Dietary supplements

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I've been doing a little research on some dietary supplements that might help me with periodic anxiety. I was particularly interested in 5htp because I had seen a few people mention it here.
But I found some interesting info regarding amino acids

http://www.vrp.com/art/453.asp

I found it interesting that anxiety may be due to not getting enough protein, because, when I started drinking protein shakes, I generally felt a lot better mentally. I attributed this mostly to the fact that I was also exercising at the time.
In addition I found that L-glutamine made me feel even better, and for this reason I would use it sometimes even when I wasn't exercising.

Another one that interests me is Taurine, because it is contained in some energy drinks that I used to drink. Once again, I found that they made me feel better, but figured it was just a stimulant type effect.

I'm sure this has been discussed in a few places, but if you have any info on dietary supplements and anxiety, it would be helpful.

Also has anyone ever used Betelnut? It is a stimulant from the aureca palm that is popular in India and Thailand. The active ingredient is known as aurecaline I believe.
I have found it helpful in controling anxiety at times as well, but it is also known to cause mouth cancer.

doesnt betelnut turn your teeth black?

I think i read that betel nut is the worlds 3rd or 4th favourite recreational drug.

Bought some years ago but didnt have any lime to mix it with, and i didnt fancy grinding up snail-shells

I use L-Glutamine regularly, or at least when i remember. Taurine is also used as an exercise supplement, so you can always buy it in powder form if the commercial drinks are getting expensive.

Ive been using glutamine more as an immune boost, but i can easily believe it might help anxiety specifically - one thing ive read is that if taken alongside food to which you have an intolerance, it can help block or reduce the negative reaction. This might be especially significant in ASD's, where food intolerances with mental side effects are thought to be more frequent. Perhaps you have a food intolerance?

The betelnut might turn your teeth red if you use it a lot, but not black I don't think.

I had some of the sliced nuts in the past where you have to mix it with lime and all, but you can buy it prepared, from Indian grocery stores. The effects are interesting, sort of a calm euphoria, and a clear mind, but it doesn't last very long. I became interested in it after reading the autobiographies of some Thai forest monks, who used it daily.


I wasn't aware that you could get Taurine in powder. Originally I noticed it was in red-bull and my friends and I assumed this was there secret stimulant, hence the bull. But I found other drinks with it that weren't quite as harsh as redbull and the effect was similar to betelnut, only less noticeable.

uhh, yeah i doubt that anything could CONTROL anxiety, especially not something that is food or meds or something. i get anxious cause of other people or whatever, i dunno the cause really. people seem to be obsessed with supplements theese days........

I'm not sure I understand your post, Berta.
Anxiety has strong corellation to chemicals in the brain, so it only makes sense that changing these chemicals or supplementing them might be helpful in dealing with it.
I understand your skepticism, due to all of the supplements available and the way they are marketed, but your post offers nothing helpful to me, and actually seems a little insulting.

im insulted by the NT society, parents, doctors and people who think and tell me that supplements/diet/meds can make my life like a perfect NT...
sorry, im just bored to death.

Re.5htp.
Is used alternatively to combat the after effects of drunkenness by people.

<<I've been doing a little research on some dietary supplements that might help me with periodic anxiety>>
<<I found that L-glutamine made me feel even better>>

I've been researching in a naturopathic book recently and have just started experimenting.
L-glutamine 1000MG BID does nothing for me.

L-tryptophan and passion flower are both supposed to help anxiety but shouldn't be used together (addictive)

L-tryptophan alone can worsen depression. L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine, L-deprenyl andSAMe are all adrenal stuff that are precursors to other brain chemicals (as is tyrosine) that allegedly treat depression.
5HTP is a precursor to serotonin.

Kava 200mg TID is used naturopathically to treat anxiety.

more detailed info can be found in 2 books by Michael T. Murray ND; one is Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements.

Raw adrenal can be purchased at health food stores.

Another reference is the PDR for Nutritional Supplements.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried any of these.

Maineowl

Magnesium also has antidepressant and antianxiety effects. Though one has to be careful not to take too much magnesium since it can turn toxic at certain levels.

I've heard of kava. Do you know how it works, or what produces the effect?

Sorry spacemonkey, I haven't written down anything else re Kava

Maineowl

I've been taking Carnosine for about 2 weeks: It has accelerated my improvements.
I can't separate it's effects from my previous diet and changes, but within a few days of taking it, I enjoyed immediate improvements in social interactions. I was more casual and associative; I enjoyed small talk. Facial expressions were very natural and it was like a door to the NT world had been opened. I smiled easy and others responded positively.

Previous Diet mods:
3 or more months on Coromega: Omega 3 Fish Oil. tasty Orange or Lime, no fishy taste. I believe it alleviated the more ADD type symptoms. Tasks/Planning improved. Thinking was more sharp.

Gluten Free Diet: I went totally GFCF for a couple of weeks, but reterated back into minor casein use: coffee creamer, yogurt, small bits of cheese, nutrition bars with whey
Day 10, Oct 25 2007: regression and withdrawal breakdown. I've never been addicted to drugs (maybe caffeine and nicotine), but from what I've read, leaving gluten must be similar. I was feeling very anxious and grumpy. Ride the wave out though. I did and things improved. I notice more energy, less dark circles, a more even mood and better communication.

After being GF for a couple of weeks, you instantly FEEL gluten if it enters your system automatically. It is akin to being slightly zoned or buzzed.

Carnosine was a gift. In the past I had noticed a better feeling after eating good quality red meat, but I did not want to consume mass quantities of meat to natrally produce Carnosine in my body. The body can make Carnosine, but we would have to literally eat like Neanderthals to reap the effects.


Since finding and starting Carnosine, I have been able to reintroduce small bits of gluten without having a reaction or zoning out. Gluten still has some effect, I will avoid it, but I'm not frightened or overly picky about checking every ingredient now. I do recommend upping the meat with kids, and come down on the gluten. The farming industry is out to farm the nation. They want us to believe that we need to eat lots of cereal grains and dairy products: Don't. Meats, Vegetables and Fruits are vital!



Links:
http://www.nutritionreview.org/library/ ... osine.html
http://www.eas.asu.edu/~autism/Research/FattyAcids.doc
Or Google HTML version:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:k2 ... cd=5&gl=us

How can magnesium be toxic? The only effects I heard of were rather benign, and I have overdosed on it A LOT!! !! !

Carnosine helps protect the body from glycation, one of the two main processes that cause symptoms associated with the breakdown, or aging of the body. Recent studies have indicated that glycation works together with oxidation to create free radicals, the destructive oxygen atoms that damage other healthy cells in the body. While oxidation is a result of oxygen use in the body, glycation is driven by the body’s use of sugar.

Carnosine supplements also combat cellular damage by helping the body rid itself of toxic metals, a process known as chelation. Excessive levels of pro-oxidative metals, such as copper and zinc, and toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and nickel, have been linked to a host of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, autism, Parkinson’s, dementia, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Supplementing with carnosine may help protect against these disorders, because it helps keep these substances from accumulating in your system.

Carnosine oral supplementation is a relatively new, and there is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for this substance. The normal dose for anti-aging benefits is 100 to 200 milligrams each day. Such dosages have failed to produce any report of serious side effects or contraindications to date. There have been some reports of disturbing muscle twitching with dosages of over 1 gram per day.

Carnosine has been hailed as the next super-antioxidant. Although research concerning carnosine supplementation is preliminary, early results are promising. Those that wish to add a potentially powerful weapon to their anti-aging arsenal have little to lose—no toxic effects have been reported, and the supplements are relatively inexpensive.


2ukenkerl taking too much of any of this stuff is not good ask a tma person... that way by having a tma it will tell you what you are rather than guessing

I didn't say it was good, but that it wasn't toxic in that it would hurt you badly or kill you.

TMA? Tissue mineral analysis???? You DO know most people were found to be DEFICIENT in magnesium, right?