The Role of Amino Acids in Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health

by Actress Margot Kidder

(Actress Margot Kidder, well-known for her extensive screen career, including her performance as Lois Lane in Superman, has been a powerful spokesperson for alternative mental health treatments after a personal recovery from mood swings that are commonly referred to as bipolar disorder. Ms. Kidder sent AlternativeMentalHealth.com the following information, based on her successful experience with nutrient therapy.)
In discussing remedies for manic depression, the amino acids tryptohphan, L-taurine and GABA should be recommended right off the bat.



The Role of Amino Acids in Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health | Alternative Mental Health


GABA- 500mg-2,000mg at nite
L-tryptophan- 1000mg at nite
l-taurine-500mg-1000mg at nite

I was able to get these at my health food store!

I stopped reading here:

GABA, or gamma amino buytric acid, is depleted in both the manic and depressed states, as is serotonin. L-tryptophan is the main precursor to serotonin, so if you take tryptophan, along with B6, B12, C, calcium, magnesium, and zinc necessary for it to metabolize first into 5HTP and then into serotonin, you don’t need to take those potentially damaging drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s).

Based upon that quote, this doesn't sound like a reputable source to me.

I think it's a good idea to talk to your mdoc before taking amino acids. There's a big difference between taking them and a multivitamin, and you are already taking a lot of supplements

I have not been sleeping that well.
I want to try taking these to see if my sleep improves.
These would not replace my klonipin rather supplement.
I start taking them tonight.
bizi

Either Margot Kidder and her representatives are flat out lying or
she never had bipolar to start with.



M

Bizi, it is up to you whether or not you choose to self-medicate with amino acid supplements.

I think that mrsD is the resident NT expert on such things. You could get in touch with her by PM, asking for her advice about possible doses and possible adverse side-effects of them.

Hi kiwi,
Thank you for your suggestion.
This is what I wrote to mrs.D:


hi mrsD,
kiwi referred me to you in regards of your advice about taking amino acids for sleep.
In particular:
triptophan 1,000mg, taurine 1,000mg and gaba 750mg.
I read that these supplements could help improve my sleep.

For sleep, I already take .5mg of klonipin but do not sleep soundly.
I am hoping that these might help me get a better nights sleep.

Currently I take lamictal 300mg
geodon 80mg bid
and .5mg klonipin to sleep.

The supplements I also take daily:
vit d-5,000 units
vit c 1000mg
coral calcium 500mg
Qunol coq10 100mg
nordic naturals fish oils 1,000mg
Garden of life, Raw One multi vit
Garden of life probiotic
Garden of life digestive enzyme
magnesium oxide 500mg-1000mg for constipation

Do you know of any possible drug interactions?
What is your feeling about these amino acids for sleep?
thank you very much.
bizi

http://drjolee.com/Brain-Function-Questionnaire.pdf
This is what I read to help figure out the meds for sleep.
bizi
I will wait until I hear from mrs.D before I take them.

I am glad that you are consulting someone before taking them

My first impressions are this...but I need more information to figure out what might work best for you, Bizi.

1) That PDF seems old to me. L-tryptophan has been back OTC in the US for about 10 yrs now. It may work for some, and Mark in Idaho on TBI forum manages to have a positive result with it, and was able to get off high dose Paxil. You can PM him or read his posts on that. I find the information on GABA confusing and not useful. Oral GABA usually does not work well, but there is another form called PharmaGABA which does work some, but it is expensive. It is relatively weak compared to Klonopin.

2)No B12? B12 is the cofactor in the brain to make melatonin (the sleep hormone) from serotonin. So if you are low on serotonin, and/or B12 active methylcobalamin, then you will not have natural sleep. I found that B12 really helped me when I went thru the menopause..it boosted melatonin naturally for me.

3) Taurine is very helpful for nerve pain, and gall bladder or sluggish bile in the liver. You list digestive enzymes so I wonder if you have a digestive issue that would respond to taurine.

4) Magnesium (not the oxide which is not absorbed much) is also very calming. A chelate or chloride like SlowMag will be absorbed and be calming especially if taken at night.

5) do you take acid blocking drugs often or every day? Proton pump inhibitors, or H2 blockers like Pepcid, Zantac etc?

You can answer me thru PM if you like.

Bizi
In case you don't know him, Mark (TBI forums) is very knowledgable.
He has dealt with lots thanks to the TBI.

Thanks for information on both B12 and magnesium Mrs. D.

Donna