Sheenie Ambardar, MD is a Los Angeles-based Integrative Psychiatrist with 16+ years of experience in Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Ambardar sees patients throughout California and New York via telehealth and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adult men and women with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, OCD, Panic Disorder, Binge-Eating Disorder, and a host of other common mental health concerns.

Are you experiencing any of these conditions? Concierge Integrative Psychiatry may be the solution you need. At The Happiness Psychiatrist®, we address the root causes of these issues—and many more—as well as give you the resources to build a fuller, happier life.

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Did You Know That There Are 9 Essential Amino Acids That Are Crucial For Mental Health?

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Essential amino acids are the amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on their own - so we must get them from our diets or via supplements. 🍎

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They're called "essential" because:

• Our bodies cannot synthesize them internally

• They must be obtained through diet or supplements

• Without them, protein synthesis and important bodily functions would be impaired

• Deficiency can lead to numerous physical and mental health issues

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Getting enough of these essential amino acids through a balanced diet or via supplementation can be a game-changer for your mental health journey 🍓

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Understanding Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Mental Wellness

If you've been experiencing persistent mental health challenges, it may be worth testing your amino acid levels. Amino acids play a crucial role in producing neurotransmitters – those all-important chemical messengers that help regulate our moods, focus, and emotional well-being.

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Why Amino Acid Testing Matters 🍑

Research has shown that individuals with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety often have suboptimal levels of amino acids. This is significant because amino acids are vital for:

• Producing serotonin, which helps regulate mood and anxiety

• Creating dopamine, which affects motivation and focus

• Synthesizing GABA, a calming neurotransmitter which promotes relaxation and reduces stress

• Managing the body's stress response system

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Amino Acid Testing - Should You Consider It? 🥦

If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may want to consider discussing amino acid testing with your integrative psychiatrist:

• Persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest

• Mood fluctuations that seem disproportionate to circumstances

• Difficulty maintaining emotional equilibrium and balance

• Challenges with focus, concentration, and memory

• Increased irritability or heightened anger

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The Testing Process 🥕

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A fasting plasma amino acid test is a simple blood test that provides a comprehensive overview of your amino acid status. The testing process itself is pretty straightforward:

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1. You'll fast for 10-12 hours the night before your test
2. You'll have your blood drawn in the morning at your preferred lab location
3. In a week or so, you'll receive detailed results like those seen in the image above. These results will help your psychiatrist recommend targeted nutritional supplements to help optimize your amino acid levels.

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Now let's learn more about the 9 Essential Amino Acids 🍒

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The 9 Essential Amino Acids: A Brief Visual Introduction

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To Review:

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• The essential amino acid Tryptophan is our body's only way to make Serotonin - our key "feel good" neurotransmitter. Tryptophan also converts to Melatonin, a vital sleep hormone 🏀

• The essential amino acid Phenylalanine is the precursor to Dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that helps with motivation, focus, and a sense of reward 🥎

• The essential amino acid Histidine helps create Histamine, which is a neurotransmitter crucial for alertness and learning 🏓

• The essential amino acid Methionine supports memory + mood regulation 🎾

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Good Food Sources of Essential Amino Acids:

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🥚 Eggs (nature's mood food!)

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🐟 Wild-caught fish

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🫘 Legumes

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🥜 Nuts and seeds

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🥩 Quality protein

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Recommended High-Quality Amino Acid Supplements:

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Click on each image below to learn more:

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In summary, amino acids play a vital role in our mental health and emotional well-being by helping to produce key neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. Since our bodies can't produce some of these amino acids naturally (the 9 essential amino acids), we must obtain these essential amino acids from our diet or through supplementation. 🍎

If you're experiencing persistent mental health challenges, amino acid testing may help provide valuable insights. A simple fasting blood test can identify amino acid deficiencies and guide targeted nutritional interventions to support your mental health journey. 🍯

‍Consider discussing amino acid testing with your integrative psychiatrist, particularly if traditional approaches haven't provided you with complete relief. 🍏

Remember: Optimal amino acid levels are fundamental to both mental wellness and overall health! 🧠 💗

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You Deserve to Feel Happier

Ready to begin your own therapeutic journey towards happiness and better mental health? Contact The Happiness Psychiatrist® today and discover how award-winning concierge psychiatrist Dr. Sheenie Ambardar can help put you on the path to your best, happiest self.

Want to learn more about integrative concierge psychiatry? Read these pieces next from The Happiness Psychiatrist® blog:

1. Medication Management Psychiatrist: The 7 Most Common Types of Medications Psychiatrists Prescribe
2. Why Do I Get Sad At Night? What It Means + 3 Ways To Cope
3. ADHD Psychiatrist in Los Angeles for Chronic Procrastinators
4. 15 Traits of Adult Children of Narcissists: How To Reclaim Your Happiness after Emotional Abuse

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