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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FredPotter on April 3, 2005, at 16:08:41
I've never known a supplement work. I had a temporary effect from L-Tyrosine for fatigue but that stopped working and the placebo effect is probably the best explanation
Posted by Mistermindmasta on April 4, 2005, at 13:41:43
In reply to Do supplements work?, posted by FredPotter on April 3, 2005, at 16:08:41
> I've never known a supplement work. I had a temporary effect from L-Tyrosine for fatigue but that stopped working and the placebo effect is probably the best explanation
L-tyrosine has a VERY strong effect in doses of like 2 grams, especially when taken with a carb only meal.Supplements do work, but some don't for some people whereas the same one might work for another person. Lots of people have had success especially with St. John's Wort and Rhodiola. I have had success with Kava especially. Gingko makes me too irritable, but it definitely works. 5-HTP definitely works.
What you have to accept is that there will be a LOT of supplements that won't work for you. I tend to not be effected much by supplements that effect acetylcholine, like Huperzine A, DMAE, etc. I'm only one person, and I'm sure there are people out there where DMAE hits the spot.
Don't give up, just remember that quality is important, too. Namebrands are the only thing I buy.
Posted by FredPotter on April 4, 2005, at 15:55:48
In reply to Re: Do supplements work?, posted by Mistermindmasta on April 4, 2005, at 13:41:43
Thanks. I've started L-Tyrosine again. I think supplements labelled just "Tyrosine" are not reliable. I'm taking 1.5g twice a day 20 minutes before a protein-containing meal, as specified by Larry. Yes it could be helping. Trouble is I can't replicate myself and give one of us a placebo
Fred
Posted by tealady on April 8, 2005, at 2:25:15
In reply to Re: Do supplements work?, posted by Mistermindmasta on April 4, 2005, at 13:41:43
> Supplements do work, but some don't for some people whereas the same one might work for another person. Lots of people have had success especially with St. John's Wort and Rhodiola. I have had success with Kava especially. Gingko makes me too irritable, but it definitely works. 5-HTP definitely works.
>
> What you have to accept is that there will be a LOT of supplements that won't work for you. I tend to not be effected much by supplements that effect acetylcholine, like Huperzine A, DMAE, etc. I'm only one person, and I'm sure there are people out there where DMAE hits the spot.
>
> Don't give up, just remember that quality is important, too. Namebrands are the only thing I buy.
>
Gingko makes me too irritable, but it definitely works. 5-HTP definitely works.
Just how does Gingko work..besides making you irritable ;-)I've noticed a huge difference in brands too. I especially prefer the powders and capsules with only powders (as opposed to ground up tablets or fillers I don't want added). The fillers and binders in tablets may prevent absorption of whatever you want in some cases..eg a lot of supplements are made with magnesium stearate, palmitic acid, or stearic acid as flowing agents. These coat each particle with a complete layer of saturated fat, either slowing absorption(which may or may not be desired) or in some cases completely blocking it.
tea
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2005, at 10:31:33
In reply to Re: Do supplements work? » Mistermindmasta, posted by FredPotter on April 4, 2005, at 15:55:48
> Thanks. I've started L-Tyrosine again. I think supplements labelled just "Tyrosine" are not reliable. I'm taking 1.5g twice a day 20 minutes before a protein-containing meal, as specified by Larry. Yes it could be helping. Trouble is I can't replicate myself and give one of us a placebo
> FredYour body could be adapting to the new source, and down-regulating its use of tyrosine a little bit.....placebo might have nothing to do with it. An alternative also, is that you might simply get used to the new way of feeling, i.e. your sense of "normal" has adapted with time.
I strongly believe in a nutrient/physical/mental association. I am what I eat. And I am not what I don't eat. What I put in my body is the sole determinant of what my body can do.
That said, the trick is to figure out, via experimentation (I'm glad you are thinking about the absence of a control Fred), what changes increase adaptability, resiliency, vigour, cognitive ability, etc., and which have no effect or adverse effects. The better you become at "doing experiments", as opposed to uncontrolled random changes in numerous factors all at once, the better you'll be able to fine tune yourself.
I think I'm finally getting close to that, after four or five years of fairly close attention. I get distracted easily, though, so I am definitely not an example to emulate.
Lar
Posted by LOOPS on April 24, 2005, at 17:43:47
In reply to Re: Do supplements work? » FredPotter, posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2005, at 10:31:33
Regarding tyrosine -
it does nothing for me taken on it's own. However I have had some success mixing a brain formula that contained tyrosine with other things (all mostly in small amounts) with a small amount of 5htp during the day.
I have always found formulas seem to be much better overall than taking individual things - with the exception of some vitamins which to get much effect one needs to be taking larger doses than you get in multivits.
A few examples of things that work for me and a few others:
Vit D from fish oil (actually seems to work better for me with some vit A naturally there as well) for - depression and eczema.
B vits - 25mg doses spread throughout day (2-3). 50mg is too much and leaves me wired, 25mg is relaxing.
zinc - 30-50mg
CoQ-10 15-30mg with vit E 200iu, vit C 1-2g and fish oil 5g omega-3 (for depression and anxiety).
100-200mg B1 with 25mg B complex, 200mg Magnesium, 300-600mg NAC & 1g vit C if have gone out drinking (best avoided obviously but it does still happen). This combo works like a treat for hangovers and allows me to actually sleep the following morning if need be.
Lithium orotate - I take 2 tabs a day for mood support.
Regarding the 'formula' I am rambling on about above, I found Source Natural's Mental Edge tablets are about the right strength for me. I don't always take them, but they are actually a good mental boost for before sport or I'll mix them with 5htp for if I'm feeling a little 'off'. I tried other ones like SN's Mega Mind tablets and also something called 'Get Smart' - but these were too stimulating for me. Actually the mega mind tabs left me feeling more down after a few hours.
Other things I believe work (have done for me anyway) -
rhodiola before sport or demanding social activities
gotu kola before social activities
ashwagandha for general relaxation
adaptogen 'complexes' - including shizandra, siberian ginseng - these are very good for balancing the system.
These are all the things that have definitely worked well for me.
Loops.
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