This is day 5 of the Anxiety Summit season 1. Julia Ross, MFT, pioneer in the field of Amino Acid Therapy and the author of best sellers The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure, is interviewed by host of the Anxiety Summit, Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist, author of The Antianxiety Food Solution.
Eliminating Anxiety: Amino Acid Therapy and Adrenal Balancing
- the role of low serotonin and low GABA in anxiety
- when to use tryptophan versus 5-HTP
- the effectiveness of oral GABA supplements
- how to assess for neurotransmitter deficiencies and the ineffectiveness of urinary neurotransmitter testing
- the adrenals and excess cortisol: how to correct this cause of anxiety
- the issues with using benzodiazapines and SSRIs for anxiety
Here are some great gems from my interview with Julia:
On a scale of zero to ten, zero is not an unrealistic goal when it comes to anxiety. It’s really the human potential and GABA and tryptophan give us access to it
Amino acids are really our only hope for quickly reversing the epidemics not only of anxiety, but of depression, compulsive eating, and obesity
We see these low serotonin symptoms disappear in front of us when we administer capsules of one of the two forms of serotonin fuel, either the amino acid tryptophan or the amino acid 5-hydroxy tryptophan
with GABA there’s a whole body relaxing element, as well as an anxiety-relieving, stress-relieving element
if you or someone that you’re working with is dependent on these kind of drugs [benzodiazapines] to get any kind of decent sleep at night, then you can be pretty sure that cortisol levels are too high
Julia talked about how when it comes to funding drug research to treat depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders, the global pharmaceutical industry prefers to invest its research dollars in cancer, metabolism, autoimmunity, and other disease areas. Here is a link to the article she referred to : Psychiatric Drug Development
We discussed how to assess for neurotransmitter deficiencies and the ineffectiveness of urinary neurotransmitter testing. This is the 2012 study Julia mentioned: Correlation of serotonin levels in CSF, platelets, plasma, and urine
This method of measuring serotonin levels in platelets results in a very strong correlation with levels in CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
I highly recommend Julia’s wonderful books The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions and The Diet Cure: The 8-Step Program to Rebalance Your Body Chemistry and End Food Cravings, Weight Gain, and Mood Swings – Naturally
Be sure to listen to Meme Grant’s success story on Sunday June 22. She shares how she used amino acids to end her anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and emotional eating. Tryptophan and GABA made a world of difference for her.
Here is Julia’s Townsend article on Urinary Neurotransmitter Testing
If you are not already registered for the Anxiety Summit you can get live access to the speakers of the day here www.theAnxietySummit.com
UPDATE: season 1 summit concluded on Tues 6/24/14 – If you’d like to be on the notification list for future summits just sign up here www.theAnxietySummit.com
Missed this interview or can’t listen live? Or want this and the other great interviews for your learning library? Purchase the MP3s or MP3s + transcripts here and listen when it suits you
The 2012 article will not load. Would it be possible to mail a print of this article to me at 10875 Main St., Suite 102: Fairfax, VA 22030? I’m a health care provider and I have significant interst in compiling an extensive base of information on these general topics. I’m guessing that even if I purchase transcripts things like this complete article will not be part of them.
Thanks.
Hi CK
The link is not broken on my end – please try this direct link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22664303.
Each transcript will have a link to the related blog post which includes links to the various articles and research you’re seeing on this one.
Thanks!
Trudy
“Diet is our worst enemy now”
~ Perhaps it will become our best friend ~
As a “side effect sufferer” I’m grateful to hear of amino acid therapy, no wonder I find a steak so grounding 🙂
I was urged to take (but declined) SSRI’s to withdraw from Ativan, apparently serotonin becomes low from these drugs.
Appreciate the discussion on different supplement options, why suffer when I can feel better?
Another FAB presentation worth owning 🙂
Wonderful! Love that – grounding steak!
I really enjoyed Julia’s interview. As a long-time sufferer of anxiety and depression and mid-nite insomnia for hours, I have a long history of trying meds and supplements. I was amazed (and saddened) as I listened to the interview and was reminded of how many of the aminos I have tried over the years, to no avail. I seem to be one of those for whom they don’t work and some even cause opposite reactions. GABA Calm threw me into an anxiety attack just a few days ago. I tried it after listening to Dr. Friedman’s statement about how much better the chewables can be, since I have always had an opposite reaction to GABA. L-Theanine did not help at all – for focus or restful sleep.
If something does work, it is very brief and then stops. My nutritionist says this is a clear sign that I have adrenal fatigue, for which I have been treated off and on since 1999. I’ve used Seriphos, 5 HTP and tryptophan (more than one trial of each over the years) and am on tryptophan again at 1500 mg. taken as soon as I have an empty stomach at night — about midnight. (I have blood sugar issues and have to have a 40/30/30 snack before bed.) All the tryptophan does is push my awake time later so now I am awake in the 2 to 5 a.m. range.
I have had numerous saliva tests, but they can’t adequately reflect my system. I can read my body and I always have high cortisol in the middle of the night, but in the evening I can be sickeningly exhausted or “wired and tired” — I never know which it will be so I would not want to be treated based on one day’s test.
A little benzo taken rarely — when I HAVE to have sleep for the next day — is the only thing that will put me to sleep, and since I only take minute amounts, it takes awhile to work. Did I hear on one of the interviews that that is a sign of something?
I also have PTSD from childhood (I’m 65) and have dealt with that for years from many different angles as it pops up again and again.
Thanks so much for doing this, Trudy, and all your helpers. I feel like I’m in graduate school for learning and for healing my body. Sorry to be so long.
Lynne
Lynne
You are so welcome – all my helpers say thank you too! Long is fine….
If you were working with me I’d want to know why you continue to have high cortisol and address that – parasites, toxins, gluten etc. I’d also be asking if the small amount of benzo is playing a role (did you listen to Catherine Pittman’s benzo interview?)
If you are not deficient, amino acids won’t work or can cause a reverse effect. Too much can also cause reverse effect. The thyroid needs to be functioning well for the amino acids to work. Bipolar can also make it challenging when it comes to the amino acids as the goal-post is moving.
Trudy
I would like to make an apt with Trudy..I am suffering from insomnia and anxiety..I feel so afraid of what is happening to me..I have tried GABA..100 mg of the Pharma Gaba..it helps but I can’t sleep and have anxiety at night..please, if you can help or direct me to someone locally, I would appreciate it..I live in Naples, Florida..I appreciate your help..Thank you.
Hi Eileen
I’m sorry to hear you are not doing well. I’d love to see if I can help – we start with this: 15-minute Complimentary Initial Assessment (no charge). You can read about it and book the initial session here https://www.everywomanover29.com/services.html
Trudy
Eilieen, I stumbled across your post, on which the day you posted it, was a very special day for me. That being said, I have been into nutrition for over 20 years, owning 4 health stores and CEO for two different nutritional supplement companies..I am not a doctor, but I will make you aware of some products, please google or research them..Here we go. L-theanine 200mg, Ashwaganda in daytime for stress relief, evening time for better sleep, Valerian Root extract, Gaba 500 mg, Magnesium citrate 300 mg. Change of lifestyle: NO Caffeine, coffee, tea, chocolate, PERIOD. Reduce sugar intake. Listen to classical music, avoid watching tv shows with violence and crime, NO TV one hour before sleep, avoid confrontational conversation. These things has helped plenty of clients that I have had over the years. again ,,I AM NO A DOCTOR, THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE!. I AM sharing this info with you so you can research and help yourself. Achieve it! Rob
Addition: I’ve also had a number of NeuroScience tests, including the sleep panel and none of the recommended supplements helped at all. I even had a major reaction to the Calm PRT. All of my neurotransmitters were in the 85 to 97.5% range, so I found Julia’s article on urinary testing very interesting. My cortisol was 18.2 at 1:45 a.m. I wake feeling like I have been hit with a cattle prod and this has gone on for years. I do get a lot of thinking done during the night, though.
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Good feedback for us – thanks! again – why the high cortisol? I like the positive spin!
Hello Trudy,
I’m a first time listener at your summit. I have gleaned an absolutely fantastic font of information.
While listening tonight to you and Julia Ross, I went to Dr. Ross’ sight and took the quiz. As I suspected, I discovered that I am indeed low in serotonin, for which I will seek out tryptophan. What the “L” stand for on the tryptophan bottle? I also appeared low in endorphin, and apparently norepinephrin, as well. I’ll be getting some DLPA for the endorphin shortage.
Will you be so kind as to please advise on what to take with regard to elevating the low level norepinephrin.
Thank you so much for coordinating and conducting the Anxiety Summit. I look forward to the next production.
Warmly, Angelyn
Hi Angelyn
love that you gleaned so much! I can’t offer advice via this blog – sorry. I did talk about low cats and tyrosine in my final wrap up call so be sure to catch that one – it’s playing today
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-summit-coffee-chocolate-fish-water-and-more/
Trudy
Hi Trudy,
It is 3 a.m. ET, and I’ve been awake over an hour. This is typical: I sleep a few hours, take the 1500 mg. tryptophan (out of the capsule in some water) at that first waking, MAYBE sleep awhile then wake for 2-3 hours. When I am not taking the tryptophan, the pattern is the same. Tonight, I took a Benadryl over an hour ago because that sometimes helps, although it can leave me with a hangover, making me have to go back to bed after being up a few hours. There are disadvantages to all the possible solutions I have tried.
Yes, I listened to Dr. Pittman’s interview. I don’t take benzos often but do think I heard a connection about: if the benzos help sleep that means something. Like, if Benadryl helps that means something about histamine?? This pattern was in place before I ever knew what Xanax was. I was started on that in 2005 during a 2-week stint at Sanoviv, an alternative health clinic in Mexico. All the alternative treatments — Rife, Ondamed, detox attempts, homeopathics, almost did me in.
I don’t think I said I was diagnosed with bipolar II in the early 90’s, treated with lots of meds, ineffectively, and psychiatrists decided I am not bipolar, but I sometimes feel like I am with mood swings, including irritability and severe depression.
And as you said, the $64,000 question is: Why the high cortisol? No one has been able to figure that out. It is very low in the afternoon because I have to do a power nap at least once a day, sometimes more because the fatigue after noon is debilitating.
How would I know if I am actually NOT deficient in the aminos, and they are having a reverse effect? I take Dr. Friedlander’s Collagen with Amino Acids every morning to try to build my nutritional status. I have trouble gaining weight, etc., otherwise, I have all the symptoms of low thyroid and adrenal fatigue. I have been gluten free since 2007 after a test from Enterolab.
Thanks so much for the input. I welcome any insights. Where are you located?
Lynne
Hi Lynne
As I said if you were working with me – parasites, toxins, gluten, other foods, mercury, lyme etc – and is the small amount of benzo affecting your sleep i.e. making it worse?
I am near Sacramento and I do phone consults if you’re interested
Trudy
Hello and thank you for the summit. I have been off and on ( mostly on)
Lexapro – usually 10mg for anxiety and edginess for about 10 years..and recently started on a blend of 5 HTP -50mg, GABA-250 mg mixed with B6-4mg, folate -400mg, B12-50mg and magnesium-50mg in a capsule blend designed by my Dr’s office who is also a compounding pharmacy…it’s called Smooth Mood. I have been on it to replace Lexapro now for 3 weeks and I can only tell a partial difference and am wondering if this dosage amount (2x daily) sounds right to you. I have the short temper reactions like I used to have before Lexapro and actually feel a bit more emotional.. Rather than feeling overall calm when on lexapro.
I’m not sure which way to go- back to lexapro or increase/change dosage on these supplements..or give it more time for my neurotransmitters to work on their own?
Thank you for any insight you may offer.
Lynn
Hi Lynn
You’re welcome! The Smooth Mood product looks great and I love the name. I am also so pleased to see your doctor is using nutrients – please do share a website and name.
Julia and I prefer to have our clients do individual amino acids rather than a combo like this. That way we can have our clients increase and/or decrease them separately as we are trying to figure out the correct combination. This also allows the client to take them at different times of the day eg serotonin needs a boost late afternoon and evening. And it allows us to figure out if tryptophan or 5-HTP will work better.
And remember what Julia said, 5-HTP can raise cortisol.
So long story, I don’t have an answer for you and cannot offer specifics via this blog. But I hope this has helped a bit
Trudy
Hi..I have suffered with panic attacks for over 10 yrs triggered by one single incident. I had no choice but to finally take what I thought was the “least offensive” tryclic drug/imipramine to manage the systems. That’s about all is does is “manage” not cure, but at least I can function…but w/cronic headaches. I want to try the “amino acid” protocal…can I take GABA with my daily 25mg. of impramine? I am very grateful to all of the woman who are finally addressing these issues holistically…bravo.
Desperate for a cure
Karen in CT
Hi Karen
GABA is not contraindicated with impramine. I would encourage to work with someone who can help you navigate this and also talk to your doctor. At a minimum get Julia’s book “The Mood Cure” and my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution.” And remember that there are many possible causes.
Thanks for the bravos
Trudy
I tried the provided link; it gets me to the abstract but the link to the full text article is not functioning. Possibly indicated is that my Firefox version is to old but I’ve had no trouble w/other links and getting to full text articles.
Hi CK
I see the abstract says Free Full Text but doesn’t give that to you. Not much I can do about that unfortunately
Trudy
Have tried amino acids in the past and felt rather distressed that these things so written up as great and wonderful , I reacted to, so felt less like there was an answer for me. Like Trudy’s ideas that dont give up. Had thought was low dopamine and high seretonin. Was given SSR’s and got such chest pain and other headaches, stopped right away. Tried 5htp, and very anxious heart palp…(used about quarter capsule). Have learned I need very little of most supplements.
Tried tryptophan and reacted to, think read might need a co nutrient to get it to work for some. Then tried Dpl and my low bp went up but not feel better. Then tried tyrosine, mild improvement. Glutamine, helps (low blood sugar)but can only take once a week while healing digestion(SCD helped best). Did Trudy mention that amino acids dont work for all or that might not work if need thyroid help? And thyroid might not work if need adrenal help and that could be from viral…..
Wish easier to figure out. Am going out for a walk to look for butterflies now
http://themindunleashed.org/2014/03/10-surprising-things-benefit-brain-can-everyday.html
Hi, If a person is currently taking an SSRI, would adding tryptophan tip the serotonin enough to cause Serotonin Syndrome? Would one need to decrease the SSRI before starting the tryptophan? This is for my daughter and I want to be safe about this change.
Thank you!
Hi Trudy and Julia
Foor blood sugar regulation Julia, you recommend Glucobalance, however it appears to contain folic acid 400mcg and not folate.
If one is taking this 6x per day that would be a lot of folic acid blocking/slowing the MTHFR pathway.
Is there a way around this dilemma?
Hi Denise
Thanks for posting here – I just did a search of Glucobalance and found this http://www.bioticsresearch.com/node/1497 which doesn’t have folic acid but has folinic acid/calcium folinate. Is this the product you’re referring to? if not could you share a link?
Thanks!
Trudy
Julia Ross stressed the most effective and immediate way to trial amino acids such as tryptophan was to open the capsule and use them sublingually. However, the tryptophan she most highly recommended, that she had experienced the best results with, was Jarrow tryptohan peptide and this tryptophan is only made in tablets and not in capsules. Do you have any advice on this? Thanks so much for awesome series. Greg
Hi Greg
I have not yet used the Jarrow product with my clients but I would suggest doing a trial with a 500mg Lidtke tryptophan and then move on to trying the Jarrow product swallowed. I’d guess that’s how Julia and her staff have done this. I’ll ask her to stop by and comment too.
Trudy
I just listened to your interview with Julia Ross and had a question regarding tryptophan and 5htp.
I have a neurological disease called Charcot Marie Tooth. It is degenerative and affects my nerves in my arms and legs. It is also muscle wasting in those areas. I also have endocrine issues and have had anxiety for the past 4 years every morning.
My question is this:
I have heard that 5htp can convert to quinolinic acid, which is a byproduct of serotonin metabolism. From what I have read, this is a known neurotoxin (excitotoxin) and could potentially damage my nervous system even more.
I have taken Tryptophan as part of a custom mix of amino acids by Metametrix and had no issues, but when I tried 5htp, I had “spaghetti legs” (weakness) after a couple of weeks of use.
When I googled this, I came across a paper written by Dr. Robert Marshall. He is very well known in both Texas and California for his Quantum Nutrition Labs and “invented” Quantum Reflex Analysis. The title (if you want to google) is “The Overlooked Role of Chronic Infection in Neurodegeneration and Its Reversal Using Nutraceutical Agents”. He had a chart that listed “Neurodegenerative Promoting Agents”, and under this, he has Quinolinic Acid-a byproduct of serotonin metabolism and a known excitotoxin-can be increased by intake of serotonin precursors, such as 5htp. Basically said to discontinue use in people with neurodegenerative conditions.
Wondering if you had heard of this? If so, would tryptophan have the same issues? What is the difference between tryptophan and 5htp? I know that 5htp is made with l’tryptophan, but that is about it.
Thank you,
Amy Hodge
Hi Amy
I have not worked with anyone with Charcot Marie Tooth. I will say this – you don’t ever want to take something that causes problems (the 5htp causing “spaghetti legs” (weakness) after a couple of weeks of use). I have not seen anyone with this side-effect either.
The sequence is tryptophan –> 5-HTP –> serotonin. Tryptophan is closer to being a food and is always my first choice. I would suggest working with your doctor and someone who is knowledgeable in the use of amino acids.
One other possible approach would be to use serotonin precursors i.e. quality animal protein, zinc, vitamin B6 and even niacinamide. Both vitamin B6 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22419558) and zinc (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3220161/) are important for neurological diseases.
I’ll also ask Julia to come and comment.
Trudy
Hi,
I am so inspired by you and this wonderful information you have provided! I have experienced constant anxiety for years and am finally ready to try something. After taking your questionnaires it appears GABA and Tryptophan will best address my symptoms. I know you recommend Lidtke for Tryptophan. Which brand do you recommend for GABA calm?
Also, is it safe to begin on these without a doctor or nutritionist’s approval? I haven’t had a blood test or physical in a long while.
Thanks so much!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer
You are so welcome. I like Source Naturals GABA Calm.
I don’t know enough about you or your health to be able to say if it’s safe for you. Please look at the precautions and detailed protocols in my book to help you. If you’re on medications or under the care of a doctor you would want to inform or ask him/her.
Trudy
Awaiting your book. Vegan for 20 years, early menopause, severe anxiety for 25 years. now trying eggs, fish, milk, cheese but don’t want to eat meat. Can I change my brain health without meat?
Also, supplementing with b6, zinc, EPO, Magnesium and multi vitamin. Thinking of getting distilled water. Any other suggestions for a woman without money and lots of stress!
God bless you in this work!
Hi Susan
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had severe anxiety for 25 years. Since you’ve got lots of stress don’t even worry about red meat right now. When you start to feel better you can cross that bridge 🙂 or not.
Just start slow with the suggestions in my book – it’s all spelled out in great detail.
Trudy
In regard of question from Lynn about high cortisol at night I can tell that it may be from low blood sugar at night.When it drops we have stress response which include high cortisol and other hormones.
I have to take L-Glutamine and Glycine at night to reduce it and calm down my heart. It is started after menopause – pre-diabetes and severe hypo. I am not able to take most herbals as I have high oxalate level. Thiamine and MG Citrate are calming me too. Niacinamide I take day time and can take at night too. Even intake of Cortef for adrenal fatigue did not stop it though I feel much better during the day. But I manage stress all the time: meditate, walk, cook food fresh and healthy, etc.
Interesting Article. Thanks for publishing it. 5 Stars. By Gregg L. Friedman MD
Good evening, I have been reading several of the blogs and have found a lot of help here and I truly thank you all for the information and input. Due to financial reasons I can not go to a naturopath or someone similar. I was however speaking with my PCP and psychiatrist and it was suggested that I see an endocrinologist to check cortisol levels as well as adrenal function and the possibility of fatigue. Do you have an idea if this idea will help my situation with extreme anxiety, severe depression, PTSD and severe stress? I appreciate any and all advice
Julie
I would only have an endocrinologist check cortisol levels is they confirmed it would be a 4 x saliva collection and can help with a nutritional protocol if the results are high and/or low.
While we are waiting for the results (or even before doing this) I’d have my client trial GABA and/or tryptophan because we get results so quickly https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-amino-acids-overview/
Interesting article. Thank you for publishing it. By Gregg L. Friedman MD psychiatry.