Kavalactones Dosage Anxiety

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Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is a tall shrub that grows in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Long time, kava has been prescribed as an effective natural healing for insomnia, anxiety and back pain. Kava was named by the explorer Captain Cook, who chose a name that meant “intoxicating pepper.” In the South Pacific, kava is a popular social drink, similar to alcohol in Western societies.The roots and underground stems are the parts of the kava plant that are used to make supplements.

Kavalactones Benefits

This plant, is used to calm anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and treat sleep problems. The major active ingredients in kava kava root are named kavalactones. Kavalactones, are documented by research to effect the brain’s limbic system, a deep center involved in your emotional responses, according to a 2002 report by Dr.Hyla Cass. Other effects from kavalactones include mild sedation, increased cognitive performance, pain reduction and muscle relaxation. There have been at least 11 placebo-controlled studies of kava kava, involving a total of more than 700 human. Most found kava beneficial for anxiety symptoms.

The majority of findings shows that specific kava extracts (standardized to 70% kavalactones) can lower anxiety and might work as well as prescription anti-anxiety drugs called low-dose benzodiazepines. According to one study, kava kava and diazepam cause parallel changes in brain wave activity, suggesting that they may work in the same ways to calm the mind. In 1988, the Alternative Medical Review reported that  four of the lactones in kava possess important analgesic and anesthetic property via non-opiate pathways.

Kavalactones Dosage

A typical dosage of kava when used for therapy of anxiety is 300 mg daily of a extract standardized to contain 70 % kavalactones. The typical dosage for insomnia is 210 mg of kavalactones 1 hour before bedtime. Clinical trials have reported that doses of kavalactones 60 to 240 mg/day are effective. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) suggests taking 100 mg to 200 mg of kava kava two to four times daily for a few days only.

Side Effects

Kava kava may cause side effects such as allergic skin reactions, dizziness, drowsiness and restlessness. If you have liver illness, consume excessive amounts of alcohol or take some drugs that may harm your liver, you shouldn’t take kava extract. In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration  issued a consumer warning stating that 11 patients who used kava supplements had experienced total liver failure and subsequently undergone liver transplants. Kava kava has been banned from the market in Germany, Switzerland, and Canada, and several other countries are considering similar action. But, a published in the September 2006 edition of Phytomed indicates that German and Italian researchers believe dangers associated with kava are unfounded.

L-Cysteine In Food

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Cysteine (chemical formula C3H7NO2S), an amino acid that can be synthesized by the body or consumed in some nutrients is one. This amino acid plays an important role in maintaining protein structure. Cysteine is a sulfur amino acid and contains a sulfhydryl group. In the body, cysteine is synthesized from the aminoacid methionine. Cysteine is found in proteins along your body and plays a role in stabilizing proteins. Serves as a precursor for synthesis of proteins, taurine, glutathione, coenzyme A and inorganic sulfate.

Benefits

High molybdenum and cobalt levels have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of excessive levels of these metals and may  be beneficial in other cases of heavy metal toxicity. According to research reported in the Journal of Nutrition in June 1987, sulfur-containing cysteine plays an significant role in neutralizing toxic trace minerals that are ingested.

The body uses cysteine to produce the antioxidant glutathione, as well as the aminoacid taurine. Cysteine along with 2 another amino acids form the antioxidant tripeptide glutathione. Glutathione is a molecule your body produces naturally by combining the 3 aminoacids cysteine, glycine and glutamine. Glutathione is a molecule that helps remove free radicals from your body. Is a important factor in detoxification and antioxidant mechanisms of your body. Many diseases are related to the deficiency of glutathione. Cancer, inflammation, AIDS, sickle cell anemia, heart attack, stroke,liver disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease correlate to glutathione deficiency.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of cysteine that can be taken in supplement form. NAC is then converted by the body into cysteine, which can then be transformed into another molecule, named glutathione. N-Acetylcysteine has been used successfully to treat glutathione deficiency in a wide range of infections, genetic defects and metabolic disorders, including HIV infection and COPD. According to a study reported in the June 2006 edition of the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a 600 mg daily dose of NAC can be effective in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cysteine supports liver health and it helps to detoxify your body by binding to and eliminating harmful substances suchlike as those found in alcohol, drugs and other toxic compounds. Intravenous cysteine, (in the form of N-Acetylcysteine), decreases liver damage due to acetaminophen overdose in more than 99 percent of patients when administered in the first 12 hours, in a study reported in Hepatology, in April 2002.

Cysteine is a natural precursor to taurine, which is significant to build lean muscle mass. Therefore body builders often supplement cysteine to increase muscle growth and size. Cysteine, may be given intravenously to promote the production of proteins. This operation may help reduce the rate of protein breakdown and promote wound healing.

L-Cysteine In Food

Food sources include ricotta and cottage cheese, egg yolks, yogurt, meats including pork, poultry,  wheat germ, granola, oats, garlic and onions. The daily diet contributes approximately 1 gram of cysteine. Dietary deficiencies of other nutrients, such as methionine, vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), vitamin B12, S-adenosyl-L-methioninee (SAMe), and folic acid may decrease body’s production of cysteine.

Dosage

The common dose of L-cysteine supplements is between 250 and 1,500 mg daily. L-cysteine supplementation may be most useful when used in conjunction with vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and  and selenium. Avoid some forms of cysteine, as they are toxic; D-cystine, D-cysteine, and 5-methyl cysteine.

Side Effects

Some of the possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. High doses of cysteine may be toxic to human cells and may furthermore lead to death. Individuals with kidney stones particularly cystine stones, should avoid l-cysteine supplements. L-cysteine, could produce a false-positive result in the nitroprusside test for ketone bodies used in diabetes. Due to lack of long-term safety studies, supplementation should be avoided in nursing or pregnant women. Do not take l-cysteine supplements without consulting your doctor.

Glycine Benefits and Dosage

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Glycine is a nonessential amino acid used by the body to build proteins. Was first discovered in 1820.  Body is able to make glycine using another amino acid, serine. It is required for the construction of  healthy RNA and DNA  strands, which are the genetic building blocks that are important for the proper function of your body’s cells. The glycine is used by the nervous system and its function as an inhibitory neurotransmitter makes it significant to help prevent epileptic seizures and it is also used in the therapy of hyperactivity and manic depression.

Glycine Benefits

Glycine it has many important effects on your body and is involved in a variety of biochemical reactions. Also functions as a neurotransmitter and as a precursor to metabolic intermediates as purines, which are ingredients of DNA. Glycine a acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter to the brain, which results in a feeling of calmness. In addition stimulates the production of glucagon, which causes the body to produce and release glucose into the blood stream.

Glycine functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and therefore works positive in treating problems such as bipolar depression, epilepsy and hyperactivity. In a study injections containing glycine were administered to the gray matter of the brain in animal subjects. The findings showed reduced anxiety levels.

Experiment reported in 1996 in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that glycine helped to achieve a meaningful reduction in unfavorable, depressive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Glycine might enhance the effect of drugs used for schizophrenia, particularly those in the “phenothiazine” category. But, it may not be effect for people using “clozapine“.

Animal-based studies suggest that dietary glycine may protect against chemically induced damage to the kidneys or liver. A rodent study published in the January 2004 edition of Die Pharmazie examined the effects of glycine to alcohol fed rats. The researchers concluded that glycine has a possible in liver and brain protection against alcohol-induced damage.

Digestive system relies on glycine in order to function healthy. Glycine is a common factor in antacids because of its capability to balance the acid-base ratio in your digestive tract, according to a 2006 study reported in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Glycine also may play a role in maintaining the health of the prostate. Experiments on glycine for prostatitis have shown that when taken in combination with glutamic acid and alanine, glycine helps in treating swollen prostate tissue.

Glycine Best Source

High-protein foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and beans are the best dietary sources of glycine. Also be ingested as a nutritional supplement.

Glycine Dosage

Dosages of oral glycine used in clinical studies for therapeutic purposes range from 2 g to 60 g daily. Taking glycine along with clozapine might reduce the effectiveness of clozapine. Dosages for this condition are very large 30 to 90 g daily. Remember to talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Side Effects

The side effects which are  reported after intake of glycine supplements include nausea, vomiting and mild digestive problems.

GABA Benefits Dosage and Side Effects

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GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a naturally occurring amino acid that your body produces under normal circumstances. It is the most widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain and helps in maintaining a proper balance between the mind and the body. Neurotransmitters are chemical molecules that brain cells and nerve cells use to communicate with each other. GABA is found in almost every region of brain, and is formed through the activity of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. Drugs in the benzodiazepine-receptor-agonist family exert their effect by facilitating the ability of GABA to bind to receptor sites in the brain.

GABA Deficiency

In the brain, GABA insufficiency is believed to cause rapid firing of nerve cells leading to increases in agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, Parkinson’s disease and thought disorders. Because the chemical is a component of the body’s neurological system, deficiencies have also been linked to a number of neurological conditions, including seizures and fibromyalgia. GABA analog gabapentin has been approved in the United States for the treatment of epileptic seizures and postherpetic neuralgia.

GABA Benefits

Gamma-aminobutyric acid is an important neurotransmitter that is abundant and widely distributed throughout the central nervous system. It is produced by the body from glutamate, although this process becomes less efficient with age. Low  levels or decreased Gamma-aminobutyric acid function in the brain is associated with different neurological and psychiatric problems, but most primarily depression, anxiety, insomnia and epilepsy. A study reported in the journal “Biological Psychiatry” in 2010 indicates that individuals with major depression may be more likely to have low levels of Gamma-aminobutyric acid. British scientists have found that the age-related decline in higher brain functions is due, in large part, to a lack of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, Gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Some anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines and barbiturates generally work by increasing the amount of GABA in the synapses that is available to bond to GABA receptor sites. While many individuals diagnosed with anxiety take prescription medications such as Xanax, Valium or Ativan, benzodiazepine drugs that stimulate GABA receptors, these drugs often produce negative effects.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid is named to as the ‘brain’s natural calming agent, and by inhibiting over-stimulation of the brain, GABA may help promote relaxation and ease nervous tension. Initial studies in the 1950s suggested that GABA had a relaxing effect on the brain and could be useful in the therapy of anxiety and schizophrenia. Gamma-aminobutyric acid may help to lower the effects of stress via its calming role by attaching to the benzodiazepine receptors in your brain. GABA hinders the transmission of nerve impulses from one neuron to other. It has a quieting or calming  influence. Unlike benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium that are created to enhance the effects of GABA in your brain, GABA provides the same relaxing anti anxiety without the addictive side effects.

GABA stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete higher levels of HGH (human growth hormone). The researchers of study reported in “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise” in 2008 found that oral GABA supplements elevated growth hormone levels.

GABA Dosage for Anxiety

Clinical studies show that doses of 800 mg a day are effective for insomnia and anxiety. Some physicians prescribe GABA in doses of up to 200 milligrams, 4 times a day, for a maximum daily dose of 800 milligrams.

GABA Side Effects

GABA may produce excessive drowsiness when taken with other drugs that have a tranquilizing property, including codeine and other narcotic pain relievers, sedatives, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Always let your physician know if you are taking GABA or other supplements. Maximum safe doses in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or individuals with severe  kidney or liver illness have not been established.

Natural GABA Enhancers

• GABA is formed through the activity of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). GAD requires vitamin B6 as a cofactor, which can be used to regulate the levels of GABA. Also works in synergy with nutrients such as inositol and niacine to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. The tolerable upper intake level of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) for adults is 100 mg per day, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.

• L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the primary component in green tea. This amino acid primarily affects dopamine, serotonin, and especially GABA levels. By increasing the levels of GABA in the brain, theanine is considered  to produce calming effects. According to a 2006 info in the “Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy“, L-theanine not only increases GABA levels in the brain, it also increases serotonin and dopamine levels. L-theanine supplements are taken in doses ranging from 200 milligrams to 800 milligrams per day. (Suntheanine® is the patented form of L-theanine and the trademark of  Taiyo International, the firm that originally isolated the amino acid into an effective supplement for consumers).  L-Theanine Dosage For Anxiety

• Valerian Root comes from the Valeriana officinalis plant. Has a long history of use as a tranquilizer by increasing the effect of GABA on its receptors. Scientists, they believe it increases the amount of a chemical called GABA in the brain. GABA helps regulate nerve cells and has a calming property on anxiety. Valerian root extract is given in supplement form in doses of 100 to 600 milligrams before or after stress related events.

• Magnesium Glycinate is a soluble form of magnesium. Deficiency in magnesium may lead to anxiety-related behavior, according to a 2004 study reported in “Neuropharmacology“. Work up to a daily dose of 400 to 1,000 mg. provides a highly natural approach when paired with vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine).

• Kava Kava is a shrub belonging to the pepper family, Piperaceae. The kavalactones found in kava kava appear to alter levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in your brain, which are 2 chemicals that promote a happy mood and feelings of pleasure. The lactones contained in kava kava may also stimulate the production of more attachment sites in the body for a different neurotransmitter, GABA. A study reported in the November 2003 of Phytomedicine found that 73 % of patients treated with kava kava extract over 4 weeks experienced decreased anxiety. The German Commission E (an official government agency similar to the  FDA), recommends taking a kava supplement that supplies 60 mg to 120 mg of kavalactones daily for no longer than three months at a time. (Look for standardized kava root extract in tablet or liquid form that contains 30 to 70 % kavalactones, the active ingredient in kava root)

• Taurine is a non-essential amino acid produced by the body through the synthesis of 2 other amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Taurine increases the effectiveness of GABA. Typical doses of 1,000 to 5,000 milligrams per day have been used safely.