The article "What is Neurotransmitter Deficiency Disorder and How Can It Cause Depression, Anxiety, and..." is about depression, it was written by William Nelson.
Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain,
muscle, nerve and organ function.
The most cmomon NTs are serotonin, dopamine,
norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Low levels of these important chemicals is
extremely common in the general public and is due to innumerable lifestyle,
environmental, and dieatry factors. This article is intended to help the reader
determine whether they may be deficient in NTs and how evaluation and treatment
of that disorder can help.People with neurotransmitter deficiency disorder can suffer from one or more of the
following conditions: obesity, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue,
insomnia, attention deficit, learnnig disorders, panic attacks, migraines, pms,
menopausal symptoms, digestive complaints and many more.Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs working on the
neurotransmitter biochemistry such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin,
etc. are currently some of the most commonly prescribed drugs.
They work by
artificially increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapse of the nerve which
allows a temporary improvement in the chemical messaging system.The problem with that approach is that these drugs DO NOT raise serotonin
levels and in fact deplete reserves of the NT. This occurs cause the SSRI class
drugs cuase an raise in an enzyme called MAO. It is common for persons to
experience only temporary improvement due to that effect.The most effective way to correct a neurotransmitter deficiency is to perform a
simple urine test to measure the NT levels. The treatment for optimizing the
neurotransmitter levels is to provide the basic amino acid precursors or building
blocks so the body can replenish the inadequate levels.The true value of any treatment is the results it produecs. Using that approach over
the last year, I have helped coach many patients to a hgiher level of wellness.
Patients with chronic depression, anxiety, and or insomnia have experienced a new
sense of wellbeing while continuing their prescription, others have successfully
weaned themselves off thier prescription SSRI drugs after their symptoms have
improved. Weight loss patients using slightly higher amino acid dosing consistently
lose 1.5-2.5 lbs.
per week without hunger while improving their lean muscle/body
fat ratios.FAQs regardnig Dr.
Nelson’s NT program for anxiety and depressionQ. If I am already taking SSRI drugs, can I safely use that amino acid approach? A. In my clinical experience I have seen great results with patients who have been on
SSRI drugs for many many years.
First, we get the person feeling better, then if the
patient chooses, we slolwy wean them off their prescription drugs.Q. How does amino acid therpay raise NT levels?
A. 5HTP is converted into serotonin and then melatonin. Pheynlalanine is converted
into tyrosine, then dopamine, L-Dopa, norepinephrine, and lastly epinephrine.Q. How do you measure for the neurotransmitter levels in order to determine
appropriate treatment? A. The lveels for epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, PEA,
histamine, and many others can be measured with a simple urine test. An initial
urine test can be gvien and then repeated after 6 to 12 weeks of therapy to
determine optimal neurotransmitter levels have been obtained.Q.
Are there any side effects associated with the amino acid neurotransmitter
therapy? A. Not only are there no side effects, but there are numerous side benefits. People
with depression often find relief not only from depression but also insomnia,
fatigue, GI symptoms, chronic pain, pms, menopasual symptoms, obesity, food
cravings, etc. In a samll amount of persons (less than 5%) persons could have gastro
intestinal symptoms such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, etc. This occrus in persons
with severe neurotransmitter deficiency. This usaully occurs within the first three
days and is solved by stopping all amino acids.
Therapy is continued at very low
dosing after symptoms abate and then slowly increased to therapeutic levels over
three to six weeks.Q. How long will it take utnil my symptoms of depression/anxiety improve?A. Each individual responds differenlty to treatment. Some patients have noticed
incredible improvements in moods in a couple of days, others don’t notice any
improvements for a period of time (sometimes 3-4 months) and then notice gradual
improvements over the following 3 to 6 months, most patients notice gradual
improvements beginning after 1 month of treatment and then continue to improve.Q. What should I expect during a normal course of evaluation and treatment? A.
Evaluaiton involves an initial office visit to determine overall health history,
prescription drug levels, severity of symptoms, and any related health concerns.
There is an optional urine test for neurotransmitter levels.
Treatment consists of the
following:1. Conditioning Phase – a one to two week period to prepare the patient for higher
levels of therapeutic amino acid dosing.2. Therapeutic Phase – a period lasting anwyhere from two months to 1 year+ where
high levels of amino acids are given to restore the neurotransmitter levels.3.
Maintenance Phase – ongoing treatment with a small amount of amino acids to
maintain the levels of neurotransmitters.
This provides enough amino acdis to
replace the neurotransmitters excreted throughout the day.Q. Will I need to stay on aimno acid therapy indefinitely?A. Most persons need to stay on a low level maintenance dose in order to continue
to feel well after their 2 month to 1 year plus treatment phase. If persons stop taking
the amino acids, tehir neurotransmitter levels will slowly decrease over time.Q. What aimno acids are used in that therapy? A. The amino acids used depend on the unqiue situation.
The therapy will include
any number of the following: 5HTP, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cysteine, mucuna
(herbal L-Dopa), theanine, glutamine, taurine, methionine, GABA, phosphorylated b
vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.Q. What is the approximtae cost of the therapy?A. The cost of the neurotransmitter replacement therapy can range from $80 to
$120+ during the therapeutic phsae.
After the patients symptoms have improved
and the urine tests show optimal levels, the cost for the maintenance therapy is
significantly less.Q.
What’s the success rate for anxiety and depression using that approach? A. Anxiety and Depression are conditoins that are multi-factorial.
Patients that
follow the dietary recommendations, take the supplements and don’t give up before
the neurotransmitters levels have been restored have a very high success rate. This
natural therapy corrects the biochemical imbalance associated with these
conditions. Patients working with a qualified counselor or therapist to address the
mental and emotional aspects of these conditions have an even higher success rate.William Nelson, NMD is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor in private practice in North
Scottsdale.
He specializes in the treatment of depression/anxiety and weight loss
using amino acid therapy.
Dr. Nelson combines time honored natural therapies with
the latest advances in medical science for the treatment and prevention of all other
chronic and acute heatlh concerns.
7500 E.
Pinnacle Peak Rd. A207 Scottsdale, AZ
85255 480-563-4256
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