You CANNOT Use OTC Supplements for Amino Acid Therapy
People want to save money – I get it. I want to save money wherever and whenever I can.
However, it doesn’t save you any money if you can never get better. (more…)
I am SOOOOO Nauseous – How Can I Get This Nausea Under Control?!
In the process of optimizing a person’s neurotransmitter function, it is not uncommon for people to experience transient states of nausea. This is particularly common for those that are dopamine dominant. However, getting this nausea under control as quickly as possible is crucial for long-term success. (more…)
Why Does My Heart Race When I Take My Amino Acids?
The sensation that a person’s heart races, often described as “heart palpitations”, after taking a dose of amino acids occurs in roughly 10% of the people we see that are following a dopamine dominant protocol. (more…)
Parkinson’s Disease Amino Acid Protocol
I receive dozens of inquiries on a monthly basis about an amino acid protocol that people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can use to improve their mental and physical function. Some of these people are not (and have not) taken any conventional medications for PD, such as carbiodopa/levodopa; but many are taking some combination of conventional medications and are not receiving relief from their symptoms. The problem is, everyone’s needs are different, so there is no one protocol people can follow to achieve optimal function. However, here I will detail the general process that should be followed in order to find each person’s optimal amino acid dosing. (more…)
L-Dopa/Mucuna Pruriens, Tyrosine and Tyramine Rich Foods
For those clients that are found to be dopamine dominant, including everyone that has restless leg syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), we often recommend that they avoid foods rich in the amino acid tyramine while taking L-dopa/mucuna pruriens and/or large amounts of L-tyrosine. This is because that in some people, this combination can cause an abrupt increase in blood pressure. (more…)
What Does a “Dopamine Fluctuation” Mean?
A person undertaking amino acid therapy will have periodic urine testing completed in order to determine if/how to adjust their amino acid dosing in order to optimize neurotransmitter function. Along the way, they may get a lab value for dopamine (or serotonin) that is much higher than is expected. This is often referred to as a “dopamine fluctuation”. We have provided a two part series discussing the dopamine fluctuation in more detail; here I wanted to provide a brief overview of what a dopamine fluctuation is and why it’s important to find and correct them as soon as possible. (more…)
