Posted by KaraS on June 27, 2004, at 17:20:19
In reply to Re: Supplements for brain fog? » KaraS, posted by Larry Hoover on June 27, 2004, at 14:19:08
> > Thank you! Have you dealt with this problem of brain fog yourself? If so, which of the supplements you listed has been helpful for you? (I'm planning on trying Rhodiola soon for energy, motivation, and anti-depression effects. It would be great if it also facilitated focus/concentration.)
>
> Of the ones Q mentioned, I'd lean towards the phenylalanine and the NADH. Both work well for mental clarity in my own brain.
>
> Lar
>Thanks for your input Lar. What dosages were effective for you? I have tried many things that have done nothing for me. I tried Enada NADH but
only at 5 mg. I didn't notice any effect but I'm going to try taking 10 mg. Also, I've heard that this is something to take only periodically as your body will develop tolerance. Has that been the case with you? In terms of phenylalanine, I've taken 500 mg. of DLPA (with and without P5P) and I felt a little bit of a buzz but not much. I'm planning on trying up to about 1,500 mg. soon. I've also tried SAM-e (1200 mg./day of one of the best brands) with zilch results. I didn't notice any change from DMAE either.In addition I've tried l-tyrosine (3,200 mg./day) for over 3 weeks and that did absolutely nothing for me. I'm thinking of trying an acetylated version with biopterin. Do you know anything about it? Here's some info on it from Dr. Priscilla Slagle's web site:
".... is a specialized tyrosine product used to treat depression when tyrosine hasn't worked effectively enough.
.... combines biopterin with N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, a highly bioavailable form of L-tyrosine for the natural precursor treatment of low moods of depression. N-acetyl-L-tyrosine can be used in lower doses than L-tyrosine.
The amino acid L-tyrosine converts to L-dopa & norepinephrine in the brain to correct depression. The conversion is catalyzed by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. Other enzymes phenylalanine hydroxylase & tryptophan hydroxylase also play important roles in the synthesis of neurotransmitters which end depression.
These enzymes only work in the presence of a co-factor called biopterin. Sometimes low biopterin levels are the weak link in the sequential chain of reactions leading to the creation of these essential brain chemicals.
Researchers have found decreased biopterin in the postmortem brains of those with depression, & an increased excretion of biopterins in those with severe depression. Concentration of biopoterin in the postmortem brains of those with Alzheimer's was significantly reduced when compared with controls."
I'm thinking that if this works for me for depression, energy and concentration, then I will know that for me biopterin is the missing link.
Otherwise I'm thinking that I have a problem with one or more of the aforementioned enzymes or with too much MAO.Sorry to to be so long-winded here but I'm determined to figure out why I'm so lethargic, depressed and unfocused. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
poster:KaraS
thread:359642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/361039.html