Tyrosine for Depression?

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Tyrosine for Depression?

 

Today's Question

Recently a friend who used to take Saint-John's-wort found even

greater relief from depression with the amino acid tyrosine. Can you

tell me what you know about tyrosine for depression?

-- Anonymous

 

Today's Answer

(Published 03/11/1999)

 

Tyrosine (actually L-tyrosine) is a precursor of the

neurotransmitters

norepinephrine and dopamine. Taking tyrosine on an empty stomach may

cause an increase in norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which

can

lead to increased energy, alertness and improved moods, thus

relieving depression.

 

Unlike Saint-John's-wort, which can take two months to work,

and prescription antidepressants, which probably won't kick in for

about

six weeks, tyrosine works very quickly.

 

However, it can raise blood pressure in some people, so therefore

must be used cautiously by people with hypertension.

 

Another amino acid, phenylalanine, is likewise a precursor of

*norepinephrine* and *dopamine* that can be used to treat depression

(with

the same caution about its effects on blood pressure).

 

In the past I've recommended trying a mixture of D-phenylalanine

and L-phenylalanine for

depression in a combination, known as DLPA. The mixture is less

likely to raise blood pressure than the straight L-form and can be

used as part of a broader regimen to treat depression.

 

The first thing in the morning (about an hour before breakfast) take

1,500 milligrams of DLPA, 100 milligrams of vitamin B-6, 500

milligrams

of vitamin C plus a piece of fruit or small glass of juice.

 

Make sure you're not using any over-the-counter or prescription

drugs that can contribute to depression.

 

These include all antihistamines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills and

narcotics.

 

If DLPA doesn't help, try L-tyrosine in the same way.

 

On the whole, I suggest following a low-protein, *complex*

carbohydrate diet to help break out of depression.

 

Be especially careful about alcohol and any recreational drugs

including cocaine, amphetamines,

" downers, " narcotics and marijuana. Although they may provide a

temporary sense of relief, if used regularly, they're likely to

increase

depression to dangerous levels.

Addiction to coffee and others forms of caffeine can also interfere

with normal moods and make depression worse.

 

Be sure to get regular, physical exercise -- 45 minutes of aerobic

activity most days -- itself an antidepressant.

 

http://www.drweil.com

_________________

Ellen

Post subject: good experience

---

-I was trying to get off of paxil, and when fraction of dose was

delayed,

crying would start. It wasn't depression crying... just a withdrawal

symptom, and crying didn't work well in the office or any where

else. I

do know there are substitute drugs to help get off paxil but that

subject gets away from the point of this post.

 

Based on someone else's experience, I took one 500mg l-tyrosine

capsule

plus one 500 mg l-phenyalanine capsule for 10 days & found that I

could

stop that paxil with out any symptoms at all.

 

For me, this was nothing short of a miracle. On this issue alone, I

can't say enough.

 

I only used the aminos to get off the Paxil... I didn't think there

might be any other benefits. So, I'm not sure why, but every once in

a

while I took the tyrosine/phenylalanine in the morning.

 

It was a while before I even noticed, but I thought I felt a bit

better, a bit more energy, a bit more like talking to others. I

decided to try it daily. It took away my appetite.... just lost

interest in food. This was definitely no placebo here. I began

walking daily. I lost 20 lbs. (which

made me thin) and that made me happy. After 3 months, the aminos

stopped working. I kept the weight off for about 1 year.

---

 

Thanks for sharing Ellen. This is wonderful!

So many people need encouragement to withdraw from harmful

psychiatric meds. They need to read a fabulous testimony like

yours.

 

JoAnn

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-