If you have been following our recent posts you should have a better understanding about what neurotransmitters are and how they are made. Up to this point, everything seems pretty easy and straight-forward; however, achieving proper neurotransmitter balance can be very difficult to do.

This is because there are several steps during the conversion of amino acids into their respective neurotransmitters and in the degradation (or breakdown) of neurotransmitters where there is a competition of sorts for precious resources.

The figure below shows how tyrosine is converted into dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine and how tryptophan is converted to serotonin. The important thing to see is that the enzyme needed for these conversions is the same (i.e., aromatic amino acid decarboxylase). This means that tyrosine competes with tryptophan (or 5-HTP) to be converted into dopamine or serotonin, respectively. This may not seem like that big of a deal in theory, but in practice it often makes the difference between not seeing any results or the complete resolution of symptoms.

Figure 1: The synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline) from amino acid precursors.

 

Here’s why: because tyrosine and 5-HTP compete with each other for this enzyme taking the improper balance of either amino acid can cause a substantial imbalance in their respective neurotransmitters. Said differently, if you take only 5-HTP or L-tyrosine they will compete with and inhibit the synthesis of the opposite precursor because they compete for this enzyme. This means that if you take only 5-HTP (to increase serotonin) or only L-dopa or L-tyrosine (to increase dopamine levels) you will decrease the synthesis of the other system (dopamine or serotonin respectively).Over time, this will lead to or increase the neurotransmitter imbalances present.

This is why it is so important to work with a health care professional that is trained in the proper use of amino acid therapy: you have to take properly balanced amino acids when you are attempting to improve neurotransmitter function. If you take only one amino acid precursor, the administered amino acid will dominate the enzyme and compromise proper production of the other system’s neurotransmitters, creating further imbalance, which can lead to more and greater symptoms. The same is true if you take an improperly balanced amino acid formula.

The bottom line is that if you don’t give your body exactly what it needs, you will not produce the results you are looking for. We have been working with neurotransmitter imbalances since 2001 and have helped thousands of people achieve optimal neurotransmitter function. If you’d like to get started, please contact us.