Depression and Amino Acids

The building blocks of protein, amino acids can affect various central nervous system-controlled mechanisms such as pain threshold, mood, and sleep patterns. Low tyrosine or phenylalanine, for example, can result in abnormal levels of mood regulating chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and catecholamines. Low tyrosine can also create subnormal levels of thyroid hormone--a well-known cause of depression. This may be why pre-treatment with supplemental tyrosine appears to prevent the behavioral depression observed following an acute stress.1

Because catecholamines rely on S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) for proper function, low levels of SAMe have been observed in some cases of depression.2 For this reason, it is recommended that the status of the amino acid methionine, the precursor of SAMe, and its various metabolic pathways, be studied in patients with depression.3

Another amino acid, tryptophan, is the body's source material for producing the powerful hormone serotonin, which also influences sleep patterns and mood. Depletion of tryptophan can spur an increase in depressed mood states, particularly in individuals sensitive to affective disorders.4-6 In fact, one study found that a lower tryptophan level corresponded with a higher depression score even for patients who were already under treatment with anti-depressant drugs.7

The Amino Acids Analysis (blood, or 24-hour urine) can reveal deficiencies of tryptophan, tyrosine, methionine and other amino acids which may be significant contributing factors in depression. Should test results uncover important deficiencies, a helpful amino acid supplement schedule is included.

 

References:
1 Reinstein DK, Lehnert H, Wurtman RJ. Dietary tyrosine suppresses the rise in plasma corticosterone following acute stress in rats. Life Sci 1985;37(23):2157-2163.
2 Bell KM, Potkin SG, Carreon D, Plon L. S-adenosylmethionine blood levels in major depression: changes with drug treatment. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl 1994;154:15-18.
3 Young SN. The use of diet and dietary components in the study of factors controlling affect in humans: a review. J Psychiatry Neurosci 1993;18(5):235-44.
4 Benkelfat C, Ellenbogen MA, Dean P, Palmour Rm, Young SN. Mood-lowering effect of tryptophan depletion. Enhanced susceptibility in young men at genetic risk for major affective disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1994;51(9):687-697.
5 Young SN, Smith SE, Pihl RO, Ervin FR. Tryptophan depletion causes a rapid lowering of mood in normal males. Psychopharmacology 1985;87(2):173-177.
6 Smith KA, Fairburn CG, Cowen PJ. Relapse of depression after rapid depletion of tryptophan. Lancet 1997;349(9056):915-19.
7 Delgado PL, Charney DS, Price LH, Aghajanian GK, Landis H, Heninger GR. Serotonin function and the mechanism of antidepressant action. Reversal of antidepressant-induced remission by rapid depletion of plasma tryptophan. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1990;47(5):411-18.