M ARCH , 2004

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www.alternativemedicinehealthcare.com

949-472-3717

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2 3 5 2 1 P a s e o d e Va l e n c i a , S u i t e 2 0 4 , L a g u n a H i l l s

lthca

C HASING

ur February newsletter
described how our brain
chemistry, neurotransmitters,
affect our moods, cravings
a n d d e s i r e s . N u t rition,
environmental factors and
genetic predisposition can
Peter J. Muran, MD
alter the level or concentration
of the brains neurotransmitters. All three of
these factors can be altered and balanced and
thus direct management and conscious control
of our emotional and functional state. People
with depression do not suffer from a deficiency
of a SSRI (e.g. Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft) neither do
people with attention deficient disorder suffer
from a Ritalin deficiency. These disorders are
caused by neurotransmitter imbalance, which
can be balanced and maintained naturally
without the side effects of pharmaceutical
medications.
My guest on the Longevity
Healthcare Hour in February was
Julia Ross, author and executive
director of Recovery Systems.
We received a great response at
my office from her appearance
and are pleased to include an
article by Ms. Ross in this months
newsletter. You will find this
article and her book, The Mood
Cure, to be very informative and
the beginning of the road map to
chasing the clouds away.

THE

C LOUDS A WAY

S AFE A LTERNATIVES TO
A NTIDEPRESSANT D RUGS ?
by Julia Ross, MA, MFT

erotonin deficiency is far and away the

most common mood problem we see at
our Recovery Systems Clinic in Mill Valley,
California. Serotonin starvation is a virtual
epidemic in the United States, inflicting its
unique brand of dark cloud misery on people
of all ages, sexes, and walks of life. One
researcher estimates that more than 80 percent
of adults in the United States suffer from this
deficiency.

The reason that serotonin is so emotionally

vital is that it is our primary defense against
both depression and anxiety. Serotonin
deficiency is a factor in many seemingly
unrelated psychological and
WE RE ON TV ...
physical symptoms, ranging
The Longevity
from panic and irritability to
Healthcare Hour
insomnia, PMS, and muscle
Thursday, March 11
pain. Some dark cloud types
have only a few of the possible
11:30am
deficiency symptoms, but many
LWTV - Channel 6
have almost all of them. Yet they
D R. M URAN S G UEST :
tend to function well, typically
Surprise!!.
getting more done, because
T HIS M ONTH S TOPIC :
of their tendency toward
Alternative Approaches to
Maintaining Health

Continued on page 2

However, concerns about the safety of even

the most common antidepressant medications
are reaching an all time high. On December
18, 2003, Eli Lilly, maker of Prozac, sent two
announcements to every physician in Great
Britain. One stated that Prozac is no longer
recommended for children; the other stated
that Prozac is no longer authorized for use by
women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric
disorder. (Prozac is sold for this purpose in the
US as Sarafem.)
Because their side effects include increased
risk of suicide, similar drugs Paxil, Effexor
and Zoloft were banned earlier in 2003 for
use by UK children, with adult usage now
under review. This prompted the FDA to issue
warnings about Paxil for use by US children.
With one in eight Americans now using
antidepressants, US mental health professionals
and their patients are starting to look hard for
alternative solutions.
Fortunately, there are safe yet surprisingly
effective alternatives to these controversial
drugs. This alternative approach is based on 25
years of clinical experience. In the early 80s
when I began directing counseling programs in
the San Francisco Bay Area, I discovered that
even the most intensive counseling techniques
were often no match for clients depression and
anxiety. Unlike most other psychotherapists,
who have also come to acknowledge the
limitations of conventional counseling
approaches, I did not turn to pharmaceuticals
for help. Instead, I began hiring nutritionists
and exploring research on how the brain uses
specific ingredients in protein-containing foods
to produce its own potent natural antidepressant
neurotransmitters, notably serotonin. By 1988,
my Recovery Systems staff and I had begun

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perfectionism, than other, less mood-impaired

people. As a result, they often assume that
theyre just stuck with some unfortunate but
indelible personality quirks and try to work
around them. Some try serotonin-boosting
drugs, like Prozac, with mixed results, and
resign themselves to a somewhat better, but still
limited, emotional life.

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to recommend a high protein diet and amino

acid supplements targeted to the specific
brain cells that produce serotonin, as well
as the three other primary mood-enhancing
neurotransmitters: endorphins, catecholamines
and GABA. Most importantly, they found that
the amino acid 5HTP (5 hydroxy tryptophan)
quickly decreased winter, and year-round,
depression and other symptoms of serotonin
deficiency. The effects of inexpensive and
readily available 5HTP could typically be felt
within 24 hours, just as the research studies
had indicated. A study by Eli Lilly, published in
2001, showed that 5HTP increased serotonin
activity more than four times more effectively
than Prozac did. Head to head clinical studies
have found 5HTP at least as effective as SSRIs,
without the side effects.
In my book, The Mood Cure, I note that research
on the positive mood impact of omega-3 fats
and other key nutrients like the antidepressant
B vitamin, folic acid, has made for even more
effective nutritional brain repair. In a review
of 100 of our clinics clients, published in the
Journal of Molecular Psychiatry in 2001, 98%
experienced a dramatic improvement in mood
within seven days.
LOSING

THE

BLUES

AND THE

WEIGHT

IN

2004

Not only does this holistic approach offer

methods to improve mood, the same methods
can also stop carb cravings and eliminate weight
gain. Since most antidepressants are now known
to contribute to weight gain, this is doubly
good news for those with both mood-boosting
and weight loss on their New Years resolutions
lists. The use of amino acids and other nutrient
supplements can make good-mood foods like
protein and vegetables more appealing than
bad-mood foods like ice cream and pasta. It
turns out that these key nutrients--by turning
up our comforting neurotransmitters -- turn off
our cravings for comfort foods. When a wellnourished brain begins transmitting a new sense
of well-being, we simply dont need the lift we
used to get from carbs.
Continued on page 4

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The suggested dosages on the following chart are simply suggestions. If you
are taking amino acids, immediately discontinue their use if you experience
any side effects. There are contraindications for taking amino acids and your
physician must be consulted prior to engaging in a self-administered amino acid
therapy program.

THE FOUR FALSE-MOOD TYPES

TYPE

Low in SEROTONIN (our natural Prozac)

Symptoms:

q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q

negativity, depression
q
panic attacks
worry, anxiety
q
winter blues (SAD)
low self-esteem
q
dislike hot weather
repetitious, obsessive thoughts or
q
fibromyalgia, TMJ (jaw tension,
behaviors
pain)
insomnia, disturbed sleep
q
afternoon or evening cravings for
irritability, rage
carbs, alcohol, or drugs
i
night-owl, hard to get to sleep
q
suicidal thoughts
fear of heights, water, snakes, performance, etc.
Solution: 5-HTP 50 mg or l-tryptophan 500 mg (1-3) mid-afternoon & evening. If needed after
25OHD test, especially for SAD, 1000-4000 IU vit D per day. (Ideal level 40-55 ng/ml.)

TYPE

Low in CATECHOLEMINE (our natural caffeine)

Symptoms:

q
q
q
q

depressed, bored, apathetic

lack of energy, drive
lack of focus, concentration
cravings for caffieve or other stimulants
Solution: L-Tyrosine 500 mg (1-3) early AM and mid-afternoon

TYPE

Low in GABA (our natural Valium)

Symptoms:

q
q
q

feel stiff and tense

stressed, burned out, overwhelmed
unable to relax/loosen up
Solution: GABA 100-500 mg as needed

TYPE

Low in ENDORPHIN (our natural chocolate or heroin)

Symptoms:

q
q
q
q

sensitive to emotional or physical pain

cry or tear up easily
crave comforting or numbing treats
Love certain foods, drugs, or alcohol
Solution: Dl-Phenylalanine (DLPA) 500 mg (1-3) early AM, and mid-morning (or d-phenylalanine
alone, if needed: 500 mg, 1-3x day). Complete free-form amino blend.

NUTRITIONAL SOLUTIONS THAT APPLY TO ALL TYPES

FISH OIL 1000-3000 IU combined EPA and DHA (higher DHA helps focus)
MULTIVITAMINS AND MINERALS are also essential, as is a
DIET that contains no less than 4 cups vegetables in a minimum of 3 meals, each containing at least
25 gm protein, good fats, and healthy carbs.

For dysglycemia, L-GLUTAMINE helps stop carb cravings and moodiness by preventing low
blood sugar in the brain500 mg (1-3) AM, between meals and at bedtime.
2003 Julia Ross, M.A.. Permission to copy with acknowledgement

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Julia Ross, M.A., is a leader in the field of nutritional psychology and author of The Mood Cure:
The 4-Step Program to Rebalance Your Emotional Chemistry, as well as the best selling The Diet
Cure. Ross has directed counseling programs since 1980. She is executive director of Recovery
Systems, a Mill Valley, California clinic that has helped thousands of people with depression,
anxiety, eating and addiction problems through nutrient therapy and biochemical rebalancing.
For further information on Julia Ross work, go to www.moodcure.com.
WE RE

ON

TV

Dr. Murans guest for the month of March will be a surprise. We were unable to confirm
our guests appearance by the date that this newsletter has gone to the publisher. Tune in on
Thursday, March 11 at 11:30am for the Longevity Healthcare Hour as Dr. Muran interviews
a contemporary leader in alternative approaches to maintaining your health. We thank our

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viewers for their support over the last two years and hope you will enjoy our surprise.

lthca

2 3 5 2 1 P A S E O D E VA L E N C I A
S U I T E 2 0 4 (TA J M A H A L B L D G .)
LAGUNA HILLS, CA 92653

W W W. A L T E R N A T I V E M E D I C I N E H E A L T H C A R E . C O M