these tests: Chorionic villus sampling (also called CVS).
What does PKU look like?
Signs and symptoms of untreated PKU can be mild or severe and may include: A musty odor in the breath, skin or urine, caused by too much phenylalanine in the body. Nervous system (neurological) problems that may include seizures. Skin rashes, such as eczema.