Posted by JLx on May 12, 2005, at 7:47:24
In reply to Fish Oil/other supplements increasing appetite?, posted by MoparFan91 on May 11, 2005, at 22:36:34
> I started back taking Fish Oil again back in the beginning of the last week of April. At about the same time, I upped my amino acid Taurine dosage to over 2,000mg and doubled the Zinc to 300mg. I added 1,000mg Acetyl L-Carnitine, 150mg 5-HTP, and 600mcg Chromium Polynicotinate as well.
>
> Anyway, I was taking the Fish Oil for 2 months straight but at a bit lower dose. I'm now on 9,000mg of EPA/DHA combined in 3 divided doses (30 capsules of regular fish oil). Since starting back on it (and possibly from making the other changes to my supplements), my appetite has gone through the roof. I'm eating DOUBLE the amount of what I normally was eating before:
> -I've been eating whole cartons of ice cream in one sitting
> -eating 3 burgers and mega-sized fries and drink plus large chocolate shakes at McDonald's in one sitting
> -doing some other binging, and eating over 2,000 Calories per meal at times.
>
> I've gained a few pounds because of this.
>
> Before this, my appetite was pretty normal, and I seemed to have gotten hungry when I was supposed to. Now, I feel like I'm hungry (and true gnawing physical hunger and famished feeling at that) even after eating a lot. This seems have started over a few days after re-initiation of fish oil (and possibly other changes to supplements).
>
> I'm also taking Lamictal and Geodon, and none of those have ever changed my appetite.
>
> What's going on here? Is there something about the Fish Oil (or those other supplements) that causes an increase in appetite?
>
> A big appetite is VERY VERY BAD for weight control.Fish oil is generally known for reducing appetite. I wouldn't suspect that's the problem here, unless it is in combination with everything else for some strange reason.
That's a HUGE amount of zinc you're taking. Unless you have a particular reason and it was advised by a knowledgeable health practitioner, I would NOT take that much zinc. Too much zinc can suppress immune function and deplete the body of copper and iron. Too much zinc, if you're a man, may increase the risk of prostate cancer (per the National Cancer Institute). The usual advised upper limit is only about 11-30 mg, maybe 50 mg for a short time for a specific reason. See:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10071,00.html
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/zinc.html
It could be the acetyl-L-carnitine. From HealthNotes, http://www.kroger.com/hn/Supp/Acetyl_L_Carnitine.htm
"Side effects from taking acetyl-L-carnitine are uncommon, although skin rash, increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, agitation, and body odor have been reported in people taking acetyl-L-carnitine.2 3
5-HTP is supposed to be an appetite suppresant, as well as chromium so it's probably not them. Although in my experience, any serotonin booster can be problematical. Taurine shouldn't be the problem either, but amino acids can be powerful and tricky so it's always worth experimenting further with them.
But, I'd try cutting down or out the carnitine first and also DEFINITELY stop taking so much zinc.
JL
poster:JLx
thread:496695
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050510/msgs/496796.html