Amino Acid Therapy for Depression Anxiety

Chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine are often the cause of depression and anxiety disorders. Essential amino acids help produce the major neurotransmitters that our brain needs. Amino acid therapy is a long-term solution to improving depression, anxiety and the chemical imbalance in the brain.

Neurotransmitters and Amino Acids

• Amino acids are the precursors to the neurotransmitters that our brain needs to function properly and stay healthy. When our amino acid levels are skewed, we're more likely to have problems functioning, which can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. For example, serotonin is a major mood regulator; a person experiencing depression will often have low serotonin levels.

  Some of the essential amino acids that our body needs to produce serotonin and other neurotransmitters include tryptophan, choline, tyrosine, methionine, 5-HTP, phenylalanine, lysine, threonine, valine and leucine.

Urine Analysis

• Amino acid therapy for depression and anxiety begins with a simple urine test that's conducted in a medical office or at your home. The urine analysis will measure the amounts of the neurotransmitters that you have. This will indicate which neurotransmitters and chemicals are depleted, which provides the basis for the amino acids that you need. Urine analyses are also conducted a few months after amino acid therapy has begun in order to monitor the neurotransmitter levels and make sure the therapy is working correctly.

Amino Acid Supplements

• Supplements with the proper amount and dosage of amino acids that are needed to balance the neurotransmitters should be evaluated by a medical professional. Taking these amino acid supplements will help produce and replenish the neurotransmitters that your brain is short on. Your doctor will determine a schedule of the amino acid therapy supplements that need to be taken on a regular basis. The patient should follow this schedule to improve depression and anxiety.