Why do some people need a low protein diet? What function do dietary supplements like Phenylade serve? What are the symptoms of the disease that forces people to change their diets, and how can treatment help? These are big, scary questions, especially if you suspect you or someone you love may have PKU, the disease that forces patients to start low protein diets. We’ve outlined PKU and its symptoms below. Children rarely go undiagnosed, and we explain why. We also give adults a list of potential symptoms to consider as they talk with their doctor.
PKU and a low protein diet
PKU prevents your body from fully digesting protein. Left in the system, certain amino acids build up. Like any chemical, a high enough concentration of these amino acids eventually becomes harmful. While most cases are caught before symptoms develop, PKU patients who go untreated, develop serious mental, emotional, and neurological problems. These range anywhere from delayed development, all the way to seizures, which can be deadly.
In order to treat PKU, patients must go on a low protein diet. Since their bodies cannot absorb what is needed from regular protein, their doctors prescribe specialized dietary foods, such as Phenylade. Products like Phenylade augment a low protein diet so patients can receive vital nourishment without ingesting dangerous amino acids.
Diagnosing Children
Today, most children are diagnosed at birth. The vast majority of hospitals run tests to ensure infants don’t suffer from PKU before they even leave the hospital. This early detection circumvents many of PKU’s developmental and emotional side effects, allowing children to grow up without battling the vast majority of these symptoms. Special formula for infants with PKU prevents them from consuming indigestible amino acids the same way Phenylade supplements adults’ diets.
Symptoms in Adults
There are undiagnosed adults with PKU. Although very few children go undiagnosed, many adults were born before regular testing for PKU became common in hospitals. In addition to the handful of symptoms listed above, adults may develop and notice any number of startling symptoms. For instance, patients with PKU often have unusually pale coloration, including fair hair, blue eyes, and stark white skin. Melanin, which adds pigment to these areas, comes from the amino acids PKU patients cannot absorb. Your body gleans many important nutrients from protein, and without them, you may face a host of symptoms. Patients may also have unusually small heads and musty smelling breath or urine. Hyperactivity is another sign of PKU, along with weak bones and eczema. Psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities may also stem from PKU. If these symptoms sound familiar, speak with your doctor right away. The sooner patients go on a low protein diet, the fewer symptoms they suffer.
Thanks to supplements like Phenylade, PKU patients can live long, healthy lives. If you feel like the symptoms above fit you, be sure to speak to a doctor right away. Early diagnosis can make a tremendous difference. Always ask for PKU testing for newborns, and monitor your own health carefully. You may find warning signs that you should be on a low protein diet.