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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by optimistic on September 16, 2002, at 13:06:11
I want to try a natural way of helping with ADD and depression. The chemical pathway in the production of dopamine and norepin. starts with
L-Phenylalanine that is turned into L-Tyrosine etc. Is it better to take L-Phenyl. or L-Tyr. as a supplement and why? Thanks for any and all input.
Posted by turalizz on September 16, 2002, at 15:11:41
In reply to L-Tyrosine or L-Phenylalanine, posted by optimistic on September 16, 2002, at 13:06:11
> I want to try a natural way of helping with ADD and depression. The chemical pathway in the production of dopamine and norepin. starts with
> L-Phenylalanine that is turned into L-Tyrosine etc. Is it better to take L-Phenyl. or L-Tyr. as a supplement and why? Thanks for any and all input.I'd say, l-phenylalanine. PA is precursor to tyrosine, but also it is the precursor to phenylethylamine, which is a cathecolaminergic activity enhancer, and also a mood brightener.
Tyrosine hydroxylase is the critical enzyme that plays role in the rate limiting step (conversion of tyrosine to dopa)in dopamine synthesis. So takinp PA or TYR wouldn't really increase dopamine synthesis; you soud take l-dopa. (Which would lead to unwanted side effects)
NADH is said to have some dopaminergic effect, even some benefits for Parkinson's patients.
So, I'd try l-PA and NADH if I were you.
(If you do not insist on a natural way, I'd also suggest 2.5 - 10mg selegiline, which definitely increases dopamine via MAO-B inhibition.)
good luck,
cem
Posted by catmint on September 16, 2002, at 15:44:48
In reply to Re: L-Tyrosine or L-Phenylalanine, posted by turalizz on September 16, 2002, at 15:11:41
I have had good results with l-tyrosine for mild to moderate depression, taken on an empty stomach with a b-vitamin. l-phenalanaline is better absorbed as D-l-phenalanaline (DLPA) I have had weak results from it though.
For ADD I give my son a supplement from Source Naturals called Attentive Child. It contains DHA and DMAE, plus other ingredients that are thought to improve brain function. Check it out.
Posted by Ritch on September 16, 2002, at 23:26:42
In reply to L-Tyrosine or L-Phenylalanine, posted by optimistic on September 16, 2002, at 13:06:11
> I want to try a natural way of helping with ADD and depression. The chemical pathway in the production of dopamine and norepin. starts with
> L-Phenylalanine that is turned into L-Tyrosine etc. Is it better to take L-Phenyl. or L-Tyr. as a supplement and why? Thanks for any and all input.I have been tinkering about with 500mg of L-Tyrosine on an empty stomach in the morning for a couple of months now and it seems to be helping somewhat. I heard that L-tyrosine was a precursor for thyroid hormone recently, so I wonder if I just took thyroid hormone directly it would be superior to trying supplements. Perhaps that is what we should be focusing on instead-the thyroid hormone connection with depression.
Mitch
Posted by oracle on September 17, 2002, at 18:47:56
In reply to L-Tyrosine or L-Phenylalanine, posted by optimistic on September 16, 2002, at 13:06:11
All aminos are rate limited, and you flush out the excess. Provided you eat, you will flush out
any excess you take in.Given that depression is not caused by a lack of
NT's and their precursors, taking more does not help.If you are homeless, and don't eat often there might be some benifit.
This is the end of the thread.
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