Phenylalanine?

[Louppey]

I noticed last night as I put my squash bottle back in the cupboard that it says "Caution - Contains Phenylalanine"... I hadn't noticed it before and googled it and a lot of information came up about taking it in pregnancy

I couldn't really make head nor tail of the information though

What are everyones thoughts? OK to drink or not? If not guess it'll just be water and milk for me from now on

 

[Jessie0612]

Ooh I don't know but didn't want to read and run.
I've been trying to drink more fluids lately and squash definitely helps, water can be so dull, although I think I've worked out today that the orange mite be what's making me feel sicky!
I was fine earlier, had half a water bottle filled with orange squash and now feel sick as anything! I hope blackcurrant's okay tho!!

 

[Louppey]

I don't know to be honest, looked on all the drinks in our fridge though and they all said they contained it :growl: I've been trying to drink more squash so to avoid the caffeine in Coke and this where it gets me... i'm worried

 

[popat]

I remember this from Biology A-level.... There is a genetic illness called PKU which prevents the person from metabolising phenylalanine (it's recessive).

No need to worry unless you have PKU (you should know if you do). Phenylalanine is an amino acid which is found in natural sources too.

 

[ButtonJessie]

Just checked my squashes and neither of them had it - mine are both Sainsburys High Juice. I think it's the sugarfree/diet/no added sugar type drinks that contain it because it's part of Aspartame I think which is a replacement sweetner that isn't good for us at all. Not sure if that helps? Are your drinks the sugar free kind? Sugar, in this case, is actually much better for you than that stuff!!

 

[louisechippy]

A normal dietary intake of phenylalanine is safe for almost everyone, including pregnant women, despite what you may read on the Internet (see
Dangers of Phenylalanine for more information).

However, it is not known if phenylalanine supplementation is safe for pregnant women. There are no reliable studies showing that such supplements are either safe or unsafe for use during pregnancy. It might seem logical to assume that phenylalanine supplements would be perfectly safe for pregnant women, since phenylalanine is an amino acid that is found naturally in many foods. But just because a normal dietary intake through food is safe, it cannot be assumed that using supplements medicinally is equally safe. Perhaps the higher levels could cause problems, or perhaps the phenylalanine in supplements is slightly different from the phenylalanine found in foods. Until more information is available, it is best to wait until after pregnancy to try phenylalanine supplements.

Women with phenylketonuria (PKU) should not take phenylalanine, especially during pregnancy. This could cause severe birth defects and other problems. PKU is a rare genetic condition in which the body does not process phenylalanine normally.


hope this helps xxxx x

 

[louisechippy]

also phenylalanine can be found named as asparmatne x

 

[Louppey]

Aww thanks everyone you've put my mind at ease. As far as I know I don't have PKU. I guess I would know if I did!!!

To be honest, I didn't necessarily mean buy sugar free squash, it was just the flavour I wanted. Also I have cherryade (childish moment LOL) which I didn't realise was sugar free either til I got it home.

Will make sure I get the non sugar free versions in future!!!

Thank you everyone

 

[popat]

also phenylalanine can be found named as asparmatne x

Actually that's not true, Aspartame is made from both aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

Honestly ladies, nothing to worry about unless you carry the PKU gene or have the disease.

Phenylalanine is also found in breast milk.

 

[louisechippy]

also phenylalanine can be found named as asparmatne x

Actually that's not true, Aspartame is made from both aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

Honestly ladies, nothing to worry about unless you carry the PKU gene or have the disease.

Phenylalanine is also found in breast milk.

so it can still be found in aspartame is that not correct i never said that it was not fine to have just thought people should know that you mayt not find phenylalanine on your bottle you may fine aspartame.

 

[popat]

louise, I wasn't trying to pop at you or anything - what you said was scientifically incorrect (I'm a chemist). It would have been better to say Aspartame contains phenylalanine rather than say it can be found named as. I think that's what you meant though.

 

[louisechippy]

sorry if i made it sound wrong pg brain but will fire a question at you if you dont mind x

are there any hay fever drugs you would deem safe to take whilst pregnant ???as i dont want to spend the next six months locked in my house as i cant go out without sneezing fifty times and my eyes itching


sorry to intrude and turn this into a differant post but thought seeings as you are watching this one then you would see my question

 

[popat]

Hey Louise, you should ask your pharmacist for advice or ring your doctor. I'm a chemist so I wear the white lab coat and the specs, sitting in the lab mixing the chemicals with elaborate equipment and lots of smells and colours (I used to anyway). I know bits and pieces about illnesses but that's not what I'm qualified in.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Louppey]

sorry if i made it sound wrong pg brain but will fire a question at you if you dont mind x

are there any hay fever drugs you would deem safe to take whilst pregnant ???as i dont want to spend the next six months locked in my house as i cant go out without sneezing fifty times and my eyes itching


sorry to intrude and turn this into a differant post but thought seeings as you are watching this one then you would see my question

Louise, I went into Boots at the weekend specifically for this!!! Like you, I did not want to be trapped in the house LOL!

The pharmacist recommended Nelsons Pollenna, from the homeopathic section. I was dubious, but it seems to be working so far *touch wood*

They look like this:
https://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/detail/915484b.jpg

 

[secretbaby]

I am just having a caffine free diet coke and it is the last on the list of ingredients! I am trying to cut down sweetners full stop - but I also found alot of 'normal' squash contains sweetners (my 11 year old goes a bit hyper if he has no added sugar so we try and not have sources of it here anyway... I have been trying to totally give up diet coke for a while).

 

[Sophist]

Louisechippy: For hay fever--try taking 1 tbs of local honey per day. It must be from your local area to work, and it may take a few weeks before it kicks in. Basically works like a homeopathic, since the bees make the honey with pollen/nectar from your local plants that cause your allergies. For fast (though temporary) relief, drink 8 oz water with 3 tbs lemon juice. (Rinse with plain water after to protect the enamel on your teeth!)

 

[flubdub]

Ohhhhh, I didnt know it meant aspartame! I stay well clear of aspartame! Not good for you at all! Its a sweetener, and in all diet drinks and most cordials, flavoured water, and the big box of ice pops Iv just bought The only cordial I can find that it isnt in is high juice. Saccharin isnt good for you either. They're "pretend" sugars. Normal sugar is much better for you; your body knows what to do with it. Dont worry if you've been drinking it though.

 

[louisechippy]

i have found that it isnt in alot of the cheaper own brand jucies too i have to stear clear of aspartame coz of my youngest with adhd and aspartame is in the processes of bieng tested as it has been shown that it can ageravate adhd symptoms so we check every thing we buy that he is likly to eat / drink. i buy cheap home brand juice as it doesnt contain it x

 

[terrri86]

hmmm this is all very interesting to me, i wasnt aware of this,
im a bit confused as slimming world advocates the use of sweeteners, but if they arent that good for you........ arg so confusing!!! lol xxx

 

[flubdub]

hmmm this is all very interesting to me, i wasnt aware of this,
im a bit confused as slimming world advocates the use of sweeteners, but if they arent that good for you........ arg so confusing!!! lol xxx

Aspartame is banned in a lot of countries. Its not ALL sweeteners, Splenda is ok.
I dont want to be shouted at for scaring people, but..... website removed.
Id rather not actually because things can get nasty on here when people post scary stuff, if you google it, you will see