THREONINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Threonine is an essential amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. It cannot be made by the body and must be consumed in foods.

Threonine is changed in the body to a chemical called glycine. Glycine has effects in the brain that might reduce unwanted muscle contractions called spasticity.

People use threonine for Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse threonine with another amino acid called theanine. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Ineffective for

Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS). Taking threonine by mouth does not seem to slow the progression of ALS or reduce symptoms.

There is interest in using threonine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Threonine is commonly consumed in foods. People need about 0.5-1 gram of threonine from their diet daily. This amount is considered safe. Threonine is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as a medicine. Doses of up to 4 grams daily have been used safely for up to 12 months. It seems to be well-tolerated. Side effects might include stomach upset, headache, nausea, and skin rash.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Threonine is commonly consumed in foods. But as medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know if threonine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease): There is some concern that threonine might decrease lung function in people with ALS. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking threonine if you have ALS.

Interactions

Major Interaction

Do not take this combination

Medications for Alzheimer disease (NMDA antagonists) interacts with THREONINE
Threonine might decrease the effects of medications for Alzheimer disease.

Dosing

Threonine has most often been used by adults in doses of 1.5-2.5 grams by mouth three times daily for up to 8 weeks. A dose of up to 4 grams daily has been used for up to 12 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Blin, O., Serratrice, G., Pouget, J., Aubrespy, G., Guelton, C., and Crevat, A. [Short-term double-blind vs placebo trial of L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. Presse Med. 9-30-1989;18(30):1469-1470. View abstract.

Bromberg, M. B., Fries, T. J., Forshew, D. A., and Tandan, R. Electrophysiologic endpoint measures in a multicenter ALS drug trial. J.Neurol.Sci. 2-15-2001;184(1):51-55. View abstract.

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Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2005. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17226/10490

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