Alanine
Alanine is a nonessential amino acid used by the body to build proteins.
Alanine has been used in connection with the following condition (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient?
Since alanine is synthesized in the body and is also provided by most foods that are sources of protein, deficiencies are unlikely to occur.1
How much is usually taken?
Most people do not need to supplement with alanine; for those who do use this amino acid as a supplement, appropriate amounts should be determined with the consultation of a physician.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Alanine is free of side effects for the vast majority of people who take it; however, people with kidney or liver disease should not consume high intakes of amino acids without consulting a healthcare professional.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with alanine.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
1. Zello GA, Wykes LF, Ball RO, et al. Recent advances in methods of assessing dietary amino acid requirements for adult humans. J Nutr 1995;125:2907–15.
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.