Posted by blackjack on April 11, 2001, at 11:39:25
In reply to precursors, posted by Lester on April 11, 2001, at 8:35:14
Phenylalanine and tyrosine are the precursors of both DA and NE. You can get them as supplelemnts, but I don't think there is a lot of evidence that they have much value in treating depression. Unless you are on a very low protein diet, it is unlikely that you are not getting enough phenylalanine. Depression isn't so simple as being a NA or NE defficiency; it is a dyspunction in the entire cycle of these neurotransmitters in your system. Simply increasing the precursors probably won't help. It could even activate negative feedback mechanisms and slow your body's own production of these neurotransmitters.
Remember, Nutrasweet is mostly phenylalanine, and Diet Coke doesn't seem to be an antidepressant.
poster:blackjack
thread:19950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010411/msgs/59428.html