DWYFOR Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts is taking on a dietary challenge to help raise awareness of a potentially life-threatening condition.

Mrs Saville Roberts has pledged her commitment to raise awareness of the rare, inherited disorder PKU, Phenylketonuria.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall Debate to mark International PKU Day, Mrs Saville Roberts paid tribute to her constituent Mark Edwards from Tywyn, who suffers from the rare condition.

Mark has raised thousands of pounds for the condition, most notably by running the Great Manchester Run on several occasions.

People like Mark who have PKU cannot break down the amino acid phenylalanine, which builds up in the blood and brain. This can lead to brain damage and even death in extreme scenarios.

People with PKU are born with a deficiency of a liver enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH).

Mrs Saville Roberts will also be taking part in the PKU diet to mark International PKU Day.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: “Rare diseases such as Phenylketonuria (PKU) are often overlooked, but for those suffering from them, they can be life-changing.

“Those living with PKU rely on a low-protein diet of mostly prescribed foods. Not adhering to such a diet could lead to a number of harmful symptoms, including brain damage and learning difficulties.’

“I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mark Edwards from Tywyn who has single-handedly succeeded in raising awareness of the PKU condition and the PKU experience for adults and families in Wales and way beyond.

“A number of us have committed to take on the PKU Diet challenge and they deserve a name check. Alex Jones of the Cambrian News; Tywyn solicitor Andre Bright; supervisor Janet Davies of Brighter Foods, Tywyn, colleague Andrea Elliott, and school friends Carys Hughes and Nicci Hughes.

“We do this in solidarity with PKU families, but also know full well that it will in no way fully replicate the reality of their lives.

“We won’t risk brain damage or neurological malfunction if we wrongly estimate protein levels.

“We will be doing this – as a novelty, a worthy publicity gimmick – for one day only.

“But we won’t face the fraught, potentially-toxic relationship with food, day in, day out all our lives.”

Mark said: “I would like to thank Liz for taking up the PKU challenge. Although it’s only for a day, it’s an insight into the challenges PKU sufferers face every day.

“The support Liz has given both myself and the National Society for Phenylketonuria has been great. It’s good knowing that PKU is getting recognised.

“I’m really very grateful to everyone who has supported me or is taking on the PKU challenge.”