Dopamine, Precursor, Neurotransmitter, Levodopa, Tryptophan

[Guest guest]

Topics: Dopamine, Precursor, Neurotransmitter, Carbon Monoxide,

Levodopa, Carbidopa, EPINEPHRINE, CARBIDOPA,

 

On 09/08/97 Mary Legan asked: Can someone pull the info on serotonin,

dopamine, tryptophan, B

>complex, etc. together?

 

Tryptophan is one of the amino acids that combine in genetically controlled

ways to form the proteins and protein related substances that are necessary

for body substance and function.

Other amino acids that are of immediate interest to PWPs are tyrosine

and its precursor amino acid, phenylalanine.

These are the source amino acids for dopamine, and epinephrine. Dopamine

and

serotonin work together in nerve transmission.

 

When proteins are digested, their amino acid end products are available to

be utilized to make any of the compounds that become the tissue, the fuel,

or the catalysts that give life and movement to muscle, bone, and brain.

 

In the case of tryptophan, one of its end products is a powerful hormone,

neurotransmitter and vasoconstrictor, serotonin.

 

Too much or too little of these neurotransmitters available at the synapses can

lead to a wide

spectrum of problems, from muscle dysfunction to dementias.

 

We function normally when these substances are in balance.

 

Normally, balance is

maintained by a release and re-uptake mechanism at the synapses that is

designed to prevent an excessive amount of a powerful stimulant while

providing the proper amount for optimum nerve transmission.

When this goes

awry, and an excess of the potent central nervous system stimulator

serotonin accumulates, the result is the toxic condition called Serotonin

Syndrome.

This presents itself with varying problems like hallucinations,

confusion, fluctuations in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, high

temperatures, stiffness and seizures.

 

A frequent cause of this syndrome is

the interaction of medications. Other drugs and conditions can reduce the

supply of serotonin with other resulting problems.

 

It is not a simple thing to convert amino acids to neurotransmitters.

And it is a dangerous thing to assume that taking a dose of tryptophan will

provide an ideal amount of serotonin, if any.

Getting from the amino acid to the

nerve transmitter involves a number of sophisticated steps.

And these steps

require specific enzymes to facilitate them.

 

A number of minerals and vitamins in the B-complex are involved as co-enzymes.

If they are not

present when needed, the conversion does not happen.

 

One of these essentials is Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6), which is necessary for the

conversion to

serotonin to take place. B6 is also essential for producing dopamine from

tyrosine.

 

When I was working with B6, it fell my lot to have to take a stress load

dose of l-tryptophan (2 grams.) This was done to measure, in a 24 hour

urine sample, the amount of Xanthurenic acid produced.

 

This abnormal metabolite

results when there is too little B6 to channel the tryptophan along the

pathway that ends at serotonin.

Most of the ingested tryptophan in my case

was recovered, as expected, in the form of Xanthurenic acid.

 

This meant

that it was not being used for making serotonin, Nicotinic acid, melatonin, etc.

 

The amount wasted depends on the available supply of vitamin B6 and of

other necessary nutrients. Too much is as harmful as too little when dealing

with

the biochemistry of amino acids and vitamins..

 

B6 is likewise essential in quantitatively specific amounts for the

conversion of tyrosine to dopamine. It is for these reasons, I assume, that

Dr. Iocono recommends B vitamins and a banana at bedtime.

 

Just as fava beans

are a source of l-dopa, the foods he recommends are sources of tryptophan.

The B-vitamins are necessary as co-factors to allow utilization of the

hormone. Why at bedtime?

 

Another end product of tryptophan is melatonin

which helps induce sleep.

 

And the food sources are far better than taking tryptophan itself. A

balanced diet, supplemented, if necessary, by a conservative vitamin

source, is the most effective route.

 

Martha Rohrer

mrohrer

 

http://parkinsn.coles.org.uk/Parkinsons/PARKINSNLog.nsf/c195194997949d2880256733\

002fd35a/8e1bcbd55e8831158025667a00157f40?OpenDocument & Highlight=0,fava

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

 

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

 

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

We have made every effort to ensure that the information included in these pages

is accurate. However, we make no guarantees nor can we assume any responsibility

for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or

process discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Center - File online by April 15th