Posted by Larry Hoover on March 22, 2003, at 13:10:21
In reply to Questions for Larry Hoover, posted by johnj on March 20, 2003, at 16:07:52
> Hi Larry,
>
> I wanted to ask you a few questions and bounce a few things that are on my mind. Everybody out there please feel free to jump in too.John, I appreciate your persistence. I'm on the road a lot, so you just have to keep trying sometimes.
>
> First, I asked you about mangesium before and I can't remember if I would have to up my calcuim intake if I take a supplement??No. Just adjust your magnesium dose so as to not cause diarrhea. Your body will look after the rest. If diarrhea occurs, you will lose magnesium. Just back down on the dose a bit.
> Sorry my memory is not so good as of late. You mentioned I should take one spoonful of cod liver oil. for some A and D too. I have been reading some posts and I wondered what your take is on people having some adverse affects to fish oil. I did have some sleep fragmentation so I know megadoses per day are most likely not for me.
I suspect there's an adjustment period. Perhaps sudden increases, or major increases, in fish oil intake will cause adverse effects. Cod liver oil is good, but don't overdo it.
> Also, I have recently diagnosed with Peyronie's disease(google it and it will come up, it is quite embarrasing for me).
I know what Peyronie's is. That sucks.
>I was told to try and take up to 1000 mg of vitamin E. Could Vitamin E affect my lithium, TCA, or benzo levels?
No. I can't imagine a possible interaction. Probably a good idea to take alpha-lipoic acid too. It's capable of regenerating other antioxidants, as well as being an excellent antioxidant itself.
> I have upped my B-complex like we discussed awhile back and I feel better. I still have the problem with excercise and this week I sat all day and worked and felt better when I was more sedentary(it should actually be the opposite!)Have you considered the idea that you have chronic fatigue syndrome? Exertion will lead to rebound fatigue *if you exceed your capacity*. What I mean is, exercise is good for everyone, even those with chronic fatigue syndrome, but exercise tolerance must be increased gradually in CFS sufferers. Pushing too hard causes rebound fatigue, which unfortunately only shows itself after the fact. You learn to pay exquisite attention to your capacity, and you can gradually increase your activity without rebound fatigue.
> I was thinking about supplemnts, etc., and wondered if you have ever thought why people such as myself would benefit from supplments? I think about evolution and times were a lot tougher way back when so why should I need more when in the past our ancestors made due with a lot less. Or did they?
Our modern experience is unprecedented, with respect to the stressors we face routinely. I don't know that a comparison with our ancestors is very informative. Because of the way our genes interact, every generation includes members with an astonishing array of capacities and frailties. Only interaction with the current environment will reveal whether or not a particular gene combination is an asset or a burden.
One of the factors facing us today that has probably never faced mankind before is the vast array of viruses and bacteria which all populations are being exposed to. The global movement of people and materials leads to an enhanced opportunity for multiple infections. I wonder just how the effects of all these viral infections underlie some of our symptoms.
>I wonder what you think about the Atkins diet, etc. I myself am going to give up some grains and see what happens.
I do poorly if I eat grains to excess. Carbs, for me, are not invigorating. I do best on a high protein and vegetable/fruit diet. You just have to try different things.
> My pdoc gave me the ok to try 5-htp and I was suprised since they caution about seretonin syndrome. But, I think I will give it a try anyway at a low dose.If you test different doses by gradual increases, you're not likely to run into problems.
> I am going to try things one at a time, taurine, 5thp, mangesium, and the vitamin E w/(cod liver oil)You might want to try trimethylglycine (also known as betaine freebase, or anhydrous betaine). Source Naturals sells it. I get mine at hilife vitamins and herbs.
> I have had a serious lack of motivation for some time now and this is very uncharacteristic for me. I wondered if taken AD's like I have for 10 years somehow deplete something else.Certainly a possibility. That's why I advocate so strongly for nutritional supplements. I know I do better with them than without.
>I have heard about dopamine depletion, but that is just a theory right now. Is there any way to increase dopamine production through supplements, foods, or meds?
Directly, via supplementation with tyrosine or phenylalanine. Indirectly with NADH.
> Also one last question. I take nortryptline a TCA and I tried to lower my dose from 50 to 40 a few months back. After 3 days I felt pretty horrible. I have been on it for 10 years. They say TCA's work on downregulation so I wonder if my body cannot get back to normal when taking an antidepressant?Your body will adapt to the change, but the change may feel uncomfortable. It will pass.
>Do I somehow become dependent on it and my body adjusts to it? Or do I have to suffer for a month or two before my body might take back over what it is supposed to do?
Probably not that long, but that's the general idea.
>I am just throwing some questions out to see what you think since I appreciate your knowledge. I am sure there are no correct answers but hypothesis are out there. Thanks Larry.
>
> johnjGlad to oblige.
Take care,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:210968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030319/msgs/211468.html