Posted by Larry Hoover on November 3, 2003, at 14:58:30
In reply to Larry need some biochem advise, posted by Robert Fairburn on November 2, 2003, at 15:24:53
> larry I wonder if you could give me some advise on why Im deficient in serotinon.
>
> I know that this is a large question but I'll try and provide you with as much relevant info as possible. I have a high count in Noradrenaline and Dopamine, which would indicate that there is no enzymic problems in the creation of these neurotransmitters. This in effect would wipe out Vitamin B6 as a problem. I am low in Magnesium and Zinc, however, I am not sure that these two metals are rate limiting for the conversion of Trytophan to 5-HTP.They are both required, yes. In any case, both zinc and magnesium participate in numerous essential biochemical processes, so you should consider solving your deficiency problem without regard to the depression link.
> I have heard that Vitamin B3 creation absorbs any spare Trytophan and converts this into B3. This occurs at a ratio of 60:1 in comparison to creation of 5-HTP.
I'm not convinced of this. The *yield* of B3, on a molar basis, is around 1/60 of the availability of tryptophan, but that's not got any bearing on other tryptophan products, in my perhaps biased opinion. If you take niacin, or niacinamide, you'll more than replace the conversion from tryptophan.
> I know that I have low serotinon through blood tests. However most serotinon resides in the Enteric Nervous System of a ratio of 9:1 compared to the CNS.
Two or three to one, I accept, but not 9:1. Anyway, you most certainly have more serotonin in your digestive tract than in your entire central nervous system. That's one of the reasons why drugs targeting serotonin so often have digestive side effects.
> Do you know of any studies that shows that there is a correlation between low plasma levels in blood and CNS levels.
The evidence is less than compelling.
> PS I suffer from anxiety OCD which is also another contributing factor into me believing that I am suffering from low serotinon.
>
> Regards,
>
> RobertRobert, I strongly suggest to you that getting your magnesium, zinc, and selenium levels up, and adding in B-vitamins, and especially niacinamide, will help alleviate some of your symptoms. Also, fish oil is essential. Include antioxidants vitamin E, alphalipoic acid, to protect the fish oil from adverse reactions inside your body (the equivalent of rancidity outside the body). You may also find that phospholipid supps (lecithin granules and phosphatidylserine) will have a calming influence.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:275826
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031023/msgs/276150.html