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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 noah4321 on August 26, 2001, at 12:26:25
Has anyone heard of Orthomolecular Medecine or Megavitamin therapy? I heard it can treat all mental illnesses. What do you think? Does it work?
Posted by Cam W. on August 26, 2001, at 12:49:37
In reply to Orthomolecular Medecine, posted by noah4321 on August 26, 2001, at 12:26:25
>
> Has anyone heard of Orthomolecular Medecine or Megavitamin therapy? I heard it can treat all mental illnesses. What do you think? Does it work?Noah - If it sounds too good to be true, it is. There is no solid scientific evidence that orthomolecular medicine treats any mental disorder (except perhaps those caused by vitamin deficiency [ie pellagra], which is very, very rare, in developed countries). If you have lots of money, you can give it a try; but many on this board have given it a fair trial, with very little to no success. - Cam
Posted by Janelle on August 26, 2001, at 13:05:23
In reply to Orthomolecular Medecine, posted by noah4321 on August 26, 2001, at 12:26:25
Hi, I have tried it IN CONJUNCTION with pharmaceutical meds and in my humble opinion, Orthomolecular Medicine/Megavitamin therapy CAN help - it helped me regain PHYSICAL ENERGY and STAMINA that I'd lost from a prolonged period of many stressors and rapid weight loss (the stress also led to my latest bout with depression/anxiety).
That said, I would suggest that if you are going to go this route that you do so under the care and guidance of a good doctor, who specializzes in Orthomolecular medicine or a Naturopath or even a Homeopathic physician - someone who knows their vitamins and DOSES.
As for it working "alone" (without augmentation by pharmaceutical meds), that I cannot speak to. There's an orthomolecular pyschiatrist where I live ... he's not my doc ... and he claims to have a "100% cure" rate for depression without meds ... to me, this sounds too good to be true. Can any doctor really claim to have a "perfect" cure rate? I don't think so. Also, this doc is VERY expensive both for office visits and the gamut of specialized blood tests he orders.
Just my 2 cents.
-Janelle
Posted by JohnL on August 26, 2001, at 14:06:55
In reply to Orthomolecular Medecine, posted by noah4321 on August 26, 2001, at 12:26:25
>
> Has anyone heard of Orthomolecular Medecine or Megavitamin therapy? I heard it can treat all mental illnesses. What do you think? Does it work?I personally do not believe othomolecular medicine, megavitamins, amino acids, or special diets can correct chemical imbalances enough. Surely they can help though, I believe. I take a strong multivitamin everyday. Though I don't feel it when I take it, I definitely notice a slump when I don't. It's not a huge difference though. I also take a small dose of Omega-3 oil each day. I think it helps, but I'm not sure. But that's my point. These things can help, but not to any significant degree as to be miraculous. Being on the correct medicine(s) is the only way I have ever found to experience anything really good.
There are some diet tricks though to help figure out what kind of brain chemistry is awry. For example, one diet is a high carbohydrate low protein diet. For breakfast, daytime snacks, and lunch, eat primarily foods high in carbohydrates such as oatmeal, multigrain breads, fruits and veggies. Skip the eggs, meat, cheese, milk, etc. To get your required protein, eat it at dinner time. This particular diet is helpful for boosting serotonin levels. That's because the high carbohydrate diet is high in tryptopan, which is the raw material converted to serotonin. Protein interferes with that process, and that's why protein needs to be avoided until dinner time. That way all the serotonin conversion can take place without interference or competition from proteins. If someone feels somewhat better overall with this diet, given about a week or two trial, then that is an indication that a serotonin medication could work, such as one of the SSRIs.
Another type of diet is just the opposite. It instead focuses on a high protein intake. This will promote all the raw materials needed to convert to norepinephrine and dopamine, but not serotonin. If someone feels somewhat better with this type of diet, then that is a clue to pay attention to when choosing a medication.
But the bottom line I think is that one needs a well rounded diet of all the food groups. It's just that the order they are eaten in can affect mood in a subtle degree. Some experimentation will help identify which type of diet, or which order to eat foods in, is best.
John
This is the end of the thread.
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