Posted by Larry Hoover on November 12, 2003, at 6:12:51
In reply to Inosito,SamE,Bvitamins,Folic acid?????HELP!!!, posted by lnldy on November 10, 2003, at 23:08:35
> Could someone please help me. I NEED an alternative approach to deal with GAD. I've been reading alot and found info on Inositol, then more info on SamE. What roll do the B vitamins play with SamE and where does Inositol come into play.
That question alone could take a book-length answer. I've put a few links down below to various threads that have been bounced around before; you're the first person to look for nutrition and supplement ideas for GAD.
Simply put, B-vitamins are cofactors for enzymes. Taking a B-vitamin supplement is like putting new batteries in a toy car; it just goes better.
SAMe may or may not be suitable for you, as an individual. For some people with GAD it's a godsend, for others, it was sent from the other direction.
> My Herb lady told me that fish oil has nothing to do with anxiety only heart issues.
Your herb lady is wrong. Fish oil is strongly recommended for GAD. It helps receptors function better, and reduces the effects of oxidative stress, which is part of the vicious cycle of GAD perpetuating the tendency to anxiety.
> Although that is not what I have read. What's the deal? How do you know how much of what to take and what not to mix? Maybe someone can recomend a good book with specifics on this.
There is a good book list in the second link, below.
Be prepared to do some experimentation. Your body is unique, but recommendations are kind of the average for all people. You may do best on somewhat more or somewhat less than what you see recommended.
> Where do I start.
See below.
> I don't mean to sound desperate but I am.
It's OK to feel desperate around here. We understand.
> Thankyou
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/277622.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247312.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030802/msgs/248465.html
Simple recommendations:
magnesium: mag glycinate seems to be winning the anecdotal vote. You want to take enough to get between 300-500 mg of elemental magnesium/day. Try and split the dose up, and take it with meals. If you get diarrhea, back down on the dose for a week or so, then gradually try and increase it again. Take some vitamin D to help with uptake.
zinc: 30-40 mg/day
selenium: 200 mcg/day
fish oil: start at 3,000-5,000 mg/day (that's three to five fish oil caps). Take with a large fatty meal. Work up the dose as tolerated. Take with vitamin E 400 IU.
B-vitamins:
Take a B-complex, a blend of all the B-vitamins. They're usually given a number like B-50 (contains 50 mg or mcg of each B, as appropriate) or some such. Get B-100 equivalent in you every day.
In addition, on top of the B-complex:
niacinamide (not niacin), up to 500 mg, up to four times per day. This has a direct effect at the GABA receptors, and acts something like a natural benzo. It makes the calming effects of other stuff work better.
B-12, 1,000 mcg/day
I don't know much about inositol as a mono-therapy. I prefer using lecithin and phosphatidylserine. Soya lecithin has three of the four phospholipids in it (including some inositol), and PS is the missing one. I find that a few teaspoons a day of lecithin granules(with PS, 1,000 mg) is a mellowing influence, and it ensures that the fish oil will be more effective as well.
The second Babble link has a pretty extensive herb suggestion list, but personally, I would strongly recommend either St. John's wort or Siberian ginseng for long-term effects, kava for short-term use.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:278399
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031104/msgs/278910.html