Posted by Lao Tzu on January 21, 2009, at 10:52:44
I am listing some vitamin supplements that have helped me through my depressive phases of bipolar. What I have determined is that certain vitamins seem to be essential to an overall plan. Medication seems to be essential as a first step to treating this illness. I stabilized on medication first, then started adding vitamins to my regimen. Also, physical activity seems to be very helpful, i.e. biking, walking, jogging, swimming, aerobics. Low intensity exercise such as walking or swimming might be better for a depressive who experiences low energy a lot during the depressive phases. Starting out slow with exercise seems prudent, say 1/2 hour 3 days a week, then working up slowly to what you can tolerate. I like to work out on a stationary bike or treadmill during the summer because I have low tolerance for heat on summer days, so working out in a cool place would be great for someone who experiences a lot of fatigue in the summer due to the heat. Joining the YMCA and going swimming might be preferable in the hot summer months. The Y is cheaper than a lot of fitness clubs.
Vitamins are definitely helpful, but I have found out that with most of them, start out on low dosages first because they can have powerful effects on your body. Too much of any one vitamin could possibly complicate your depressive symptoms.
Vitamin B1 or benfotiamine, which is a lipid soluble form of B1 and superior to regular thiamine hydrochloride. I take only 150mg of benfotiamine per day and this seems to be enough for me.Vitamin B6--P5P form. I take 25-50mg during the day and 50mg at bedtime. Most people don't need to overdo it with B6. At most, I have taken 100mg per day.
Vitamin C--I take 250-500mg in the morning and 250mg at bedtime. It might work better if you try taking 250mg three times per day to ensure that you absorb more of this vitamin than taking a very large dose all at once because vitamin C reaches a saturation point at which taking more will probably not do a whole lot of good. I've noticed that mega-dosing on Vitamin C affects my mood in a negative way, so best to start off at low dosages, say 250mg, spread out a few times per day.
Vitamin E--Natural form. I take 100IU during the day and 300IU at bedtime. Taking too much E during the day tends to make me sluggish so I take the bulk of my E at bedtime because it helps me relax and sleep better. You can buy Vitamin E in strenghts of 100IU, 200IU, and 400IU at the Vitamin Shoppe. The only brands I've found that carry the 100IU strength are Country Life and Solgar.Vitamin B12--sublingual form. The sublingual form (dissolves under the tongue) seems to be superior to all oral tablets probably because some people have problems absorbing B12 from the digestive system. With the sublingual form, I have found that I only need 1/4 of a 500mcg tablet. These tablets are tiny and you need a pill cutter to cut them into four pieces. Some sources recommend 250mcg at least if you have a B12 deficiency. However, I needed about 750mcg of an oral tablet taken for a few months to correct the B12 deficiency. Now I only need a maintenance dose of 125-250mcg of a sublingual tablet. So in the beginning, you might need higher dosages of B12 or even B12 injections, but later after your B12 deficiency is corrected you might need a much lower maintenance dose everyday.
Niacin or B3--The correct dosage is important with this one. Some people need higher amounts than others. For myself, I can only tolerate 750mg of sustained release Niacin taken at bedtime. I can't tolerate it very well during my waking hours. You really have to experiment with this one.
Fish oil--This is another tricky supplement. Some people do better on megadoses while other people can only tolerate tiny amounts of fish oil. For myself, I take a small amount for mood, but if I megadose on it, my depression gets worse, so be careful with fish oil.Borage Oil/Evening Primrose oil--good sources of omega-6 fatty acids which some people need in addition to fish oil. Here again, moderation is the key as with fish oil. Just the right amount can help depression, but too much can worsen it.
Magnesium and Zinc--both can be helpful for depressive symptoms.Melatonin--can be helpful for sleep management in bipolars and schizophrenics. Again, the key is to take a small amount since this is a hormone and you only need a very tiny amount. I take 1/4 of a 3mg tablet. Taking the whole 3mg at bedtime could possibly complicate one's depression the following day. Again, you'll need a pill cutter to cut a 3mg tablet into four equal parts and just start off with 1/4. This may be more than enough without it causing depressive symptoms the following day.
poster:Lao Tzu
thread:875272
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20081006/msgs/875272.html