You Can Have Your Neurotransmitter Levels Tested
a progressive approach to
analyzing and treating brain chemical imbalances
Common health problems related to neurotransmitter disorders
Frequency
of neurotransmitter depletion
What causes
neurotransmitter disorders
Brochures Highlighting Common
Neurotransmitter Imbalances
General Overview of
Neurotransmitters
Prevalence of brain chemical imbalances
Many of today's
most common health concerns are directly related to brain chemical
(neurotransmitter)
imbalances. Based upon the most recent data collected from testing
over
25,000 subjects, approximately 84% of the U.S. population suffers of
neurotransmitter
imbalances.
Conditions
Depression,
irritability, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment
(brain-fog),
PMS,
eating disorders, ADD-ADHD, OCD, appetite control, obesity are in most cases
directly
impacted by an unfavorable balance of neuro-chemicals. We can now individually
tailor
therapeutic programs using amino-acid supplements, to specifically address
neuro-
transmitter
imbalances based upon results derived from NeuroScience lab's state-of-the-
art
neurotransmitter testing.
It begins with nutrition, digestion and
liver function
Our
brain chemistry is directly dependent upon the nutrients we consume, our
digestive
tract's
ability to assimilate nutrients, the concentration of toxins consumed as well
as
as the
toxic, metabolic byproducts of incomplete digestion. Our liver's ability to
assemble
bio-chemical
building-blocks required by the brain for its normal functionality is critical
and
may
easily become undermined by carrying too high a toxic load, a very common
problem
in this
day and age when exposure to so many environmental and food borne toxins has
become
"normal".
As much
as 90% of the serotonin, one of the primary neurotransmitters, is produced in
the
gut and
exerts considerable influence on normal intestinal functionality. Therefore
when
focusing
on neurotransmitter optimization, it behooves us to address issues of
nutrition,
digestion,
liver function and general detoxification.
Neurotransmitter Optimization Therapy
Once the
relative concentrations and ratios of the major neurotransmitting substances is
known, a
specific combination of amino acid based supplements is utilized to optimize
the
tested
individual's brain chemistry. The tailored supplement program will predictably
increase
deficient
and / or diminish excesses neurotransmitter levels (as the case may be),
thereby
regaining
optimal concentrations and ratios, essential to well-being and good health.
What is tested
A simple
urine collection can be utilized to ascertain the levels of the major
neurotransmitters
in the
brain. The testing method is quite new and relies on state of the art lab
instrumentation.
When
testing for the underlying causes of sleep disturbance, saliva and urine
samples
are required.
Test
results will disclose the relative ratios and concentrations of the following:
Epinephrine
Nor-Epinephrine
Dopamine
DOPAC
Serotonin
Glycine
Histamine
Taurine
Glutamate
Glycine
GABA
PEA
5-HIAA
Cortisol ................(Insomnia
Profile only)
Melatonin.............(Insomnia
Profile only)
Pharmaceutical Drug
Interactions In Testing and Treatment
Individuals
presently using anti-depressant pharmaceuticals can be tested without the need
to
discontinue their medications.
The supplements
used in the Neurotransmitter Optimization Therapy will not interfere with
SSRI or Tricyclic anti-depressants. In most cases, the supplements used in this program
will
actually
assist such medications in working more effectively. Individuals seeking
Neurotransmitter
Optimization
Therapy, will most likely want to employ a non-pharmaceutical approach to normalize
their
brain chemistry.
Pharmaceutical
anti-depressants unfortunately cannot increase the concentrations of lowered
levels
of neurotransmitters. Instead they work by supporting the economy of
already existing
neuro-chemicals.
The utilization of the right types and concentrations of amino acid neuro-
transmitter
precursors will on the other hand actually optimize neuro-chemical levels. MAOI's
(mono-amine-oxidase inhibitors) are not compatible with this approach and
must be discontinued
before Neurotransmitter Optimization Therapy can be safely initiated. Testing
can however be
undertaken
while using MAOI's.
|
Three profiles are presently
available 1. Neuro Screen / Basic: General neurotransmitter assessment for
depression, anxiety, mood disorders, mental focus. Test & 30 minute phone
consultation $298.00 2. Neuro
Screen / Expanded: ADD,
ADHD, Autism plus general neurotransmitter assessment for depression,
anxiety, mood disorders, mental focus. Test & 30 minute phone
consultation $413.00 3. Neuro
Sleep: Insomnia, sleep disorders plus general neurotransmitter
assessment for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, mental focus. Test & 30 minute phone
consultation $379.00 All telephone consultations are
conducted by David Schlesinger, L.Ac.
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to neurotransmitter testing request form |
An Overview of Neurotransmitters
Common health problems related to neurotransmitter disorders
Frequency
of neurotransmitter depletion
What causes
neurotransmitter disorders
Article: Myths and Misconceptions Regarding Urinary
Neurotransmitter Testing
Neurotransmitters are various chemicals that are required by the nervous system to relay signals
between
neurons (nerve cells) allowing for optimal communication between the multitude
of cells
within
the brain itself and the entire nervous system as a whole. This is an extremely
complex
process
requiring an adequate supply of these
specialized chemicals (neurotransmitters) and
their
respective bio-chemical building blocks (precursors) to function properly.
Neurotransmitters
are constructed in the body from amino acids (the building blocks of proteins),
vitamins
and mineral co-factors. When sufficient supplies of these amino acids and
nutritional
co-factors
are lacking, neurotransmitter depletion, leading to insufficient or unbalanced
communication
between neurons (neurotransmission) with adverse systemic results can be
expected.
Common health problems
related to neurotransmitter disorders
The
most frequently encountered neurotransmitter related symptoms are depression,
appetite
control,
compulsive behaviors, fibromyalgia, pain, lowered ability to focus, sleep problems,
anxiety,
and neuro-endocrine problems.
Frequency of
neurotransmitter depletion
Evaluation
of neurotransmitter levels by scientific methodology has revealed that
approximately
84%
of the U.S. population has some degree of neurotransmitter deficiency or
imbalance. Consider
the
high incidence of neurotransmitter-related disease in the U.S.
Depression,
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hypertension, Fibromyalgia, Migraine,
Obesity/Appetite
Control,
PMS. Many apparently dissimilar diseases have common components of an
underlying
neurotransmitter
deficiency and are addressed with similar therapies.
The
specialized capillaries supplying the brain with its blood derived nutrients,
selectively prevent
certain
substances, available to other tissues in the body, from gaining access to
brain cells.
Referred
to as the blood-brain barrier, this very special part of the circulatory system
ensures the
stability
of the blood chemistry within the brain and is the brain's primary chemical
security system.
Neurotransmitters
being fat-soluble molecules do not cross this blood-brain barrier. When
administered
orally
or intravenously, they will do nothing to increase neurotransmitters in the brain.
Neurotransmitters
are produced on-site in the neurons of the brain from their amino acid building
blocks
some of which can readily cross the blood-brain barrier. Sufficient amino acids
plus vitamin and
mineral
cofactors must be present to produce adequate neurotransmitter levels.
What causes
neurotransmitter disorders?
Low neurotransmitter levels are incapable of engaging enough post-synaptic
receptor sites
causing
the post-synaptic nerve to fire ineffectively or not at all. This can be the result
of prolonged
stress,
genetic predisposition, and diets low in amino acids from which amine
neurotransmitters
are
made. A number of antidepressant drugs, while temporarily increasing synaptic
neuro-
transmitter
levels, can cause an overall depletion of the vesicle pool available for
secretion.
Lowered numbers of post-synaptic
receptors. The post-synaptic neurons fire when sufficient
numbers
of its receptors are engaged by neurotransmitters. If the number of receptors
is low,
higher
concentrations of neurotransmitters are required to cause the neuron to fire
and relay a
signal.
Neurotoxic substances like heavy metals, pesticides, illicit amphetamines, and
some
prescription
drugs can cause permanent damage to the nervous system by reducing the number
of
healthy, active receptors.
High levels of excitory (catecholomine)
neurotransmitters will cause an excessive firing of
the
post synaptic neurons. There are many disorders now connected to excess
production and
excretion
of neurotransmitters including hyperactivity and anxiety syndromes such as
Attention
Deficit
Disorder ADD,
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD,
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder
OCD and others.
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neurotransmitter testing request form