Tryptophan? (im new here)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tryptophan? (im new here)
6
Tue, 12-16-2003 - 7:03am
Hi!

My name is Sakeena I have always had problems with anxiety and depression. I had a baby 8 months ago and lost it lol! I found a nice doctor and went on Zoloft and Thank God that has done so much good for me. I read that The amino acid Trytophan can raise serotonin levels and I want to know if anyone here has tried it. Right now I am take two other amino acids for energy and to help me not crave sweets. I have noticed that my moods fluctuate rapidly after eating sugar. I read "The Diet Cure" by Julia Ross and that got me on this helath kick with vitamins and aminos. Anyway it is nice to meet you all, hang in there it does get better :D
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Tue, 12-16-2003 - 9:07am
Welcome to the board!

NO, I have never heard of that amino acid before. I would be interested in hearing more about the ones you take for more energy, though!

I used to be into vitamins alot more than I am, but I got out of it because I couldn't afford it. I used to take Siberian Ginseng for energy, and next time I can afford it, I am going to pick some more up.

Take care

Pamela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 12-16-2003 - 12:23pm
Hi, I only have time to post a quick message...welcome to the board. I do take tryptophan, as 5-HTP, as a way to boost my serotonin. I think it has helped take away some of the "empty" feeling I have inside...but more importantly, as a "side effect," it has prevented almost all of my migraines! I used to have them daily, and got them again once I forgot to take the 5-HTP, but when I do take it I only very rarely have one, and it is not as severe as before.

Since migraines have been tied to low serotonin (at least hypothetically), this kind of makes sense to me...but I've never read any research about 5-HTP helping with migraines, and even my (holistic) doctor didn't prescribe it for that purpose. I think it has also helped some with my fibromyalgia pain, which has also been reported to be related to low serotonin.

Wow, I wrote more than I thought I would...but anyway, just wanted to agree that taking tryptophan seems to help, at least in my case, when I couldn't tolerate high doses of any prescription antidepressant. Just remember to take it at night, because I think it can make you sleepy.

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Tue, 12-16-2003 - 12:30pm
Hi Rosa,

I also get migraine headaches (almost every day) and I have never heard of tryptophan for migraines. You definetly sparked my interest especially since I get them so frequently. My doctor has me taking Maxalt but it has stopped working. She referred me to a neurologist due the frequency that I get them. I would love more information on tryptophan and your experience with it if you have the time to do so. You can email me at kikeka3@verizon.net.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2003
Tue, 12-16-2003 - 1:51pm
Hi Sakeena,

Welcome to the board, I am sure you will find a wealth of information from the ladies that post here. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

I am currently on a regiment of supplements and one of them is 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan with Gaba, I also take St. John’s Wort in combination with the Tryptophan. I have seen a great improvement in the way I feel. Before I started to take this combination, I felt like I was in a dark hole looking up at the light and never able to reach the said light. Now with the help of my Dr. (a Naturopath) I take the above supplements plus a vitamin B shot and I found this to be the best combination for me. If I am unable to stay with this routine (mainly because of money), I have found that I slip a little. The Vitamin B shot helps greatly with giving me more energy. If I can afford it, the best combination for me is a shot every week along with my supplements.

I also suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and I have found that the light therapy works wonders for the energy level too. I know that a sweet craving is one of the signs of SADs but I was not aware that it was also associated with depression. I suppose that it makes sense that cravings for sweets would carry over to depression.

Sugar has many different effects on different people but it is a big problem for people who are depressed. Diet plays an essential roll in our moods. If a meal or food that is being digested is not in keeping to what our body needs it can have a negative effect. Food combining is an ever-personal thing. I have found that if I am really having a bad time with the depression that if I eat small simple meals that I know that my body can handle I do better. Whole non-processed food in the right combination can be very beneficial to all diseases. What is a disease but the body at dis-ease. Wow, I think I might be preaching. Enough said.

Well, again I extend a big welcome to the board, and we are glad that you are here.


Warmest Regards,

RainydaysArgon


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 12-16-2003 - 4:22pm

Welcome to the board!!


Im glad you found us!

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-17-2003 - 11:31am
The amino acids I'm taking right now are Tyrosine for energy and Glutamine to help regulate my hormones and to help against sugar cravings. I was reading that If you have low levels of serotonin you will crave sugar because your body is trying to replace it with food. I know that makes no sense the way I wrote it sorry....

Im terribly sorry I didnt mean to say I had a miscarriage ugh when I said I got pregnant and "lost it" I meant my mental state. I should have picked up on that....I am very sensitive to horomone fluctuations and never want to go down that road again God willing