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:

Blin, O., Desnuelle, C., Guelton, C., Aubrespy, G., Ardissonne, J. P., Crevat, A., Pouget, J., and Serratrice, G. [Anomaly in the neurotransmitter amino acids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a therapeutic application]. Rev.Neurol.(Paris) 1991;147(5):392-394. View abstract.

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.

Hauser, S. L., Doolittle, T. H., Lopez-Bresnahan, M., Shahani, B., Schoenfeld, D., Shih, V. E., Growdon, J., and Lehrich, J. R. An antispasticity effect of threonine in multiple sclerosis. Arch.Neurol. 1992;49(9):923-926. View abstract.

Hsieh JTC , Wolfe DL , Connolly S , Townson AF , Curt A , Blackmer J , Sequeira K , and Aubut J. Spasticity after spinal cord injury: an evidence-based review of current interventions. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (TOP SPINAL CORD INJ REHABIL) 2007;13(1):81-97.

Parton, M., Mitsumoto, H., and Leigh, P. N. Amino acids for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / motor neuron disease. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2003;(4):CD003457. View abstract.

Parton, M., Mitsumoto, H., and Leigh, P. N. WITHDRAWN: Amino acids for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / motor neuron disease. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2008;(2):CD003457. View abstract.

Rose, W. C., HAINES, W. J., WARNER, D. T., and JOHNSON, J. E. The amino acid requirements of man. II. The role of threonine and histidine. J.Biol.Chem. 1951;188(1):49-58. View abstract.

Shakespeare, D. T., Boggild, M., and Young, C. Anti-spasticity agents for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2003;(4):CD001332. View abstract.

Testa, D., Caraceni, T., Fetoni, V., and Girotti, F. Chronic treatment with L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study. Clin.Neurol.Neurosurg. 1992;94(1):7-9. View abstract.

Blin O, Pouget J, Aubrespy G, et al. A double-blind placebo controlled trial of L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 1992;239:79-81. View abstract.

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

Growdon JH, Nader TM, Schoenfeld J, Wortman RJ. L-threonine in the treatment of spasticity. Clin Neuropharmacol 1991;14:403-12. View abstract.

Lee A, Patterson V. A double blind study of L-threonine in patients with spinal spasticity. Acta Neurol Scand 1993;88:334-8. View abstract.

National Research Council (US) Subcommittee on the Tenth Edition of the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Recommended Dietary Allowances: 10th Edition. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1989. 6, Protein and Amino Acids. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234922/. Accessed August 7th, 2017.

Roufs JB. L-threonine as a symptomatic treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Med Hypotheses 1991;34:20-3. View abstract.

Tandan R, Bromberg MB, Forshew D, et al. A controlled trial of amino acid therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: I. Clinical, functional, and maximum isometric torque data. Neurology 1996;47:1220-6. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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THREONINE - Uses, Side Effects, and More