Dr Lark.com: Replenishing the Pathways

June 11, 2004

Stress and Anxiety

Replenishing the Pathways

The only way to increase your production of neurotransmitters

is to take the necessary amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. I

have been using amino acid therapy for many years with my own patients

and have found them to produce dramatic and beneficial results for

a wide variety of complaints, including mood swings, fatigue, depression,

and chronic general illness. An additional benefit of tyrosine is

that it helps to stimulate your metabolism and makes it easier to

lose weight and then maintain your weight loss.

I recommend that you take 1,000 to 2,000 mg

of tyrosine and 100 to 200 mg of 5-HTP per day. Be sure

to take these supplements in divided doses, half in the morning

and half in the afternoon, taking the 5-HTP with a carbohydrate

snack (cracker or slice of apple or banana.) As I recommend with

all nutritional supplements, you should start at the lowest dosage

(1,000 mg a day of tyrosine and 100 mg a day of 5-HTP). Stay on

this dosage for two weeks. If you don’t notice a reduction in your

symptoms, gradually increase the dosage by 500 mg for tyrosine and

50 mg for 5-HTP every two weeks until you have either noticed a

reduction in your symptoms or have reached the maximum dosages.

If you reach the maximum dosages and still feel

tired or depressed, anxious or panicky, I recommend that you have

your neurotransmitter levels tested. Some women need higher dosages

of one or both of these amino acids, a treatment solution that should

be done under the care of a complimentary health care physician.

While side effects are uncommon, too much 5-HTP can result in fatigue,

while too much tyrosine may lead to muscle tension or jitteriness.

If you are currently on mood-altering drugs such

as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication, you will need to

taper off your medication after you have been on the amino acid

therapy for six to eight weeks. This should be done with the help

of your own physician. I also recommend that you do not drink more

than one or two cups of coffee or alcoholic beverages per day when

using amino acid therapy since it can affect the results of your

program. Additionally, be sure to use a high potency multivitamin/mineral

nutritional supplement so that you are taking in all of the co-factors

needed to produce neurotransmitters.

Read More on Anxiety and Stress:

Getting Started

“Fight or Flight”

Systems in the Body Affected by Anxiety

Quiz: How Balanced are Your Neurotransmitters?

Keep it SIMPLE tip — Think Good Thoughts

Nutritional Therapies

Restore Your Ability to Manage Stress

with a Stress-Reducing Diet

Restore Your Ability to Manage

Stress with Stress-Reducing Supplements

Replenishing the Pathways

Sugar Causes High Anxiety

Complementary Therapies

The Sponge Yoga Pose

Reduce Stress with Reflexology

Aromatherapy for Relaxation