Caution Box: When Amino Acids Should NOT Be Taken
Important: Consult with your physician before taking any supplements, especially if you are taking any other prescribed medications.
Contraindications to amino acids and other supplements:
If you have serious physical illness including high blood pressure, lupus, migraine headaches, liver impairment, sever kidney damage, an inborn error in amino acid metabolism, an overactive thyroid, or ulcers; if you are pregnant, nursing, taking methadone, or any medications, especially antidepressants or MAO inhibitors, or if you have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder or Schizophrenia.
If you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor such as Prozac (or any other mood-altering medication), you should consult your doctor before taking 5-HTP, L-trytophan, Saint John’s Wart, or SAM-e.
If you are taking an MAO inhibitor (including phentermine) for depression, you should ask your doctor before taking 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, D-phenylalanine or L-phenylalanine.
If you have Bi-Polar Disorder do not use L-glutamine, L-tyrosine, SAM-e or Saint-John’s Wart, high doses of fish or flax oil, or chromium without consulting with your psychiatrist of pharmacologist. All can trigger mania so watch your reactions carefully.
If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you might have an adverse (jittery, headachy) reaction to L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, or DL-phenylalanine. If so, stop or reduce amino acids.
If you have active hyperthyroidism, you should not use L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine or DL- phenylalanine without medical advice.
If you have PKU, do not use L-phenylalanine, or DL-phenylalanine.
If you get migraine headaches, they may be triggered by L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, or DL-phenylalanine.
If you have melanoma, do not use L-tyrosine, or D- or L-phenylalanine.
If you have low blood pressure, avoid GABA, taurine, or niacin, or use cautiously at low doses.
If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor about using low or moderate (500-1000mg) L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, or DL-phenylalanine. These can sometimes raise blood pressure. Also avoid Licorice.
This information is adapted from The Mood Cure (2002) by Julia Ross, MA. and is not intended to replace medical advise. Always consult with your physician before starting any exercise or nutritional program.
Made available by Darla A. Meulemans, MA, CADC III. (503) 757-9557