The Role of Amino Acids in Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health

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http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/aminobipolar.htm

 

The Role of Amino Acids

in Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health

by Actress Margot Kidder

 

 

(Actress Margot Kidder, well-known for her extensive screen career,

including her performance as Lois Lane in Superman, has been a

powerful spokesperson for alternative mental health treatments after a

personal recovery from mood swings that are commonly referred to as

bipolar disorder. Ms. Kidder sent AlternativeMentalHealth.com the

following information, based on her successful experience with

nutrient therapy.)

 

In discussing remedies for manic depression, the amino acids

tryptohphan, L-taurine and GABA should be recommended right off the

bat. (Note: The dosages I take are listed at the end of this article.)

 

GABA, or gamma amino buytric acid, is depleted in both the manic and

depressed states, as is serotonin. L-tryptophan is the main precursor

to serotonin, so if you take tryptophan, along with B6, B12, C,

calcium, magnesium, and zinc necessary for it to metabolize first into

5HTP and then into serotonin, you don't need to take those potentially

damaging drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's).

 

Some people, whether because of a genetic defect, or damage to

neuroreceptors, or poor circulation, or because of food sensitivities

(wheat and dairy in particular) which have screwed up the ability of

their small intestines to absorb nutrients from food, aren't able to

access or absorb tryptohan properly. So the amount needed to be

ingested can vary wildly from person to person. This is true with all

the amino acids. Tryptophan should not be taken concurrently with an SSRI.

 

GABA is available in most health food stores and is an amino acid that

is in itself a neurotransmitter that is a specific inhibitor of

dopamine and norepinephrine. It metabolizes more easily if it is taken

with inositol and niacinimide (B3). It's also a proven antidepressant.

Many of the anti-convulsants now regularly given to manic-depressives

try and mimic GABA. Obviously they can't be the same as GABA as its

against the law to patent a naturally-occurring substance, and as a

result, their side effects for many people are appalling.

 

L-Taurine counters the " up " effects of dopamine and norepinephrine by

helping stabilize the excitability of the membranes in the nervous

system. It's both a neuroinhibitor and a neurotransmitter. It

suppresses the releases for excitory neurotransmitters like dopamine

and norepinephrine. It is a non-essential amino acid in that it is

made in the body, but many bodies can't manufacture enough of the

stuff to satisfy its own needs. Its basic function is to help get

sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium ions in and out of cells and

thus stabilize electrically the cell membranes. And we all know how

important calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium are for

manic-depressives! Its extremely helpful in controlling seizures and

seeing as so many of the drugs given for mania are anti-seizure

medications, it is obvious that Taurine is the healthier option as it

is an ortho-molecule (natural), not a man made synthetic that your

body recognizes as somewhat poisonous (thus the side effects).

According to a couple of articles I read in the New England Journal of

Medicine, its been found to be depleted in many manic-depressives. As

was, apparently, L-tyrosine.

 

Tyrosine is a precursor to both dopamine and norepinephrine and it

transmits nerve impulses to the brain. It is thus a strong

anti-depressant and an excitant and should not be taken by anyone

experiencing anything close to hypomania or mania, or by people who

are " rapid cyclers. " It is synthesized from phenylalanine, which is an

essential amino acid, meaning the body doesn't make it and it must be

ingested in some way. (Wild game has 3 to five times more of this

amino acid than does domesticated beef!) It needs B6, C, iron,

magnesium, copper, manganese and zinc in order to be metabolized into

norepinephrine and dopamine. It should be taken in the morning to

ensure that it doesn't interfere with sleep, just as GABA, Taurine,

and tryptophan should be taken in the evenings to aid sleep.

 

The amino acid balance in the body/mind is an essential component of

mental health and it's imperative that people understand this.

 

Important: Get Enough Sun!

 

People should also try to get at least an hour in the sun every day in

order to help stabilize their circadian rhythms.

 

My Nutrition Regimen

 

I have found the following regimen to work for me:

 

MORNING

 

1000 mg of L-Tyrosine

500 mg of L-Glutamine

(Note: Glutamine is a stimulant and can trigger mania, so is only

used if a stimulant is needed.)

500 mg combination of choline and inositol

Nature's Life soft gelatin multiple vitamin (it digests better than

pills and has extra B vitamins. This provides the nutrients the amino

acids need to work)

 

EVENING

 

500 - 1000 mg of L-Taurine

500 mg GABA (if a little hyper, can take 1000-2000 mg)

1000 mg L-tryptophan (doctor's prescription needed)

Nature's Life soft gelatin multiple vitamin

 

AS NEEDED

 

500 mg Phenylalaline to boost mood