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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JenniferMarie on October 16, 2003, at 7:57:25
I was just searching the net for something to help with depression during pregnancy (I don't want to take anything that's going to harm my baby) and I came across a site that says a host of vitamins and minerals help maintain normal brain function. A deficiency of any one of them can lead to depression and other mental disorders. One in particular that they mentioned was B6. It says women who are pregnant, lactating, or taking oral contraceptives may be at risk for B6 deficiency. It is needed for conversion of the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin.
Does anyone know anything about this?? I'm new to everything...
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 17, 2003, at 9:28:59
In reply to B6 to help with depression during pregnancy?, posted by JenniferMarie on October 16, 2003, at 7:57:25
> I was just searching the net for something to help with depression during pregnancy (I don't want to take anything that's going to harm my baby) and I came across a site that says a host of vitamins and minerals help maintain normal brain function. A deficiency of any one of them can lead to depression and other mental disorders. One in particular that they mentioned was B6. It says women who are pregnant, lactating, or taking oral contraceptives may be at risk for B6 deficiency.
Yes, that's true.
> It is needed for conversion of the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin.
Yes, that is correct.
> Does anyone know anything about this?? I'm new to everything...
You've come to the right place.... :-)
Pregnancy and lactation do place a woman under nutritional stress; the baby is going to take from you whatever it can get. You're at risk of more than B-6 deficiency.
Postpartum depression has been linked to fatty acid imbalance, particularly low levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The fetus and neonate both require immense amounts of DHA for normal neural development. You should be ensuring that you get enough omega-3 fatty acids, and fish oil is the best source (whole fish is better, but some people don't like it).
You need folate to avoid neural tube defects (e.g. spina bifida). It's also not wise to supplement single B-vitamins, as a relative excess of one can cause functional deficiencies in others in that class. So, if you want to supplement with folate and B-6, that's great. Just also take a B-complex, in addition.
You need to ensure that you have good intakes of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium, and if your blood sugar goes a little wonkie, you would benefit from chromium.
It's a big topic, and I'm just skimming the surface. Feel free to ask any question. I'll do my best to any question you may have.
Lar
Posted by tealady on October 17, 2003, at 22:32:39
In reply to B6 to help with depression during pregnancy?, posted by JenniferMarie on October 16, 2003, at 7:57:25
Agree with Larry..but also add in iron. For some reason they have stopped advising women to take iron in some countries recently and I have just last week heard from someone who found they were really low on it and pregnant.
They should do a blood test of your iron levels..make sure you get a ferritin test included..and make sure it is over 50..preferably around 70-80 level. If over 100..don't supplement with iron.
Low iron will also cause depression. It's sometimes known as the "happy" mineral.
If you do take all of this, it's probably best to take the
zinc, B6, folate, and multiB, (and magnesium here too if you like) in the morning..
iron with lunch or dinner..
and calcium,magnesium at bedtime
as iron, zinc, calcium seem to prevent absorpton of each other to an extent...so best to take apart.
And fish oil with your fattiest meal of the day.
Jan
Posted by tealady on October 18, 2003, at 6:44:28
In reply to B6 to help with depression during pregnancy?, posted by JenniferMarie on October 16, 2003, at 7:57:25
> I was just searching the net for something to help with depression during pregnancy (I don't want to take anything that's going to harm my baby) and I came across a site that says a host of vitamins and minerals help maintain normal brain function. A deficiency of any one of them can lead to depression and other mental disorders. One in particular that they mentioned was B6. It says women who are pregnant, lactating, or taking oral contraceptives may be at risk for B6 deficiency. It is needed for conversion of the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin.
> Does anyone know anything about this?? I'm new to everything...You can usually get a combo of say 20mg to 50 mg B6 with a small amount of zinc and magnesium in it. This is probably a good way to go if you see a supplement. Also take a supplement of calcium(&vitD if needed by colder climate) and some magnesium possibly at night.( a 2:1 to 3:1) ratio of calcium to magnesium is usually best...the baby places large demands on your body for calcium etc. It just takes it from your teeth and bones if you don't have enough.
Jan
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