Can you chew gum with phenylalanine while pregnant?

A packet or two of the blue stuff now and then is fine (so yes, a small piece of sugarless gum is safe) — just avoid consuming aspartame during pregnancy in large amounts, and steer clear of it altogether if phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disease, is on your medical chart.

What is phenylalanine in pregnancy?

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that people need to obtain in their diets. Amino acids are the building blocks for protein, which is required to form tissues in the body. It is well known that pregnant women require more protein in their diets, but the exact amount for each amino acid is undetermined.

Does phenylalanine cross the placenta?

It is believed that it is during this time period that high phenylalanine and its metabolites in the mothers’ blood plasma can cross the placenta and directly effect the developing embryo by inducing birth defects.

Is Orbit gum safe during pregnancy?

There’s great news here! Xylitol-based sugar-free gum is generally considered safe for pregnant women, and it may provide some considerable advantages for the mom-to-be.

Is it safe to eat gum with phenylalanine?

In fact, a healthy, balanced diet for someone who doesn’t have PKU contains large amounts of phenylalanine, and any aspartame you consume adds only a small fraction of the total amount. If you do have PKU, however, it’s important to avoid gum with aspartame, since the phenylalanine that builds up in your body can damage your fetus.

Is it safe to eat phenylalanine during pregnancy?

If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to consume phenylalanine during pregnancy — given the warning labels — the answer is that it certainly is, unless you have a disease called PKU. Phenylalanine is an amino acid and one of the building blocks of protein.

Is it safe to eat gum during pregnancy?

You might have seen warnings on some gum and other foods that note the presence of phenylalanine, which is an amino acid. If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to consume phenylalanine during pregnancy — given the warning labels — the answer is that it certainly is, unless you have a disease called PKU.

Why is chewing gum bad for a fetus?

Phenylketonuria: PKU is a rare, genetic condition that causes the amino acid, phenylalanine to build up in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. The aspartame found in gum can raise the levels of phenylketonuria, making the phenylalanine build up to levels that are dangerous to the fetus.