Posted by Larry Hoover on September 20, 2003, at 8:26:44
In reply to Where do I start? ATYPICAL, posted by jmackie on September 20, 2003, at 2:01:26
> I have an atypical depression (TRD) all my adult life. Been on about a dozen meds, and only responded well (though for only a few months) to Nardil. Now I wonder how to begin exploring the world of supplements. I have read that LDPA, 5HT, Tyrosine, B Complex (especially B6) can all be helpful. What should I try first, and what brands are best?
> I have tried SJW with no benefit.
> Much thanks in advance.I hope Ron Hill contributes to this thread, as he also has long-standing atypical depressive symptoms.
The B-vitamins are a core supplement, because depression is stressful, and the B's are antistress. You'll often see B-complex marketed in terms of dose, like B-50, B-100, that sort of thing. Walmart has B-150 at a good price, for example. B's are cheap. You vitually cannot hurt yourself with them. They can be activating, though, so take them in the morning. Dose? B-100 three times a day isn't unreasonable. Your urine will stain bright yellow, but that's just evidence that the stuff got into your blood at high concentration.
Extra B-12 can be a godsend. 1,000 mcg/day.
Niacinamide has a calming influence (500-2,000 mg/day). NADH is energizing. Dose can be 10 mg/day initially, but you soon need far less, as if you "fill up the well". I now use 5 mg/week as a maintenance dose.
Minerals:
Zinc: 30-50 mg/day
Selenium: 200 mcg/day
Magnesium: 200-500 mg/day, in divided doses. Makes some people sleepy, so you may want to take this at bedtime.Essential fatty acids:
Fish oil: 2,000-10,000 mg/day. Everybody finds a dose they tolerate, but you may want to start at the lower dose, and raise it gradually. Some people are intolerant at first. Take it with your largest meal of the day.
GLA (as evening primrose, or borage, or black currant oil): 500-1000 mg/day. Take with meal.Amino acids:
Tyrosine and DLPA (d-,l-phenylalanine) are dopamine and norepinephrine precursors, so they contribute to attention and motivation. Worth trying, in the a.m., on an empty stomach. Dose up to 5,000 mg, but I'd start at 1,000 or 2,000.
5-HTP: Not my first choice for a serotonin precursor, but a lot of people like it. Dose 50-200 mg/day.
Tryptophan: Less likely to cause side-effects, IMHO, but far less potent than 5-HTP. Dose up to 5 grams, in p.m. before bed.That's a lot of stuff, I know. You're best off introducing supplements individually, so you get a sense of what they do for you/to you. I'd start with B-complex and fish oil simultaneously, and add in the minerals over the first few weeks. Then try the individual B's I mentioned, and/or the aminos, one at a time.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:261860
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/261895.html