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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2010, at 13:50:06
I have mood problems and am very sensitive to any supplements I take, so I have to be careful to take the right ones in the right amounts. An excess in any one nutrient throws me off balance. Here are some vitamins that have really helped me.
In the mornings, I take my meds and a combination of vitamin E, vitamin C, B1, B6, and manganese. Later I take about 50mg of vitamin B2 (strange choice, but it does help with mood). Later in the afternoon, I dose with B6 again and take a very small dosage of selenium. At bedtime, I dose with the following: vitamin E, melatonin, B1, zinc, fish and borage oil, calcium and magnesium, and a little more selenium.
I try to get 200mg daily of both B1 and B6. I don't need this much riboflavin (B2). I take all of my fatty acids at bedtime because I think they may cause mood problems during the day. My calcium/magneisum supplement consists of 550mg of magnesium citrate and 500mg of amino acid chelate calcium. The cal/mag is very important and probably should only be taken at bedtime, since I have noticed that taking magnesium during the day causes a little anxiety (for me) and tends to wear off later in the day and then you feel as if something is missing. Perhaps this is a mood swing as well. So I don't take it during the day. I sleep better with the cal/mag and have more energy the following day. I wouldn't be without it for a minute. All in all, if you want to get through the day without mood problems, concentrate on using a modest dose of different B vitamins, some manganese, vitamin E and C, a small amount of selenium, and if need be, zinc picolinate, but I like to take all my zinc at bedtime. So don't take nutrients in excess and take the right combination for you. Take some of the nutrients at bedtime if they tend to cause mood swings during the day. This may include fish oil, but all the evidence points to fish oil reducing mood swings. Since I only take a small dosage of fish oil, this may produce mood problems later in the day. I have also had mood swings taking folate and large doses of Niacin during the day. Taking an excess of any one nutrient will throw you off balance and this could manifest as a mood swing.
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2010, at 14:04:47
In reply to Bipolar and mood swings, posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2010, at 13:50:06
I guess what I am trying to say is, if you are bipolar, stay away from supplements that can produce stimulation, and select more calming supplements. For example, high dose Niacin produces some stimulation. Low dose fish oil (at least for me) produces some stimulation as well. Magnesium, believe it or not, also produces stimulation for me, so I just reserve it for bedtime when used with calcium can help with sleep. I never slept well with just magnesium alone. But I guess everyone reacts to magnesium differently. This is just my experience.
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2010, at 14:27:23
In reply to Bipolar and mood swings, posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2010, at 13:50:06
I think the word is 'activating,' not stimulating. Select supplements that are less activating for daytime use. Examples include vitamins E and C, B6, B2, manganese, and zinc, perhaps B1 and B12 as well and maybe B5??
Posted by manic666 on May 23, 2010, at 11:53:40
In reply to Re: Bipolar and mood swings, posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2010, at 14:27:23
how do you come to take all these supplements//do you find them yourself or read threads obout them//i havent got a clue what you on about //i thought you get most of your suplements from diffent foods an drinks// thats all the body needs //seems like you take a shop full of them//the wife gives me fish oil an vitamins//the only other that has made a slight difference is 5htp when changing meds//i saw a programe on schizophrenia an they asked a patient why he dont take supplments for the side effects of his meds///his answer was the suppliments have as many side effects as my meds
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 24, 2010, at 10:07:05
In reply to Re: Bipolar and mood swings, posted by manic666 on May 23, 2010, at 11:53:40
You're right, there are side effects to supplements just like medicine. It's very confusing in the beginning when you're trying to determine what you really need for your body. I do research on the web and have read some books on the subject. There are a ton of supplements I CAN'T take because I can't tolerate the side effects. Schizophrenia and bipolar are very difficult to treat, so I have a hell of a time trying to get it right. The best thing I have done lately is balance my calcium and magnesium levels. I sleep better and have less fatigue during the day. Thanks for your post.
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