Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are a class of chemical messengers in the body that help regulate many body functions. Most people have heard of several common neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine and are familiar with some of their functions in regards to mood and sleep. What most people do not fully understand is the broad range of influence that neurotransmitters have in the human body.

A Partial List of Functions Regulated by Serotonin and/or Dopamine

Due to the wide range of influence that neurotransmitters have in the human body, keeping them in balance is vital for long-term health.

Most common Neurotransmitter Related Conditions Seen in the Clinic

The most common neurotransmitter related conditions we see are people that suffer from depression, anxiety, migraines, insomnia, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, fibromyalgia, trichotillomania, Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome (RLS) and obesity. Even though all these conditions have very different outcomes, most if not all people that suffer from these conditions have one or more neurotransmitter imbalances that are exacerbating or causing their condition. Therefore, a vital step in their healing process is rebalancing their neurotransmitter levels.

Click here for a complete list of diseases and disorders associated with neurotransmitter balance.

Much of the clinical research in regards to the management of neurotransmitter disorders over the past decade has been conducted by Marty Hinz, MD and clinics that utilize the NeuroReplete line of products he developed. Dr. Hinz has a website designed for healthcare providers that contains a wealth of knowledge on neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter-related disorders - you can find it at www.neuroassist.com.

We have been utilizing amino acid therapy in our clinic for many years with great success. The first step for most clients is to begin rebalancing their neurotransmitter levels. The guidelines below are intended to get you started; if you have not achieved adequate management of symptoms after following the Level 3 protocol, please order a Neuroregulatory Profile so we can gather more information about your amino acid needs. These protocols were developed by Marty Hinz, MD (www.neuroassist.com).

Level 1

Getting started is simple. Start with 4 NeuroReplete (NR), twice daily (in the AM and at 4 PM) with 2 CysReplete (CR), three times daily (the first dose at noon). (For those using amino acid therapy for obesity, RLS or Parkinsonism, start on D5 (instead of NeuroReplete), 4 pills twice a day (in the AM and at 4 PM) with 2 CysReplete, three times daily.)

Level 2

If your symptoms are not fully under control after 1-2 weeks, simply increase the amino acid dosing to 4 NeuroReplete, twice a day (in the AM and at noon) with 4 RepleteExtra (RE) per day (at 4 PM). Continue the 2 CysReplete, 3 times per day (the first dose at noon). (For those using amino acid therapy for obesity, RLS or Parkinsonism, increase to 4 D5 in the AM and noon with 4 D5 Extra at 4 PM, along with CysReplete, 3 times daily.)

Level 3

If symptoms are not fully under control after 1-2 weeks, increase to 4 NeuroReplete (or D5) in the AM and at noon with 4 RepleteExtra (or D5 Extra) at 4 PM and 7 PM. Continue 2 pills of CysReplete, 3 times a day.

If you have not achieved adequate management of symptoms after following the Level 3 protocol for 2 weeks, please order a Neuroregulatory Profile so we can gather more information about your amino acid needs.

It is very important that you do not miss any doses of amino acid therapy for optimal results; if you do miss a dose, you may experience a 'relapse' in symptoms for 3-5 days.

Note: Many medications can cause depletion of neurotransmitters, including all anti-depression, anti-anxiety, migraine and sleep medications. If you have taken or are currently taking medications that deplete neurotransmitter levels (including all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications), you may want to consider taking the following to restore proper nutritional status:

CoQ10 (100 mg) - 1 gelcap daily with food

Glycogenics - 1 tablet twice daily with food

In addition, taking the Level 1 protocol above will help stop further depletion of neurotransmitters and will help improve the effectiveness of anti-depression, anti-anxiety, migraine and sleep medications (including all SSRI and SNRI) medications.

For more information or to order product, please visit our website - www.naturalpathhealthcenter.com.

For more information:

Depression Health Department

Migraines Health Department

Migraine Headaches newsletter

Gastrointestinal Disorders Health Department

Optimal Body Balance - weight management/improved body composition program

Controlling Cravings and Losing Weight newsletter