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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 40. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tepiaca on January 1, 2003, at 20:27:58
I start taking fish oil at the same time with
Amisulpride . In one week I was feeling better
Now Im not taking the fish oil anymore . I dont
feel well right now. Do you think is because
Im not taking fish oil ?
Which good things can come from taking fish
oil ? I start taking it because I read that it
helps with social phobia . Is this true ?
Can also cure depression? Wich dose is the right?
Thank you
Posted by ArthurGibson on January 2, 2003, at 3:28:46
In reply to Fish oil, posted by Tepiaca on January 1, 2003, at 20:27:58
I think that fish oil works on some people and not on others. (So what's new?)
It can work like a mild antidepressent, it also works on anxiety and phobias and many other brain problems.
However I have known people who feel no effect from it and their problems must lie elsewhere. HRT treatment is effective in many ladies.
For me, fish oil has miraculous effect and it sounds like you need it too. I find that two teaspoons of cod liver oil is quite sufficient for me. When I stop taking it for a week I notice the increased anxiety etc.
AG
PS, it also seems to improve sleep quality in me.
Posted by JohnL on January 2, 2003, at 8:22:42
In reply to Fish oil, posted by Tepiaca on January 1, 2003, at 20:27:58
I take one capsule of fish oil a day. 1000mg. I didn't think it was doing anything. But when I stopped, I noticed after about a week that I just wasn't feeling quite right. It was subtle, and hard to describe. So I am taking it again and it does help, though in a subtle way.
I'm only at 1000mg, but I've read in some research reports that they use 10 times that amount. Wow.
Posted by BeardedLady on January 2, 2003, at 12:05:25
In reply to Re: Fish oil, posted by ArthurGibson on January 2, 2003, at 3:28:46
I have been taking a Rite Aid fish oil that contains 360 mg of EPA and 240 mg. of DHA. I take two--one with breakfast and one with lunch.
At first, I thought it was really improving my sleep. (In fact, I can take Sonata again, which I'd become immune to back in October and so had to begin using Ativan for sleep occasionally.)
Now, I'm not sure. And I'm not sure my dose is high enough to be therapeutic.
What do you think?
beardyfish : )>
Posted by Noa on January 2, 2003, at 13:15:19
In reply to Fish oil, posted by Tepiaca on January 1, 2003, at 20:27:58
Am thinking about this supplement. How long before you noticed it making a difference?
Posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 15:59:28
In reply to Re: Fish oil--for Larry Hoover and » ArthurGibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 2, 2003, at 12:05:25
… I thought that you would never forgive me. I am an idiot. Sorry.
I think that your dose is more than enough. It’s a food supplement, not a drug.
I have been reading your posts and I think that you and I are rather similar. We are never going to sleep right, because we think too much and work too hard, it’s the way we are. Because of the way we are, we demand perfection in our bodies and brains and it just is not going to happen. We are perfectionists and this has a heavy price tag.
I’m selling my business and retiring at 50, but I expect that after six months I’ll be back in the thick of it again.
How are your kids? I hope that they had a good holiday, mine did.
AG
Posted by viridis on January 2, 2003, at 16:09:06
In reply to Re: Question for folks taking fish oil supplements, posted by Noa on January 2, 2003, at 13:15:19
I take about 8 g fish oil/day, containing a total of about 1400 mg EPA and 1000 mg DHA. I also take some (not a measured amount -- maybe around a tablespoon total) of hempseed, flaxseed, and evening primrose oil. I eat lots of fish too (always have). I can't say it's been a miracle cure (I still take my other meds -- Klonopin, Adderall, and Neurontin), but I really do think it helps with stability. It seemed to take a couple of weeks to notice a difference; it's subtle but I suspect genuine. And, if it's just placebo effect, that's OK, since these oils appear to have many additional health benefits.
I've also noticed that since taking these supplements, my weight has consistently stayed about 10 lbs lower than before, with all else being the same re: exercise level, diet, etc., except that I think I eat a little less overall. This could also be a coincidence, but I doubt it. Some others have also noticed a weight loss effect, which can be a mood enhancer in itself.
Posted by BeardedLady on January 2, 2003, at 16:22:12
In reply to Are we friends again BL?, posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 15:59:28
Oh, so you ARE the one I chewed out for that horrible post condemning me for wanting more energy from B vitamins! All is forgiven. I can't say I've forgotten that post, but I've certainly forgiven.
Yes, we're probably overachievers, or at least over-attempters, but I've spent my entire life sleeping well. Insomnia happened after several deaths and job losses and a birth and hormones and all that--four and a half years ago. It seems like a million, though.
I am a worrier--now more than ever.
I was sleeping fabulously on my meds for several years, with a few short relapses. I've been on a relapse now for about three months, though, and I'm tired of it. (Pun intended.)
As for fish oil not being a drug, indeed, it's not. But we had a discussion on another thread about our bodies' responses to foods and supplements and medications being similar.
A study showed that a gram of EPA as an AD supplement was supposed to improve sleep and help with depression. I don't take a full gram.
What is your dosage?
Take care, AG.
beardy : )>
Posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 17:39:09
In reply to Re: Are we friends again BL? » Arthurgibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 2, 2003, at 16:22:12
This is odd, sometimes I pop up as ArthurGibson and sometimes as Arthurgibson, I must have my cookies in a twist or something.
Dose? I just take a good swig of cod liver oil straight out of the bottle each morning. It took effect after three days and if I stop for three days I notice that I get worse. I am on no other mediacation now and I came off the PROZAC three months early because the oil had a good effect on me.
This fish oil has contaminants in it, especially mercury, so I would not take too much if I were you, or you'll be driven crazy by the mercury.
Now aren't I a much nicer person on fish oil than when I was manic on PROZAC?
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on January 2, 2003, at 17:49:06
In reply to My fish oil doseage (to BL), posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 17:39:09
The dose of fish oil varies from problem to problem and person to person.For depression I would favor trying 1g daily (total of EPA and DHA)initially.Other conditions may require up to 10g and some with depression may require high doses too.See www.omega3.20megsfree.com for more details.Some psychiatrists prescribe fish oil all the time and others have never heard of it.
Posted by Tepiaca on January 2, 2003, at 17:58:10
In reply to My fish oil doseage (to BL), posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 17:39:09
Hi . I dont know why , but a few hours ago , I start taking again the fish oil , and now I feel
good. Why ???? Does this means that I dont need the other medicines , only the fish oil???
Another question , I live in Mexico , The fish oil that Ive been taking is one called "Emulsion
de Scott" I take 3 tablespoons at the meal time in the noon .
Every 100 ml contains :
Retinol (vitamin A ) 22,610 UI
Colecalciferol (vitamin D3) 2,261 UI
Calcium 890 mg
Fosforo :642mg
I dont know what is that of "EPA" or other things that Ive read here . What is that ?
My fish oil is liquid , can I find capsules ???
does is the same thing????
I dont know what kind of fish oil do you take ?
is that oil from a Shark ?? because the one that I buy is a fish called in Mexico "Bacalao" I dont Know what is the name there. The oil comes from
his liver.
I read something about the mercury in the oil
is this true??
Can I take it for much time??? does the fish oil contains bad things???Hope anyone can help me
Thank you
Posted by gabbix2 on January 3, 2003, at 0:26:34
In reply to Fish oil , posted by Tepiaca on January 2, 2003, at 17:58:10
Generally deep sea fish oil will have fewer contaminants such as mercury, I don't know how much longer we can count on that though.
It is of course more expensive.
Posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 0:40:26
In reply to Fish oil , posted by Tepiaca on January 2, 2003, at 17:58:10
Hi Tepiaca,
It's great to hear that the fish oil helps. I'd be careful with fish liver oils though -- they're usually very high in vitamin A, which can be toxic (especially to your liver) at high doses. The fish oils that most people here take are from other parts of the fish.
If your oil has 22,610 IU of Vit. A per 100 mL, then 3 tablespoons would provide about 10,100 IU of Vitamin A (1 tablespoon = about 15 mL). This is about twice the US recommended daily allowance -- probably not really dangerous, but perhaps not a good idea on a long-term basis. I would try to find an oil from other parts of the fish. There are all sorts marketed in the US, most as capsules. You might try www.iherb.com for a selection (I'm not sure if they ship to Mexico, but probably do). I buy mine very cheaply at Costco (do they have that there?).
From an ecological/environmental point of view, I avoid shark products, because many species of sharks are seriously endangered. This is a personal choice, of course.
In any case, I'm sure you can find an inexpensive form that will be suitable.
Re: EPA: this is eicosapentanoic acid, the component that is thought to be most beneficial for adults. People seem to aim for at least 1000 mg (1g) for mental health benefits. Most of the capsule forms will list the amount of this substance.
Re: mercury: if the oil is refined properly (through a distillation-like process), most of the heavy metals should be removed.
Good luck -- I wouldn't replace medications with fish oil quite yet, but it does seem to be a very useful supplement for many people.
Posted by IsoM on January 3, 2003, at 1:57:50
In reply to Fish oil , posted by Tepiaca on January 2, 2003, at 17:58:10
Tepiaca, 'bacalao' is Spanish for cod, so you're taking cod "liver" oil probably. And while I normally agree with everything viridis says (he know his stuff), this is one time I don't quite.
10,000 IU vitamin A isn't too much. Yes, it's higher than the RDA but there's data that shows that at 10,000 IU it's not even approaching toxicity, even with long term (many years) use. (Toxicity occurs around 50,000 IU for a year or more.)
On the other hand, 10,000 IU can be toxic for children. And it's recommended that vitamin A levels be kept to 5,000 IU per day for pregnant women. Much more may cause harm to a developing fetus. Still, you may want to look for another source of EPA than just the bacalao. It's probably the liver they're extracting the oil from.
Posted by gabbix2 on January 3, 2003, at 3:06:26
In reply to Re: Fish oil » Tepiaca, posted by IsoM on January 3, 2003, at 1:57:50
Because I've never disagreed with you before IsoM
Well actually i'm not disagreeing, but wondering out loud. I read in my natural healing 'bible'
which I've found to be scrupulously researched and progressive that in order to receive the necessary amount of E.F.A from Cod liver oil, one would O.D on vitamins A and D. They did actually use the term O.D.
High doses of vitamins including vitamin A at 20000 iu are recommended in the same book for other therapies, so I wonder if its the vitamin D that compounds the problem?
Posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 3:23:48
In reply to Re: Fish oil » Tepiaca, posted by IsoM on January 3, 2003, at 1:57:50
Hi Tepiaca (and IsoM),
IsoM is right, and I didn't mean to scare you -- the amount of Vitamin A you're getting isn't going to poison you, but you'd probably be best using a supplement that contains less if possible.
And (a personal opinion here) -- cod (at least the Atlantic species) are arguably on the verge of extinction, so I avoid use of products made from them. Also, if you're concerned about mercury etc., cod is pretty high on the food chain, which means that it accumulates toxins like heavy metals, PCBs etc. to a greater extent than fishes that eat plankton etc. directly. So I'd switch to an oil made from something like herring (arenque in Spanish, I think) or sardines (not sure of the Spanish word) if you have the choice.
Again, it's great to hear that fish oil is helping!
Posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:04:19
In reply to My fish oil doseage (to BL), posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 17:39:09
Posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:08:52
In reply to THERE IS NO MERCURY IN FISH OIL! (nm) » Arthurgibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:04:19
I have spoken with a number of doctors and phrams on the subject, and they have all insisted there isn't mercury in fish oil--that these presses are pure and filtered.
beardy
Posted by linkadge on January 3, 2003, at 9:10:18
In reply to RE ABOVE: RIGHT?, posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:08:52
The fish oil industry is fairly large and
in most sectors, well regulated. All
respectable products screen for these
chemicals. You can legally (I believe) inquire
about a certain companies product content
(in terms of potentially toxic compounds)
The harmful chemcials are removed.Linkadge
Posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 11:09:05
In reply to true no murcury, posted by linkadge on January 3, 2003, at 9:10:18
Mercury doesn't seem to be a problem in fish oil supplements marketed in the U.S. The main reason I pursued the issue at all was that I'm not sure of the level of quality control in other countries. They could be just fine (I haven't investigated this very thoroughly), but if it's a concern, you're probably better off consuming products from fish that are "low" on the food chain.
I did come across the following information on Medscape (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408125)
Letter
Mercury and Fish Oil Supplements
April 13, 2001
from Medscape General Medicine [TM]James L. Schaller, MD
Purity in nutrients and herbal products is increasingly a concern, particularly in the United States because there is no regulatory supervision of these products to assure purity or quality control. For example, the Food and Drug Administration does not certify purity of nutrients and herbals products. Some popular nutrition products contain essential omega fatty acids, often derived from fish. I tested popular fish oil supplements to see if they had traces of the toxic heavy metal, mercury.The testing was done using internal capsule contents to prevent outside contamination. The forensic analysis used special cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy and was carried out by National Medical Services of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
The analysis showed that all the samples had no detectable total mercury. (The analysis could detect as little as 0.1 micrograms of total mercury per gram).
The following oils were tested:
* Twinlab Emulsified Super Max EPA
* Twinlab EPA New & Improved
* Twinlab Omege-3 Concentrate
* Nature's Way Max EPA Fish Oil
* Amni Omega-3 Marine Fish Oil
* Nordic Naturals DHA Junior
* Atkins Diet Essential Oils
* Health From The Sun Ultra DHA 50
* Kyolic-EPA (Aged Garlic & Fish Oil)Other non-fish oils were tested to confirm the quality of the testing and to check for random contamination in product processing. They also were all without detectable mercury. They were:
* Natrol Flax Borage Omega-3
* Health From The Sun Organic Flax Oil
* Nature's Herbs Borage-Power Oil
* Nature's Way Organic Flax OilIn conclusion, it appears that the independent testing and/or the quality control measures claimed by these companies are being done as far as potential mercury contamination is concerned. At the least, the amount of mercury in the fish used is so minimal as to be below the detectable limit by the method used. In any event, the common brands tested appear to offer no mercury risk. While this is positive health news, it cannot be assumed that every brand is free of mercury.
Disclaimer
Disclosure: Dr. Schaller is a stockholder in Vitacost.com who helped support this study.
Dr. Schaller is with the Chester County Research Center, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.
Medscape General Medicine 3(2), 2001. (c) 2001 Medscape Portals, Inc
Posted by Arthurgibson on January 3, 2003, at 14:15:45
In reply to THERE IS NO MERCURY IN FISH OIL! (nm) » Arthurgibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:04:19
I don't know, I don't care.
I am still trying to work out why I sometimes appear as ArthurGibson and sometimes as Arthurgibson.
Is this a lasting result of taking PROZAC?
I am sure that you are not "bearded." Can't you log in as something more feminine? I am sure that you must look great.
My name is not Arthur Gibson, but at least its a good name.
(That's not a "put you down" by the way, its a compliment, so don't ban me for a week.)
Posted by Noa on January 3, 2003, at 14:23:43
In reply to Mercury issues, posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 11:09:05
Thanks for that reference.
Posted by McPac on January 3, 2003, at 14:47:41
In reply to Mercury issues, posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 11:09:05
Fish oils thin the blood and I am always freezing now that I'm taking fish oil...anybody else had this effect?
Posted by beardedLADY on January 3, 2003, at 16:00:33
In reply to OK so there is no mercury in fish oil BL..., posted by Arthurgibson on January 3, 2003, at 14:15:45
> I don't know, I don't care.
That's not nice--or fair, since you're the one who brought it up!
> I am still trying to work out why I sometimes appear as ArthurGibson and sometimes as Arthurgibson.It's pretty easy to figure out. Look at the place where you type your name when you post (it appears automatically). Change it to whichever you prefer. It will usually stay that way. (Note I changed mine to emphasize my feminine qualities.)
> Is this a lasting result of taking PROZAC?
The results can only last if you're still on Prozac, and I'm guessing you're not.
> I am sure that you are not "bearded."How can you be sure?
>Can't you log in as something more feminine?
What could be more feminine?
>I am sure that you must look great.
Again, how can you be sure?
> My name is not Arthur Gibson, but at least its a good name.
By whose standards? My hairdresser is from Turkey and has a name no one can pronounce. She thinks it's a good name.
> (That's not a "put you down" by the way, its a compliment, so don't ban me for a week.)
I can't ban. And even if I could, I wouldn't.
Are you married? Does your wife cook your dinner and iron your clothes? Does she work outside the home? I'm just wondering--not implying or insinuating or anything else.
beardy : )>
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 3, 2003, at 22:23:53
In reply to OK so there is no mercury in fish oil BL..., posted by Arthurgibson on January 3, 2003, at 14:15:45
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