A Piece of the PUZZLE on suicide and antidepressants

[Guest guest]

Hi from Sue,

When I was taking Prozac and Ritalin for 10 years ( very successfully)..before my Amino acid therapy and now MB12nasal spray plus supplements,etc.... I used to think that the suicides people were so concerned with were simply the inherent part of the disorder or the result of stopping the meds or not finding an effective one...NOT the the meds themselves--- were to blame.

Then-- when reading the MOOD CURE by Ross 5 years ago, her discussion on pgs. 224-225 sheds new light on the matter.

On page 224 she states:

" WHAT MAKES THE NUTRIENTS SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE?

In order to understand how 5-HTP and tryptophan can outperform the SSRI's, you need know how a serotonin- healthy brain should operate. First of all, it should be crammed with serotonin molecules, and these molecules should be alternately active, transmitting happy nerve impulses, and inactive, resting quietly in "reuptake" position. Eventually, the serotonin molecules will move on to be transformed either into melatonin, the chemical that puts us to sleep, or into an emotionally crucial chemical called

5-HIAA (5- hydroxyindole acetic acid), WHICH I WILL SOON DESCRIBE IN FASCINATING DETAIL.

Now let's take a look at YOUR serotonin-DEPLETED brain: There you'll see only a few molecules-- some active, some resting--- with never enough to send adequate amounts of melatonin or 5-HIAA. ENTER the SSRI's, which can act to artificially prevent serotonin from going into resting (or reuptake) mode. Keeping what little serotonin you have active this way gives the illusion that you actually have more serotonin than you do, but it can also prevent serotonin from moving on to become melatonin or 5-HIAA.(29) Impaired sleep is a common side effect of SSRIs, and there is growing concern about the negative emotional impact of reduced levels of 5-HIAA.

What's wrong with damming up serotonin and blocking the production of the DOWNSTREAM BRAIN CHEMICAL, 5-HIAA?

Since this maneuver can make people fell so much better, what's the problem? The chief concern is that 5-HIAA may be as important as serotonin for your emotional well-being. IN FACT, 5-HIAA CAN PROTECT US FROM SOME OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE OF ALL MOODS, THE ONES THAT LEAD TO VIOLENT CRIME, SUICIDE, SEVERE INSOMNIA, AND ADDICTION. ( 30,31)

Most depressed and obsessive people are low in both serotonin and 5-HIAA. Further reducing their already low or marginal levels of 5-HIAA, as SSRIs tend to do, can trigger NEW and dangerous mood problems. As I mentioned earlier, several court cases have linked SSRI use to the recent rash of bizarre murder-suicides, and many experts believe that a lowered 5-HIAA level is the key contributing factor to these tragedies.

Here's where the nutrients have a potentially lifesaving advantage over the drugs: 5-HTP and tryptophan are both well -researched champions in RAISING 5HIIA LEVELS. If you ADD 5-HTP or tryptophan TO YOUR SSRIs or replace your SSRI's with them, a more normal serotonin-related brain flow can resume and your 5-HIAA levels can rise. THE B VITAMIN FOLIC ACID (34) and a lower-carbohydrate, higher protein diet will also effectively help to RAISE your 5-HIAA levels."

(commentary by Sue)= The author goes on to say some will get enough stored-- that they will no longer need either SSRi's or Supplements... but with MY family... The key to NOT needing either meds NOR aminos is MB12 nasal spray w/folinic.

It certainly is more cost effective and easier.

The next topic in her book discusses combining SSRI's with Aminos... in order to keep the level of 5-HIAA high .and some can wean off the meds as they increase the Aminos...

I would think that the same theory would apply by adding MB12n.s./folinic to someone who is taking SSRI's and they may be able to wean off meds as well. as my family did.

Hope that helps,

Sue