Earlier, there were some questions about amino acids on alt.drugs.
I posted a scanty summary of some of aminos I was interested in.
More questions appeared after that, posted and in my mail box.
This file is quite a bit more complete but still doesn't list 
many of the 22 or so AAs. (eg. alanine, histidine, idoleucine,
proline, serine, threonine, valine... these are all common, but
i haven't found much info on them). 
Documentation and sources are missing, so please don't take this
file too seriously. I probably won't create another version of
this for a while.

(Note that this is a Folded file, for those with MSDOS machines and
 the shareware editor.)


=============================
AMINO ACIDS AND THEIR EFFECTS
=============================
Version 1.1
Compiled by: Bj Krawchuk (krawchuk@cpsc.ucalgary.ca)
Several sources have been used and may be requested from above.

(*@/// Phenylalanine *)
(*@/// L-phenylalanine *)
L-phenylalanine
        - converted into tyrosine which is
           precursor to noradrenaline (NE) and dopamine
        - like all amino acids best taken on empty stomach since it competes
          with proteins to cross the blood brain barrier.
        - requires vitamins C and B-6 for the conversion to NE.
        - Dosage: 500 - 1000mg along with 1g C, 30-50mg B-6
        - phenylalanine also stimulates the release of
          cholecystokinin, which is the body's own appetite-suppressant,
        - can increase sexual interest
        - improves memory and mental alertness
        - antidepressant
        - do not use L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine if you are
          using MAO inhibitors for depression (it can cause a
          major elevation in blood pressure).
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// DL-phenylalanine *)
DL-phenylalanine
          - combination of synthetic (D) and natural (L) phenylalanine
          - produces endorphins and stimulates their use
          - thus, effective painkiller, often better than the
            opiate derivatives such as morphine.
          - nonaddictive, nontoxic
          - reverse-tolerance effect (pain relief gets better)
          - strong anti-depressant effect
          - can be combined with other pain-killers
            with few bad interactions
(*@\\\*)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Tyrosine *)
L-tyrosine
        - precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine
        - non-essential amino acid (since PA is converted into it first)
        - has been studied as an effective aid to cocaine withdrawal
        - (see L-phenylalanine)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Tryptophan *)
L-tryptophan
        - precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin along with
          B6, niacin, and magnesium.
        - (actually immediate precursor to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP)
           which is the precursor to serotonin (5HT))
        - prolongs slow-wave sleep
        - reduces pain sensitivity
        - no effect or increases REMS
        - has some hypnotic effects
        - useful for some types of endogenous depression
          (has been found as useful as imipramine and amitriptyline)
        - aids in reducing anxiety and tension
        - an appetite supressant
        - dosages have been studied up to 15g
        - Major Food Sources:
              Cottage cheese, milk, meat, fish, turkey, bananas,
              dried dates, peanuts, all protein-rich foods.
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Lysine *)

L-lysine
        - needed for growth and enzyme, hormone, antibody production
        - aids concentration
        - treatment for some sterility problems
        - treatment and prevention for herpes infections
        - aids fatty acid -> energy conversion
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Arginine *)
L-arginine
        - used to increase sperm counts
          (semen contains up to 80% of arginine)
        - aids immune response and healing of wounds
        - helps stored fat metabolism
        - helps to tone muscle tissue
        - used for weight-loss in combination with L-ornithine
        - one amino acid required for production of growth hormone
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Ornithine *)
L-ornithine
        - similar to arginine
        - growth hormone (which acts as a fat metabolizer) is
          stimulated to be released by ornithine and arginine.
        - can be used as a slimming technique (while you sleep -
          GH is released by the pituitary gland then)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glutamine *)

L-glutamine
        - converted to glutamic acid, the brain's emergency source of
          energy when glucose is in short supply.
        - precursor to the neurotransmitter GABA
        - neutralizes excess ammonia (which can inhibit proper
          brain function)
        - improves intelligence
        - helps to control alcoholism
        - helps to speed ulcer healing
        - alleviates fatigue, depression, impotence,
          schizophrenia, senility
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Aspartic Acid *)
L-aspartic acid
        - ammonia neutralizer
        - a study showed improved stamina and endurance in atheletes
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Cysteine *)

L-cysteine
        - cystine is its stable form
        - antioxidant
        - contains sulfur
        - protects cellular membranes from "free radical damage"
        - prevents alcohol and cigarette smoke damage to the brain
        - stimulant to immune system
        - believed to be good for antiaging
        - effective against copper toxicity (eg. Wilson's disease)
        - protects against X-ray and nuclear radiation
        - warning: may affect insulin effectiveness
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Methionine *)
L-methionine
        - antioxidant
        - contains sulfur
        - prevents damage of brain cells from toxic heavy metals
        - important in producing neurotransmitters and energy
        - lowers blood level of histamine
          (this may help some types of schizophrenia)
        - combined with choline and folic acid, can prevent some
          types of tumors
        - deficiencies: hair loss, atherosclerosis, cholestorol deposits,
          edema, poor urine processing
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glycine *)
L-glycine
        - treatment for poor pituitary functioning
        - supplies creatine which is essential for muscle function
          (effective against muscular dystrophy)
        - treatment for hypoglycemia
        - stimulates glucagon which metabolizes glycogen into glucose
        - antacid
        - treatment for low blood pH
        - treatment for leucine imbalance-causing body odor and halitosis
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Leucine *)
L-taurine
        - nonessential amino acid
        - aids efficient conduction of electrical impulses
          along nerve pathways
        - anticonvulsant (esp in combo with glutamic, aspartic acids)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glutathione *)
L-Glutathione
      - tripeptide amino acid made of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine
      - "triple threat" antiaging
      - antioxidant
      - anti-tumor agent
      - respiratory accelerator in the brain
      - used in the treatment of: allergies, cataracts, diabetes,
        hypoglycemia, arthritis
      - prevents some side effects of chemotherapy and X-ray radiation
      - protects against some harmful side-effects of cigarrette smoke
        and alcohol
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Carnatine *)
L-carnatine
      - newly discovered amino acid
      - aids stored fat -> energy conversion
      - helps: hypoglycemia, reduces angina attacks, diabetes,
        liver disease, kidney disease
      - deficiency causes heart tissue damage
(*@\\\*)

***************************** Article Separation ******************************

Tyrosine is available in a free form base from Vitamin Research Products
based in Mountain View, CA.  call (415) 555-1212 for number.  Suggestion
would be to start with 100mg of tyrosine at first, then to increase (weekly)
to 300mg.  Overdose symptoms include  irratibility.  This will need to be taken
with several precursor vitamins like C B-5,6,12, for uptake into the
blood/brain barrier.  This amino wil compete with protein uptake, so take it
on an empty stomach - see the book 'Life Extension" D. Pearson & S. Shaw -