Lead toxicity is a factor when it comes to anxiety, panic disorder, phobias and depression, even with low levels of lead exposure.
This 2010 paper, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, Blood lead levels and major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder in U.S. young adults reports the following:
In this sample of young adults with low levels of lead exposure, higher blood lead was associated with increased odds of major depression and panic disorder. Exposure to lead at levels generally considered safe could result in adverse mental health outcomes.
The paper discusses a possible mechanism of action i.e. lead disruption of neurotransmitter production (of the catecholamines and serotonin):
If lead exposure contributes to the etiology of these disorders, the mechanism of action could involve perturbation of neurochemistry, such as brain monoamine neurotransmission.
Lead exposure is known to disrupt catecholaminergic systems, and depression and anxiety disorders are strongly associated with disturbances in these systems.
Studies in animals show that chronic lead exposure can decrease serotoninergic activity in several brain regions including the nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex, and brainstem.
It is surprising that generalized anxiety disorder was not associated with increased lead levels in this study but other research does find anxiety correlations:
- bone lead (a biomarker of cumulative lead exposure) was associated with phobic anxiety and depression among older women who are premenopausal or who consistently take postmenopausal HRT
- blood lead concentrations were associated with increased risk of behavioral problems and anxiety in Chinese preschool children
- bone and blood lead levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of phobic anxiety in middle-aged to elderly men
Addressing lead and other heavy metal toxicity is not to be taken lightly and can often be quite a lengthy process. Finding a knowledgeable practitioner who understands chelation is important. We covered much of this in my interview with Dr. John Dempster on season 4 of the Anxiety Summit – Anxiety and heavy metals: chelation of mercury and lead
The good news is that while you are working on lead detoxification there is promising research that supports what I see in my clients: using the amino acid tryptophan reduces and often completely eliminates anxiety, panic attacks and depression while you are dealing with other underlying issues. In this instance it’s the lead toxicity but it could also be Lyme disease or gluten sensitivity or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and many other conditions.
The animal study I’m referring to was published at University of Lagos paper in 2012: Neurobehavioural and neurotoxic effects of L-ascorbic acid and L-tryptophan in lead exposed rats and states that:
The sub-chronic exposure to lead decreased brain serotonin, while causing oxidative stress by decreasing reduced glutathione levels, antioxidant enzyme activity and increasing lipid peroxidation and brain protein contents.
Ascorbic acid attenuated [or reduced] both lead induced neuronal oxidative stress, and abnormalities in behaviour.
Tryptophan ameliorated [or improved] lead-altered neurobehaviour [such as anxiety and aggression].
Co-administration of ascorbic acid and tryptophan on lead exposed rats showed a reversal in all indices assessed towards the physiological state of control. This suggests that ascorbic and tryptophan can be used to compliment chelating therapy in lead neurotoxicity.
I don’t know if you can extrapolate the dosages from the rat to a human weight-wise but since I have a curious mind I did some calculations: it turns out that they used a rough equivalent of 2000mg of ascorbic acid and 1000mg of tryptophan for an adult human. The starting dose for tryptophan is typically 500mg, and less if you’re sensitive or a “pixie dust” person. I would start here and do an amino acid trial, increasing over a few weeks until anxiety symptoms start to resolve. You can read more about the amino acids process here
Have you used tryptophan (or other amino acids like GABA) to reduce or improve anxiety symptoms with success, while dealing with a bigger underlying issue such as lead toxicity?
If you’re a practitioner, have you helped your clients/patients with tryptophan while dealing with lead toxicity?
I am curious about the Vitamin C. I was under the impression that vitamin C would counteract amino acids effects. Does this only apply to GABA?
and this well researched site says no to ascorbic acid.http://www.doctorsresearch.com/articles4.html
as for gaba and tryptophan they do nothing for me. are you saying, trudy, that ascorbic acid helps get it across the bbb?
i have just been re-tested for heavy metals; no results yet. in a fuel passed economy it is not possible to escape lead…so if this works it would be great.
Hi Nancy
Thanks for the link – the vitamin C/ascorbic acid debate is a big one and deserves an entire blog post. I have plenty to say about this article but it’s a bigger topic for another day.
For now, we know this study on lead did find that ascorbic acid helped by reducing “lead induced neuronal oxidative stress, and abnormalities in behaviour.” Ideally it would be great to see this same study repeated with vitamin C.
And no the ascorbic acid has nothing to do with the amino acids getting across the BBB but it is a co-factor for making neurotransmitters.
I’m sorry to hear you say GABA and tryptophan do nothing for you. I ask these questions when someone comes to work with me and says this. 1) how do you score on the amino acid questionnaire for low GABA and low serotonin? 2) which GABA product did you use, how much, how often and did you use it sublingually? 3) which tryptophan product did you use, how much, how often and did you use it sublingually? 4) did you start low and do a trial increasing to get added benefits 5) do you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (good thyroid function is needed for the amino acids to work) 6) what is your ferritin level (iron is a co-factor for making neurotransmitters) 7) do you have pyroluria (zinc and vitamin B6 are co-factor for making neurotransmitters) 8) current or past use of benzodiazepines or SSRIs or fluroquinolone antibiotics)? 9) gut issues – gluten, SIBO, leaky gut, candida, parasites etc?
I do this because it’s something I hear a lot and I want to be sure. Most of the time by addressing the above they do start to get results. Hope this helps
Thanks for the link. Personally, I have found better overall health & well being by taking 500 mg of liposomal vitamin C 2 to 3 times per day (with meals – thanks for the confirmation Trudy) & more if/when I fall ill. I have tried to discontinue this but with negative outcome.
I took GABA (NOW True Calm which also contained B6) which helped me regain my life about 18 years ago after the illness & death of someone very close to me to. I found if I did not take it, others close to me noticed a change & I also noticed I was more angry & anxious. There were times when I had more stress in my life & would then need 2 tablets each day (1 before bed). When I tried just GABA, it was not as effective (NOW brand, both formulas were 500 mg). Currently, I do not take GABA regularly – only when I get to feeling anxious, sad, stressed, or angry & have switched to the Litke brand. Both my daughters have found that it helps them on occasion too. I wish that you could find the relief that I have. Don’t give up!
I am learning so much from Trudy Scott & Dr. Ben Lynch about cofactors & how 1 nutrient (too much or too little) can effect your reaction to treatments.
I do like the information in the article but am also a little concerned by authors who do not date their opinions/studies. I have no idea if this information is out of date. Most of the references are 20 years old with just a few from 2000-2006. I would like to search a few of those articles he/she cites (some studies really don’t show causation or are so small that they are insignificant) & maybe do some searches for more recent studies on PubMed. It’s so time consuming but I try to never get all my information from one source.
Lisa
Yes, when it’s used at the same time or right after taking an amino acid (GABA and all the others too) it can negate the effects, but it is also a co-factor that helps makes neurotransmitters so taking it with a meal is something I have all my clients do.
GABA helped me a lot. http://www.valleycenter.com/news/2016-06-09/Valley_Life/Detoxing_and_eliminating_lead_helps_fight_fibromya.html
Hi Lisa
Thanks for sharing your write-up on lead and fibromyalgia, and the fact that GABA helped you a lot. I’d love to hear what GABA product you used and how much and how it helped? I’m curious if you ever used tryptophan too? I don’t see a date on this so don’t know how recent it was but I hope you’re doing better each day.
GABA helped calm me. My story was published 6-9-16. The pendulum has been showing not to take GABA for over a month and has always shown no for tryptophan. I avoid fillers so most recently was using ProThera 250 mg once daily with my last meal 1-2 hours before bed. I previously was using Montiff and I believe that was the one I’ve used the most, at one time taking maybe 500 mg twice daily. I remember taking 125 mg for a while, stopping, then starting again. I had tried Thorne PharmaGABA appx 2013/2014 but it wasn’t right for me. In July, 2015 I suspect I had proof of brain inflammation after my left eye showed blind spots during a standard peripheral vision test and I had tremendous relief of the left eye area pressure when I quit eating (homemade, farm fresh) chicken broth after reading this blog http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/. Here are some other helpful glutamine links http://www.biodynamicwellness.com/stock-vs-broth-confused/, http://www.dramyyasko.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/The-Role-of-Excitotoxins-in-Autistic-Type-Behavior.pdf. Also, I thought you would like this 20 year old Harvard article linking glutamate to glaucoma and an article from 2013. http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/1996/03.21/NewCauseofGlauc.html. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/scientifica/2013/528940/
Hi Trudy and all,
I also want to do a shout out about GABA sublingual. I have neuros full of glutamtate managed will w p5p, lysine and meditation but now have Source Naturals Sublingual GABA is great at any time.
I was a non believer and one of those who felt that if regular GABA had any effect it meant leaky brain and not good. I have been tested and thanks to good probiotics my body is full of GABA but not across the bbb. It makes sense to me that sublingual via the blood system might work. I am impressed. I will continue to post you and recommend you. Many thanks!
Hi Nancy
Thanks for sharing – wonderful to hear sublingual GABA is helping you! Not quite sure what you mean by this? “I have been tested and thanks to good probiotics my body is full of GABA but not across the bbb.”?
Hi Trudy I was thrilled and felt very blessed to get your e mail this am … My urine test showed that I have three times the upper expected limit per the reference population. .. and I did find out how I got exposed to lead, . Long story… but will make it short by saying we should really test for heavy metals and also doctors should know about it more that they do .. I was a VERY healthy woman until I was told I had to have a hip replacement and then 6 months later I been told I need to have one of my shoulders operated one.. so I continued researching and finally had a heavy metals testing done and found out that the Lead can cause bone problems… and many other problems… Wish I could talk to you in person.
RE: Non toxic Hair Colouring/Alternatives
Hi Trudy,
After colouring my hair for over 40 years (using one of
the safer herbal/natural products available), I suddenly
had a very severe allergic reaction. I was in touch with
the company, who were extremely helpful and concerned.
But they felt they should advise that in my circumstance,
it would be best to discontinue it’s use.
Preferring not to go the gray tones, I checked/tried a
gamut of alternatives, (i.e, henna, sage, coffee etc…etc)
…but, none were effective for me…
Then I came upon “My Hairprint”, which I saw on
David Wolfe’s website. A revolutionary alternative,
which appeared to be quite safe. I was skeptical?
I am happy to say that after almost one year, the product
continues to amaze me. (Albeit, not the easiest of products
to self apply, but worth the effort.) And my hair has never
felt better. The only draw back is that it seems to only work
with your natural hair pigment, if,… you are in the darker
shades, i.e., brown, black, etc… They are still working on
natural blondes and redheads…
Although I really miss my lovely auburn/red hair, going back
to my original/birth (dark brown) colour has worked out as a
great second best.
So simply fyi…
Cheers,
Nina
Nina
Thanks for sharing. I have been looking into My Hairprint because I know many women are looking for safe hair coloring options.
I’m curious what the safer herbal/natural product was that caused you to have a reaction?
Many women are also still using very toxic products with no awareness of the possible issues so I’m gathering information to share
Hi a friend whos aware of my 24 yo daughters horrificly dehabilitating Lead Poisoning Life just sent me this article/blog of yours this morning. Are you suggesting dangerous blood chelation works somehow? I believe that theory’s been debunked long ago. Furthermore GABA what?? Pharmeceuticals? They’re really destructive. So As to TRYPTOPHAN..HOW is it administered and absorbed into infant created DEEP bone marrow and our adult brain functionality? Does it reverse leads effects in the Lagos or any other documented medical school’s study.
Indeed I Thank You.
Sue
I am sorry to hear about your daughter. There are many chelation approaches that functional medicine practitioners find effective. With lead poisoning working with a functional medicine doctor versed in heavy metals is the best approach. I interview Dr. Dempster on the Anxiety Summit here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-heavy-metals-chelation-mercury-lead/
GABA is gamma-amino butyric acid, an amino acid that is found in the body and has calming effects. This is not the same as benzodiazepines or gabapentin which are drugs and have harmful side-effects.
Tryptophan is also an amino acid and both are best used sublingually.
The blog has a wealth of information on the amino acids (feel free to use the search feature) and my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” has an entire chapter on the topic – on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2kptFWm (affiliate link)
How much gaba you take for panic attacks and lithuim orotate thank you
Ray
Dosing is unique to each person and I have my clients do a trial when they have low GABA and/or low serotonin. GABA typically starts at 125mg and tryptophan at 500mg and increased from there based on results
When you are new to the amino acids and anxiety nutrition solutions my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is an excellent resource https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
All these other factors may come into play too: high cortisol, low blood sugar, gluten (especially with eczema and arthritis), sugar, caffeine, alcohol, gut health/parasites and not eating enough quality animal protein and health fats + organic veg and fruit – also covered in my book.
With lithium orotate 5mg is a typical starting dose. Feel free to search the blog for lithium orotate articles.
Can’t thank you enough, Trudy – the summit is awesome! But I need to know how to regain the 48 lbs of unintentional weight loss that occurred after having years of overwhelming stress from multiple tragedies and a few traumas. I was able to detox most of the mercury I had, and am now working on lead. My urine test showed them both to be very high. I’ve had much abdominal pain and heaviness since taking GABA capsules and wonder if the liposomal form of it would be better for me because I hate giving it up, as I have a lot of neuro disorders which I believe it helped, but perhaps the homeopathic remedy I am on is doing the job instead…. not sure. I also am loaded with physical ailments and a few naturally-occurring disfigurements. I have no pain right now, except for my stomach (ulcer or GABA?) so am going to see a functional med doctor soon. Back in the 60’s I was subjected to ECT and insulin shock treatments for post par tem illness with major depression. I am a 79 yr old at home artistic inventor who is now too thin, but eats 5 times a day…mostly healthy food and rarely gluten. Maybe I’m not giving my food a chance to digest properly? I know that lead can make a person lose weight, but no matter how much I eat, it refuses to return and even small upsets make it drop lower. I’d be happy to regain a mere 12 lbs if I could, so at least my face would look closer to my age, because when I look in the mirror now, I become very sad! Thanks so much for all you do!