Guest guest Posted September 8, 2000 Report Share Posted September 8, 2000 Hi, Rich, >Concerning tryptophan, I think there are some published reports >that show it going down in either CFS or FM. I'll have to check the >papers again to see which it was. I suspect it is CFS. The research center at Newark NJ is running a trial now to see effects of an IV tryptophan load. Jerry _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2000 Report Share Posted September 13, 2000 I participated in the trytophan study last month. After it was administered I was quite drowsy. I was their first subject with the study. I'm not sure how the other subjects have responded. Phil Jerry wrote: > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > > Hi, Rich, > > >Concerning tryptophan, I think there are some published reports > >that show it going down in either CFS or FM. I'll have to check the > >papers again to see which it was. > > I suspect it is CFS. The research center at Newark NJ is running a trial now > to see effects of an IV tryptophan load. > > Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2001 Report Share Posted October 24, 2001 I'm in the 'for' camp too:-)))) Everyone needs to do their own research and decide what is right for them. My favourite saying at the moment applies here too and that is "One size does not fit all." I personally made the choice to take tryptohan for depression instead of going back on Prozac. It worked instantly (I was told it would take a while as conventional meds do). I took a low dose for a month, felt great, stopped taking it an am now (two months) later still just fine. I researched it thoroughly first and found the FDA finding to apply to one batch that was bad. This is about MONEY!!!! Anything that threatens the lucrative drugs market is always jumped on!! <big frown> Thanks for the wonderful response regarding Celebrex I'm now an authority<grinning> HugglesLisbeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 Anyone have any feedback about tryptophan, especially for sleep and mood? Thanks, Chris _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 There is quite a bit of evidence in the literature, reviewed about a year ago by Dr. A.C. Logan, N.D., that there is increased serotonergic activity in " pure " CFS, but not in " pure " FM. Low blood tryptophan has been reported in both. My interpretation of this is that in CFS the muscle cells burn branched-chain fatty acids for fuel, because they are unable to use carbohydrates and fats very well, because of partial blockades early in the Krebs cycles. Since the blood levels of the branched-chain fatty acids therefore drop, this presents less competition for tryptophan in crossing the blood-brain barrier, since they use the same transporters. As a result, tryptophan enters the brain at a higher rate, dropping its concentration in the blood, and the production of serotonin in the brain rises, producing more serotonergic activity. Since melatonin is made from serotonin, this also rises. Something else is going on in FM, which I don't have a hypothesis for. I think this accounts for why 5-HTP, which is the metabolite between tryptophan and serotonin, does not seem to help many PWCs, but actually make them feel worse. On the other hand, it does seem to help PWFs. I should add that there are a couple of caveats about using 5-HTP. One is that contaminants have been found and reported in several commercial brands of 5-HTP that are associated with cases of eosinophilia myalgia. The other is that there is a theoretical possibility of producing serotonin syndrome by taking 5-HTP. It hasn't been observed in humans, but has been reported in dogs. Hendler and Rorvik in the PDR for Nutritional Supplements recommend a 5-HTP--carbidopa combination, as used in Europe, to avoid the risk of producing serotonin syndrome. Melatonin also does not help many PWCs, and I think this is the reason for that, also. There does seem to be some variability in this, however. I would be interested to hear from those with " pure " CFS (i.e. no muscle pain symptoms) as to whether 5-HTP or melatonin are beneficial to them. Mind you, I'm not recommending 5-HTP, but if you have tried it, I would be interested to know how it worked out. Rich > Anyone have any feedback about tryptophan, especially for sleep and mood? > > Thanks, Chris > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 Rich, Thanks for the prompt and very thorough response, and for the pointer re serotonin syndrome. The PDR of NS sounds like an excellent resource. Thanks, Chris >From: vankonynenburg1@... >Reply- > >Subject: Re: tryptophan >Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 17:16:42 -0000 > > > >There is quite a bit of evidence in the literature, reviewed about a >year ago by Dr. A.C. Logan, N.D., that there is increased serotonergic >activity in " pure " CFS, but not in " pure " FM. Low blood tryptophan >has been reported in both. My interpretation of this is that in CFS >the muscle cells burn branched-chain fatty acids for fuel, because >they are unable to use carbohydrates and fats very well, because of >partial blockades early in the Krebs cycles. Since the blood levels >of the branched-chain fatty acids therefore drop, this presents less >competition for tryptophan in crossing the blood-brain barrier, since >they use the same transporters. As a result, tryptophan enters the >brain at a higher rate, dropping its concentration in the blood, and >the production of serotonin in the brain rises, producing more >serotonergic activity. Since melatonin is made from serotonin, this >also rises. Something else is going on in FM, which I don't have a >hypothesis for. > >I think this accounts for why 5-HTP, which is the metabolite between >tryptophan and serotonin, does not seem to help many PWCs, but >actually make them feel worse. On the other hand, it does seem to >help PWFs. I should add that there are a couple of caveats about >using 5-HTP. One is that contaminants have been found and reported in >several commercial brands of 5-HTP that are associated with cases of >eosinophilia myalgia. The other is that there is a theoretical >possibility of producing serotonin syndrome by taking 5-HTP. It >hasn't been observed in humans, but has been reported in dogs. >Hendler and Rorvik in the PDR for Nutritional Supplements recommend a >5-HTP--carbidopa combination, as used in Europe, to avoid the risk of >producing serotonin syndrome. > >Melatonin also does not help many PWCs, and I think this is the reason >for that, also. > >There does seem to be some variability in this, however. I would be >interested to hear from those with " pure " CFS (i.e. no muscle pain >symptoms) as to whether 5-HTP or melatonin are beneficial to them. >Mind you, I'm not recommending 5-HTP, but if you have tried it, I >would be interested to know how it worked out. > >Rich > > > > Anyone have any feedback about tryptophan, especially for sleep and >mood? > > > > Thanks, Chris > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at >http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 The deaths were not from the tryptophan. They were from the contamination found in one batch of product that was produced by one company. However that was used as the excuse by the FDA to ban yet another safe and natural substance that is required for good health that is not found in sufficient quantities in normal SAD diets. (SAD=Standard American Diet) . Doug ______________________________________ SEASILVER cleanses your vital organs, purifies your blood and lymphatics, nourishes your body at the cellular level, oxygenates the tissues and cells of your body, and strengthens your immune system. SEASILVER contains every known antioxidant, ionic mineral, vitamin, enzyme, essential fatty acid (Vitamin F), amino acid, is 50 times more potent than kelp, and contains NO ANIMAL BY PRODUCT. Sea vegetation is superior to even the best organic foods grown on land. SEASILVER is considered a whole food. SEASILVER nutrients are perfectly balanced, are in their natural liquid state, and have a 98% absorption rate. It is as if you were eating raw vegetables. Seasilver uses a non-chemical processing method, as well. If you are serious about your health...then SEASILVER should be the basis of your nutritional program. http://oxyssage.seasilverhealth.com Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 20:26:42 -0900 > From: " Sandy Mintz " <sandym@...> >Subject: RE: tryptophan - looking for info! > >Weren't there some deaths from tryptophan a few years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Doug, do you think they are giving 5htp bad press because they want people to use the medical drugs (prozac, paxil etc)??? kim In a message dated 12/19/2001 2:38:35 AM Central Standard Time, oxyssage@... writes: > Subj: Re: tryptophan > Date:12/19/2001 2:38:35 AM Central Standard Time > From: oxyssage@... ( Hooper) > Reply-to: <A HREF= " mailto:Vaccinations " >Vaccinations </A> > Vaccinations > > > > > The deaths were not from the tryptophan. They were from the contamination > found in one batch of product that was produced by one company. However > that was used as the excuse by the FDA to ban yet another safe and natural > substance that is required for good health that is not found in sufficient > quantities in normal SAD diets. (SAD=Standard American Diet) . > > Doug > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Doug, thank you for sharing that. I knew it wasn't the actual tryptophan that killed them but something else and I couldn't remember what. But I did know that yes, the Fear and Death Administration struck again on this. Any opportunity to discredit and get rid of supplements brings them joy and probably money as well. Kathleen In a message dated 12/19/2001 2:38:33 AM Central Standard Time, oxyssage@... writes: > The deaths were not from the tryptophan. They were from the contamination > found in one batch of product that was produced by one company. However > that was used as the excuse by the FDA to ban yet another safe and natural > substance that is required for good health that is not found in sufficient > quantities in normal SAD diets. (SAD=Standard American Diet) . > > Doug > " We child-proofed our house 3 years ago but they're still getting in! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Guess that was the " quality control " issue I mentioned. Thanks for confirming. Sandy http://www.vaccinationnews.com ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. RE: tryptophan - looking for info! > >Weren't there some deaths from tryptophan a few years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2001 Report Share Posted December 30, 2001 Judy, My son has an optic hypothalamic glioma and I have looked into the tryptophan briefly. He has sleeping problems which I associate with the position of his glioma. I'm no expert on the subject of tryptophan, but I am under the impression that in the pineal gland in the brain tryptophan is converted to seritonin which is then converted to melatonin. As far as I am aware, melatonin is very high in anti oxidants and all three of the above are made naturally by the body. Melatonin is supposively good for breast cancer. I have not come across the fact that tryptophan is carcinogenic. If you do find any info out regarding this I would be eager to see it. Thanks Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2001 Report Share Posted December 30, 2001 read up on soy isoflavones - research indiactes much better results than the trip ! Winsor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2002 Report Share Posted November 6, 2002 I have been asked to post my source of tryptophan: bios biochemicals.com 1-800-404-8185 (I am only a customer; usual disclaimers.) Adrienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2002 Report Share Posted December 15, 2002 for a long time, tryptophan was off the market. It was tainted or something. I watched a show on it. Suz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2003 Report Share Posted April 23, 2003 In a message dated 4/23/03 3:06:52 PM Mountain Daylight Time, need_chocolate@... writes: > My sleep has improved substantially since I started taking it, > however I do have to increase it by about 500mg 2x year. > > Taking it on an empty stomach may make you quite nauseous, so it > helps taking it with some carbohydrate, like a banana. I myself have had neither of these experiences. (I mean no need to increase, nor nausea.) Adrienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2003 Report Share Posted April 23, 2003 Marcia, It's available by prescription here in Canada, but VERY expensive-150 1000mg tabs costs almost $200. That lasts me a month. Luckily, disability pays for everything except $2. I just get it at my local pharmacy, so I would imagine any Canadian pharmacy online would have it. My sleep has improved substantially since I started taking it, however I do have to increase it by about 500mg 2x year. Taking it on an empty stomach may make you quite nauseous, so it helps taking it with some carbohydrate, like a banana. Anastasia >> > I've heard that Tryptophan is available by Rx, does anybody know if that is true? If so it would be much cheaper for me if my ins could pick up the bill instead of me! Even with a $20 copay for > Rx's, it might still help. > > Thanks, Marcia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 > > Taking it on an empty stomach may make you quite nauseous, so it > > helps taking it with some carbohydrate, like a banana. > > I myself have had neither of these experiences. (I mean no need to increase, > nor nausea.) > Adrienne Thanks you guys for your experiences with it! One of my amino acid books does say to take a little carbohydrate with Trypt. to make it work better, so guess I'll try that. I sure hope it helps my sleep, which 'should' lead to less fatigue. I sure think its worth a try and am glad I found a source! I'll let you know when I get it and if it helps. Marcia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 a Carnes wrote: > I recently received the Typtophan I ordered > > Marcia, > I have a bottle and I haven't had the nerve to take it yet. WHat are you > taking it for and let me know how you do. > a I have horrible sleep problems and nothing seems to help, I can't tolerate Rx meds at all anymore and also can't tolerate many supplements. The dosage on the info that came with it is 500mg per 50 lbs of body weight. So I started with 500mg at night about a week ago before bed and dont' see/feel anything yet from that dose. It is going to be very expensive to take it at the appropriate dose tho, as the bottle of 100 caps was nearly $50. (and I've gained a lot of weight over my CFS years). I'll let you know how it goes as I increase the dose (get the nerve in other words, LOL) Marcia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Why don't you have the nerve? Just leery of starting a new supplement in general, or something specific? It is funny how tryptophan was very common until it got pulled, and that turned out to be just a manufacturing problem which had contaminants. But we just never relegalized it. That is why it is common in all the other countries except here (for sleep). For those that don't know, this is the ingredient in turkeys that makes you sleepy. Thanks, Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2003 Report Share Posted May 7, 2003 Doris Brown wrote: > Why don't you have the nerve? Just leery of starting a new supplement in general, or something specific? > > It is funny how tryptophan was very common until it got pulled, and that turned out to be just a manufacturing problem which had contaminants. And it KILLED some people, thats why I can't help but be leery about taking it. It was never put back on the market after that in the US. Coincidentally, however, that was about the time SSRI's were introduced to the market, so it would not help the drug comps if there was a supplement on the market that did a better job!! What I got is listed as a veterinary product, but it says its the highest pharmaceutical grade and the dosage in the material that came with it is in human pounds. Marcia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2003 Report Share Posted May 7, 2003 But that is the whole misconception. It didn't kill anyone because of the tryptophan. It was a contamination in the manufacturing process that could have happened to any supplement in the world. Had absolutely nothing to do with the active ingredient. So there is no reason to be leery about the drug / supplement itself. If anything you would find out who manufacturered it and be leery of that manufacturer, but I'm sure they are watched closely now. This whole issue mystifies a lot of people, why it has not been allowed back onto the market when everyone involved knows that there is nothing wrong with the active ingredient. You are probably right about the drug companies. Thanks, Doris ----- Original Message ----- From: Marcia And it KILLED some people, thats why I can't help but be leery about taking it. It was never put back on the market after that in the US. Coincidentally, however, that was about the time SSRI's were introduced to the market, so it would not help the drug comps if there was a supplement on the market that did a better job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2003 Report Share Posted May 7, 2003 I have been taking tryptophan every night for the past 3 years. My sleep quality has improved tremendously, I get a much deeper sleep. In fact, a dr in Calgary who has and treats CFS/FM uses this and another med similar to Ambien as the basis of sleep treatment. So thousands have used and had no problems here. As stated before, it was a problem with the manufacturing process of one company at the time. That company tried a different process to which they had previously been used and that's where the disasterous results came from. Prior to taking tryptophan I had taken 5-HTP. It actually made me groggy during the day, but I do not recall any noticeable sleep benefits. But that is just my experience. Anastasia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2003 Report Share Posted May 7, 2003 Message: 20   Date: Wed, 07 May 2003 00:27:00 -0000   From: " need_chocolate25 " <need_chocolate@...> Subject: re: tryptophan I have been taking tryptophan every night for the past 3 years. My sleep quality has improved tremendously, I get a much deeper sleep. In fact, a dr in Calgary who has and treats CFS/FM uses this and another med similar to Ambien as the basis of sleep treatment. So thousands have used and had no problems here. As stated before, it was a problem with the manufacturing process of one company at the time. That company tried a different process to which they had previously been used and that's where the disasterous results came from. ------------------------------------- Hi. They omitted seven quality control steps. Their name was something like Showa Denko. In Japan. I wonder if they are still manufacturing any. I had a friend who was a Public Health Service doc. Before I went back on it after the trouble, he researched it for me with a guy from FDA. Because of his position he could get unofficial info from this guy. Was told that the trypto itself was cleared, and that it would soon be released again. This was many years ago, and it never happened. But you can get it by prescription. I get the stuff that is disguised as veterinary, but I also have a source of more expensive stuff that requires a scrip. Adrienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2003 Report Share Posted May 30, 2003 a, Your serotonin level may already be too high. There is evidence for this in CFS. A.C. Logan wrote a letter about this to the editor of Alternative Medicine Review in the Feb. 2001 issue (vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 4-5). Melvin R. Werbach also wrote about it, in the Nov. 2001 issue of the Townsend Letter. You can read both these articles by going to www.findarticles.com and typing in their names. Rich > I ordered some tryptophan from overseas and took it 3 nights. It made me > wired and unable to sleep. I have this same reaction to Prozac and Paxil. > Can anyone give me some explanation? I didn't expect this with tryptophan, > but maybe it ups the levels of serotonin too high for me. > a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2003 Report Share Posted May 30, 2003 Hi All, many years ago when tryptophan was available, I tried it and it made me feel very strange and I never took it after that. Maybe my serotonin is too high also. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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