Tag Archives: Amino Acid

IV Amino Acid Therapy For Addiction Treatment

September 5, 2014

Addiction Treatment With IV Amino Acid Therapy

Amino acids are the building blocks of human proteins and it is these proteins that the body uses to build and repair all kinds of human tissues. Amino acid therapy is a very effective way and a detox strategy for assisting those addicted to drugs and even alcohol. This treatment started with an American doctor who was investigating how amino acids could be used to provide neurotransmitter balance in the brains of those suffering from certain mental disorders.

Drug and alcohol addiction is shown to result from neurotransmitter imbalance which can be corrected by administering amino acids. This kind of treatment is not appropriate for everyone but has helped in various cases. What alcohol and drugs does is that it alters the required balance among neurotransmitters in the brain and the amino acid therapy restores the original balance. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that carry electrical impulses throughout the brain and also to and from the central nervous system. When the neurotransmitters get out of balance, due to alcohol or drug use, larger quantities are needed in order for the addicted patient to achieve the same pleasurable effect, a situation known as tolerance.

IV Amino Acid Therapy

During detox, the addicted patient experiences cravings and many other side effects as a result of the neurotransmitters imbalance. Amino acids treatment helps many addicts by restoring the neurotransmitters balance. The detox process involves the intravenous supply of amino acids and other essential vitamins and minerals to the addict. This method has shown success rates of about 80% within the United States and the United Kingdom.

The patient is normally hooked intravenously to a constant stream of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Other medications are usually not administered with the amino acids so as to reduce the withdrawal symptoms as other medications can interfere with the work done by these amino acids.as the withdrawal symptoms begin, the intravenous solution is injected through the veins and goes directly to the brain through blood. Reaching the brain directly stimulates it to rebalance itself as soon as withdrawal occurs.

This treatment is rapid compared to the medicated detox which involves use of drugs such as opiates and takes weeks or months. Amino acids is faster and leads to recovery completely within a span of between five to seven days. For one to get the best results out of this therapy, it has to be combined with both mental and emotional aspects of addiction. Amino acids works as a substitute by giving the brain what it craves from the substance of abuse. Amino acids also eliminate most of the symptoms expected from a withdrawal.

This therapy has been found to be effective in neutralizing brain and body toxins involved, restoring brain function and balance, minimizing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, reducing potential for relapse and supporting the brain and nervous system. Amino acids are also essential for nourishing the brain that is recovering from addiction.

This kind of treatment is normally tailored to the individual but typical therapy cocktails include vitamin c, magnesium, vitamin b, zinc, selenium and amino acids. Intravenous amino acid is better because oral administration is hard on the stomach and intestines and less effective. This therapy is a biological shortcut that is fast and bypass intestinal absorption and liver metabolism. Using amino acids, brain chemistry can be changed to help normalize and restore deficiencies in the neurotransmitters that spur cravings

Examples of supplements given during the Intravenous therapy include:

  • D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine which restores brain chemicals called enkephalins and endorphins which are depleted as a result of heroin, alcohol, marijuana, sweets, starches ,chocolate and tobacco use. The amino acid deficiency symptoms are sensitive to physical and emotional pain.it makes one to crave for comfort and pleasure, desire certain foods or drugs. The supplements Reward stimulation, prevent craving, and depression. Mild improved energy and focus, pain relief and increased pleasure are the effects of this amino acid supplement.
  • L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine which restores Norepinephrine and Dopamine. These nutrients are depleted as a result of Caffeine, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana, Aspartame, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets and Starches. The deficiency of these nutrients causes Depression, low energy, Lack of focus and concentration and Attention-deficit disorder. These supplements prevent craving, depression and provide increased energy as well as improved mental focus.

Amino Acid Therapy

  • L-Tryptophan or 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) which restores Serotonin. Deficiency is brought about by Sweets, Alcohol, Starch, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Chocolate and Tobacco. The effects to the patient include bringing about low self-esteem, obsessive as well as compulsive behaviors, rage, difficulty in sleeping, cravings in the afternoons or evenings, negativity, heat intolerance and fibromyalgia. This supplement is an anti-craving, anti-depression and anti-insomnia.it gives improved appetite, mood and corrects other serotonin deficiency symptoms.
  • GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) restores GABA.GABA is depleted as a result of Valium, Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Sweets and Starches use. The negative effects for the nutrient’s lack includes Feeling of being stressed-out, Nervousness, Tense muscles and Trouble relaxing. The supplement Promotes calmness as well as relaxation.
  • L-Glutamine restores GABA (mild enhancement) and acts as a Fuel source for the entire brain. The deficiency causes Stress, Mood swings and Hypoglycemia.it is brought about by sweets, starches and alcohol. The supplement acts as an Anti-craving agent and anti-stress.it also Levels blood sugar and mood.

To assist in amino-acid nutritional therapy, the use of a multi-vitamin and mineral formula is highly recommended. Many vitamins and minerals serve as co-factors and serve to restore general balance, vitality and well-being to the patient who typically is in a state of poor nutritional health.

Whether you need help on balancing adrenals or you are an addict who is looking for a natural way of gradually recovering from an addiction, Awaremed Resource And Wellness Center is your perfect solution. You are free to call us, for more go to www.awaremednetwork.com.

Addiction Treatment With IV Amino Acid Therapy

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How Useful Are Amino Acids in Preparation for Phase 2 of Detoxification

August 31, 2014

What is detoxification?

This is a process through which toxins are removed from the body. These toxins are neutralized, transformed or gotten rid of from the body. The common sources of these toxins are the diets we take, the drugs we use, and exposure to the environment.

Why should I undergo detoxification?

As mentioned earlier, detoxification is the process of removing toxins (harmful substances) from the body. When these toxins are left to remain in your body, they result into many negative health effects. The benefits of detoxification are therefore many, and they are equal to ‘healthy’ living. Some of these benefits include the following:-

  • Detoxification results into increased energy levels. Energy is very important for our bodies to remain active. When detoxification is done, it helps how bodies much, by increasing the energy they get.

detoxification

  • Detoxification improves our immunity. Detoxification will help recovering drug addict regain immunity. When a person is recovering from addiction, the level of immunity determines how fast the person will recover. The increase in this immunity leads to quick recovery from addiction and improved resistance from illnesses. This improves the health standards of the person.
  • Addiction is known to have a negative effect on the mental focus. When a person is recovering from addiction, detoxification helps the person regain mental focus.

Which are the phases of detoxification?

There are two important phases of any successful detoxification. These phases are normally categorized as phase I and phase II. These two phases are biochemical processes which facilitate the body to get rid of toxins. These two phases are based on the ability of the body to gradually get rid of waste.

What happens at these phases?

The following is a brief description of what happens at each of the phases of detoxification.

  • Phase I of detoxification

In this first stage, it is all about solubility. All the chemicals which are not soluble to water are converted to comparatively electrically charged or polar fusions with the help of enzymes which append a reactive or a polar group. This occurs in a manner that little changes in molecules can occur during the second phase. This makes it possible for the body to naturally excrete them when they finally dissolve in water.

Most of the changes that occur during phase one involve oxidation and reduction.

This stage builds on the result of phase one. In this stage, different chemicals are either conjugated or added to the existing chemical. Consequently, the toxic chemical now changes to water soluble compound and therefore it can be excreted from the body. Sometimes xenobiotic possesses a cluster on the chemical from before. In such a scenario, detoxification is not necessary at phase I. The xenobiotic should therefore be directly decontaminated during the process of conjugation of the chemical in the phase.

Which are these essential amino acids helpful in phase II detoxification?

Amino acids are useful in the process of conjugation. This conjugation is sometimes referred to as acylation. Some of these amino acids include:-

  • Glycine – this amino acid offers secondary help. It supports glutathione synthesis. It also helps in reduction of toxicity of some substances like phenols or benzoic acid. This amino acid prepares the body early before addiction recovery by reducing the amount of toxins within the body.
  • Glutamine- this is another important amino acid, which is essential for phase II detoxification. The advantage of this amino acid is that; it helps to heal the GI track and also reduces craving for addictive drugs, a property which helps very much during drug addiction recovery.

detoxification

  • Taurine – this is a very important amino acid in detoxification phase II. It is known to enhance metabolism and play an important role in the detoxification of ethanol. It also prevents hepatic fibrosis.
  • Cysteine- this is regarded as a very special amino acid. It is a sulfur containing amino acid, which is synthesized in the liver. These amino acids are normally involved in many metabolic pathways. This amino acid has advantage over the other amino acids in that; it can be converted into many other forms. For instance, it can be converted into cysteine and taurine. Researchers have found that cysteine can form glutathione, which is a known powerful antioxidant and detoxifier that functions in many different enzymes systems.
  • Methionine- this is an essential amino acid, and our bodies cannot manufacture it. It must be taken with our diets to our bodies. This amino acid is known to be an important cartilage forming substance.
  • Tyrosine – this is an essential amino acid, which is used in the synthesis of structural protein. This amino acid has a key role when used in phase II of detoxification, since it is used in the production of neurotransmitter. This amino acid is involved in many important functions and it is sometimes considered to be all purpose amino acid. Another advantage of tyrosine is that it has been found to sharpen brain. This is a very helpful property for a person recovering from addiction, which in many cases paralyzes the functioning of the brain.

Detoxification process is a serious treatment procedure and should only be carried out by professional who are certified and really understand what they do. At Awaremed Wellness and Resource center, we understand all steps and phases of detoxification. If you need help with any addiction treatment, call in and keep reading our blog.

How Useful Are Amino Acids in Preparation for Phase Ii Detoxification

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Supplements To Aid You In Recovery From Addiction And Remain Healthy

August 3, 2014

Supplements To Aid You In Recovery From Addiction And Remain Healthy

What are supplements?

addiction supplementsSupplements are substances that are considered vital in the body but they are currently insufficient or unavailable hence need to add them to the body. These substances are intended to cure a given disease or condition naturally by providing the body with the ingredients that it requires in fighting the disease or condition. In this article, we will look at some critical supplements which enable the body to fight addiction and heal from the damage cause by the addiction.

  • DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA): DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA): this is an essential amino acid which our bodies cannot produce and thus they must come from our diets of from DL-supplement. It is a depression fighting mixture made from two forms of amino acid, phenylalanine. One of its components, L-Portion has dopamine and nor-epinephrine which are essential in bolstering of moods. The D-portions of the compound is made in the labs and it appears to block the nervous system enzyme which amplifies the pain signal. This is why this supplement can be useful in the treatment of pain and mild depression. DPLA has been proven to be able to improve the mental awareness.it can also increase endorphin and encephalin levels by inhibiting the enzyme enkephalinase that breaks them down.
  • L-Tyrosine: This is another important amino acid which is used in the synthesis of structural proteins. Tyrosine is manufactured from another amino acid called phenylalanine. One of the reasons why tyrosine is considered to be among the most important amino acids is because it is used in the production of neurotransmitter. Some scientists have also argued that tyrosine directly affects the brain. This amino acid is also known to be responsible as a pigment imparting agent for the human skin.

Where can we get this amino acid from? Tyrosine is readily available in foods such as dairy products, meat, eggs, fish and oats. Apart from the dietary source the amino acid can be found as a supplement especially for people who cannot get it directly from the foods.

 

The health advantage of tyrosine is that it has been proven to reduce depression, mood disorders, among other diseases. Tyrosine also is used by the body to create chemical messengers which paly role in the alertness of an individual. Tyrosine also works to increase the production of enkephalins, which are peptides which have potent painkilling effects and also
protects falling dopamine levels.

  • L-Glycine: this is an amino acid which is not considered essential since the body can naturally manufacture its own L-glycine. Apart from this fact, they can be found in the diets that we take every day. These amino acids are important in a number of ways. They have been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory effects and also they encourage the production of neurotransmitter which is an essential substance in the brain for sending and receiving signals. It has also been successfully used to treat depression and prevention of epileptic seizure.

L-glycine is also known to have soothing effect in the brain and thus it can be used to bring calmness in the brain, and effect that can be harnessed for medicinal value. It also assists in endorphin and enkephalin synthesis.

 

  •  L-Methionine: this is an amino acid which is used to prevent liver damages in acetaminophen poisoning. Methionine helps the liver to detoxify drugs and is also required for the production of enkephalins. It is found in foods but can also be given as a supplement. It plays many critical functions in the cells to avoid liver damage.
  • L-Tryptophan: this is an essential amino acid found in the human body. The body cannot manufacture it, and therefore it must be taken with our diets. It is an important amino acid in the development and functioning of many organs in the body. Once it is absorbed into the body from food, L-tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP and then to Serotonin. Serotonin is an important hormone which is the medium of communication in the nerve system. Do not take tryptophan at the same time as SSRI antidepressants.
  •  Vitamins and Minerals: These are nutrients that we should take in our daily meals. Vitamins and minerals are supported in their own right but also essential cofactors for the above amino acid remedies.
  • Magnesium: this is a nutrient which is very important in our bodies, since it is used in hundreds of biochemical reactions, a factor which makes it crucial for health. Magnesium is calming and nourishing to the nervous system, slightly painkilling, assists regeneration throughout the system and liver detoxification.
  • B-Complex: These are vitamins (The eight B vitamins). They are important in our bodies, since they keep our bodies run like a well-oiled machine. High doses of B complex are protective and regenerative to the nervous system. These vitamins can be gotten from diets like cerials, green leavy vegetables, eggs, chicken, citrus fruits just to mention a few. In case you cannot get these vitamins from the diet, you can also get them as supplement, by taking B Complex supplements. Deficiency in these vitamins can result to symptoms such as anemia, tiredness, depression among others.

 

Supplements To Aid You In Recovery From Addiction And Remain Healthy

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Ketogenic Diet and Cancer

August 1, 2014

The Role of Calorie Restriction, Amino Acid Restriction, Carbohydrate Restriction And The Ketogenic Diet

It is good to appreciate this fact; just like any other normal, healthy body cell, cancer cells also need reliable supply of nutrients to keep living. The best cancer cure that can kill the cancerous cells without affecting the normal cells would be to starve them. Basing our arguments on past research works that have investigated how the cancer cell survives it will be easier to alter diets to ensure that their best sources of nutrients are cut. However in the past it was never easy to starve the cancerous cells while ensuring that the normal healthy cells are well supplied with the nutrients as well as oxygen that are needed in metabolism by the healthy cells. The researchers have tried all experiments to find ways of killing the cancer cells by starving them while leaving the nutrient supplies to the healthy cells unaffected. One of the findings that may help this approach work is that cancer cells depend entirely on glucose to survive. The healthy body cells however can find other sources of nutrients in case the glucose supply is interrupted. Because of this loophole plus others, cancer doctors have developed dietary manipulations that can help in curbing cancer and increase survival rates to those battling with cancer.

Some of the dietary manipulations have proved to be very effective in fighting cancer while others are still not well understood. The researchers are still working on other dietary approaches to cancer treatment and we can only hope that sooner or later we will be able to treat cancer more safely with these dietary approaches. Some of the dietary manipulations that are popularly used in cancer treatment include;

Ketogenic Diet and cancer

A ketogenic diet features high quality proteins and healthy fats while it eliminates all but non-starchy vegetable carbohydrates. The logic behind the ketogenic diet is that: since cancer cells need glucose to survive and the carbohydrates turn to glucose in the body, reducing the amount of carbohydrates in your body starves the cancer cells. Just like cancer cells, the healthy cells rely on glucose but are flexible enough to turn to ketone bodies for energy unlike the cancer cells that suffer defects that deny them this flexibility to turn to ketone sources of energy. This is a loophole that has been used by doctors to kill the cancer cell without affecting the healthy cells.

The ketogenic diet also minimizes the mTOR pathway that enhances cell proliferation. This diet that restricts all starchy vegetable carbohydrates but advocates for healthy fats and high quality is a better way to kill the cancer cells and should be adopted by anybody not only to treat cancer but as a daily feeding lifestyle as it is an ideal fat burning diet.

Dr. Dalal Akoury is one of the sought after integrative cancer doctors that can help in personalizing even the dietary manipulations to suit you cancer therapy. She has personalized ketogenic cancer treatment for many cancer patients and you may consider seeking her for the same.

Calorie restriction and cancer

Cancer patients who have reduced their calories intake respond better to treatment and are mostly victorious in their fight against cancer. This is a fact that has been supported by many research findings. When calories consumption is reduced, expression of certain proteins that foster cancer cells survival will be inhibited. Basically eating calories results in the calories being broken down to provide energy for building of proteins so when calorie intake is restricted there will be slowed rate of metabolism and the functions of  most proteins will be inhibited. The researchers have also found out that reducing calories intake will help in minimizing over expression of Mcl-1 which is the protein linked to formation and growth of cancer cells.

As I have said glucose is the sole energy for cancer that if restricted then the cancer cells will be starved to death. In this approach sugar is replaced by another energy source; fat, which will help healthy cells but leave the cancer cells with no energy source to keep living. The cancerous cells lack the flexibility to feed on fat as with the healthy cells hence they will starve to death in absence of glucose.

Amino acid restriction and cancer

Amino acids are vital building blocks in our bodies and the cancerous cells are dependent on the amino acids for growth. Two of the amino acids these are phenylalanine and tyrosine have an ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Most cancer cells are dependent on these two amino acids but melanomas, breast cancer and prostate cancer are greatly affected by restriction of these two amino acids. When the amino acids are restricted the growth of cancer cells is inhibited greatly. Restriction of amino acids has also induced apoptosis on many cancer cells. A research that was led by Dr. Meadows who is the Director of the Cancer Prevention & Research Center at Washington State University showed that amino acid restriction can be a very valid alternative cancer treatment.

Carbohydrate Restriction and cancer

DietCarbohydrates are a major source of glucose and the cancer cells solely depend on the glucose for their survival. The cancer cells need more of the glucose than the healthy cells. When there are lots of carbohydrates in the diet the cancer cells are poised to grow and spread even faster. Since the cancer cells can only survive on the glucose when the carbohydrates are restricted they will not find enough glucose to feed on and will therefore starve to death. The normal cells are able to adapt to other sources of energy like fats in the body.

Dr. Dalal Akoury has been helpful to many cancer patients by availing personalized treatment. He has vast experience in integrative cancer treatment and will use this experience to get the best cancer treatment that will not leave you with severe side effects. Call on her for consultations.

The Role of Calorie Restriction, Amino Acid Restriction, Carbohydrate Restriction And The Ketogenic Diet

 

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NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DOPAMINE

July 31, 2014

Natural Remedies for Dopamine Include IV Vitamin C, IV selenium, IV coq10, IV DNP

From the definition of dopamine, you will understand that dopamine is responsible for the reward system in the brain. This chemical is responsible for making us feel pleasure, motivated, drive, focus, concentration etc. Dopamine is therefore simply a chemical that is used by the brain to send signals. When dopamine is released by a nerve, it crosses a very small gap known as synapse and then attaches to a dopamine receptor on the next nerve. When the levels of dopamine are low in the brain, the nerve impulses or signals cannot be transmitted well and this can impair the brains functioning. This situation where the level of dopamine is low in the brain is known as dopamine deficiency.

What may affect the level of dopamine?

Dopamine is a chemical which is naturally produced by the human brain. This means that for the level of dopamine produced by the brain to remain optimum the brain must be functioning well. Any alteration in the functioning of the brain therefore can cause imbalance in the levels of dopamine in the brain. Addictive drugs are known to be in the frontline of the causers of this imbalance. The addictive drugs seem to alter the normal functioning of the brain and consequently affect the level of dopamine in our bodies. When the level of dopamine goes down, the person may become depressed. A common effect of low level of dopamine in the brain is depression.

How do I know that I have dopamine deficiency?

The common symptoms of low level in dopamine are the same symptoms associated with the clinical depression. This is because when the person has low level of dopamine; emotions cannot be correctly regulated and has mental impulses which mitigate intense feeling of sadness. The following are therefore the most common symptoms of dopamine deficiency;

  • Lowness in motivation – the person looks docile and doesn’t look to have any motivation towards activities around.
  • Lack of interest in life – the person doesn’t see reason to live.
  • Mood swings – the person looks moody and not willing to freely interact with the people around.
  • Sleep patterns become altered – if you are a victim of dopamine deficiency, you may exhibit altered sleep patterns.
  • Poor memory – the person has a very low retention and remembrance capacities. The chances of retaining information for long are very low since the person remains depressed.
  • The person may be addicted to caffeine or other stimulants
  • Fatigue may also be evident.
  • There may be weight loss in the person.
  • Inability to feel pleasure – since the dopamine is the one responsible for the feeling of pleasure, its deficiency means the person will experience diminish in pleasure feeling capacity.

The levels of dopamine sometimes may be extremely low. In this situation, it causes a permanent and degenerative diminishing motor skills and also muscle rigidity and tremor.

The Natural Remedies For Dopamine Deficiency

Balanced amount of dopamine in the brain is very important. Thus whenever one is diagnosed with its deficiency there should be measures to restore it back to the appropriate levels. The natural remedies have been proven to be much safer ways of increasing serotonin levels. This is particularly because these natural ways are not prone to side effects like the medical ways have.

The natural dopamine remedy doesn’t involve prescription medicine and thus it focuses on the nutrition, exercise and supplements.

  • The nutritional dopamine increase – this dopamine increasing strategy looks at the level of deficiency and offers plans to increase them appropriately. The book, “The Edge Effect” which is written by Dr. Eric Braverman gives us specific nutritional and supplement plans which can be used to increase the levels of dopamine to certain levels depending on the person’s deficiency.

dopamineThe principle that is used by the dopamine diet is that it offers the body the required raw materials for a steady supply of tyrosine and phenylalanine which are the two amino acids which are antecedents of dopamine. The source of these amino acids is foods which are rich in proteins. These foods convert their tyrosine to dopamine. Such foods include:-

  • Meat (Chicken, pork etc.)
  • Fruits like bananas, apples and watermelon.
  • Eggs
  • Black and green tea
  • Beans and legumes
  • Honey
  • Milk
  • Ricotta
  • Soybeans
  • Beets and many more other foods products especially those rich in proteins and IV Vitamin C.
  • Supplements which can increase dopamine

There are compounds which can be administered to the patient and then they raise the level of dopamine in the patient. Such supplements include Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine. These are actually amino acids and hence they can make dopamine when administered to the patient. They should though be used for low energy type depression, addictive behavior, including depression (low mood), food craving and overeating phases.

Exercise plays an important role in dopamine level increasing. It is highly recommended that you regularly do exercise. Exercise increases the blood calcium which in turn stimulates dopamine production and uptakes in the brain. Doing exercises such as walking, gym, swimming, jogging extra can be very helpful in the dopamine level incrementing. Sleep is also another important ingredient, and thus ensure you get enough sleep.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DOPAMINE

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