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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 Lao Tzu on September 2, 2008, at 5:13:44
It's almost Fall, and yet again, I'm changing my supplement regimen somewhat. I am bipolar and my mood seems to change with the seasons and with changes in temperature. During the hot summer months, I've had good positive results with Borage oil, fish oil, vitamin C, and vitamin B1 (thiamine). Now that the weather is a little cooler, I've noticed that I can add vitamin B6, niacinamide (form of B3), and some calcium. These three all seem to have a mood stabilizing effect for me. With niacinamide, I've noticed that I have to increase the dosage slowly over time instead of taking a large dose to begin with. I started on 31.5mg of niacinamide and now I can tolerate about 95mg of niacinamide. If you start on the niacinamide, I would try very low dosages to start and then increase to see what you can tolerate. Most niacinamide comes in 250mg pills, but I cut these pills with a pill cutter, first 31.5mg to start, then 63mg after awhile, and now 94.5mg. With calcium, I also started low, first 150mg and now I'm up to 300mg. Too much calcium can make some people feel too sedated, especially when you're taking niacinamide with it. So it's a matter of finding the right balance for you by adjusting the dosages. Here's what I've been doing:
Morning:1 Borage oil capsule 1,300mg (Source Naturals Brand from House of Nutrition online)
Niacinamide (not regular Niacin. I only take regular Niacin sustained release at bedtime)
Calcium
500mg vitamin CEarly Afternoon:
1,000-1,500mg of fish oil (2-3 capsules of Eskimo-3 brand fish oil)
50mg of P-5-P (activated form of vitamin B6)
100mg of Vitamin B1(thiamine) for energyLate Afternoon:
another 100mg of vitamin B1 for energy
optional 100IU vitamin EBedtime:
250 mg of Niacin (sustained release capsules)
25-50mg of P-5-P
200IU of vitamin E
.75mg of melatonin (1/4 of a 3mg tablet)Note: I've only been able to find P-5-P and niacinamide in vitamin shops or online. Also, I've only been able to find vitamin E in 100IU and 200IU dosages in vitamin shops or online.
I hope this information is helpful to some of you bipolars out there, especially if you have low mood and depression most of the time. This is just what I do because it is helpful. Don't know if everyone would benefit, but I'm just putting this info. out there if you're desperate to try something. Also, a good prescription mood stabilizer like Lamictal helps me too. If you have really bad mood swings, a prescription medication might be necessary, such as Lamictal, Depakote, lithium, etc. etc.
Posted by SLS on September 2, 2008, at 6:34:36
In reply to Supplements for Bipolar Depression, posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2008, at 5:13:44
My treatment for bipolar depression includes N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and fish oil omega-3.
A recent study showed that NAC can produce significant improvements in bipolar depression after 8 weeks. However, my main reason for taking it was that it acts as a antioxidant and anti-apoptosis. The fish oil supplies the brain with the raw materials to grow more membrane material, thus enhancing the growth of neurites and the making of new connections.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on September 2, 2008, at 6:58:00
In reply to Re: Supplements for Bipolar Depression, posted by SLS on September 2, 2008, at 6:34:36
> My treatment for bipolar depression includes N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and fish oil omega-3.
>
> A recent study showed that NAC can produce significant improvements in bipolar depression after 8 weeks. However, my main reason for taking it was that it acts as a antioxidant and anti-apoptosis. The fish oil supplies the brain with the raw materials to grow more membrane material, thus enhancing the growth of neurites and the making of new connections.More on NAC:
Abstract
BackgroundTreatment-resistant subthreshold depression is a major problem in bipolar disorder. Both depression and bipolar disorder are complicated by glutathione depletion. We hypothesized that treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a safe, orally bioavailable precursor of glutathione, may improve the depressive component of bipolar disorder.
MethodsA randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study of individuals (n = 75) with bipolar disorder in the maintenance phase treated with NAC (1 g twice daily) adjunctive to usual medication over 24 weeks, with a 4-week washout. The two primary outcomes were the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and time to a mood episode. Secondary outcomes included the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale and 11 other ratings of clinical status, quality of life, and functioning.
ResultsNAC treatment caused a significant improvement on the MADRS (least squares mean difference [95% confidence interval]: -8.05 [-13.16, -2.95], p = .002) and most secondary scales at end point. Benefit was evident by 8 weeks on the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and at 20 weeks on the MADRS. Improvements were lost after washout. There was no effect of NAC on time to a mood episode (log-rank test: p = .968) and no significant between-group differences in adverse events. Effect sizes at end point were medium to high for improvements in MADRS and 9 of the 12 secondary readouts.
ConclusionsNAC appears a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder.
- Scott
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 4, 2008, at 13:45:20
In reply to Re: Supplements for Bipolar Depression, posted by SLS on September 2, 2008, at 6:58:00
Scott, thanks a bunch for the information. I did try NAC for a few weeks and noticed a slightly more positive outlook on life. However, I didn't take it long enough to reap the full benefits. I just bought some NAC and it's been sitting in my room. I don't really like the side effects of it in the beginning. Of course, NAC's side effects are not even close to when I first started on Risperdal. Yuck! And yet, the risperdal has done wonders for me. Also, I'm very sensitive to the fish oil. I can only take a very small dosage, about 1,500mg. I don't know why. And I supplement with borage oil as well for the omega-6 fatty acids. They both seem to help me. Still, I have to take other vitamins besides the fish and borage oils. Also, I have a type of depression which changes with the seasons, so my winter supplements are different than my summer supplements. For instance, I can't take either B12 or zinc during the hot summer months, but during the winter they are both indispensible to me. Thanks again for your input.
--Lao
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