The body requires 22 essential amino acids to build the proteins that fight infection, regulate growth and influence mental state. While most of these amino acids are synthesized by the body, there are several that must come from the food we eat...
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is commonly diagnosed in childhood. Although theories of its origin are abundant and varied -- from dietary sensitivities to DNA differences -- one biochemical aspect appears to be widely...
Tranylcypromine, known by its brand name Parnate, is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used in the treatment of depression. It helps to block the chemical monoamine oxidase in the central nervous system, which helps to relieve some forms of...
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are antidepressants used to treat atypical depression when all the other antidepressants drugs have failed, according to Netdoctor.co.uk. MAOIs are not a first line treatment for depression because they often...
Parnate is one of a class of older antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. A common side effect of MAOI antidepressants is loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. This is strikingly different from newer...
Tyramine is a substance created when protein ages or spoils, according to author and medical doctor, Eric Braverman. People who suffer frequent migraines are often sensitive to tyramine, so eliminating it from the diet might help prevent migraines...
Concerta (Methylphenidate HCI) is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients 6 years or older. It is also used to treat narcolepsy. It is in a class of medications called central nervous stimulants. In...
According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States, though it can also affect adults. Treatment for ADHD often includes medication to help control...
Duragesic (fentanyl citrate) is a transdermal patch that contains an opioid pain reliever that is absorbed through the skin. Duragesic, or fentanyl, is a very potent opioid that is used to treat chronic moderate to severe pain in patients who have...
Male enhancement pills claim to improve a male's sexual life by enhancing performance and increasing erections. Some formulas claim to help reduce premature ejaculation and boost libido by heightening male hormone levels. The most readily...
Yohimbe, also known as Pausinystalia yohimbe, is the source of yohimbine, an active ingredient in many herbal supplements marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss, performance enhancement and stimulant effects, as well as a prescription drug,...
A galactagogue is a food, supplement or other agent that increases a woman's milk supply. Brewer's yeast, which is made from a single-celled fungus, also has some benefits similar to other galactagogues, although the medical community is still...
Everyone suffers from a bit of anxiety at times. Anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations. When anxiety interferes with daily living, it indicates there is a problem. According to MedlinePlus, there are different degrees of anxiety,...
Depression is a serious condition that demands treatment. The combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy is most effective for treating depression, as reported in the May 18, 2000, issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine." Despite...
American ginseng herbal supplements come from the root of the plant Panax quinquefolius. If you desire to purchase American ginseng herbal dietary supplements, read ingredient labels carefully to ensure that the supplement facts label exclusively...
That warm cup of chamomile tea before bed may smell good, but no scientific evidence exists to back up chamomile's reputation as a sleep aid, according to the National Institutes of Health. The same is true of many herbs commonly assumed to help...
When looking at all-natural supplements, one stands out from the pack for its usual job of packing the punch into a familiar fuzzy beverage--beer. Brewer's yeast, a nutritional supplement, offers vitamins and minerals in powder, tablet or liquid...
The leaves of yerba mate, a plant native to South America are traditionally brewed into a tea that retains stimulant properties. Marketing claims for yerba mate, also called mate, promise to provide energy and support weight loss. Claims made for...
Guarana, a rainforest plant, is a well-known herb supplement whose seeds are a natural source of caffeine. Traditionally used for headaches, fatigue, pain and dysentery, guarana has become popular primarily for its stimulant and legendary...
Three different plants are referred to as "ginseng" in popular parlance. American and Asian ginseng share botanical similarities and belong to the genus Panax. Siberian ginseng, or eleuthero, is not closely related to either American or Asian...
Vertigo is not the same as dizziness or lightheadedness. It is “a sensation of motion or spinning ... often described as dizziness,” according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. One cause of vertigo is ototoxicity—ear...
Your body makes the amino acid tyrosine from the amino acid phenylalanine. Tyrosine is important in the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. Taking certain types of antidepressants while taking tyrosine supplements or eating large amounts...
Marketing claims for fat burners promise to help you burn more calories, enhance metabolism, increase energy levels, melt fat and lose weight. Combinations of ingredients such as bitter orange, green tea extract, caffeine and others may appear in...
Pausinystalia yohimbe is a tall, West African evergreen tree that has been used to treat erectile dysfunction for centuries. The bark of the plant contains a wide variety of alkaloids, some of which act as psychostimulants and others as sedatives....
Green tea comes from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and has been used for drinking as a beverage for more than 5,000 years. Green tea has many positive health benefits and may be beneficial to those with medical conditions such as...
Red Panax ginseng, also called Asian ginseng and Korean ginseng, is a perennial herb that grows in China, Russia and Korea. Red Panax ginseng extract comes from the herb's gnarled, light brown roots. Asian herbalists have used Panax ginseng for...
Depression is an illness, and antidepressants are often prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. These medications work on chemicals in the brain and are grouped into classes depending on their mechanism of action and the chemicals...
Xanax (generic name alprazolam) is a drug known as a benzodiazepine, which is used to treat anxiety. It is not an antidepressant, which is what an MAOI drug is.
Depression medications, or antidepressants, are prescribed to treat the symptoms of depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inihibitors (MAOIs) are three types of depression...
