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Amino acid nutrition therapy |
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| Supplemental Ingredient |
Restored Brain Chemical |
Addictive Substance Abuse |
Amino Acid Deficiency Symptoms |
Expected Behavior Change |
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| D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine |
Enkephalins, Endorphins |
Heroin, Alcohol, Marijuana, Sweets, Starches, Chocolate, Tobacco |
Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions sensitive to physical or emotional pain. Crave comfort and pleasure. Desire certain food or drugs. D-Phenylalaine is a known enkephalinease inhibitor. |
Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Mild anti-depression. Mild improved energy and focus. D-Phenylalaine promontes pain relief, increases pleasure. |
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| L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine |
Norepinephrine, Dopamine |
Caffeine, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana, Aspartame, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches |
Most RDS conditions. Depression, low energy. Lack of focus and concentration. Attention-deficit disorder. |
Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Increased energy. Improved mental focus. |
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| L-Tryptophan or 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) |
Serotonin |
Sweets, Alcohol, Starch, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Chocolate, Tobacco |
Low self esteem. Obsessive/compulsive behaviors. Irritability or rage. Sleep problems. Afternoon or evening cravings. Negativity. Heat intolerance. Fibromyalgia. Seasonal affective disorder. |
Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Anti-insomnia. Improved appetite control. Improvement in all mood and other serotonin deficiency syndromes. |
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| Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) |
GABA |
Valium, Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Sweetes, Starches |
Feeling of being stressed out. Nervous. Tense muscles. Trouble relaxing. |
Promotes calmness. Promotes relaxation. |
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| L-Glutamine |
GABA (mild enhancement). Fuel source for entire brain |
Sweets, Starches, Alcohol |
Stress. Mood swings. Hypoglycemia. |
Anti-craving, anti-stress. Levels blood sugar and mood. GABA (mild enhancement). Fuel source for entire brain. |
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Table 2 Comments: Rhodiola rosea has been added to the formula and is a known Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor. This provides more synaptic dopamine in the VTA/NAc. Source: Perfumi M, Mattioli L. Adaptogenic and central system effects of single doses of 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside Rhodiola rosea L. extract in mice. Phytother Res. 21 2007 37–43 Chromium salts – This has been added to the formula to enhance insulin sensitivity and resultant brain concentration of serotonin. Note: To assist in amino acid nutritional therapy, the use of a multivitamin/mineral formula is recommended. Many vitamins and minerals serve as co-factors in neurotransmitter synthesis. They also serve to restore general balance, vitality and well-being to the RDS patient who typically is in a state of poor nutritional health. The utilization of GABA is limited due to its polar nature and ability to cross the blood brain barrier. Glutamate is used in a low level only to prevent over-inhibition of enkephalin breakdown and subsequent inhibition of GABAergic spiny neurons of the substantia nigra. | ||||
Blum et al. Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling 2008 5:24 doi:10.1186/1742-4682-5-24 |
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