Posted by Larry Hoover on October 27, 2007, at 19:36:18
In reply to Re: Here's the Link! » Phillipa, posted by Squiggles on October 24, 2007, at 10:48:45
> > Very important . Asked to pass along the info that deplin is a drug not a supplement. Phillipa
> >
> >
> > Deplin is a DRUG and not a nutrient.
> >
> > It is not found in natural foodstuffs. Folic acid is a nutrient and is the
> > natural form of folate available to the body in its diet. Folic acid must
> > be transformed into L-methylfolate in the liver and muscle tissue
> > before it can penetrate the brain readily and participate in chemical
> > there.
>
>
> I thought it did not cross the blood-brain barrier; anyway, do you think it's related at
> all to what Dr. Preskorn refers to as certain
> enzymes which change the metabolism of some
> SSRIs? I think that is how he explained the
> adverse reaction to Serzone (liver metabolism)
> of some people and not others.
>
> SquigglesI'm a little baffled by what you're asking. The liver enzymes (cytochrome P450) *are* the metabolic processors. There is substantial inter-individual variability in the processing capacity of the various enzymes.
Deplin (L-methylfolate) is an enzyme cofactor. It is consumed during the synthesis of the major neurotransmitters. Thus, the supply of neurotransmitters is dependent on L-methylfolate availability.
Some drugs interfere with the multi-step process by which dietary folate is converted/activated to the L-methylfolate form (e.g. Lamictal/lamotrigine). Some people are genetically weak in this transformative process, also, predisposing to artery disease, depression, etc.
Folate supplements have long been known to improve antidepressant responsiveness. I just think it's sad that this bioactive folate derivative has been "patented", and access to it is thereby restricted.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:790747
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071027/msgs/791841.html