Why we selected this company:

Supplements for Sensitive People
Pure Encapsulations supplements are hypoallergenic. There are absolutely no hidden fillers or coatings, binders, shellacs, artificial colors, fragrance or excipients in their products that would disrupt or diminish the bioavailability of any of our ingredients. Furthermore, their products are free of wheat, yeast, gluten, corn, sugar, starch, preservatives or hydrogenated oils.

Ingredient Quality
Their ingredients are selected solely on the basis of quality and purity and are provided in their most potent and bioavailable forms. They purchase premium raw materials from Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, and of course, the U.S. Manufacturers of ingredients must pass rigorous pharmaceutical grade analytical tests to qualify as Pure Encapsulations suppliers.

Manufacturing and Quality Control Excellence
They manufacture their supplements in their own state-of-the-art facility in Sudbury, Massachusetts.  Their dedication to cleanliness is obvious from the moment their plant is entered. A large staff is dedicated full-time to the task of ensuring that their plant is impeccable.

Each step of the manufacturing process is governed by exacting standards and exceeds the requirements for nutritional supplement manufacturing. All manufacturing takes place in humidity- and dust-controlled individual rooms. Each piece of equipment used in the manufacture of Pure Encapsulations supplements is dismantled and sterilized before each production run. This includes scales, mills, blenders, powder fillers, encapsulating machines and capsule counters.

Each Pure Encapsulations lot is submitted to an independent laboratory for final confirmation of potency and conformance with ingredient levels. They are the only supplement manufacturer that has FDA certified laboratories test every batch of finished, encapsulated products.  This is an important distinction from companies that use in-house laboratories, use skip-lot testing or test ingredients prior to encapsulation or tableting.

All of their customers have access to the test results by viewing over 200 assays available on CD, verifying their uncompromising standards.

All finished products must also pass the USP Microbial Limits Test.  Our finished products are tested by Integrated Biomolecule Corporation, Vanguard Scientific, Eurofins Scientific and Advanced Food Micro.

Why we selected this product:

Dl-phenylalanine in depressed patients: an open study.
Beckmann H, Strauss MA, Ludolph E.

In an open study dl-phenylalanine in doses from 75-200 mg/day was administered to 20 depressed patients for 20 days. Patients were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The AMP system, the Hamilton depression scale and the von Zerssen self rating questionnaire were used for documentation of psychopathological, neurologic and somatic changes. In addition a global clinical impression was agreed upon by experienced psychiatrists. At the end of the trial 12 patients (8 with complete, 4 with good response) could be discharged without any further treatment. 4 patients with partially untypical depressions experienced mild to moderate responses, whereas 4 patients did not respond at all to the phenylalanine administration. Depressive "core symptoms" as depressed mood, retardation and/or agitation were preferentially, anxiety and sleep disturbances moderately and hypochondriasis and compulsiveness were not influenced. It is concluded that dl-phenylalanine might have substantial antidepressant properties and that further more controlled investigations are warranted.

PMID: 335027 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
"DL-Phenylalanine in Depressed Patients: An Open Study," Beckmann H, Strauss MA, Ludolph E, J Neural Transmission, 1977;41:123-134.

Benefits for the body:
Cognitive function support.

Interesting facts:
Age-related decreases in levels of several amino acids compromise cognitive function. Amino acids are important intermediates in the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and are involved in neuromodulating activities. l-Tyrosine is an amino acid naturally synthesized in the body. It is the precursor of the neurotransmitters l-dopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, supporting mood and mental clarity. dl-Phenylalanine provides a mixture of two essential amino acids, d-phenylalanine and l- phenylalanine. In the body, l-phenylalanine converts to tyrosine, enhancing neurotransmitter support. A separate pathway allows both d- and l-phenylalanine to support levels of the mood-elevating compound phenylethylamine, a function not provided by l-tyrosine. Taurine is considered an inhibitory amino acid, helping to maintain healthy glutamate and other excitatory amino acid activity in the brain. This provides neuroprotective action important for maintaining healthy brain cell function. Acetyl-l-carnitine plays an important role in multiple metabolic pathways in the brain. It also contributes to the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and may support dopamine receptor function. As a result, acetyl-l-carnitine plays a role in memory, attention, mental clarity, and mood support.

Ingredients:

Vitamin C ...10mg
(ascorbyl palmitate)
DL-Phenylalanine ...250mg
(free-form)
Taurine ...250mg
(free-form)
L-Tyrosine ...250mg
(free-form)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine ...250mg
(free-form)

Contains - Vegetable Capsule

Does Not Contain - Hidden Coatings, Excipients, Binders, Fillers, Shellacs, Artificial Colors, Fragrance, Dairy, Wheat, Yeast, Gluten, Corn, Sugar, Starch, Soy, Preservatives, Hydrogenated Oils

Dosage:
As a dietary supplement, take 2-6 capsules daily, in divided doses, between meals.

WARNINGS:
Store sealed in a cool dry place. Keep out of reach of children. Use only if safety seal is intact.

If pregnant, consult your physician before taking this or any other product.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  If in doubt consult with a licensed naturopathic physician before use.  Physicians at Genesis Health Systems can be reached at 480.284.8155 and we are happy to consult with you about this product and helping you achieve optimal health.