Valentus and Phenethylamine: Is it truly safe?

A recent article released by Channel News Asia showed Valentus as one of the three products containing “undeclared potent ingredients”, including banned substances, which prompted the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to alert the public against consuming them. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is the US Food and Drug Administration counterpart in Singapore

While reading the article, I found a couple of inconsistencies with regards to their claim. I will try and point them out one by one in order to provide peace of mind to everyone who has loved Valentus and continues to patronize the product.

NUMBER 1: PHENETHYLAMINE IS HARMFUL

According to www.webmd.com, Phenethylamine is a chemical that is found naturally in the body. It can also be made in the laboratory.

Phenethylamine is taken by mouth for improving athletic performance, depression, weight loss, and to improve mood and attention.

How does it work?

Phenethylamine stimulates the body to make certain chemicals that play a role in depression and other psychiatric conditions. People who don’t make enough phenethylamine naturally may be helped by taking phenethylamine as a supplement. However, too much phenethylamine might cause side effects similar to the drug amphetamine.

Early research shows that taking 10-60 mg of phenethylamine by mouth per day along with 5 mg of the antidepressant selegiline (Anipryl, Eldepryl) twice per day for 4 weeks relieves depression in 60% of people. Of the people who respond to initial treatment with phenethylamine plus selegiline, 86% show continued depression relief when treated for up to 50 weeks.

Is it harmful?

In order to receive the intended effect of Phenethylamine, it should be taken orally from 500 milligrams to 500 grams per day however a dose of 250 milligrams per day is typically safe and more than that should require a doctor’s recommendation.

The Valentus Slimroast Optimum Coffee contains less than 50 milligrams of Phenethylamine per serving which if taken once or twice a day as suggested by the instructions in the canister is still within (even below) the threshold of safety for Phenethylamine intake.

Simply saying, just like all other things, if taken according to its suggested use, the Valentus Slimroast Optimum Coffee is SAFE.

Other Major Products with Phenethylamine and/or its derivatives

• Livelong Nutrition PEA capsules
• Nutrivita PEA Phenethylamine
• PeakNootropics
• HardRhino TM
• Fivepoint Wellness
• SAN Nutrition
• USANA Procosa
• CVS Health
• Herbalife

NUMBER 2: UNDECLARED POTENT INGREDIENTS

Valentus is transparent in declaring Phenethylamine as one of its ingredients in their coffee. It is visible in the product label as shown in exhibit A and it is also shown and even explained in the company website exhibit B.

Phenethylamine is NOT an undeclared potent substance in Valentus because Valentus doesn’t have any ill reasons to hide it from the consumers.

NUMBER 3: Valentus coffee brand claimed to "metabolise fat to energy" and "boost circulation and oxygen delivery"

Phenethylamine is sold as a dietary supplement for purported mood and weight loss-related therapeutic benefits; however, in orally ingested phenethylamine, a significant amount is metabolized in the small intestine by monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and then aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which convert it to phenylacetic acid. This means that for significant concentrations to reach the brain, the dosage must be higher than for other methods of administration

Going back to the point given above, everything excessive is bad. If taken moderately and within its suggested use, Phenethylamine is not only safe but also good and beneficial to the body.

Since the article has just been published recently, Valentus is yet to release an official statement with regards to this allegation. However, I hope that I was able to help clear any fears, concerns, and doubts that you might have with the Valentus Slimroast Optimum Coffee.

As a medical professional, it is my professional opinion that if taken according to its suggested use and dosage, the Phenethylamine content in the Valentus Slimroast Optimum Coffee is SAFE and BENEFICIAL in improving mood and focus and it can help in your weight loss journey.

Author:

Daniel Alcantara is a pharmacologist with a specialty in both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. He graduated in the University of Pittsburg and earned his Masters Degree in Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He is currently in the Philippines working with pharmanutritional companies in developing new and safe healthy regulations in the country.