Posted by Cam W. on September 27, 2000, at 7:08:54
In reply to vitamin info please, posted by ksvt on September 26, 2000, at 19:56:54
> I've read somewhere that people who are on ADs should supplement with vitamin B=12 and folic acid. Can someone please tell me why and what amounts are recommended? Thanks ksvt
ksvt - Unless you have low blood levels of B12, adding more will not help (can be checked via a blood test, I believe). The B vitamins work as a complex (they all work together). A B-complex supplement usually works better and any excess B-vitamins your body doesn't need are peed off.
In depression, the theory probably is that since B-vitamins help maintain and fix the integrity of the nerve cell, they will help with cell recovery. The B-vitamins help electrical signals travel more quickly and efficiently down nerve cell axons byhelping maintain some specialized brain cells (Schwann cells), which wrap around nerves and act sort of like electrical conductors, speeding the electrical signal (the signal jumps over the Schwann cell, speeding conduction).
If I were you, take a B-vitamin complex tablet daily. Basically anything that says "stress" on the label. It is usually cheaper to buy the preparations that contain vitamin C as well, but the C doesn't hurt. Check to label to make sure that there is vitamin B12 in tablet (along with other B-vitamins).
As for dose, one tablet daily is usually enough. You can take one twice daily, as any excess is peed off. If you eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, take only one a day. If you don't, try one vitamin twice daily for about a month and then cut back to one daily, otherwise some of your money is just going down the drain (literally).
The folic acid never hurts, but I believe that higher doses are available by prescription only (at least in Canada). If you are lucky you may be able to find a "stress tab" contain B & C vitamins, as well as folic acid. Folic acid also helps with nerve cell maintenance.
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:45336
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45348.html