DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Anyone taking SAMe / SAM-e while on hCG protocol?

**Avaindimik** · 08-07-2012, 02:30 PM

I've taken it before but I have found (for me) that 5HTP works better and is half the price. I do start developing an immunity to it after about a month, in which case I take a week off, then start again. I have not found that 5HTP affects the effectiveness of the HCG. It might increase it in fact because it's said to help ward off carb cravings.

Hi ladies

May I join in, too? First off, I've never tried Sam-e, am tempted but the cost are currently a turn-off for me. I used 5-HTP for some time (100 mg, 1 hr before bed) but can't really say it did anything much for me. Although, I came across literature recommending doses in the region of 150-300 mg, maybe that's why.

Having said that, I've just started reading the book Depression-free Naturally by J. Matthews Larson and she advises AGAINST 5-HTP in favor of tryptophan. The book's from 1999 and apparently, at the time tryptophan was banned in the USA because I've seen it available on iherb.com recently (as L-tryptophan). Anyhoo, I'm quoting her comment from the book:

"A supposedly *safe* form of tryptophan, 5HTP, is now available over the counter, but while 5HTP raises the serotonin levels in the body, little is admitted to the brain unless another drug, carbidopa, accompanies it. (In Europe, 5HTP is used with carbidopa.) [my comment: I don't know anything about that!] And too much serotonin around the heart will do the same damage as we saw with fen-phen (fenfluramine, diet pills), wich raised serotonin levels in the body, causing serious heart damage and death! Warning: Use tryptophan, not 5HTP, to be safe. [author's emphasis] (Larson 1999, p. 27) If you're looking into supplements for depression, then B6 and high doses of Niacin (B3) are the ones to look out for, B6 at a recommended dose of 75 mg and Niacin from 100 mg/d upwards. It has to be the 'flushing' version, not Niacinamide. Here's a good article: Niacin Therapy as Used by Abram Hoffer, M.D.

Further, L-Tyrosine is an amino acid which has been shown to be as effective as SSRIs without the side effects (there's a warning it shouldn't be taken if you're taking MAO inhibitors for depression or have malignant melanoma).

In fact, Larson (Depression-free) list a ton of amino acids for specific mental health problems, e.g.

- depression: (L-)phenylalanine, tyrosine, dopa
- anxiety: glycine, taurine, histidine, GABA
- OCD: methionine
- exhaustion, high stress levels: phenylalanine, glutamine
- muddled thinking, fogginess: glutamic acid

as well as vitamins and minerals but I haven't got that far in the book yet

08-07-2012, 02:30 PM	#11
Avaindimik Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 515 Senior Member	I've taken it before but I have found (for me) that 5HTP works better and is half the price. I do start developing an immunity to it after about a month, in which case I take a week off, then start again. I have not found that 5HTP affects the effectiveness of the HCG. It might increase it in fact because it's said to help ward off carb cravings. Hi ladies May I join in, too? First off, I've never tried Sam-e, am tempted but the cost are currently a turn-off for me. I used 5-HTP for some time (100 mg, 1 hr before bed) but can't really say it did anything much for me. Although, I came across literature recommending doses in the region of 150-300 mg, maybe that's why. Having said that, I've just started reading the book Depression-free Naturally by J. Matthews Larson and she advises AGAINST 5-HTP in favor of tryptophan. The book's from 1999 and apparently, at the time tryptophan was banned in the USA because I've seen it available on iherb.com recently (as L-tryptophan). Anyhoo, I'm quoting her comment from the book: "A supposedly safe form of tryptophan, 5HTP, is now available over the counter, but while 5HTP raises the serotonin levels in the body, little is admitted to the brain unless another drug, carbidopa, accompanies it. (In Europe, 5HTP is used with carbidopa.) [my comment: I don't know anything about that!] And too much serotonin around the heart will do the same damage as we saw with fen-phen (fenfluramine, diet pills), wich raised serotonin levels in the body, causing serious heart damage and death! Warning: Use tryptophan, not 5HTP, to be safe. [author's emphasis] (Larson 1999, p. 27) If you're looking into supplements for depression, then B6 and high doses of Niacin (B3) are the ones to look out for, B6 at a recommended dose of 75 mg and Niacin from 100 mg/d upwards. It has to be the 'flushing' version, not Niacinamide. Here's a good article: Niacin Therapy as Used by Abram Hoffer, M.D. Further, L-Tyrosine is an amino acid which has been shown to be as effective as SSRIs without the side effects (there's a warning it shouldn't be taken if you're taking MAO inhibitors for depression or have malignant melanoma). In fact, Larson (Depression-free) list a ton of amino acids for specific mental health problems, e.g. - depression: (L-)phenylalanine, tyrosine, dopa - anxiety: glycine, taurine, histidine, GABA - OCD: methionine - exhaustion, high stress levels: phenylalanine, glutamine - muddled thinking, fogginess: glutamic acid as well as vitamins and minerals but I haven't got that far in the book yet
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