[DIYbio] A little essay on depression-oriented dietary hax. Was: Please comment on the picture ...

> Nevertheless, from what I've gathered there is no direct route of
> measurement for things like dopamine or seratonin and other neural
> signaling molecules within the brain because their concentration
> within the brain isn't reflected in the blood stream.

I was deep in this recently, serotonin-wise, and learned a great deal
about the nutrition and biochemistry behind at least some cases of
serotonin-deficient depression (wasn't researching for myself, in case
anyone's wondering). It's fascinating how the blood/brain barrier plays
such a key role in this.

So, while I'm in the mood, here's a brain-dump on depression,
tryptophan, inflammation, and neutriceuticals.

What I learned, simply, was that serotonin doesn't cross the BBB,
instead it is synthesised from Tryptophan in the brain. But, as
tryptophan is transported by the same protein as all the other large,
branched-or-aromatic amino acids, the ratio of these aminos to
tryptophan is important to the rate of tryptophan uptake. To put this
clearly; if you eat too much of the other large branched/aromatic
aminos, less tryptophan enters the brain, even if you have plenty of
circulating tryptophan.

Now; guess which staple protein that forms an abundant part of the
global diet, particularly in the depression-ridden anglicised west,
consists chiefly (after glutamine and alanine) of branched/aromatic
amino acids other than Tryptophan? Gluten.

There was also a lot of interesting research into tryptophan catabolism
pathways, which get upregulated significantly by inflammation cascades
for some reason (which seems counterintuitive, because tryptophan is
necessary for the innate immune response; negative feedback loop,
perhaps?). Not only do these cascades deplete tryptophan efficiently,
they produce side-products that are known to potentiate depressive symptoms.

Systemic inflammation is a phenomenon implicated in all the classic
diseases of the wealthy; obesity, depression/psychosis, acquired
diabetes/metabolic syndrome, cancer. And, part of the causal role in
depression appears to be how inflammation triggers degradation of
tryptophan.

Now, again; guess which staple protein is known to digest down to
inflammatory peptides, which persons of Caucasian descent in particular
are prone to allergies towards? Yep: Gluten again.

Anyways, apart from limiting large, neutral, branched/aromatic aminos
relative to tryptophan, and apart from limiting gluten intake in
particular, it seems reducing risk of systemic inflammation overall
could be of significant benefit in helping to alleviate
serotonin-dependent depression. After all; SSRIs effectively make a
little serotonin go a long way, but the root cause is low serotonin, right?

For that reason, the third guideline appears to be "include
anti-inflammatory agents in your daily diet/regimen". There are loads of
such ingredients, almost all of them plant-derived, and many of them as
unesoteric as it gets; sufficient fibre is known to reduce inflammation,
help prevent obesity, increase satiety, and improve mood. But, for some
special ones, I'm looking at turmeric and resveratrol, because they're
well-regarded as wonder-drugs generally.

And in that vein, as a final diet-hax pro-tip; both curcumin and
resveratrol are known to be beneficial in many ways, but also of poor
bioavailability due to gluconuridation in the intestines. How to prevent
gluconuridation of these compounds, and improve their bioavailability?
Take them with black pepper; the piperine (pungency compound) in pepper
inhibits gluconuridation, and improves bioavailability of both curcumin
and resveratrol dramatically.

Expect a less brain-dumpy version of this someday soon on my blog, with
references, some data-driven suggestions on amino-balanced diet, and
perhaps even suggestions on incorporating curcumin and resveratrol into
the diet enjoyably. Perhaps I should even lean-pub it. But, as I was in
the mood to brain-dump tonight, and as DIYbio often enjoys discussion of
metabolomic hax and diet, here's the preview. :)

On 18/10/14 20:05, Dakota Hamill wrote:
> Well mine comes from exogenous addition of testosterone cypionate after
> failure of my pituitary. I can say supplementation with the help of an
> endocrinologist has saved my life. 10 years of depression and many
> other symptoms were gone overnight. I have no doubt that was a result
> of testosterone, either directly, or indirectly via its action on
> dopamine, serotonin, etc. I guess in my case I had a more direct
> observation of the effects of one molecule on my entire body, both
> mentally and physically.
>
> Nevertheless, from what I've gathered there is no direct route of
> measurement for things like dopamine or seratonin and other neural
> signaling molecules within the brain because their concentration within
> the brain isn't reflected in the blood stream.
>
> Life is crazy! Big ol sack of molecules with feedback loops.
>
> On Sat, Oct 18, 2014 at 2:48 PM, Cathal Garvey
> <cathalgarvey@cathalgarvey.me <mailto:cathalgarvey@cathalgarvey.me>> wrote:
>
> > I can tell you from first hand experience sex steroids have a massive
> > psychological effect.
>
> I love how this is technically something anyone over the age of ~16
> can say safely, and particularly those over ~23. :)
>
> On 18/10/14 19:39, Dakota Hamill wrote:
>
> I can tell you from first hand experience sex steroids have a
> massive
> psychological effect. On the other side though brain chemistry is
> insanely complex and it seems impossible to measure levels of
> certain
> neurotransmitters. A cheaper and faster
> steroid profile test would be great. Immunoassays suck and lcms
> requires a machine that costs as much as a ferrari
>
> On Oct 18, 2014 2:31 PM, "Brian Degger" <brian.degger@gmail.com
> <mailto:brian.degger@gmail.com>
> <mailto:brian.degger@gmail.com
> <mailto:brian.degger@gmail.com>__>> wrote:
>
> Testosterone and estrogen might also have systemic
> endogenous effects.
>
> On 18 Oct 2014 20:29, "Dakota Hamill" <dkotes@gmail.com
> <mailto:dkotes@gmail.com>
> <mailto:dkotes@gmail.com <mailto:dkotes@gmail.com>>> wrote:
>
> They might as well be in some people I know
>
> On Oct 18, 2014 2:28 PM, "Nathan McCorkle"
> <nmz787@gmail.com <mailto:nmz787@gmail.com>
> <mailto:nmz787@gmail.com <mailto:nmz787@gmail.com>>> wrote:
>
>
> On Oct 18, 2014 11:03 AM, "Dakota Hamill"
> <dkotes@gmail.com <mailto:dkotes@gmail.com>
> <mailto:dkotes@gmail.com
> <mailto:dkotes@gmail.com>>> wrote:
> >
> > Emotions are more complex than that. You should
> also
> include test tubes filled with ethanol and caffeine
> >
>
> Those aren't endogenous as the others in the pic
> are though.
>
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