Posted by Larry Hoover on December 16, 2004, at 10:10:23
In reply to Hi Larry, posted by ed_uk on December 16, 2004, at 9:28:07
> Hello Lar,
>
> Hope you are well at the moment :-)Reasonably well, thanks. How about you?
> You make a good point in your post.
I do try. ;-)
> It might still be useful to combine tryptophan with an SSRI because optimising the activity of the defective enzyme might not be sufficient to raise serotonin to an adequate level on its own.
>
> Ed.Eventually useful, perhaps. However, having two independent variables precludes determining the relative contribution of each one.
I'm quite concerned that the first resort to treatment is medication, rather than optimization of whatever natural capacity the individual may have. To characterize the distinction more fully, the individual may have an innate functional deficiency in serotonin, possibly remedied by tryptophan enhancement. You could reasonably call the defect a functional deficiency in tryptophan (i.e. despite normal diet, insufficient tryptophan is available to optimize tryptophan hydroxylase activity). I doubt they have an SSRI deficiency. (slight sarcasm intended)
The other potential defect at this rate-determining step in serotonin synthesis is a functional deficiency in tetrahydrobiopterin. There is a well-characterized genetic flaw in the enzymes leading to BH4 synthesis, as well. Nutritional supplements and dietary vitamins are largely available in provitamin form. That is to say, they must themselves be transformed or activated by enzymes before they can serve in their coenzyme role. There has been some discussion on the alternate board about the utility of BH4 supplementation (it is a requirement for all hydroxylase enzymes), yet it is blessedly difficult to obtain. Taking folate just may not do the trick, for some people.
Despite the forgoing argument, you may find this particular thread interesting, vis a vis folate deficiency and antidepressant response: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041212/msgs/430007.html
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:430192
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041211/msgs/430246.html