Comment · Tue, August 13, 2013 · Ceretropic
L-Phenylalanine , L-Tirosine , L-DOPA
Original post in this thread
Christos85 · 13 points
Can you please tell me why some people from here are using L-Phenylalanine and L-Tirosine instead of just using L-DOPA ? (L-Phenylalanine - while in the body - its biologically converted to L-Tirosine which in turn its biologically converted into L-DOPA which is further converted into dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline). )
What they were answering
Direct reply to the original post — see the thread post above.
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
Because you don't want to skip the body's rate limiting enzymes, or you can throw off the balance of neurotransmitters. Both L-DOPA and 5-HTP share the same enzyme, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. This means that supplementing one without the other can cause levels of the neurotransmitters to fall. Take L-DOPA for too long and your serotonin levels will fall. Take 5-HTP for too long and your dopamine levels will fall.
Then you also have to take into account the fact that your body will up/down-regulate enzymes due to supplementation. Take L-DOPA for too long, and your tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme will down-regulate, making it harder to naturally produce dopamine. The same goes for 5-HTP and tryptophan hydroxylase.
Then you also have to consider the risk of elevating peripheral neurotransmitters to much. Take L-DOPA without an Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, and you will get shitty side effects. The same can be said for 5-HTP. When just supplementing 5-HTP, your peripheral 5-HT levels will rise, and can cause stomach upset and heart valve issues.
It's always best to keep the body's natural rate-limiting steps in place, as they are there for a reason.