Dietary Management: How can PKU be treated by limiting phenylalanine intake?
•
4 min read
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 newborns in the United States. For individuals with PKU, the primary and most critical treatment involves a strictly controlled, lifelong diet to manage the intake of the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe). This dietary approach is essential because their bodies lack the necessary enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), to properly process Phe, leading to a toxic buildup in the brain if left unchecked.