Guest guest Posted November 16, 2001 Report Share Posted November 16, 2001 SEROTONIN DEFICIENCY SYNDROME: THE L-TRYPTOPHAN ALTERNATIVE The August 2001 issue of Neuropsychopharmacology reports that L-tryptophan, tested on 98 volunteers in 12-day trials, was found to have a clear impact on mood, making test subjects more agreeable and less quarrelsome. This is one more of many studies to show that L-tryptophan boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin is one of the brain's major neurotransmitters - the biochemicals used by nerve cells to communicate with each other. Serotonin has been the focus of many scientific studies to determine its effect on behavior, mood, aggression, appetite control, pain transmission, sexual behavior, and other activities and functions. The concept of serotonin deficiency syndrome (SDS) grew out of the work of researchers headed by Dr. W. Pöldinger of the Psychiatrische Universitats-klinik in Basel, Switzerland, who observed that a majority of their subjects who experienced depression, insatiable appetite, obsessive/compulsive behavior, learning difficulties, and/or any combination of the above, also suffered from low levels of serotonin. Serotonin affects the entire body. In the central nervous system, it plays a role in sleep, appetite, memory, learning, temperature regulation, mood, sexual behavior, cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation, and depression. In an article in Drug Topics, University of Mississippi researcher Ronald F. Borne, Ph.D., called serotonin " the Neurotransmitter of the 90's. " Of all the chemical neurotransmitter substances " serotonin may be the most implicated in the etiology or treatment of various disorders, particularly those of the central nervous system, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, stroke, obesity, pain, hypertension, vascular disorders, migraine, and nausea. Evidence suggests that every one of these disorders can be treated by either (1) mimicking the actions of serotonin, (2) enhancing its supply, or (3) blocking its action. " Unfortunately, the common treatment today is number (3), blocking its action. Blocking serotonin is the function of a class of pharmaceuticals known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's). SSRI's, such as Prozac, are routinely prescribed to handle the symptoms of these various disorders. Prozac blocks the normal action of serotonin by interfering with normal brain metabolism. Serotonin travels from one neuron to another by crossing a gap between them known as a synapse. Normally, once the receiving neuron is activated, the brain reabsorbs serotonin. Prozac prevents the brain's reabsorption of the serotonin, thereby allowing it to remain in the synapse and interact with its neuron targets for much longer than it otherwise would. Although SSRI's increase the availability of serotonin in this process, the well-documented side effects of the drugs demonstrate the body's reactions to this unnatural act the nerves are forced to perform. As Dr. Borne has pointed out, other approaches, such as enhancing serotonin supply, can be taken. What are the other options? One substance that enhances serotonin supply has been widely tested, and used by doctors in the US and Europe for the last 30 years, is the essential amino acid L-Tryptophan. L-Tryptophan is critical in the formation of structural proteins, enzymes, and the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin. It is truly a building block and is considered so vital that it is added to baby formulas, and IV solutions. However, it is not as widely available in our diet as other nutrients, and plasma amino-acid profiles of hundreds of patients have shown that L-Tryptophan may be the amino acid most lacking in the blood of Americans. As SDS is associated with a deficiency of L-Tryptophan, it is not surprising that it has been widely recommended as a supplement by doctors in both the US and Europe. In the late 1980's, Showa Denko, then the major L-Tryptophan producer in the world, sent a batch to the U.S. that was contaminated with over 60 different bacteria. Many people who were taking large doses became ill and some died. On the assumption that the L-Tryptophan itself had caused the illnesses, the FDA issued a voluntary recall of all L-Tryptophan and announced import restrictions. When it was later discovered that the batch was contaminated, the FDA stated that the evidence of the illnesses being caused by the bacteria, rather than the L-Tryptophan, was inconclusive. For the next decade, the only L-Tryptophan available was the pharmaceutical-grade used for baby formulas, intravenous solutions, animal use, and prescribed medical uses. In a healthy person, L-Tryptophan passes through the blood-brain barrier and is converted into 5-HTP, a substance very similar to L-Tryptophan. The brain then converts the 5-HTP to serotonin. Although supplements of 5-HTP are widely available, and have been somewhat successful in treating the symptoms of SDS, they cannot replace L-Tryptophan. L-Tryptophan is available only by prescription in the U.S. Foods high in L-Tryptophan include turkey, pecans, and bananas. If you take L-Tryptophan as a supplement, it is recommended that it be taken with carbohydrates (half a potato, for example) for better absorption. Determining the correct dosage can be complicated, so seek advice from your doctor or health professional. http://www.alternativementalhealth.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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