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drug abuse

Using amino acids in healing addicted brain

July 4, 2017
Using amino acids

Using amino acids in healing addicted brain can help

Using amino acids in healing addicted brain: Treatment possibilities

Addiction is a serious health risk, a condition with several treatment possibilities including using amino acids. Addiction can affect directly or indirectly and despite its grave effects we are yet to appreciate that its physical disorders originate from the brain. According to the experts from the AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the leadership of Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, addiction has some painful symptoms which occur during abstinence and interferes with the ability to stay sober. Some of these symptoms include; craving, obsession, compulsion, stress sensitivity, anxiety, depression, mental confusion, and hypersensitivity to the environment. It is also important to note that the pain of staying sober can be so severe that it may interfere with the ability to function normally even when the desire for and commitment is strong.

Using amino acids in healing addicted brain: Neurotransmitters and addiction

Everyone needs comfort both physical and emotional, for this to effectively take place, neurotransmitters will play a very significant role in feelings of pleasure and well-being. The brain will in the event of deficiency or excess of the neurotransmitters give rise to uncomfortable feelings. Many at times the decisions and actions we take are chosen to produce a good feeling or relieve bad feelings. For example:

  • We eat because it produces a reward of good feelings.
  • We eat certain foods because they produce a better reward than others (chocolate produces more reward for most people than parsley).
  • We have sex because it produces a powerful release of pleasurable chemicals.
  • We work because the work itself is rewarding for us or because the end result produces a reward.
  • We refrain from certain actions because they do not produce the feeling of reward we are seeking.
  • We all differ in what gives us satisfaction and in the depth of satisfaction we experience, but we are all motivated by chemical actions in the brain that nature uses to keep us alive, motivated, functioning, and reproducing.

An imbalance in the interaction of neurotransmitters can result in a reward deficiency that can manifest as restlessness, anxiety, emptiness, lack of satisfaction, and vague or specific cravings. When this takes place the brain is simply communicating to us to take action to make right the imbalance. There are substances and activities that change our biochemistry so much that we want to do them over and over. And if the person has a reward deficit that predisposes to addiction, the activity that works will be repeated as often as necessary to get the desired reward. For the person predisposed to addiction, the chosen activity will rapidly go from self-medication to addiction.

While research has opened doors to new understandings of the nature of addiction and its effect on the brain, little of this information has been applied to actually helping people get well from this devastating disease. There are scientifically based strategies that change the brain chemistry of the addicted person, removing the discomfort of withdrawal, eliminating cravings, and relieving the abstinence-based symptoms of addiction. These include nutritional therapy, acupuncture, auricular therapy, and brain wave biofeedback. The most important is the nutritional approach, especially with the use of amino acids, which is the focus of this discussion. We will continue this discussion in our subsequent postings but in the meantime, you and I need to pool together in keep the activities of our brains healthy. And therefore for any concern about this deadly condition, you can always schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury for a one on one professional input.

Using amino acids in healing addicted brain: Treatment possibilities

 

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Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain

January 10, 2017
Amino acids

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain and when this is done, life is rejuvenated to perfection

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain: Treatment possibilities

Addiction is a serious health risk, a condition with several treatment possibilities including the use of amino acids as we will be finding out progressively. Addiction can affect directly or indirectly and despite its grave effects we are yet to appreciate that its physical disorders originate from the brain. According to the experts from AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, addiction has some painful symptoms which occur during abstinence and interferes with the ability to stay sober. Some of these symptoms include; craving, obsession, compulsion, stress sensitivity, anxiety, depression, mental confusion, and hypersensitivity to the environment. It is also important to note that the pain of staying sober can be so severe that it may interfere with the ability to function normally even when the desire for and commitment is strong.

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain: Neurotransmitters and addiction

Everyone need comfort both physical and emotional, for this to effectively take place, neurotransmitters will play a very significant role in feelings of pleasure and well-being. The brain will in the event of deficiency or excess of the neurotransmitters give rise to uncomfortable feelings. Many at times the decisions and actions we take are chosen to produce a good feeling or relieve bad feelings. For example:

  • We eat because it produces a reward of good feelings.
  • We eat certain foods because they produce a better reward than others (chocolate produces more reward for most people than parsley).
  • We have sex because it produces a powerful release of pleasurable chemicals.
  • We work because the work itself is rewarding for us or because the end result produces a reward.
  • We refrain from certain actions because they do not produce the feeling of reward we are seeking.
  • We all differ in what gives us satisfaction and in the depth of satisfaction we experience, but we are all motivated by chemical actions in the brain that nature uses to keep us alive, motivated, functioning, and reproducing.

An imbalance in the interaction of neurotransmitters can result in a reward deficiency that can manifest as restlessness, anxiety, emptiness, lack of satisfaction and vague or specific cravings. When this takes place the brain is simply communicating to us to take action to make right the imbalance. There are substances and activities that change our biochemistry so much that we want to do them over and over. And if the person has a reward deficit that predisposes to addiction, the activity that works will be repeated as often as necessary to get the desired reward. For the person predisposed to addiction, the chosen activity will rapidly go from self-medication to addiction.

While research has opened doors to new understandings of the nature of addiction and its effect on the brain, little of this information has been applied to actually helping people get well from this devastating disease. There are scientifically based strategies that change the brain chemistry of the addicted person, removing the discomfort of withdrawal, eliminating cravings, and relieving the abstinence-based symptoms of addiction. These include nutritional therapy, acupuncture, auricular therapy, and brain wave biofeedback. The most important are the nutritional approach, especially with the use of amino acids, which is the focus of this discussion. We will continue this discussion in our subsequent postings but in the meantime, you and I need to pool together in keep the activities of our brains healthy. And therefore for any concern about this deadly condition, you can always schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury for a one on one professional input.

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain: Treatment possibilities

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Seeking for support in dealing with addiction

August 27, 2015

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: Why it is necessary that you get help from the professionals?

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction from experts is paramount in solving all problems of addiction and avoiding future relapse.

The journey of addiction recovery will not be an easy one and therefore when adding nutrition to your list of elements and tools of fighting addiction, it will be very important for you to find and collaborate with a trained nutritionist who can tailor your diet to your specific needs in recovery. Remember that no matter where you live, seeking for support in dealing with addiction is not optional and for sure it will not be difficult for you finding a trained nutritionist within your locality. The good news to you is that when you reach out for experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, you will not only find nutritionist but also highly qualified addiction experts who will be able to holistically address all your nutritional and addiction needs professionally and timely leaving you to enjoy your life to the fullest thereafter.

Dr. Akoury is fellowship trained and certified in anti-aging functional and regenerative medicine, as well as having more than twenty years of accumulated experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and a master’s degree in public health. She has also served fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and has performed research in leukemia and the effects of smoking. Besides that her decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power was guided by the enormous struggle that she saw in the faces of those struggling with addiction problems. It will also interest you to note that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. Therefore if you or any of your loved ones is struggling with any kind of addiction, you can reach out for her on telephone number 843 213 1480 and schedule for an appointment with her to have all your addiction needs professionally addressed today.

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: The sugar saboteur and food as a substitute addiction

In her practice, doctor Akoury strongly emphasizes on sugar regulation because of its addictive nature. It is not uncommon, she says, for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction to become addicted to sugar. Alcoholics are especially prone to sugar addiction and to the energy rollercoaster that accompanies it, nonetheless that is not all because sugar addiction also affects other addicts too. Akoury believes that eating in a way that promotes blood sugar spikes and crashes is a recipe for disaster when it comes to maintaining your sobriety. She says that when you get that blood sugar crash, your body craves for more sugar. In an alcoholic’s mind, and it works this way in a drug addict’s mind too, when you crave sugar it immediately translates in your brain to alcohol and you get a really strong craving for alcohol. It may be a craving that you can’t control. By regulating their blood sugar, recovering alcoholics can avoid the sugar highs and lows that often send them running for a drink. According to her, in many cases, an addict’s overwhelming urge for his or her next fix is actually a sugar craving in disguise.

The tendency for recovering addicts to develop sugar addiction as they withdraw from alcohol or drugs is an example of a very common phenomenon in addiction recovery. It is not uncommon for those recovering from addiction to turn to food as a replacement. According to a study published in the international research journal Appetite, men in the early stages of recovery often practice dysfunctional eating habits, including substituting food for their drug of choice.

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: The role of amino acids

Professionals at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center agrees that one of the most promising areas of nutritional therapy for recovering addicts relates to neurotransmitters, amino acids, and how they all affect the brain. Research has also demonstrated that the substantial role neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons and other cells in the body, play in addiction.

The connection between neurotransmitters and addiction results from the ability of drugs and alcohol to impact the brain’s output of certain neurotransmitters. For example, cocaine causes the brain to increase its production of the neurotransmitter dopamine which impacts mood and stimulates the feeling of pleasure. A problem arises, however, when the brain has been artificially stimulated to produce a neurotransmitter so often that it no longer produces this neurotransmitter on its own. Essentially, what this means is those recovering from addiction are dealing with a brain that no longer creates neurotransmitters, like dopamine, which play an integral role in their well-being.

According to doctor Akoury, amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, are precursors to neurotransmitters including those most related to addiction like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This connection indicates the potential to treat addiction through the targeted consumption of amino acids, which can be done through the intake of certain foods or supplements. Since dopamine is the key neurotransmitter involved with addiction and is associated with ‘reward,’ it is critical to restore depleted dopamine levels through a higher protein intake. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid which is widespread in food that becomes tyrosine, which is converted to dopamine.

An example of how amino acid supplementation works for addiction can be found in the instance of alcohol withdrawal. Alcoholics going through withdrawal experience an increased turnover of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The amino acid phenylalanine, however, is a precursor to norepinephrine. If an individual recovering from alcohol addiction eats foods high in phenylalanine, like meat and fish, he will be helping to fulfill the need for this neurotransmitter during withdrawal.

Finally says doctor Akoury, it is important to note that dietary recommendations do vary mostly depending on the substance you are withdrawing from. Alcohol and opiates, for example, negatively impact the stomach it therefore means that people recovering from these substances should work to restore gut health through increased intake of probiotics. Cocaine however is associated with essential fatty acid deficiency, so those recovering from cocaine addiction would benefit from increased consumption of Omega 3. Because of these nuances in each recovering addict’s dietary needs, it is important to collaborate with a trained nutritionist to determine what nutritional approach will help you most on your road to recovery.

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: Why it is necessary that you get help from the professionals?

 

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Natural means of fighting sugar cravings

July 1, 2015

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Putting sugar addiction to check

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings can be very effective in bringing sugar cravings to manageable levels

There is no doubt about the sweetness of sugar and naturally sweet things are liked by many globally. No one would want to associate with nasty and horrible taste because that is how we are, the human nature in us. The problem comes when one begins to take sugar excessively to the point that they cannot do without it. When we begin to crave for sugar, then its usefulness and sweetness is altered to addiction which can come along with other health conditions which may be chronic in nature for human life. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care recommends that when one begins to get into this stage of usage then such a person should seek for help immediately from the medical experts. The consequences of not taking action in good time can be very endangering as we will be able to see in the course of this discussion. In the meantime, doctor Dalal Akoury will be taking us through the discussion focusing on the natural means of fighting sugar cravings as follows:

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Diet tips to fight off sugar cravings

The consumption of refined sugar all over the world is sky rocketing and this is a great point of concern for many experts. Take for example in the US it had been estimated that an average American citizen is consuming up to 160 pounds of refined sugar yearly. Can you imagine that? This high consumption of sugar is not just in America, but also in most of the western countries. As a matter of facts, studies have positioned western world to be leading in the prevalence in the number of health conditions which are associated with sugar consumption. Some of those health conditions may include the following: diabetes, certain forms of cancer, obesity and overweight, and tooth decay. Besides that, it is also very important to note that the consumption of too much sugar can also have an impact on individual’s mood causing them to feel tired, irritable, anxious and aggressive.

These complications can really bring you down with a lot of discomforts if treatment is not sought for in good time. With these conditions, one would wish to take action immediately but unfortunately, it is often very difficult to cut back on sugar. This is because human beings have a natural tendency to like sweet things a nature’s trick to save us from poisonous plants which usually have a bitter taste. A sweet tooth was valuable to the survival of our ancestors also because sugary foods provide a quick source of energy. The problem these days is that we eat far more sugar than our ancestors ever could. Also the type of sugar we tend to consume makes us more vulnerable to health problems: rather than indulging in healthy sweet treats like berries or fruit we often opt for unhealthy snacks containing concentrated amounts of white table sugar. This highly refined sugar has little nutritional value; yet it is high in calories. With that said and done let us now get to the natural means of fighting sugar cravings, and remember that the presentations we are going to give only represent diet related tips to help you fight off sugar cravings but are not in any way substitute the professional medical or nutritional advice by the professionals.

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Increase brain serotonin levels through diet

The chemical known as serotonin is responsible for the communications between the cells and other nervous system cells. It functions like the neurotransmitter that helps in the transmission of communications to the brain. Some of the perfect sources of serotonin may include walnuts, pecans, plantains, pineapple, bananas, kiwi fruit, plums, and tomatoes.

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Eating sufficient of tryptophan-rich foods

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in protein rich foods. It normally serves as a precursor to serotonin and therefore an adequate intake of tryptophan rich foods can help with sugar cravings. To get the most out of tryptophan, one should try to increase the blood levels of tryptophan, relative to the blood levels of the other essential amino acids, as other amino acids compete with tryptophan for entry to the brain. One way to do this is to consume some healthy carbohydrates together with the tryptophan-rich meal. It is important to note that carbohydrates stimulate the production of insulin, a hormone which lowers the blood levels of all the essential amino acids, except tryptophan.

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Consumption of plenty of foods rich in B vitamins

B vitamins can be helpful for fighting sugar cravings. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), found in a variety of foods including beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables, can be particularly beneficial due to its role in the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin.

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Ensure an ample supply of glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid that provides energy in the brain and helps build and maintain muscle. It is commonly used by body builders to help reduce muscle deterioration during and post workout. Glutamine may also help reduce cravings for sugar and carbohydrates. This is likely to be a result of glutamine’s stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels: when the levels are low, glutamine suppresses insulin to prevent further decline of the sugar levels. It also stimulates the release of glycogen to help increase the blood sugar to normal levels. Glutamine is found in many protein rich foods such as fish, chicken, beans, and dairy as well as in vegetables such as raw parsley, spinach, cabbage, and beets.

Finally remember what I had said above that these are only tips to help you fight off sugar cravings but are not in any way substitute the professional medical or nutritional advice. The communication behind this statement is that when you are following these natural tips, you will still need the services of professionals to help you out from time to time. It is because of this gap that lead to doctor Dalal Akoury to make a decision of forming a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. With visionary experts like this, you should not continue to suffer because of any kind of addiction. Therefore you may want to schedule for an appointment with this great addiction professional to help you address all your known concerns.

Natural means of fighting sugar cravings: Putting sugar addiction to check

 

 

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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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