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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 19, 2006, at 8:51:32
Is there any research into long term amino acid therapy? You know, basically is it safe to supplement with tyrosine, 5HTP etc for months??
Can your body get used to always receiving these amino acids??
Posted by blueberry on May 19, 2006, at 16:34:23
In reply to Long term amino acid therapy, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 19, 2006, at 8:51:32
Good question. I asked my naturopath the same thing and she really didn't know.
There have been people that got good results from 5htp but then relapsed in 3 months to a year. I remember only one guy who was still doing well with it about 2 years later.
Tyrosine in a way scares me for longterm use because it is similar to taking a prescription parkinson's med like sinemet. History shows that over time as the brain gets accustomed to the extra dopamine, more and more is needed and eventually other meds are needed to boost the effects. Sometimes parkinson's symptoms actually get worse.
Some sources say it is better to take a balanced amino acid supplement that has 20 aminos in it, including phenylalaine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Or if it doesn't have tryptophan, then add some 5htp or tryptophan on the side to the balanced amino acid.
There are some good books out there on the subject and some of them have case reports of actual patients. The problem is they never tell you how those patients were doing years later.
Posted by Declan on May 19, 2006, at 19:06:19
In reply to Re: Long term amino acid therapy, posted by blueberry on May 19, 2006, at 16:34:23
I think it makes sense to take a more or less balanced protein powder thing like Musashi's Shi Ho. It amounts to taking all the aminos and helps you maintain lean body weight.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 20, 2006, at 9:55:10
In reply to Re: Long term amino acid therapy, posted by blueberry on May 19, 2006, at 16:34:23
Hi Blueberry!
> Tyrosine in a way scares me for longterm use because it is similar to taking a prescription parkinson's med like sinemet. History shows that over time as the brain gets accustomed to the extra dopamine, more and more is needed and eventually other meds are needed to oost the effects. Sometimes parkinson's symptoms actually get worse.
I loved the feeling of tyrosine, but yeah, somehow it feels wrong to take it long term. I'm sure the body would get used to it, like you said above.
>
> Some sources say it is better to take a balanced amino acid supplement that has 20 aminos in it, including phenylalaine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Or if it doesn't have tryptophan, then add some 5htp or tryptophan on the side to the balanced amino acid.Yeah, that would be a good idea. Although I suppose if you have a varied diet, it might be just as good...?
Hmmm. I guess we just don't know enough etc.
Oh well. I guess I'd better reserve the tyrosine for the occasional day!Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 20, 2006, at 9:57:38
In reply to Re: Long term amino acid therapy, posted by Declan on May 19, 2006, at 19:06:19
Hi Declan!
Sounds like a good idea. I wonder if you could tell me more/post a link to a website that sells the stuff??
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by blueberry on May 26, 2006, at 17:09:35
In reply to Re: Long term amino acid therapy, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 20, 2006, at 9:55:10
> >
> > Some sources say it is better to take a balanced amino acid supplement that has 20 aminos in it, including phenylalaine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Or if it doesn't have tryptophan, then add some 5htp or tryptophan on the side to the balanced amino acid.
>
> Yeah, that would be a good idea. Although I suppose if you have a varied diet, it might be just as good...?Actually when trying to treat depression I don't think you can get enough of what you need in your food. Some sources claim that absorption problems in the intestines, or metabolism defects, prevent the full utilization of amino acids in food. That's where supplementation has an advantage over food. You can basically bypass whatever roadblocks are in the way by supplying the amino acids in ready-to-go form.
Posted by cardinaldirection on May 28, 2006, at 3:56:37
In reply to Re: Long term amino acid therapy, posted by blueberry on May 26, 2006, at 17:09:35
>
> > >
> > > Some sources say it is better to take a balanced amino acid supplement that has 20 aminos in it, including phenylalaine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Or if it doesn't have tryptophan, then add some 5htp or tryptophan on the side to the balanced amino acid.
> >
> > Yeah, that would be a good idea. Although I suppose if you have a varied diet, it might be just as good...?
>
> Actually when trying to treat depression I don't think you can get enough of what you need in your food. Some sources claim that absorption problems in the intestines, or metabolism defects, prevent the full utilization of amino acids in food. That's where supplementation has an advantage over food. You can basically bypass whatever roadblocks are in the way by supplying the amino acids in ready-to-go form.
>
>
>i bet thats it... that underlying current behind the inbalances in neurochemistry! ive had stomach problems since being born extremely pre-mature, and am finding good results w/ simple supplementation, as opposed to the negative side effects of years of meds.
thx for the insight... gonna do a bit more research on this.
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 6, 2006, at 7:22:15
In reply to Re: Long term amino acid therapy, posted by cardinaldirection on May 28, 2006, at 3:56:37
> i bet thats it... that underlying current behind the inbalances in neurochemistry! ive had stomach problems since being born extremely pre-mature, and am finding good results w/ simple supplementation, as opposed to the negative side effects of years of meds.
> thx for the insight... gonna do a bit more research on this.I'm glad you're listening, with your other ears. The ones below the diaphragm.
Hydrolyzed proteins are pre-digested, essentially. If properly done, the amino acids are all free, rather than being strung together as in the "natural" protein source. Good options are soya or milk-whey based. You don't always get what you pay for, i.e. expensive does not always correlate with high quality, but cheap versions of these products are not suitable for what you wish to do. You want a good quality, fully hyrolyzed, protein powder. Use it as a smoothie base, and add in other nutrients, as desired. That's a good place to put the inositol you've been considering, or some lecithin granules. A little ascorbic acid (super cheap cheap cheap at baker's supply or bulk stores). This and that. Add a banana, a peach, and hey!, it's flavoured.
Good breakfast. The very best sort, as it's predigested.
Lar
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