| Amino-acid Therapy is a powerful natural means | | | | Those listed in the essential group must come |
| of healing and repair from drug abuse. This | | | | from a dietary source. Foods include cheese, |
| approach offers a highly effective alternative to | | | | eggs, fish, poultry, and meats. These foods are |
| standard addiction therapies. | | | | considered "complete proteins" in that they |
| It is generally accepted that 20 amino acids are | | | | contain everything in the correct ratio. |
| important to human nutrition for adults. They are | | | | Plants sources include buckwheat, hempseed, |
| the chemical units or "building blocks" of the body | | | | amaranth, and quinoa. Most plant sources are low |
| that make up proteins. They are all crucial to our | | | | or lacking some essential amino acids when eaten |
| health for repairing the body, promoting proper | | | | alone. The majority of vegetarian diets contain |
| functioning of the blood, and enhancing | | | | adequate amounts because combining certain |
| communication within the brain and nervous | | | | plants such as rice and beans provides all that is |
| system. | | | | necessary. It should be noted that people with a |
| They are divided into two groups: essential and | | | | compromised digestive system may not be able |
| non-essential. Both types are necessary for | | | | to synthesize all these elements adequately. |
| human functioning. The difference between the | | | | The non-essential elements, although normally |
| two groups is that the essential ones are not | | | | manufactured in the body, may not be at |
| synthesized by our bodies so it's necessary that | | | | adequate levels because of drug use, stress, or |
| we get them from another source. Because they | | | | even an inherited deficiency of these important |
| are not stored in the body like fats or | | | | substances. In instances like these, |
| carbohydrates, we have to consume them on a | | | | supplementation may be necessary. |
| regular basis to maintain normal physical and | | | | A discussion of these crucial nutritional elements is |
| mental health. | | | | fundamental to the issue of substance abuse |
| Essential Amino Acids (they must come from an | | | | because the lack of the aminos has been linked to |
| outside source) | | | | drug cravings, stress, anxiety, and depression. |
| - Arginine | | | | Restoring them helps to restore the vital |
| - Cystine | | | | neurotransmitters that can be damaged with drug |
| - Glutamine | | | | abuse. This type of therapy is showing great |
| - Glycine | | | | potential in reversing the brain chemical imbalances |
| - Tyrosine | | | | caused by substance abuse. |
| - Alanine | | | | Determining the right combination of amino acids |
| - Proline | | | | for you is not an exact science (although simple |
| - Aspartic Acid | | | | urine testing is available which can expedite the |
| - Serine | | | | process). Even with testing, you may have to |
| - Cystine | | | | experiment to determine what is right for your |
| - Taurine | | | | body. |
| - Gluatiamic Acid | | | | It's usually best to take amino supplements on an |
| Non-essential Amino Acids (not to be confused | | | | empty stomach, and depending on which one, at |
| with not necessary) that the body can synthesize | | | | various times of the day to get the desired |
| on its own: | | | | effect. It's also recommended that you take |
| - Isoleucine, | | | | them with a good multi-vitamin/mineral product as |
| - Leucine | | | | these substances play a role in the overall |
| - Lysine | | | | conversion of amino acids into neurotransmitters. |
| - Methionine | | | | The process of finding your optimal levels are |
| - Phenylalanine | | | | enhanced if you can find a health care professional |
| - Threonine | | | | who is knowledgeable about Amino Acid Therapy |
| - Tryptophan | | | | and who will work with you as you seek to |
| - Valine | | | | implement this important information. |