Melatonin, Serotonin, Dopamine and Their Common Denominator: AAAD

So this past August it appears my pineal gland became healthy enough that most nights I no longer need melatonin supplements to sleep well.

Sounds good, right?

Well yes, but unfortunately my pineal was also healthy enough to overproduce melatonin while I sleep, and then the excess was inhibiting dopamine production in the daytime - as I've previously discussed.

Then my sister sent me an interesting video by Mars / Venus author John Gray:

http://youtu.be/tibPjgHsFi8

So he's presenting an interesting anti-PD approach, which I'm looking into, but it got me thinking about serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine.

And I realized there's a common denominator, the enzyme called "aromatic amino acid decarboxylase" (AAAD), also called "dopamine decarboxylase" (DDC).

AAAD converts 5-HTP (from tryptophan, ala turkey, walnuts, etc.) into serotonin, and AAAD also converts L-DOPA (from tyrosine, ala eggplant, lima beans, etc.) into dopamine.  Serotonin in turn is neatly converted into melatonin if MAO is inhibited.

I've attached Figures 1 - 3 below to show these observations.

So then I observed that if my pineal is overproducing melatonin, it's not only inhibiting daytime dopamine, but it's draining my serotonin, and may also be driving a shortage of AAAD by over-demanding serotonin production - further limiting dopamine production.

I tried 50mg of 5-HTP before bed, but had horrible cramps interspersed with periods of paradise relaxation. Too much I thought. So instead I started having a few slices of turkey every evening before bed, and boosted my turmeric (and black pepper) intake (an MAO inhibitor).

It worked, and I reduced my medication and juice both by about 40%.

God Bless,

Glen

Figure 1 - Synthesis of Serotonin from 5-HTP by AAAD


Figure 2 - Synthesis of Dopamine from L-DOPA by AAAD



Figure 3 - Synthesis of Melatonin in the Pineal from Serotonin when MAO inhibited

Almost Overlooked Tomatillos

I've been experimenting by having one or two green tomatillos each day.  It appears that they work well.  They've got an oil on the skin that accumulates below the husk.  Since nicotine is generated by the roots, concentrates in the leaves, and transfers through the blossoms into the seeds in the fruit, this oil is likely high in nicotine.  So I remove the husk and wash the fruit, but don't wash the oil off.  I eat them raw like an apple.  They're tart and you can taste the Vitamin C.



Enjoy,

Glen

I'll be hosting the Sunday Connections radio blog on October 18 at 2pm Pacific

I'll be hosting the Sunday Connections radio blog on October 18 at 2pm Pacific through www.parkinsonsrecovery.com . I'll be talking about my progress with my anti-PD diet and exercise program (still going strong for almost three years now) detailed in my e-book "Powerful Food And A Walk In The Sun" available on Amazon and about my blog powerfulfoodandawalkinthesun.blogspot.com .  I'll touch on my latest addition, Rock Steady Boxing.

I also would like to cover any topics that might be on your mind related to PD, if they are in my wheelhouse.  Comment and I'll see what I can do.

God Bless,

Glen

Title: Sunday Connections with Glen Pettibone 
Date & Time: Sunday, October 18th at 2:00pm Pacific

Attend by Phone: 
Guest pin code: 200414# 
Primary dial in number: (425) 440-5100 
Secondary dial in number: (323) 476-3997 
Full list of dial in Numbers: 
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/Local/?eventid=73856946 

Event Page: 
http://iTeleseminar.com/73856946

More Evidence About Nicotine Suppressing PD

More evidence that higher nicotine levels can stave off PD:

https://www.michaeljfox.org/mobile/news-detail.php?re-examining-the-relationship-between-parkinson-disease-and-smoking&os_cid=fb-a30U00000004hPl&s_src=MJFFfb&s_subsrc=smoking-pd-8.12&ps_cid=fb-a30U00000004hTx

But of course, eat the veggies!

Still going strong!

God Bless,

Glen

Adding a little black pepper to turmeric boosts absorption by 2000%

Too good not to share:

Adding a little black pepper to turmeric boosts absorption by 2000% !

Link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/9619120/

My Homework: Foods That Promote Glutathione Production

In our Sunday Connections podcast on May 17, 2015, Aunt Bean and I were discussing Dr. Mischley's research on intranasal glutathione.  You can still listen to the podcast at:

http://iteleseminar.com/68356731

In her research, Dr. Mishley points out that people with Parkinson's are typically low in glutathione, a lynchpin chemical orchestrator for healthy cells throughout the body, and especially the brain.  Something happens to damage the ability of the body's cells to produce this important chemical.

So Aunt Bean asked, "What foods promote the natural production of glutathione?".  I said I'd take that "action item".  :-)

So I did. 

It turns out that foods that are high in sulfur are the key, including cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, other vegetables like kale and collard greens, eggs, and organ meats.  Be careful though, these foods also tend to deplete iodine, so be moderate if you have hypothyroidism.

Also foods high in selenium (as alpha lipoic acid), like brussel sprouts, walnuts, and beef help the body produce an important cofactor for glutathione production

An example of the many web links on this topic at:

http://www.vitalityherbsandclay.com/vital-health-newsletter-archives/health-foods-that-lower-thyroid-function.html

another at:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/335859-food-sources-of-glutathione/

Join Aunt Bean and I This Sunday, May 17, 2015, For Sunday Connections

"Foods That Fight PD. With Your Hosts Aunt Bean & Glen Pettibone."

Too frequently in medical circles there is no discussion, and even resistance to the inclusion of healing foods.

But after all, you're made of food not pills.

Aunt Bean and Glen Pettibone discuss foods that help minimize, heal, and protect against PD.  Collectively they have discovered tremendous success at mitigating the disease, and they are happy to share their insights with you.

Additionally, checkout Aunt Bean's page at:

http://www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com/contact-aunt-bean

and Glen's book, Powerful Food And A Walk in The Sun.

We're looking forward to it.

Join us on the web at:

http://iteleseminar.com/68356731

Or dial in:

Title: Sunday Connections withGlen Pettibone & Aunt Bean 
Date & Time: Sunday, May 17th at 2:00pm Pacific

Attend by Phone: 
Guest pin code: 200414# 
Primary dial in number: (425) 440-5100 
Secondary dial in number: (323) 476-3997 
Full list of dial in Numbers: 
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/Local/?eventid=68356731