Posted by Larry Hoover on September 21, 2003, at 7:04:20
In reply to Re: Amino acids/B vitamins, posted by JLx on September 20, 2003, at 17:53:36
> > You may, but magnesium is generally a calming influence, though it also increases the activity of certain enzymes. It really requires that you carefully experiment. One change at a time, so you can be reasonably sure that the variable you're manipulating is responsible for any differences in the way you're feeling.
>
> I think I was really out of whack before I started supplementing with magnesium which is why I am assuming that everything may act differently in my body now.That's a valid hypothesis.
> > Dose is always something to consider, but in light of your prior reaction, try some DLPA. That's the synthetic form of phenylalanine, d-,l-phenylalanine.
>
> I have tried DLPA in the past and didn't think it did anything at all, but I don't remember now what dose I was taking. I just bought some L-Phenylaline before I read this, as it's fairly cheap. What's the difference -- in terms of what it does -- and how important is it that it be DL, rather than just L? (I haven't opened it yet, so I could take it back.)The d-isomer cannot go towards tyrosine, so all of it gets "diverted" towards the alternative products unique to phenylalanine, such as phenylethylamine (PEA). Also, there is good evidence that the d-isomer inhibits the breakdown of endorphins (your natural opiate-receptor ligands).
> > That does seem reasonable. However, I still think it best that you change one variable at a time. If you want to try the calming 5-HTP first, then add the excitatory tyrosine, you can learn about the balance between the two more explicitly than if you start them both at the same time.
>
> I know that's good sense, but I am truly desperate to keep my life from sliding any further downhill. I've taken 5-HTP with melatonin (50mg and 1 mg or less respectively) before, off and on for months now, and I found it helpful.
So, I am inclined to just jump in in hopes I get more functional, and sort it out later, which was which in terms of effect.I hear ya. That's a rational response to an urgent need.
> > > "10% to 15% of the patients get good results and relief of symptoms. Ten percent to fifteen percent of patients get some relief and about two thirds of the patients obtain no relief. ... L-tyrosine we have found that 3,000 mg per day with 300 mg per day of 5-HTP is an ideal ratio for treatment and has minimal side effects if used properly." http://www.neuroreplete.com/Phenylalanine%20does%20not%20work%20nearly%20as%20well.htm
> > >
> > > Those seem like pretty high doses to me.
> >
> > Pretty high when compared to the doses listed on supplement bottles, but not high when considered in terms of therapeutic dosing.
>
> No? Maybe I have been unduly influenced by that Mind Boosters guy, Dr. Ray Sahelian, who seems to recommend quite low doses of everything.Remember, he's well. He's looking at the enhancement of normal functioning, IMHO. He's very conservative in his recommendations, even for a proponent of supps.
> > > I also have some SAM-e I think I will use up, which should also be synergistic/ok to take, right?
> >
> > I see no reason not to use them together.
>
> Ok, I've just purchased an "anti-homocysteine" B-formula with 20 mg B-6 (as p-5-p), B-12 250 mg (cyanocobalamin), folic acid 800 mcg, TMG 400 mg. I bought that for the TMG which otherwise my local health food store didn't stock at all. (I took this this afternoon and didn't feel it, btw.) They didn't have the methylcobalamin form of B-12 or I would have bought that too. I've been taking 1 B-50 complex and additional B-6 as p-5-p 100 mg, 1-2 of the 1,000 mcg regular B-12 as I know they say you don't absorb much of that, and also additional niacinamide 500 mg. I'm wondering if I should take another of the B-50 complex. They're water soluble I know, and I've read that even B-6 is ok to take up to 300 mg a day. But what about folic acid?I wouldn't worry about the folate. Rather than taking more B-50, try taking multiples of the TMG-containing pills.
> With that complex, if I take say, 2 a day, I'm getting 800 mg of folic acid, and if I also take this anti-homocysteine formula, I'll be getting another 400 mg of folic acid. (I almost never eat green veggies, btw, so I probably get zero from my diet.)There's a lot of good stuff in green veggies. Get yourself some Greens+. It's supposed to have a lot of the veggie goodness in it.
> I've read that folic acid is deficient in many depressives, but in others, supplementation is contraindicated. I just read your exchange here, for instance: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030402/msgs/215959.html When I did the checklists in "Depression Free Naturally", I didn't come out way-high on the histamine list. I think I am really a very generally-mixed bag when it comes to depression, which is one other reason why I am inclined now to just throw many possible answers at it, in the hopes that they all might work....at least a little, which is maybe all I need....perhaps ALL of them working a LITTLE is exactly what I need. Does that make any sense?Yes, it makes sense. I don't agree with the contraindications given on that website. Instead, I believe in the synergy of multiple interventions. The problem is, some of the interventions I've tried have been useless, and others have been too strong. It can take a long time figure it all out, and we're all unique. But, if you're struggling psychologically, then I fully support your decision to just go for it.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:261480
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/262136.html