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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BrainSurge on August 18, 2001, at 9:09:21
In acordance with a suggestion in "The Vitamin Bible" I started taking L-phenylalanine for depression. It worked great... until I ran out and didn't get out to buy more. As a result, I had the deepest, blackest depression I've ever had (or could ever have and still stay alive). It was as if my brain was completely depleted of any pleasure inducing chemical.
I now take l-tyrosine, which is nearly as effective, and does not have any down side when I stop taking it (I just become as depreesed as I normally am).
Perhaps the above scenerio is the result of my particular brain chemistry... but I would still be cautious with L-phenylalanine, just the same. My horrible experience could also have been brought about because because I took it alone, without any balancing nutrients, like a B-Complex, etc. The book did not suggest I do this, however, so I didn't know any better at the time.
Ron
Posted by PaulB on August 18, 2001, at 9:51:37
In reply to Be Careful With L-Phenylalanine , posted by BrainSurge on August 18, 2001, at 9:09:21
First of all I would back you up on your above posting in defence of amino acids effectiveness for mood problems. As well as your word there is a great deal of scientific literature to support their use.
In response to this post, I have never read of or experienced myself much difference in response to L-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine and I guess can only make assumptions as to why L-Phenylalanine had this effect upon withdrawal and L-Tyrosine didnt.
What occurred to me while reading your post was that Phenylalanine is the precursor to a substance called Phenylethylamine(PEA). PEA is a near dead ringer structurally to amphetamine. PEA has been likened to the home-brewed "speed". Perhaps coming off Phenylalanine then caused a drop in PEA.
PaulB
Posted by Sunnely on August 18, 2001, at 23:32:07
In reply to Be Careful With L-Phenylalanine , posted by BrainSurge on August 18, 2001, at 9:09:21
The following conditions or diseases may worsen with the use of phenylalanine:
1. Alkaptonuria: Contraindicated. Alkaptonuria is an inherited disorder involving the inability to metabolize phenylalanine and tyrosine, leading to ochre pigment deposits in the connective tissues. There are no clinical manifestations until mid-adulthood, when the pigment deposits lead to progressive degenerative joint diseases.
2. Hypertension: Use with caution in patients at risk for hypertension. Some evidence suggests that L-phenylalanine might cause hypertension in genetically predisposed patients.
3. Phenylketonuria (PKU): Contraindicated. Phenylketonuria is an inherited disorder involving the inability to metabolize phenylalanine, leading to toxic serum levels of phenylalanine and its metabolites.
4. Schizophrenia: Use with caution. L-phenylalanine can exacerbate tardive dyskinesia (TD) in people with schizophrenia.
5. Stroke. Use with caution in patients at risk for stroke. Some evidence suggests that L-phenylalanine might increase the risk of stroke in genetically predisposed patients.
6. Tyrosinemia/Tyrosinuria: Contraindicated. Tyrosinemia is an inherited disorder involving the inability to metabolize tyrosine leading to toxic serum levels of tyrosine and its metabolites. Because phenylalanine is metabolized to tyrosine, it can also cause toxic tyrosine levels in people with tyrosinemia.
This is the end of the thread.
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