HealthBeat News

Category: Mental Health

  • Senile Dementia Linked to Common Nutrient Deficiency

    Senile Dementia Linked to Common Nutrient Deficiency

     

    Here’s something Big Pharma hopes you never learn: that simple nutrient deficiencies are at the root of most diseases.

     

    Did you know that a single nutrient deficiency can cause everything from miscarriage and birth defects to cancer, heart disease, depression, hearing loss, osteoporosis and senile dementia?

    In the case of the above-mentioned maladies, the missing nutrient is folic acid, a B complex vitamin. You’ve probably read in the news about a recent study that links folic acid deficiency to senile dementia, but this certainly not the first study to make this connection.

    Folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin, gets its name from the Latin “folium,” meaning foliage, because dark green leafy vegetables are a rich source of the nutrient.

    Folic acid is needed for nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) and red blood cell production. It is also required for energy production, especially in the brain and nervous system. Pregnant women have been advised to take folic acid because it is necessary for normal development of the spinal cord and central nervous system of the human embryo.

    The importance of this nutrient is so well-known that the U.S. government has mandated that foods be “fortified” with folic acid. In spite of this fortification, studies show that as many as 61% of the population may still be folic-acid deficient.

    It’s not just pregnant women and their developing babies that need folic acid. Folic acid, along with vitamin B6 and B12, keep homocysteine levels normal.

    Homocysteine is an “intermediate” metabolic product that increases the risk of heart disease and premature brain aging when it occurs in high concentrations. Premature brain aging was the subject of this recent study, which continues to show a connection between folic acid deficiency and senile (age-related) dementia.

    Researchers in the Netherlands evaluated the speed of thinking and memory, two functions known to decline with age.

    Over 800 subjects, ages 50 to 70, took 800 micrograms of folic acid daily for three years.

    At the end of the study, re-testing showed that the subjects who took folic acid had “significantly improved domains of cognitive function that tend to decline with age.” In other words, mental function of the folic acid group didn’t just remain the same, it actually got better over the course of the three year study.

    This is not the first study to connect folic acid with preserved mental function, but it is one of the largest and longest studies.

    Folic acid deficiency is widespread in our culture due to the processing of grain and vegetables.

    Although it is found in green leafy veggies, cooking destroys folic acid. It is also present in organically-raised (grass-fed) beef liver, brewer’s yeast and asparagus. (And how much of these foods do YOU eat?)

    Many experts feel that it is almost impossible to get a recommended daily dose of folic acid from food alone, and several population studies have confirmed this. Big Government obviously agrees with this assessment since they have required fortification of our food supply with folic acid.

    Supplementation is an easy an inexpensive “insurance policy” against the dangerous effects of folic acid deficiency, but most “one per day” vitamins contain too small a dose to do any good. The recommended optimal daily dose (NOT the “RDA” – the minimal daily dose), is 400-800mcg per day. Remember that folic acid is a B complex vitamin, and when one B vitamin is low, the rest of the B complex is also usually low and should be supplemented.

    Is it any wonder that Big Drug Companies support the “push” to outlaw vitamin supplements, given how many drug-treated diseases are actually caused by nutrient deficiencies?

    You’ve been warned while vitamin supplements are still legal: Don’t let a simple nutrient deficiency like low folic acid sneak up on you in the form of failing memory or heart disease. Supplement now, or face the prospects of spending your declining years filling prescriptions for the dementia Rx du jour or cardiac Rx du jour – given to you to treat the effects of simple folic acid deficiency, brought to you by Big Pharma. Face it: there’s a real reason they hope you’ll never learn about this important nutrient…

    P.S. Dr. Myatt’s Maxi Multi Optimal Dose daily multi vitamin/mineral/trace mineral/antioxidant formula has always contained 800mcg of folic acid. The importance of optimal levels of this vitamin is not “new news” to us at The Wellness Club, in spite of more studies offering conclusive proof of it’s value.

    Learn more about Maxi Multi’s here

    Learn more about the B complex vitamins here – with a handy chart to help you know which B-Vitamins are important for different functions.

     

    References

    1.) Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Jan 20;369(9557):208-16. Su7mmary: Folic acid supplementation for 3 years significantly improved the types of cognitive function that typically decline with age.
    2.) Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Jan 2;146(1):1-9. Summary: Folic acid supplementation slowed the rate of hearing loss (speech frequencies) in aging population.
    3.) Low folate status is associated with impaired cognitive function and dementia in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Dec;82(6):1346-52. Summary: Low folic acid levels are associated with cognitive decline and food fortification with this vitamin is not sufficient to correct the problem.
    4.) High homocysteine and low B vitamins predict cognitive decline in aging men: the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Sep;82(3):627-35. CONCLUSIONS: Low B vitamin and high homocysteine concentrations predict cognitive decline.
    5.) Homocysteine versus the vitamins folate, B6, and B12 as predictors of cognitive function and decline in older high-functioning adults: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. Am J Med. 2005 Feb;118(2):161-7. CONCLUSION: In high-functioning older adults, low folate levels appear to be a risk factor for cognitive decline. The risk of developing cognitive decline might be reduced through dietary folate intake.
    6.) Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jul;80(1):114-22. CONCLUSIONS: Relative folate deficiency may precede Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia onset.
    7.) Homocysteine and B vitamins in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2005;43(10):1096-100. Summary: Subclinical folate deficiency appears to precede dementia.

  • Alzheimer’s Disease: One More Reason To Use Grape Seed Extract!

    By Nurse Mark

     

    We at the Wellness Club have long championed the use of Grape Seed Extract – it is one of our most useful herbal recommendations for a wide variety of reasons.

    Grape Seed Extract contains chemicals called polyphenols which are potent natural antioxidants.

    A recent news article detailing the work of Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers who studied the effect of the polyphenols that occur in Grape Seed Extract in preventing the formation of a substance that is known to cause the neurotoxicity associated with Alzheimer disease.

    Here is a quote from one of the researchers:

    “Since naturally occurring polyphenols are also generally commercially available as nutritional supplements and have negligible adverse events even after prolonged periods of treatment, this new finding holds significant promise as a preventive method or treatment, and is being tested in translational studies in Alzheimer’s disease patients,”

    Please read the full news article here:

    And you can read the full scientific document here:

    Learn more about Grape Seed Extract from Dr. Myatt here:

  • Neurological Disease: Advice You Won’t Hear From Your Conventional Doctor

    Neurological Disease: Advice You Won’t Hear From Your Conventional Doctor

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    Treating Neurological Disease (M.S., Parkinson’s, ALS)

     

    Recently I’ve had a lot of people asking about what to do for neurological conditions. Here’s my best “general” advice. (I can give more “specific” advice when I work with someone personally. Please read on).

    You’ll NEVER hear any of this from your conventional medical doctor, for at least two reasons.

    First, there are no known cures for neurological diseases in conventional medicine. In fact, even our symptomatic treatments are fairly lame.

    Secondly, when a doctor does have information about a “non standard” (read that: “not conventional medicine”) approach, he or she could lose their medical license by telling you about it.

    So don’t be disappointed if your conventional medical doctor, no matter how good or well-respected, doesn’t have much hope to offer. That’s conventional medicine.

    What I Would Immediately Do If I Were Diagnosed With a Neurological Disease

    If I found out tomorrow that I had a neurological disease, here are the steps I would take right away:

    1. Have several non-conventional laboratory studies performed, including:
      1. Hair Mineral Analysis: to evaluate for heavy and toxic metal poisoning. This applies to ALL neuro conditions.
      2. Food allergy testing: to rule out immune responses to food allergies as a cause for symptoms. (This is especially important in MS).
      3. Neurotransmitter (NT) Testing: to look at neurotransmitter hormone levels. (This applies to all neuro conditions but is especially important in Parkinson’s, where a dopamine deficiency is often seen).
    2. Holistic dental evaluation, with removal of all dissimilar dental metals.
      NOTE: VERY FEW holistic dentist really understand this, and even fewer conventional dentists “get it.” If you have it done incorrectly (as most “holistic” dentists are likely to do), it can cause more harm than good. Please don’t have any dental work done until you have talked to me first!
      How important do I think this is? I have already had all metal removed from my mouth except for one full-gold crown. It is that important. If I hadn’t already had this done, I would get it done immediately, after I confirmed the skill and knowledge level of the attending dentist.
    3. Diet changes:
      1. Eliminate all food allergies (see above, laboratory testing).
      2. The Myatt Diet: low carbohydrate, high Omega-3 fatty acids. This is THE healthiest way to eat, proven by long-lived populations. This plus elimination of known food allergies relieves all dietary stress on the immune and nervous systems. Look for organic foods, too, since pesticide and herbicide toxicity is associated with neurological disease. Additional fish oil should be supplemented in those not regularly consuming wild Alaskan salmon and grass-fed beef. Ketogenic diets such as The Myatt Diet have proven useful for Parkinson’s, ALS and inoperable brain cancers. The diet switches the brain from using sugar for fuel to using ketones for fuel, and this “metabolic switch” is associated with fewer tremors and better movement.
      3. Discontinue ALL soy products, and milk (cow’s milk / dairy variety),
    4. Nutritional supplements: I’d make sure that I didn’t have a single nutrient deficiency known to cause or exacerbate a neurological disease. Here are the known connection.
      1. Parkinson’s: deficiencies of folic acid, B12, vitamins C, E and D are highly associated. Besides getting out in the sun, I’d be taking daily Maxi Multi’s to have achieve the recommended doses of these vitamins. CoQ10 has also shown to slow progression of the disease, but the dose needs to be higher, 1,200mg per day. Avoid iron, as iron overload can cause Parkinson’s and a number of other diseases. (You should be tested for iron overload with a serum ferritin test).
      2. M.S.: vitamin D deficiency is associated MS. Lower levels of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E and other antioxidant nutrients have been observed in MS patients and appear to slow progression of the disease. Vitamin B1 and niacin have proven to be useful. As with Parkinson’s, I’d get more sunshine and take Maxi Multis to have all of these nutrient bases covered.
      3. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Hi B12, gamma-E tocopherol, zinc, copper, selenium, CoQ10, Alpha-lipoic acid, Acetyl-L-carnitine, creatine, curcumin, DHEA, glutathion, green tea, N-acetylcysteine, grape seed extract (pycnogenol), resveratrol (grape skin extract) and vinpocetin. These vitamins, minerals amino acids and trace minerals have all been shown to alter various aspects of the disease.
    5. Schedule a telephone consultation with ME, or someone just like me. A physician who is not limited by conventional medical techniques (but is still trained in them and can prescribe all conventional tests and drugs) will be your best bet for obtaining a full and complete evaluation of the causes of neurological disease. The sooner this is done, the better the chance for a more full and complete recovery.

    I hope this provides help and comfort to the numerous health-seekers who contacted me recently about neurological concerns!

     

    References:

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    6. Swank RL. Multiple sclerosis: fat-oil relationship. Nutrition 1991;7:368–76.
    7. Esparza ML, Saski S, Kesteloot H. Nutrition, latitude, and multiple sclerosis mortality: an ecologic study. Am J Epidemiol 1995;142:733–7.
    8. Dines KC, Powell HC. Mast cell interactions with the nervous system: relationship to mechanisms of disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1997;56:627–40.
    9. Stern EI. The intraspinal injection of vitamin B1 for the relief of intractable pain, and for inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Am J Surg 1938;34:495.
    10. Moore MT. Treatment of multiple sclerosis with nicotinic acid and vitamin B1. Arch Int Med 1940;65:18.
    11. Fahn S. A pilot trial of high-dose alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate in early Parkinson’s disease. Ann Neurol 1992;32:S128–32.
    12. Shoulson I. DATATOP: a decade of neuroprotective inquiry. Parkinson Study Group. Deprenyl And Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy Of Parkinsonism. Ann Neurol 1998;44:S160–6.
    13. Fahn S. A pilot trial of high-dose alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate in early Parkinson’s disease. Ann Neurol 1992;32:S128–32.
    14. Dexter DT, Carayon A, Javoy-Agid F, et al. Alterations in the levels of iron, ferritin and other trace metals in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases affecting the basal ganglia. Brain 1991;114:1953–75.
    15. Dexter DT, Carayon A, Javoy-Agid F, et al. Alterations in the levels of iron, ferritin and other trace metals in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases affecting the basal ganglia. Brain 1991;114:1953–75.
    16. Pall HS, Williams AC, Blake DR, et al. Raised cerebrospinal fluid copper concentration in Parkinson’s disease. Lancet 1987;2(8553):238–41.
    17. Nutritional factors in the pathogenesis and therapy of respiratory insufficiency in neuromuscular diseases. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 1993;48(4):327–330.
    18. N-acetyl-L-cysteine improves survival and preserves motor performance in an animal model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuroreport. 2000;11(11):2491–2493.
    19. Effects of an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, desmethylselegiline, trientine, and lipoic acid in transgenic ALS mice. Exp Neurol. 2001b;168(2):419–424.
    20. Increases in cortical glutamate concentrations in transgenic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice are attenuated by creatine supplementation. J Neurochem. 2001a;77(2):383–390.
    21. Glutathione peroxidase in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the effects of selenium supplementation. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol . 1998;17(3–4):325–329.
    22. Vitamin E intake and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol . 2005;57(1):104–110.
    23. Coenzyme Q10 as a possible treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Free Radic Res . 2002;36(4):455–460.
    24. Neurodegenerative memory disorders: a potential role of environmental toxins. Neurol Clin . 2005;23(2):485–521.
    25. Nutritional issues and supplements in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2002;5(6):631–643.
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    27. Zinc metabolism in the brain: relevance to human neurodegenerative disorders. Neurobiol Dis. 1997;4(3–4):137–169.
    28. The role of excitotoxicity in neurodegenerative disease: implications for therapy. Pharmacol Ther. 1999;81(3):163–221.
    29. Protection by dietary zinc in ALS mutant G93A SOD transgenic mice. Neurosci Lett . 2005;379(1):42–46.
    30. Therapeutic efficacy of EGb761 ( Gingko biloba extract) in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci . 2001;17(1):89–96.
    31. High dose vitamin E therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as add-on therapy to riluzole: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study. J Neural Transm . 2005;112(5):649–660.
    32. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and occupational heavy metal exposure: a case-control study. Neuroepidemiology . 1986;5(1):29–38 .
    33. Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats significantly improves metabolic function while decreasing oxidative stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99(4):1870–1875.
    34. Neuroprotective effect of green tea extract in experimental ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. Brain Res Bull. 2000;53(6):743–749.
    35. Kinetics of reduction of ferrylmyoglobin by (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and green tea extract. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(10):2998–3003.
    36. Effect of ultrahigh-dose methylcobalamin on compound muscle action potentials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a double-blind controlled study. Muscle Nerve . 1998;21(12):1775–1778.
    37. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) protect hippocampal neurons against excitatory amino acid-induced neurotoxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95(4):1852–1857.
    38. Antioxidants and herbal extracts protect HT-4 neuronal cells against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Free Radic Res. 2000;32(2):115–124.
    39. Evidence for the stimulatory effect of resveratrol on Ca(2+)- activated K+ current in vascular endothelial cells. Cardiovasc Res 2000;45(4):1035–1045.
    40. Lim GP, Chu T, et al. The curry spice curcumin reduces oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic mouse. J Neurosci. 2001;21(21):8370–8377.
    41. Curcumin, a molecule that inhibits the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum but increases the rate of accumulation of Ca2+. J Biol Chem. 2001;276(50):46905–46911.
    42. Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of acetylcysteine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 1995;52(6):559–564.
    43. Mano Y, Takayanagi T, et al. [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and mercury—preliminary report]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 1990;30(11):1275–1277.
    44. Neuroprotection by dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate: role of an NFkappaB-like factor. Neuroreport. 1998;9(4):759–763.
    45. Coenzyme Q10 administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A . 1998;95(15):8892–8897.
    46. Effects of creatine supplementation on exercise performance and muscular strength in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: preliminary results. J Neurol Sci. 2001;191(1–2):139–144.
    47. Mitochondrial involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurochem Int. 2002;40(6):543–551.
    48. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: toxins and environment. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord . 2000;1(4):235–250.
    49. Prolonged pretreatment with alpha-lipoic acid protects cultured neurons against hypoxic, glutamate-, or iron-induced injury. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 1995;15(4):624–630.
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    51. Clinical pharmacology of the dietary supplement creatine monohydrate. Pharmacol Rev. 2001;53(2):161–176.
    52. Antioxidant therapy in ALS. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord. 2000;1(Suppl 4):5–12; discussion 13–15.
    53. An increase of oxidized coenzyme Q-10 occurs in the plasma of sporadic ALS patients. J Neurol Sci . 2005;228(1):49–53.
    54. The slippage of the Ca2+ pump and its control by anions and curcumin in skeletal and cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. J Biol Chem. 2002;277(16):13900–13906.
    55. Potential for creatine and other therapies targeting cellular energy dysfunction in neurological disorders. Ann Neurol. 2001;49(5):561–574.
    56. A 1-year controlled trial of acetyl-1 -carnitine in early-onset AD. Neurology. 2000;55(6):805–810.
    57. Effect of creatine supplementation on metabolite levels in ALS motor cortices. Exp Neurol. 2001;172(2):377–382.
    58. Vinpocetine-enhanced stimulation of calcium-activated potassium currents in rat pituitary GH3 cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2001;61(7):877–892.
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  • Help – My Neurotransmitters Are Shot!

    Help – My Neurotransmitters Are Shot!

     

    What to do when your symptoms are telling you “something is wrong!”

     

    By Nurse Mark

     

    Regular readers know that we get plenty of questions here – and many of them are heart-wrenching because we can hear the pain of these people when we read their notes. Being unwell is no picnic and feeling mentally unwell is horrible!

    Here is a recent note from one such sufferer.

    Debbie’s email reads:

    Subject: Neurotransmitter = almost nonfunctional
    Message: What does one do, or where to go to restore transmitters. I
    read your symptoms, I have 20 out of the 35 listed.

     

    YIKES! – Poor Debbie – she must be feeling just miserable!

    I emailed her back with the following suggestions:

    Hi Debbie,

    You should start by reading our pages on Neurotransmitter Restoration at http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/NeuroRestoreHome.htm

    Please be sure to follow all the links on the left side – they will explain different aspects of neurotransmitter deficiency and imbalance and how to correct them.

    Please also consider having your neurotransmitters tested: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/medicaltests.htm#NEUROFOCUS 

    This is a very comprehensive look at your neurotransmitters and will allow you to focus your restoration efforts instead of using guesswork based on symptoms.

    [Nurse Mark note: “Guesswork” is how most Big Pharma head-meds work – for example, in the case of Zoloft or Prozac or other SSRI drugs they are guessing that serotonin levels are low thus causing symptoms of depression. Unfortunately, serotonin is only one of dozens of neurotransmitter hormones and their intermediaries! “Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey” is not a good way to practice medicine…]

    Your symptoms are telling you that something is wrong – but symptoms alone cannot tell you what is wrong or out-of-balance.

    The Neurofocus Profile is easily collected at home – you will simply collect and send a urine sample to the testing lab.

    You should also consider a Brief Telephone Consultation with Dr. Myatt: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/BriefConsults.htm

    Dr. Myatt is not accepting “new” patients, but she does still find time to provide brief consultations – and a brief consultation is often enough to answer difficult questions, clear up confusion and get someone headed on the path to good health!

    Hope this helps!
    Cheers,
    Nurse Mark

     

    Postscript:

    I sure hope Debbie is OK – this exchange took place several weeks ago and that was the last we heard from Debbie.

    But that is not a surprise, really, for often when people discover that it is going to require them to make an effort beyond just asking for help, or that help will require them to pay out-of-pocket since our services are not covered by “insurance” we never hear from them again. Oh, well… I sure hope Debbie is getting some help from someone…

  • Neurotransmitters: Not So Simple…

    Neurotransmitters: Not So Simple…

    There’s a reason doctors go to school for so long!

     

    By Nurse Mark

     

    There’s a very good reason why people like Dr. Myatt have studied for years and continue to study every day – the human body is an incredibly complex and subtle organism.

    No one lay book, no matter how popular or compellingly written, and no amount of internet searching when done by someone without a very solid knowledge of biochemistry, organic chemistry, physics, normal anatomy and physiology, neurology, endocrinology, psychophysiology and pathophysiology is going to provide much more than confusion for most lay-people.

    Without such knowledge a “Ph.D from the University of google” is more of a hindrance than a help – for remember; just because it is written does not mean it is accurate or true, and just because some author uses seventy-five-cent words and pseudo-scientific terms liberally in his or her writing doesn’t mean that he or she really understands what they mean or is actually qualified to use them!

    Neurotransmitters are an excellent example of this complexity: Your gut and your brain are more intimately intertwined than you might imagine. 80% of a normal person’s serotonin is found in the gut, and any pathology that affects the gut can easily upset the delicate balances of serotonin in the gut, in the platelets of the blood (where it plays an important role in hemostasis and blood clotting), and in the serotonergic neurons of the nervous system.

    So, as you can see, even the most apparently simple question about neurotransmitters quickly becomes complicated – this one ties together three complex systems!

    Lori has been doing her very best to learn all she can about the neuroendocrine system as well as the digestive system – each no small feat by itself – and then to apply her new knowledge to herself and her maladies. She wrote recently to ask:

    When I take the 5-htp, I get very sleepy.  Great right before bed, but I bought it to raise my serotonin levels, and I cannot take it during the day. I am only taking less than 50 mg of the 5-htp. Should I take tryptophan instead? I need to raise my serotonin levels PLEASE HELP!!

    Dr. Myatt replied:

    Hi Lori,

    Congratulations! If L-5-HTP is making you sleepy, then this means it is working for you.

    HTP is the direct precursor to serotonin, endorphin, melatonin, nor-epinephrine and dopamine production.

    Click here to learn more about it’s effects: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/l5htp.htm

    Tryptophan converts to L-5-HTP which converts to the above-listed hormones. This means that tryptophan would also make you sleepy.

    Continue to use your L-5-HTP but take it in the evening. That way, your “sleepy” effect will just help you
    get a better night’s sleep while you continue to enjoy the other neurotransmitter benefits!

    In Health,
    Dr. Myatt