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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Charlotte5 on November 11, 2012, at 12:25:01
Is it helpful to take L Methyl Folate for depression and anhedonia.
I already take 400 mcg LMF and I take a multivitamin that includes 400 mcg of folic acid.
What dosage woul do you recommend? Are there any high dosage brands you can buy in the store or online that are not prescriptions?
I know that Deplin is 7.5 mg of LMF, but I don't want to pay high prescription costs for what is basically a vitamin if I don't have to.
Posted by Hugh on November 11, 2012, at 13:38:58
In reply to L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia, posted by Charlotte5 on November 11, 2012, at 12:25:01
A lot of people have trouble converting B-vitamins, including folic acid, into their active forms. So if you haven't tried the active form, l-methylfolate, you should give it a shot. Solgar brand folate (Metafolin) is an over-the-counter version of it. In addition to l-methylfolate, some other activated B-vitamins worth trying are P5P (B6), methylcobalamin (B12) and benfotiamine (B1). The benfotiamine was way too stimulating for me, but I'm hypersensitive to stimulants. When it comes to dosages, I've found that with many things that have psychoactive properties, it's best to start with a low dose and gradually increase it.
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2012, at 14:09:07
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia, posted by Hugh on November 11, 2012, at 13:38:58
I've read here that to equal 7.5mg of Deplin. A great number of supplemental pills would be needed. Hugh was it you that responded well to Deplin? Did you go to Deplin site? I think the facts on there? I did try Deplin and went off as I'd read that if don't have the missing gene is it that not needed. Phillipa
Posted by Hugh on November 11, 2012, at 19:20:13
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia » Hugh, posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2012, at 14:09:07
> I've read here that to equal 7.5mg of Deplin. A great number of supplemental pills would be needed. Hugh was it you that responded well to Deplin? Did you go to Deplin site? I think the facts on there? I did try Deplin and went off as I'd read that if don't have the missing gene is it that not needed. Phillipa
I responded to l-methylfolate, but I don't know if I would call it "well." It caused decreased libido, which most antidepressants have done to me as well, so I knew that the l-methylfolate was doing something. Regular folic acid never did this to me. The Deplin website claims that up to 70% of people who suffer from depression are unable to adequately convert dietary folate into its activated form, l-methylfolate.
http://www.deplin.com/wp-content/uploads/Deplin-Backgrounder.pdf
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2012, at 21:00:01
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia, posted by Hugh on November 11, 2012, at 19:20:13
Hugh are you still on it or the side effects were to much and no improvement? Thought it was you. I think you and Ron Hill are the only ones to post of something positive with Deplin. Actually I think this was the med that allowed Ron to be fully well. I'd guess the archieves would have this information. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 12, 2012, at 4:15:03
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia, posted by Hugh on November 11, 2012, at 19:20:13
If 70% of people with depression cant convert folate into its active form, why dont they have all the well known symptoms of folate deficiency?
I'd say there is some drug company hype in there
Posted by Hugh on November 12, 2012, at 12:55:40
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia » Hugh, posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2012, at 21:00:01
> Hugh are you still on it or the side effects were to much and no improvement? Thought it was you. I think you and Ron Hill are the only ones to post of something positive with Deplin. Actually I think this was the med that allowed Ron to be fully well. I'd guess the archieves would have this information. Phillipa
I take l-methylfolate (Solgar brand) off and on. I haven't taken it on a daily basis for a couple years. The only side effect was decreased libido. Some people do really well on it.
Posted by Hugh on November 12, 2012, at 13:00:21
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia, posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 12, 2012, at 4:15:03
> If 70% of people with depression cant convert folate into its active form, why dont they have all the well known symptoms of folate deficiency?
>
> I'd say there is some drug company hype in thereThat 70% figure does seem awfully high. Still, I think people should give l-methylfolate a shot. It's good to know if you're getting enough B12, since folate can mask a B12 deficiency.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2012, at 18:21:35
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Hugh on November 12, 2012, at 13:00:21
I'd forgotten about this. Phillipa
Posted by herpills on November 12, 2012, at 21:31:06
In reply to L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia, posted by Charlotte5 on November 11, 2012, at 12:25:01
> Is it helpful to take L Methyl Folate for depression and anhedonia.
>
> I already take 400 mcg LMF and I take a multivitamin that includes 400 mcg of folic acid.
>
> What dosage woul do you recommend? Are there any high dosage brands you can buy in the store or online that are not prescriptions?
>
> I know that Deplin is 7.5 mg of LMF, but I don't want to pay high prescription costs for what is basically a vitamin if I don't have to.I think it is possible that methylfolate can help depression/anhedonia. I don't know a lot about what dosage might work best. I used to take 3.2mg and for awhile took 7.5mg. The brands that I have used are Solgar and Deplin. Solgar comes in 400mcg and 800mcg. Deplin comes in 7.5mg and 15mg. I found another brand called Metabolic Maintenance that comes in various dosages like 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg but I have not tried this brand yet. Deplin is a good deal if you want to take a high dose like 15mg, otherwise I say buy it OTC and customize your dose. herpills
Posted by herpills on November 12, 2012, at 21:36:57
In reply to Re: L Methyl Folate for Depression and Anhedonia » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Hugh on November 12, 2012, at 13:00:21
> > If 70% of people with depression cant convert folate into its active form, why dont they have all the well known symptoms of folate deficiency?
> >
> > I'd say there is some drug company hype in there
>
> That 70% figure does seem awfully high. Still, I think people should give l-methylfolate a shot. It's good to know if you're getting enough B12, since folate can mask a B12 deficiency.
>
>I would agree that there is some serious spin from the makers of Deplin. But like you said it doesn't hurt to try it. Is Abilify really the best first line as an add on to an antidepressant? herpills
This is the end of the thread.
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