Posted by btrout on January 24, 2002, at 16:19:25
In reply to Omega-3for the Unipolar's-quid-pro-quo for advice, posted by PaulB on January 23, 2002, at 15:56:34
Hi, PaulB.
I am also interested in nutrition as a way of helping my depression. You might want to try a LOT of folic acid. I found that even before I had started any medications that 5-10mg (400_mcg_ is a regular dose) helped my insomnia at night enormously. Instead of being hot and cold and waking up frequently, I could most relax and sleep through the night. A recent study showed that the women who were given prozac plus folic acid in large enough quantities to reduce their homocysteine (a molecule which causes heart disease and is kept in check by folic acid, B-6 and B-12) had a 93% response versus a 60% response rate with prozac alone. The dose for the folic acid in this study was 800mcg. It was hypothesized that only the women showed this disparity in response because the dose was not high enough for the men. Folic acid levels are often low in those with depression.I am working on a very interesting theory involving the level of calcium ions inside the cell. An excessive level of calcium inside the cell is associated with both affective disorders and immune hyperactivity, which is itself associated with depression. I am looking into some pretty simple substances whihc both reduce intracellular calcium and down-regulate immune response. One possible reason that Omega-3 fatty might help is because they can down-regulate inflammatory immune response.
Folic might help with depression because homocysteine is an agent that causes intracellular calcium to rise.
I have a lot more information about this research, but I don't want to overwhelm you.
One example: Seasonal Affective disorder occurs when the body's store of Vitamin D is lowest. One study showed that giving Vitamin D had a greater impact on patients' depression than light therapy. There is an enzyme called calbindin that plays a major role in keeping calcium ions from accumulating inside the cell. This enzyme is dependant on Vitamin D.
IF you (or anyone) wants to know more, please let me know.btrout
poster:btrout
thread:91297
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91443.html