Are there risks associated with amino acid use?

[Sarasmiles]

I'm curious...Does anyone know if there might be risks in supplementing with amino acids? A nutritionist friend of mine once told me that the amino acids in supplements "compete" with each other, and with the proteins in the foods we eat. She said that this means that if we take a heavy dose of one amino acid, it can deplete the brain of others. I know there's a lot of amino acid use amongst us My Way Outers, including me...So I'm wondering if anyone knows about this. I take L-Tryptophan, and have also taken the MWO amino complete caps, as well as, at times, L-Glut, Gaba, and Tyrosine. Every time I take one of these, I wonder if I'm screwing around with the balance in my brain. Obviously, I'm not making an argument...Just curious if others know more. Thanks.

[Sarasmiles]

Are there risks associated with amino acid use?

Thanks Zenstyle, I'll take the blend as well as the L-Tryp.

[beatle]

Are there risks associated with amino acid use?

I've wondered about this, too. But in "Seven Weeks to Sobriety", the programme includes many amino acids, and the woman who wrote that has a PhD in nutrition (I think), plus her programme has one of the highest success rates of all "de-alcoholizing" methods in the world (again, I think). Anyway, for me the amino acids have helped in soberising.

Just an aside: L-Tryp gives me nightmares, so I don't take it. But at night I take lithium orotate, which is an OTC supplement, and works to calm you -- it is a non-addictive supplement. I also take melatonin at night before going to sleep.

[livingfree]

Are there risks associated with amino acid use?

wow I never even imagined this happening. I take amino's also. I try to go off for periods of time to give my body a supplement vacation -- what are the symptoms?

[livingfree]

Are there risks associated with amino acid use?

Thanks Zen ... I used to ... and then got feeling better so stopped!! Isn't that the way it goes! It works so well we stop using it!

[beatle]

Are there risks associated with amino acid use?

I have taken GABA quite regularly and at pretty high doses during my sober periods. I noticed getting a little buzz from it and burning cheeks (although not visibly), but didn't find it gave me any kind of long-term relief.

I think the issue with the amino acids had to do with people who have reduced liver function (which I'm sure I do after heavy drinking for 15 years). When I read this (can't remember where), it scared me, so I stopped the aminos, but they are supposed to be so key in getting and staying sober that I now take them at about half the level recommended.