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: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.