Posted by Larry Hoover on May 21, 2005, at 18:04:14
In reply to is it possible to increase serotonin w/ diet/sup?, posted by Franz on May 21, 2005, at 9:59:56
> Hello, I need to increase serotonin levels and drugs have not been much of a success for me. S. J. Wort was not good either.
>
> I know that tryptophan and 5HTP are precursors and could be used.
>
> 5HTP seems to be better for daytime use because it does not compete with transporters (if I understood well).
I don't see the transport issue to be very important, with 5-HTP. It's taken up by the brain, and that's all that really matters, I suppose. Yes, you can take 5-HTP at any time, whereas tryptophan is best taken on an empty stomach, and followed 30-45 minutes later with a sweet carbohydrate.....something to get the blood insulin levels up. That solves the tryptophan transporter competition issue.>
> Both are expensive. can you recommend doses, timing, etc.?.Tryptophan isn't that expensive here:
http://www.buygpdirect.com/gpefeed.htm
Near the bottom of the page, you'll find "SU-PER TRYPTOPHANE ULTRA PURE". It's the real deal.
Dosing is entirely something you figure out by experiment. There's a little scoop with that tryptophan, and I just use a scoop full. Or, grab a teaspoon from the drawer, and use a heaping spoonful.
Most people find that 100 mg of 5-HTP is plenty, but some people take much more than that. A lot of people take it just before bed. I don't use it, so I can't say what it's like, or how much to use.
> Also, I read that vitamin B6 helps to increase serotonin. I take a multi or B50, is that enough?. Is pyridoxal phosphate much better (cost matters)?.Yes, that multi is enough. Make sure you have a good source of zinc(30 mg), and selenium (200 mg). And vitamin C.
I would strongly recommend fish oil. And, if you use that, you should take some vitamin E and/or alphalipoic acid.> From food, which can I consume that can have high tryptophan content?. Bananas, whey protein, milk?.
There are no foods that really stand out. Whey protein powder seems to make me feel better, and I'm really not sure why. I get lots of protein, otherwise. Maybe it's just so easy to absorb, as it's already predigested (the stuff I use is hydrolysed).
> regarding to herbs, from what I tried, ginseng seems to be good for an energizing feeling. I am not sure if ginseng works on serotonin.Does it matter, if it works? Do you mean red ginseng?
> Do you know which herbs, apart from SJW can help?.
Siberian ginseng (not the same as red ginseng).
Eleutherococcus senticosus is what you want, here.Ashwaghanda is a possibility. Withania somnifera
Rhodiola is another. Rhodiola rosea
There are other choices, but you don't really say what your symptoms are.
> I need to fix this and I feel short of alternatives. I have not tried all drugs of course. Apart from SSRIs, tianeptine which could be good?. Does citalopram work better?.
>
> Your help is much appreciated.Even IF if you are using drugs, you need to feed your body what it needs to function properly. You are what you eat. Literally. Maybe it's time to give your body a nutritional tune-up. Some high octane fuel. Ya know?
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:500717
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050510/msgs/500892.html