|
LE Magazine August 2002
Nutrients
that may help arrhythmia, eczema treatment, plus...
Q Can L-phenylalanine be taken with
deprenyl for depression? Is deprenyl an MAO
inhibitor?
A Deprenyl is a selective
monoamine oxidase (MAO) B inhibitor, whereas classic MAO
inhibiting antidepressant drugs suppress primarily MAO A. In
daily doses of 5 mg to 10 mg, there are no significant MAO A
inhibiting effects when taking deprenyl. A study in Neural Transm [Austria, 1984, 59/1
81-87], indicated the antidepressive efficacy of combining
deprenyl with phenylalanine. This study evaluated 155 unipolar
depressed patients and concluded that the combined treatment
with 5 mg to 10 mg a day of deprenyl plus 205 mg a day
phenylalanine has a potent antidepressive action based on the
accumulation of L-phenylethylamine in the brain.
Q I want to learn more about CLA. How much
do I need to take to see results? Currently, I take 2000 mg a
day. Do I need to take it in divided doses or all at once? Is
there any indication that CLA can interfere with
sleep?
A The amount of CLA used in
some human weight loss studies was 3000 mg of pure CLA,
although other studies have included higher dosages [Clin Sci (Lond) 2000
Dec;99(6):511-6; J Nutr 2000
Dec;130(12):2943-8]. Keep in mind that each capsule yields 76%
CLA, so each 1000 mg softgel yields approximately 760 mg of
pure CLA. Therefore, you will need to take at least four
softgels to get over 3,000 mg of CLA. For maximun fat-loss
effects, some people take five to six 1000 mg softgel capsules
early each day.
You should take CLA all at once early in the day. Do not
take CLA with fiber since the CLA oil may be absorbed into the
fiber and not your bloodstream. Since CLA may boost the basal
metabolic rate, it is best to take it early in the day and not
in the evening.
Q Recently you reported that it may be
dangerous to consume alpha tocopherol without also obtaining
the gamma tocopherol fraction of vitamin E. The latter is
exactly what one does when taking Life Extension Mix tablets.
Will you be adding gamma tocopherol to The Mix?
A High-potency gamma
tocopherol is only available in an oil base. That is why it
was added to the Life Extension Booster in addition to
offering it in the Gamma E Tocopherol/Tocotrienol formula. We
cannot put an oil base into dry powder products like Life
Extension Mix. We suggest you consider adding one capsule a
day of Gamma E or the Life Extension Booster to your daily
regimen.
Q I
am a heart patient taking Nexium 80 mg and Zocor 60 mg daily.
What doses of vitamins B12, B6 and folic acid should I take to
compensate for the depletions caused by these
medications?
A Nexium is a drug that
blocks acid production. Like Prilosec, Nexium can inhibit B12
absorption. Taking small amounts of vitamin B12, such as 10
mcg to 50 mcg per day, may protect against drug induced
vitamin depletion [Ann Intern
Med 1994;120:211-5]. Most people take 500 mcg to 1000
mcg of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) for optimal benefits. The drug
Zocor can deplete CoQ10, so you should take at least 100 mg
per day of coenzyme Q10. You might want to consider adding
vitamin E, since vitamin E improved markers of blood vessel
elasticity more than simvastatin alone [J Am Coll Cardiol
1998;32:711-6].
Q What does the "L" prefix of the amino
acids stand for?
A An amino acid can be
designated "L" or "D". The terminology comes from the Latin
laevus and dexter, meaning left and right, respectively,
indicating the direction in which the molecule is rotated. "L"
and "D" forms of a molecule are structural mirror images of
one another. The form best utilized by the body is the "L"
form.
Back to
the Magazine Forum
|