Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements for Pains

Certain amino acids have been found to raise pain thresholds and increase tolerance to pain. One of these, a synthetic amino acid called D-phenylalanine (DPA), decreases pain by blocking the enzymes that break down endorphins and enkephalins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals. DPA may also produce pain relief by other mechanisms, which are not well understood.

In animal studies, DPA decreased chronic pain within 15 minutes of administration and the effects lasted up to six days. It also decreased responses to acute pain. These findings have been independently verified in at least five other studies. Clinical studies on humans suggest DPA may inhibit some types of chronic pain, but it has little effect on most types of acute pain.

Most human research has tested the pain-relieving effects of 750 to 1,000 mg per day of DPA taken for several weeks of continuous or intermittent use. The results of this research have been mixed, with some trials reporting efficacy, others reporting no difference from placebo, and some reporting equivocal results. It appears that DPA may only work for some people, but a trial period of supplementation seems worthwhile for many types of chronic pain until more is known. If DPA is not available, a related product, D,L-phenylalanine (DLPA), may be substituted at amounts of 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day...