Re: phenylalanine sensitivity

[Guest guest]

Serotonin deficiency usually doesn't create a sensation that one

would think of as dullness. Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness,

pessimism, innapropriate guilt, excessive competitiveness,

insecurity, etc. are examples of common serotonin deficiencey

symptoms. Deppression can be due to hypometabolism (due to

hypothyroidism for example), or a deficiency of any of the monoamine

neurotransmitters (ie. norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine). To

ensure that phenylalanine supplementation does not compete with

tryptophan, take it empty stomach upon rising. Tryptophan can then

be used later in the day, either with a carbohydrate rich meal/snack

or on an empty stomach.

>

> I don't remember if the amino acid test is blood or urine. However,

I

> feel sure that the dull feeling I had with phenylalanine was not due

> simply to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation for me does not give

me

> a dull mood like that.

>

> I did read that phenylalanine and tryptophan compete to cross the

> blood-brain barrier, so perhaps the phenylalanine was winning, thus

> lowering the amount of available tryptophan. My tryptophan is on the

> low side and depression has been an issue for years.

>

> On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 3:48 AM, Dave - AM & FDC Posts

wrote:

> >

> > Posted by: " Nance " anance@... usablegrad

> > Mon Jun 9, 2008 7:07 pm (PDT)

> >

> >>Hi all,

> >

> >>I am wondering why I am so sensitive to phenylalanine, at least in

> > pill form. My amino acids have been checked twice,

> >

> > Blood or urine? Andy's assessment of the urine test is that it's

not useful.

> >

> >>and phenylalanine

> > was low both times, while several of the other low amino acids

> > improved over the 6 months between the 2 tests. So, my doctor

gave me

> > 500mg phenylalanine. The first night I took it, I had trouble

sleeping

> > and woke up much more easily than usual.

> >

> > Of course, it makes adrenaline!

> >

> >>The first 4 hours of the day, I had a very dull mood and did not

feel like

> > myself,

> >

> > You were sleep deprived.

> >

> >>although my mind was more clear than usual.

> >

> >>Any idea why I might be sensitive to phenylalanine? I'm seeing my

> > doctor tomorrow and will ask about a hair test. I think my

insurance

> > covers it.

> >

> > Make sure he sends you the digital (pdf) version of the test, and

make sure

> > he

> > uses the DDI lab " Hair Essential Elements " (not " Toxic

Elements " ). From

> > this,

> > we could figure out if you need more adrenaline - though from the

sound of

> > things, you don't.

> >

> > Dave.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

The reason why aspartame can be excitotoxic is because of it's

breakdown product aspartic acid - it is the component with potential

to overstimulate NMDA receptors (to the point of excessive calcium

influx, free radical generation, and eventually cell death). The

other two by-products of aspartame metabolism (phenylalanine and

methanol) have no excitotoxic potential. Of course, no one's about

to argue that methanol is not toxic in other ways...

> Hello

>

> 2008/6/10 Nance :

> > I don't remember if the amino acid test is blood or urine.

However, I

> > feel sure that the dull feeling I had with phenylalanine was not

due

> > simply to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation for me does not

give me

> > a dull mood like that.

>

> Aspartame comes from phenylalanine and is a exciotoxin. It literally

> burns out brain cells. If you drink diet drinks and eat sugar free

> products then the aspartame is going to damage your brain. Also how

do

> you know the source of the phenylalanine tablets you were taking?

> >

> > I did read that phenylalanine and tryptophan compete to cross the

> > blood-brain barrier, so perhaps the phenylalanine was winning,

thus

> > lowering the amount of available tryptophan. My tryptophan is on

the

> > low side and depression has been an issue for years.

>

> ive found 5htp (hydroxytryptophan) supplements 50mg taken 30 mins

> before bed help with sleep and depression.

> It takes up to 3 days for the 5htp to work (better than 4 weeks for

> anti depressant tablets).

>

>

> --

> is

>