There are some precautions to be aware of when taking supplemental amino acids. These are reprinted from The Mood Cure (2004) with permission from Julia Ross. Consult a knowledgeable practitioner before taking any supplemental amino acids if any of the following statements apply to you:
- React to supplements, foods or medications with unusual or uncomfortable symptoms
- Have a serious physical illness, particularly cancer
- Have severe liver or kidney problems
- Have an ulcer (amino acids are slightly acidic)
- Have schizophrenia or other mental illness
- Pregnant or nursing
- Taking any medications for mood problems, particularly MAO inhibitors, or more than one SSRI
Also, please be aware of the following precautions in regard to specific amino acids and consult with a knowledgeable practitioner if in doubt:
- Overactive thyroid/Grave’s disease: tyrosine, DLPA
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): tyrosine, DLPA
- Melanoma: tyrosine, DLPA
- High Blood pressure: tyrosine, DLPA
- Migraine headaches: tyrosine, DLPA
- Low blood pressure: GABA, taurine
- High blood pressure and on blood pressure medications: GABA, taurine (Sept 2023: research)
- Asthma: tryptophan, melatonin
- Severe depression: melatonin
- Bipolar disorder: tyrosine, DLPA, glutamine
- Cancer: there is a question around glutamine (some research shows it’s beneficial some research suggests avoiding it – check with your oncologist if you are currently undergoing treatment)
Amino Acids and SSRIs
If you’re currently taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), don’t take either 5-HTP or tryptophan unless you’re working with a knowledgeable practitioner. Taking 5-HTP or tryptophan with either of these classes of antidepressants may cause serotonin syndrome, an adverse reaction characterized by agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, and blood pressure fluctuations. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking 5-HTP or tryptophan immediately. When I have clients who are taking a single SSRI who might also benefit from tryptophan or 5-HTP, I have them take the amino acid six hours apart from their medication—after obtaining approval from their doctor and with their doctor monitoring for adverse reactions. Please do the same. I also recommend the chapter on antidepressants and amino acids in The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to take charge of your Emotions
The above (except for the cancer/glutamine statement) is an excerpt from my book The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings
Here is a link to the information shared during my interview on the Anxiety Summit season 2: Targeted individual amino acids for eliminating anxiety: practical applications