Psycho-Babble Alternative Thread 850324

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Bipolar Depression supplements

Posted by Lao Tzu on September 4, 2008, at 14:12:04

After about a year of experimentation, I've come up with a list of supplements that seem to work for depressive symptoms and mood, but not mania.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B6 (P-5-P preferably)
Vitamin B3 Niacinamide form
Vitamin B3 regular old Niacin form--sustained release
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Mega-GLA Borage Oil
Omega-3 Fish Oil
Melatonin
Zinc
Magnesium
Calcium

These are just the ones that have helped me. There may be others like choline and N-Acetyl-Cysteine. I stay away from folic acid because it precipitates mood swings in me. However, some people do very well taking balanced amounts of B12 and folic acid.

To date, the only herb that ever helped me was Kava Kava for anxiety, but I wouldn't mix this herb with pharmaceutical medications.

I haven't had any good success with free form amino acids; however, ones that might help are tyrosine, taurine, and methionine.

Here are some combinations of supplements that have helped me:

In winter-- B12 ( 500-750mcg), zinc, magnesium/calcium, B6 (P-5-P), Niacin, fish oil.

In summer/early fall--Niacinamide, calcium, B6 (P-5-P), fish oil, borage oil, vitamin E, vitamin C

At bedtime for better sleep---200-400IU vitamin E, 1/4 of a 3mg tablet of melatonin, 250mg Niacin sustained release, and 50mg B6 (P-5-P). Since I've started taking these supplements at night, I've slept much much better.

Re: Bipolar Depression supplements

Posted by Lao Tzu on September 4, 2008, at 14:34:46

In reply to Bipolar Depression supplements, posted by Lao Tzu on September 4, 2008, at 14:12:04

A few things I forgot to mention. During the Spring/Summer/Fall seasons, I require vitamin B1 (thiamine). I take anywhere from 100mg to 200mg per day. It helps somewhat with energy, but it's nowhere as good as a medication called Provigil, which has worked well for me for energy for many years.
Also, I buy vitamin E in dosages of 100IU and 200IU. 400IU (what you would find in most drug stores) seems to be too much to take at once, especially if you're taking vitamin E during the daytime. You can get the 100IU and 200IU vitamin E at vitamin shops or online.
Also, I take the P-5-P form of B6, which is the activated coenzyme of B6. It seems to work much more efficiently than regular pyridoxine Hcl, but regular B6 does work too if you want to save a little money. P-5-P is twice as expensive as regular pyridoxine HCL.
Also, with fish oils, it can be pretty tricky finding the optimal dosage for you. I like Eskimo-3 brand fish oils because they come in 500mg capsules, and I only take three a day. For someone who has to take 8 or 9 large capsules a day, I'd recommend Barlean's brand of fish oil. For borage oil, I take 1-2 capsules per day. I use the Source Naturals brand because it seems to work best for me. Someone else said the NOW brand works well too.

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