Zee Deveel

Hey, I'm taking Citalopram an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and I've just noticed on the ingredients list of this Optimum Nutrtion Casein that 1 serving contains over 400mg of Tryptophan.

Now taking Tryptophan supplements on SSRIs can potentially be fatal, but I also know that Tryptophan is an amino acid that naturally occurs in food.

So I'm unsure as to whether taking a high amount of it in a protein supplement is going to be dangerous or not. Can anyone please clarify this?

dixie normus

You will be OK. Typtophan in food has to compete with the BCAA's for a pathway through the blood brain barrier. When eating whole food it does not stand a chance of getting through in significant amounts.

The caution is about taking Ltyptophan or 5-htp as a standalone product.

One thing you should consider is the presence of opiate like substances in Caesin. They can have a depressive effect on someone with depression and you should consider researching this for yourself. I have cut all caesin from my diet for this very reason.

Nytol

That is interesting, do you have any good links or research?

I've never heard of that before.

dixie normus

I need to take mini me to her dance lesson. Will reply in full later

dixie normus

http://edepot.wur.nl/8139

Its a big read, although the executive summary at the start covers it in general terms.

B-Casomorphin can cause both euphoria and dysphoria. If suffering from depression I would say that the likelihood is that a user will most likely experience dysphoria due to the current state of mind. From personal experiences this can be both self defeating and disheartening in terms of perceived recovery.

There are also links to autism although these tend to be anecdotal or based on experience. People with these conditions tend to do better on a gluten free casein free diet. Wheat gluten produces another opiate peptide called gliadorphin.

Zee Deveel

Thanks for your reply. This is the conclusion I came to, so I took the Casein and I'm not dead, woo!
I'm not actually on Citalopram for depression, it's to do with anxiety which I'm mostly over so I'm think I'm going to ween myself off them shortly.

This talk of opiates in Casein is interesting though, please do elaborate!

dixie normus

see post from above. B-Casomorphin is a opiate peptide formed from Casein.

Nytol

Thanks Dixie, have you noticed the effect your self?

dixie normus

I really cannot be certain, its a very subjective thing.

I've been 6+ months virtually casein free.

After I stopped daily consumption (via shakes mainly) I certainly felt more clear headed at work and my coffee consumption reduced. So I would say it might have had a depressive effect on me previously, hence why I try my best to minimise consumption now.

Of course, cutting shakes meant a significant reduction in protein intake which may have had an impact on the overall picture.

Andrikos

From what I 've understood it pretty much says the opposite of what you re pointing out.

There are plenty of drug nutrient interactions out there but I don t think we have one here