Amino Acids

The History of Amino Acid Therapy

There is a long, well documented, history of using amino acids for
depression andother issues related to brain chemistry imbalances. 
Discovered in the early 1900s, amino acids were used up to the late
1980s as the physician’s mainstay for treating these types of conditions. 
While the advent of pharmaceutical medications all but eliminated this
natural treatment option from the allopathic repertoire, amino acids have
continued to be a popular option for complementary / alternative
medicine modalities and an essential for those seeking natural methods
for brain chemistry balancing.

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are the breakdown products of proteins, some of which are
not readily available in diet and need to be supplemented in a
concentrated form.  They are the building blocks of proteins.  Proteins
play a very important role in maintaining our health and make up a big
part of the diet. The three main macronutrients found in food include
carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Proteins are required in our diet, as
they are an important building block of muscle and brain tissue.

Amino acids, derived from protein intake, are the building blocks of brain
chemicals such as serotonin, a natural anti-depressant-like chemical
produced in the brain. Serotonin requires the amino acid tryptophan,
found in foods such as turkey, for its production. Without the proper
amino acids in our diet, our brains can become depleted of these crucial
chemicals, otherwise known as neurotransmitters.  Neurotransmitter
depletion can not only lead to depression, it is also connected with
insomnia, Attention Deficit Disorder, anxiety, memory loss, weight gain
and addictive disorders (See Table 1).

Can’t You Get Amino Acids From Food?

The amino acid profile of various proteins varies greatly. Foods that
contain protein, whether they are vegetarian or animal in origin, contain
different combinations of amino acids. While we do need to keep up our
overall daily intake of protein in order to maintain our health, proper
neurotransmitter balance cannot always be achieved through diet alone.
Protein intake increases the level of amino acids circulating around in the
blood stream. Once proteins are broken down into amino acids by the
digestive system, they are then released into the blood stream. In order
for these amino acids to be taken up into the brain, they have to be
carried across the blood-brain barrier using a specific transport system.
This transport system will not help to correct amino acid imbalances
within the brain. For example, if you have become depleted in serotonin
because of high stress, dietary deficiencies or other lifestyle factors, the
tryptophan uptake will not increase in any capacity across the blood-
brain barrier.

Why We Need Amino Acid Supplements?

So, how can we increase the amount of serotonin in the brain utilizing
tryptophan as a precursor?  The answer lies in the timing of
supplementation.  Between meals, the levels of circulating amino acids in
the bloodstream decreases. By supplementing with an individual amino
acid when one is between meals, we are allowing that particular amino
acid to become more available to be taken up by the transporter at the
blood-brain barrier. Once the amino acid is taken up in the brain, it can
then be used for neurotransmitter production.

Amino acid therapy is often used to help address many of the symptoms
listed in Table 1.  Each neurotransmitter has a specific amino acid,
which is required for its synthesis and plays a particular role within the
brain and body.

Table 1:  Amino Acid Precursors

Since each of us has a unique neurotransmitter profile, your
recommended supplements in any program should be specific to your
imbalances.  While single amino acids can work to balance the brain,
using this method often requires several different products and should
also include mineral cofactors, vitamins and a high quality omega-3 fatty
acid.  Nutrilogical protocols incorporate your individual requirements and
provide a program of highly targeted amino acids specific to your
imbalances.  All of your brain nutrient needs are combined into a few
products making it easy and convenient to buy and use.  Individual
protocols can make the difference when based on proven testing
methods.

Restoring neurotransmitter levels and achieving your correct balance can
have a profoundly positive effect on issues like depression, anxiety,
ADD/ADHD, headache, migraines, memory, focus, chronic pain and more.
You just need an expert to determine what protocol is right for you.