DopaBoost

DopaBoost was designed to increase the body's natural production of dopamine, one of the body's primary catecholamines. Dopamine is essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system and is associated with attention, learning, movement, balance, and mood regulation. This may be necessary in the clinical support of degenerative neurological disorders related to dopamine activity, such as Parkinson's disease and dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD).

Key Ingredients

• Macuna pruriens - a botanical which naturally contains L-DOPA, the metabolic precursor to dopamine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier. The Macuna material in DopaBoost is standardized to contain an extremely potent 60% L-DOPA.
• EGCG (from green tea extract) antioxidant; brain-protecting properties. These polyphenols in green tea offer neuroprotective effects, help to increase availability of dopamine. EGCG has been shown to have a positive effect on the electrical activity of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, the area of the brain where dopamine is made.
• Quercetin a flavonoid present in many fruits and vegetables, naturally inhibits COMT (catechol-o-methyl transferase) and MAO activities, the key enzymes involved in the metabolism of dopamine. Quercetin works synergistically with Macuna pruriens and EGCG as it helps to preserve dopamine levels.
• N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine - the acetylated derivative of l-tyrosine, the amino acid from which dopamine is synthesized. Acetylation helps to increase the stability and solubility of tyrosine, making it more efficient and bioavailable, and therefore, the superior choice for raising the bodys levels of tyrosine.
• Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate - vitamin B6 in its metabolically active form; needed for the decarboxylation of L-DOPA to dopamine. P5P is a coenzyme for dopa decarboxylase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of L-DOPA to dopamine. Dopa decarboxylase is important in the improvement of Parkinsons disease.

• Neurological conditions affecting movement/balance
• Behavioral disorders
• Involuntary movements/ticks
• Sleep disorders
• Mood disorders
• Cognition issues: memory and learning disorders
• Those who need enhanced release of growth hormone
• Lack of motivation
• Low prolactin production (involved in lactation and sexual gratification)
• Those who test low in urine metabolites homovanillate (HVA) and/or vanilmandelate (VMA) as found in CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Profile) Testing.

Serving Size: 2 capsules
Servings Per Container: 30

Active Ingredients:

• Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 5 mg
• N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine 750 mg
• Macuna (Macuna pruriens) [standardized to contain 60% L-dopa (3, 4 Dihydroxy-L-Phenylalanine)] 425 mg
• Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) (leaves) [standardized to contain 50% EGCG] 100 mg
• Quercetin 100 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable stearate.

Recommended Dosage:
As a dietary supplement, take one capsule two times daily, or as directed by your health care practitioner.

This product does not contain: wheat, yeast, soy, gluten, eggs, ndairy, corn, artificial colors, flavors, sugars, or preservatives.

Who Should Not Take Those who test high in the metabolites HVA and VMA should not take DopaBoost, but instead would benefit from NeuroCalm, a blend of nutrients designed to support calming brain activity.

DopaBoost should not be used with:
MAOIs (Nonspecific monoamine-oxidase inhibitors), powerful antidepressant drugs
Antipsychotic drugs, such as phenothiazines, butyrophenones and reserpine
Antihypertensive drugs such as guanethidine and methyldopa (may cause increased hypotension)
Use DopaBoost cautiously with dopaminergic drugs such as amantadine, benserazide, carbidopa, atropine, and amphetamine, only under the guidance of a trained health care professional.

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

The adrenal glands produce catecholamines (both hormones and neurotransmitters) in situations of stress such as psychological stress or low blood sugar levels. Dopamine is one of the primary catecholamines. It is essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system and is associated with attention, learning, movement, balance, and mood regulation. More specifically, dopamine is a signaling substance in brain circuits that are crucial to creating positive mood states. It is involved in transmitting signals of reward and motivation and in helping muscles move smoothly. It is synthesized in the brain from the amino acid tyrosine, which is hydroxylated to L-DOPA (3,4 dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine), and then decarboxylated to dopamine. L-DOPA, dopamine's immediate precursor, crosses the blood brain barrier while dopamine does not. Regulating dopamine is vital to our physical and mental health.

DopaBoost was designed to increase the bodys natural production of dopamine. This may be necessary in the clinical support of degenerative neurological disorders related to dopamine activity, such as Parkinsons disease and dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD), a neurological disorder that usually begins in childhood and whose symptoms are often characterized by problems with movement and a progressive difficulty in walking.

Parkinson's disease affects more than one million Americans each year, a figure expected to rise due to aging populations. The main characteristic feature of Parkinson's disease is the progressive destruction of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra region of the brain stem (where dopamine is made). The loss of dopamine production affects the balance between dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain which then causes messages to the muscles to become faulty. Parkinson's disease symptoms develop once 70% of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra have been destroyed. This leads to the muscle rigidity and tremors associated with this disease. Neurodegeneration in Parkinsons disease appears to be multifactorial, where a complex set of reactions lead to the destruction of neurons.

Neural Support + Neuroprotection
Macuna pruriens is a botanical which naturally contains L-DOPA, the metabolic precursor to dopamine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier. The Macuna material in DopaBoost is standardized to contain an extremely potent 60% L-DOPA.

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine is the acetylated derivative of l-tyrosine (the amino acid from which dopamine is synthesized). Acetylation helps to increase the stability and solubility of tyrosine, making it more efficient and bioavailable, and therefore, the superior choice for raising the bodys levels of tyrosine. Pyridoxyal-5-phosphate (P5P), which is vitamin B6 in its metabolically active form, is needed for the decarboxylation of L-Dopa to dopamine, as it is a coenzyme for dopa decarboxylase.

EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) the main antioxidant and iron chelator polyphenol in green tea works in multiple ways to enhance the efficacy of DopaBoost. EGCG has a positive effect on the electrical activity of dopaminergic neurons (in the substantia nigra). It increases the neuronal activity via inhibition of calcium-dependent potassium currents. Increasing neuronal activity increases the release of dopamine. Research on animal parkinsonism suggests that EGCG restores neuronal loss.

Oxidative stress from iron ions
Excess iron ions in the brain play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers and Huntingtons diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Iron in an unstable form increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This triggers a cascade of events leading to apoptotic cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. EGCG, along with the plant flavonoid quercetin, have been demonstrated in research to neutralize radical scavengers and prevent their known neurotoxic effects (ROS scavengers). EGCG elevates the activity of two major oxygen-radical metabolizing enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Quercetin is also a strong protector of nerve cells against free radical damage. Even better, EGCG and quercetin chelate unbound iron (Fe+) and copper ions (Cu+) out of the body.

COMT inhibition by green tea and quercetin
Research demonstrates that EGCG and quercetin act as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. The COMT enzyme breaks down dopamine by converting it into methyldopa which does not allow it to convert into dopamine. Therefore, since EGCG and quercetin are COMT inhibitors, they help L-DOPA stay in the system longer for a sustained release of dopamine in the brain. EGCG and quercetin both work synergistically with Macuna pruriens (which provides L-DOPA).

Using Comprehensive Metabolic Testing for Determining Dopamine Levels
Testing for low levels of dopamine is a very important and beneficial tool in helping to determine who may benefit from DopaBoost. This can be done by looking at the urine metabolite homovanillate (HVA) found on Designs for Health Metabolic Testing.HVA is found in the urine as a metabolite of dopamine. Low levels of this metabolite may indicate an increased need for dopamine. Elevations of vanilmandelate (VMA) are often found elevated in the urine when HVA is elevated, indicating elevations in the other catecholamines (epinepherine and norepinapherine). Elevated VMA indicates intervention with CatecholaCalm, while low levels of VMA may indicate an increased need for these two catecholamines and therefore intervention with Adrenotone Plus.

Who Should Not Take DopaBoost
Those who test high in the metabolites HVA and VMA should not take DopaBoost, but instead would benefit from NeuroCalm, a blend of nutrients designed to support calming brain activity.

DopaBoost should not be used with:

• MAOIs (Nonspecific monoamine-oxidase inhibitors), powerful antidepressant drugs
• Antipsychotic drugs, such as phenothiazines, butyrophenones and reserpine
• Antihypertensive drugs such as guanethidine and methyldopa( may cause increased hypotension.)