Nutritional & Biochemical Repair
Most people who come into recovery have nutritional, biochemical and neurotransmitter imbalances resulting from and contributing to their underlying addictive illness. Screening for these then providing appropriate nutrition-based treatment has been a key to improving and stabilizing clients’ energy levels, mood and mental clarity. They can then benefit even more from their treatment program.
What are Neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body. They relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons.” The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest. They can also affect mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms when they are out of balance. Neurotransmitter levels can be depleted many ways. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels. Stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, drug (prescription and recreational), alcohol and caffeine usage can cause these levels to be out of optimal range.
There are two kinds of neurotransmitters – INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY. Excitatory neurotransmitters are not necessarily exciting – they are what stimulate the brain. Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitory. Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive.
There are two kinds of neurotransmitters – INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY. Excitatory neurotransmitters are not necessarily exciting – they are what stimulate the brain. Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitory. Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
SEROTONIN is an inhibitory neurotransmitter – which means that it does not stimulate the brain. Adequate amounts of serotonin are necessary for a stable mood and to balance any excessive excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter firing in the brain. If you use stimulant medications or caffeine in your daily regimen – it can cause a depletion of serotonin over time. Serotonin also regulates many other processes such as carbohydrate cravings, sleep cycle, pain control and appropriate digestion. Low serotonin levels are also associated with decreased immune system function.
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is often referred to as “nature’s VALIUM-like substance”. When GABA is out of range (high or low excretion values), it is likely that an excitatory neurotransmitter is firing too often in the brain. GABA will be sent out to attempt to balance this stimulating over-firing.
DOPAMINE is a special neurotransmitter because it is considered to be both excitatory and inhibitory. Dopamine helps with depression as well as focus, which you will read about in the excitatory section.
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is often referred to as “nature’s VALIUM-like substance”. When GABA is out of range (high or low excretion values), it is likely that an excitatory neurotransmitter is firing too often in the brain. GABA will be sent out to attempt to balance this stimulating over-firing.
DOPAMINE is a special neurotransmitter because it is considered to be both excitatory and inhibitory. Dopamine helps with depression as well as focus, which you will read about in the excitatory section.
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
DOPAMINE is our main focus neurotransmitter. When dopamine is either elevated or low – we can have focus issues such as not remembering where we put our keys, forgetting what a paragraph said when we just finished reading it or simply daydreaming and not being able to stay on task. Dopamine is also responsible for our drive or desire to get things done – or motivation. Stimulants such as medications for ADD/ADHD and caffeine cause dopamine to be pushed into the synapse so that focus is improved. Unfortunately, stimulating dopamine consistently can cause a depletion of dopamine over time.
NOREPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for stimulatory processes in the body. Norepinephrine helps to make epinephrine as well. This neurotransmitter can cause ANXIETY at elevated excretion levels as well as some “MOOD DAMPENING” effects. Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with LOW ENERGY, DECREASED FOCUS ability and sleep cycle problems.
EPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is reflective of stress. This neurotransmitter will often be elevated when ADHD like symptoms are present. Long term STRESS or INSOMNIA can cause epinephrine levels to be depleted (low). Epinephrine also regulates HEART RATE and BLOOD PRESSURE.
NOREPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for stimulatory processes in the body. Norepinephrine helps to make epinephrine as well. This neurotransmitter can cause ANXIETY at elevated excretion levels as well as some “MOOD DAMPENING” effects. Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with LOW ENERGY, DECREASED FOCUS ability and sleep cycle problems.
EPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is reflective of stress. This neurotransmitter will often be elevated when ADHD like symptoms are present. Long term STRESS or INSOMNIA can cause epinephrine levels to be depleted (low). Epinephrine also regulates HEART RATE and BLOOD PRESSURE.
Amino Acids
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 precursors to 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).
Amino acids, derived from protein intake, are precursors to 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).
The History of Amino Acids
There is a long, well documented, history of using amino acids for depression and other 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.
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 do 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.
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.
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. Neurogistics 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.
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.
All the info above comes from Neurogistics. http://www.neurogistics.com/index.asp
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Amino Acid Nutrition Therapy
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