Chances are, you or someone you know may be easily irritable or quick to anger.  Do you worry a lot?  Maybe you're unable to relax or loosen up.  Or maybe you're oversensitive to life's pain, or tend to see the negative side of things.  If any of these hapen on a regular basis, very likely you or the other people around you figure this is just who you are.  Maybe it is, maybe not.  So what do all of these seemingly unrelated things have in common?  They're just a few of the now known "personality traits" that may be attributed to a lack of adequete amino acids int he body.  These are 4 essential amino acids that contribute to mood and behavior.
    Tryptophan is required for normal growth and development.  It is converted into seratonin and melatonin by the brain.  Tryptophan helps alleviate insomnia, reduces anxiety and depression, aids in the treatment of migraine and headaches, diminishes the risk of artery and heart spasms.
    Glutamine is converted to GABA, which functions as a neurotransmitter.  If you're lacking GABA in your system, you may experience stiff or tense muscles, feel stressed and burned out, unable to relax or loosen up, or you may feel easily overwhelmed. 
    Phenylaline is used by the brain to produce dopamine and norepinephrine, which promotes alertness, elevate mood, decrease pain, aid in memory and learning, and reduce appetite.  If you're lacking Phenylaline, you may be sensitive to emotional or physical pain, cry or tear up easily and crave comforting treats or rewards.
    Tyrosine promotes the healthy functioning of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands.  Research indicates that Tyrosine can help chronic fatigue, narcolepsy, anxiety, depression, allergies, headaches, and Parkinson's disease.  Tyrosine also suppresses appetite and helps reduce appetite. 
    Without sufficient protein in the diet, these amino acids cannot be synthesized.  A great diet includes good quality, hormone and antibiotic free fish, chicken, turkey, pork and beef, buffalo, game and organic whole grains, peas and beans.  Variety is key.  Excess of amino acid supplementation can cause serious side effects, so be cautious. 

My best friend has problems with her thyroid.  She used to take medication for it, but she doesn't have MediCal anymore, so she really can't take her medicine.  But I'm going to tell her to start eating a lot of protein so that hopefully her thyroid can balance out at least a little bit.  I always thought Carbs were the most important for our brains, but it seems like proteins are very important as well.  So right before a test I should chow down on some Glutamine lol.

rainbowbright said: My best friend has problems with her thyroid.  She used to take medication for it, but she doesn't have MediCal anymore, so she really can't take her medicine.  But I'm going to tell her to start eating a lot of protein so that hopefully her thyroid can balance out at least a little bit.  I always thought Carbs were the most important for our brains, but it seems like proteins are very important as well.  So right before a test I should chow down on some Glutamine lol.

Thyroid problems can cause a lot of different things huh? I've realised that. My friend has a thyroid problem and keeps gaining weight, my aunt has it and she loses a lot of weight. It can also cause you to lose hair. I guess now it can change your mood too?