Why Does Phenylalanine Need to Be Broken Down? Understanding the Metabolic Necessity
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4 min read
Approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 newborns in the United States are affected by Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder where the body cannot properly break down phenylalanine. This vital process of breaking down phenylalanine is necessary to prevent the amino acid from accumulating to toxic levels, which can lead to serious and irreversible neurological damage if left untreated.