I have had great personal success in the use of Amino Acids in combating depression. Unlike traditional anti-depressants, I did not have to wait weeks to see if they were working. I felt the effects within an hour. Obviously your results may be different, but I have heard similar stories from others who have used amino acids to combat depression, ADD, rage, and hostility.
AMINO ACID NUTRITION THERAPY
| Supplemental Ingredient | Restored Brain Chemical | Addictive Substance Abuse | Amino Acid Deficiency Symptoms | Expected Behavior Change |
| D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine | Enkephalins Endorphins |
Heroin, Alcohol, Marijuana, Sweets, Starches, Chocolate, Tobacco | Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions sensitive to physical or emotional pain. Crave comfort and pleasure. Desire certain food or drugs. | Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Mild anti-depression. Mild improved energy and focus. D-Phenylalanine promotes pain relief, increases pleasure. |
| L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine | Norepinephrine Dopamine |
Caffeine, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana, Aspartame, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches | Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions. Depression, low energy. Lack of focus and concentration. Attention-deficit disorder. | Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Increased energy. Improved mental focus. |
| L-Tryptophan or 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) | Serotonin | Sweets, Alcohol, Starch, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Chocolate, Tobacco | Low self-esteem. Obsessive/compulsive behaviors. Irritability or rage. Sleep problems. Afternoon or evening cravings. Negativity. Heat intolerance. Fibromyalgia, SAD (winter blues). | Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Anti-insomnia. Improved appetite control. Improvement in all mood and other serotonin deficiency symptoms. |
| GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) | GABA | Valium, Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches | Feeling of being stressed-out. Nervous. Tense muscles. Trouble relaxing. | Promotes calmness. Promotes relaxation. |
| L-Glutamine | GABA (mild enhancement) Fuel source for entire brain |
Sweets, Starches, Alcohol | Stress. Mood swings. Hypoglycemia. | Anti-craving, anti-stress. Levels blood sugar and mood. GABA (mild enhancement). Fuel source for entire brain. |
| Note: To assist in amino-acid nutritional therapy, the use of a multi-vitamin/mineral formula is recommended. Many vitamins and minerals serve as co-factors in neurotransmitter synthesis. They also serve to restore general balance, vitality and well-being to the Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RSD) patient who typically is in a state of poor nutritional health (see paragraph above chart for explanation of RSD). | ||||
This chart was originally published in the following article.
Blum K, Ross J, Reuben C, Gastelu D, Miller DK. “Nutritional Gene Therapy: Natural Healing in Recovery
You can access the full article on the Counselor Magazine web site: counselormagazine.com.
1. On the homepage, click on Search the Archives
2. Choose January/February 2001
3. Click on Nutritional Gene Therapy.
