Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and so they come from protein foods; however, some people do not produce or assimilate amino acids as well as others, and so amino acid supplements can be utilized, especially in cases where addiction is an issue. Addiction recovery is commonly found in products that are taken internally in some way (consumption, inhalation, etc.). Amino acid supplements may help.
Food, drugs, and alcohol, are common addictions in society today. The “white foods” like sugar, white flour, white rice, and white potatoes, can act as addictive foods to someone who is prediabetic or diabetic, similarly to how alcohol or marijuana, caffeine, speed, or cocaine, can act as an addiction to someone else.
Amino acid supplements can help curb these appetites for unhealthy habits, and aid in bringing back a sense of control because they activate the neurotransmitters in the brain that affect these issues.
Amino acid supplements for addictions
Consider these addictions:
FOODS/DRINKS: Sweets, starches, chocolate, caffeine, aspartame, alcohol, etc.
DRUGS: Heroin, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, speed, cocaine, ecstasy, valium, etc.
These items may be as much of an emotional addiction as they can be a physical addiction, depending. Be sure to ask your physician before trying to treat addictions or go through addiction recovery by supplementing with amino acids.
Amino acid supplements chart for addiction recovery
Treating or reducing symptoms to help smooth out the process of recovery may be aided by taking essential or non-essential amino acid supplements.
Here is a chart showing amino acid supplements for addictions from the Addiction Recovery Guide folks, reprinted from: Blum K, Ross J, Reuben C, Gastelu D, Miller DK. “Nutritional Gene Therapy: Natural Healing in Recovery. Counselor Magazine, January/February, 2001
Supplemental Ingredient |
Restored Brain Chemical |
Addictive Substance Abuse |
Amino Acid Deficiency Symptoms |
Expected Behavior Change |
D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine | Enkephalins Endorphins |
Heroin, Alcohol, Marijuana, Sweets, Starches, Chocolate, Tobacco | Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions sensitive to physical or emotional pain. Crave comfort and pleasure. Desire certain food or drugs. | Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Mild anti-depression. Mild improved energy and focus. D-Phenylalanine promotes pain relief, increases pleasure. |
L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine | Norepinephrine Dopamine |
Caffeine, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana, Aspartame, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches | Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions. Depression, low energy. Lack of focus and concentration. Attention-deficit disorder. | Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Increased energy. Improved mental focus. |
L-Tryptophan or 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) | Serotonin | Sweets, Alcohol, Starch, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Chocolate, Tobacco | Low self-esteem. Obsessive/compulsive behaviors. Irritability or rage. Sleep problems. Afternoon or evening cravings. Negativity. Heat intolerance. Fibromyalgia, SAD (winter blues). | Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Anti-insomnia. Improved appetite control. Improvement in all mood and other serotonin deficiency symptoms. |
GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) | GABA | Valium, Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches | Feeling of being stressed-out. Nervous. Tense muscles. Trouble relaxing. | Promotes calmness. Promotes relaxation. |
L-Glutamine | GABA (mild enhancement) Fuel source for entire brain |
Sweets, Starches, Alcohol | Stress. Mood swings. Hypoglycemia. | Anti-craving, anti-stress. Levels blood sugar and mood. GABA (mild enhancement). Fuel source for entire brain. |
Whether you have mental health or emotional health issues, chemical dependency, food related issues such as diabetes, weight gain/weight loss problems, or other health problems, please discuss taking any amino acid supplements with your doctor before attempting addiction recovery.
References:
http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/holistic/nutrition
http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/45/Addiction/Amino-Acid-Protocol?hp_id=15