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Tryptophan raises beta-endorphin production

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:42 am
by stsolakos
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Tryptophan and Stress in MS

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:33 pm
by Shayk
Stavros

I like your "thinking out loud." I definitely think it’s possible these things can be linked together. I tie them together a bit differently than you do although I think they are all inter-related.

While the following abstract doesn’t mention beta-endorphins or LDN, it is a hypothesis of MS that seems to incorporate some of your “thinking out loud” and mentions several of the things you noted: stress, 5-HT, tryptophan and reactions to sugars and carbohydrates. It also incorporates HPA hypersecretion of cortisol that’s been discussed recently in other threads. The whole abstract is a relatively “easy” read I think. Tryptophan Availability and the Susceptibility to Stress in MS: A Hypothesis .
This hypothesis is supported by the findings in chronic MS patients of significantly diminished adrenal cortisol reactivity to insulin-induced hypoglycemia which is considered a stress response mediated through the 5-HT system. Consequently, since patients with MS exhibit an abnormal response to stress it follows that increased tryptophan availability through dietary supplementation would diminish their vulnerability to psychological stress. Additionally, if sustained or repeated stress contributes to progression and clinical deterioration of the disease then chronic tryptophan supplementation also may halt its progression.
It strikes me Stavros that your “thinking out loud” parallels some of the ideas in this hypothesis of MS. It may be pertinent as well to Lynda Carol’s pursuit and interest in “high insulin levels” in people with MS. The sugars and carbohydrates I love are definitely out of my diet because of my sensitivity to them. It’s a bad combo with my MS for sure and stress is worse, without a doubt.

As for LDN, I definitely think it should be in a clinical trial ASAP. My focus though has been on the proposed mechanism of action, i.e, inhibiting glutamate excitotoxity that seems to be associated with the neurodegeneration in MS.

Keep thinking out loud :) …..and take care.

Sharon

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:01 am
by Melody
I know when John eats processed foods he feels like crap and we pretty much eliminated refined carbs right off the bat. Pasteurization is another one that is suspect IMO. It destroys bacteria which is great but it also destroys enzymes and I assume some of those were needed for digestion. If we think this is a problem now wait to see what the genetically altered foods will do. Soy is a great example as it used to be considered non allergenic until it was modified and now it is a know allergen. All thoughts to ponder :wink:

"Refined carbohydrates refers to foods where machinery has been used to remove the high fibre bits (the bran and the germ) from the grain. White rice, white bread, sugary cereals, and pasta and noodles made from white flour are all examples of refined carbohydrates."

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Genetically Modified Foods: A Concern for the Allergic
From Judy Tidwell,
Your Guide to Allergies.
FREE Gift with newsletter sign-up! Act Now!
Do They Cause Allergic Reactions?
Genetically modified (GM) foods should be a concern for those who suffer from food allergies because they are not tested, regulated, or required to be labeled.
What Are GM Foods?
When gene technology is used to alter the genetic make up of any food crop, food ingredient or animal product it is considered to be genetically modified. Foreign proteins are spliced into common foods products making them genetically modified.

Other names used in describing these products include: Genetically Engineered (GE) and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Soy beans, corn, canola (rapeseed) and cotton are the most widely grown GMO crops. Almost all of these crops are either "insect resistant" or "herbicide tolerant". The list also includes: peppers, peanuts, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers, and tomatoes.

Why Should We Be Concerned?
There is concern that GM foods pose an allergy risk. Currently the list of GM food products intersect with the eight most common food allergens: eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Proteins in food are what trigger most allergic reactions in people. Most of the foreign proteins being gene-spliced into foods have never been eaten by humans before or tested for their safety.

There also is no mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods. Those who suffer from food allergies have no way of knowing if the food they purchase contains GM foods.



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