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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by LOOPS on July 10, 2005, at 12:42:51
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » LOOPS, posted by MidnightBlue on July 10, 2005, at 0:36:16
Hi MidnightBlue -
Sorry to hear about the headaches and aches and pains. I have no idea if the EPO could cause headaches - maybe someone else here can help. About the omega 3 I have to take a lot to notice difference in back pain (which I had a lot of through sport). I don't have to take antiinflammatories anymore for that, and it does seem to coincide with my fish oil use. But I do take 3-5g total omega-3 a day, sometimes more. I think also to get the benefits you have to reduce other fats in the diet - especially omega-6.
Sorry I can't be of more help/knowledge. As usual everything is trial and a lot it seems of error.
Loops
Posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:08:10
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by Mistermindmasta on July 6, 2005, at 21:31:59
I'm not really sure how fish oil is suppposed to work. But I did read something that made me think that it makes brain cell membranes more receptive to seratonin.
I've been taking it for about a year and it works for me. It only seems to work along with an AD, as I've tried it alone and had no effects.
I also notice a difference in brands.cherylann
Posted by LOOPS on July 11, 2005, at 8:32:28
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:08:10
Hi -
which brands did you find best and which not? I've recently found the Twinlabs MegaTwin EPA good but it is very expensive for the amount I have to take. It has a very high EPA :DHA ratio, plus 50ius vitamin E added to each cap. I have found better results generally with high EPA fish oil for mood and eczema.
Loops
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 11, 2005, at 12:15:16
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by LOOPS on July 11, 2005, at 8:32:28
LOOPS,
I take Omegabrite which is NOT cheap and 1,050 EPA and 150 DHA for three capsules. I only take 4 capsules partly because of expense. But I have GERD and they don't taste too bad when I sometimes burp them up.
I have thought of moving up to 5 a day, but not sure it would make a difference.
Also regarding inflamation, arthritis, etc. There was a big article in our paper today about curcumin. They are talking about its use against cancer as well as a substitute for Cox-2 drugs which have been banned. Curcumin is found in turmeric and curry powder.
MidnightBlue
> Hi -
>
> which brands did you find best and which not? I've recently found the Twinlabs MegaTwin EPA good but it is very expensive for the amount I have to take. It has a very high EPA :DHA ratio, plus 50ius vitamin E added to each cap. I have found better results generally with high EPA fish oil for mood and eczema.
>
> Loops
Posted by LOOPS on July 12, 2005, at 9:27:28
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » LOOPS, posted by MidnightBlue on July 11, 2005, at 12:15:16
Hi -
I never tried the Omegabrite caps- they just looked too expensive - are they really very good?
For me I have been looking into other people's successful experiences with using EFAs and it appears those most successful in treating their eczema were using HUGE quantities of both omega-3 and also GLA-containing oils like EPO.
I was reading in Shirley's Wellness Cafe the story of the woman there who used 3 tablespoons flax oil plus 2 tablespoons - TABLESPOONS!!! of evening primrose oil a day, PLUS some other oil - black cumin seed I think.
Well I can't tolerate flax oil without a GLA containing oil as it disrupts my emotional balance , and I am also happy with fish oil. So I'm now taking all three plus the lecithin lol, as I can tolerate the flax oil if it is balanced with enough GLA. Upping GLA intake once more, I have to up the other oils, as too much GLA is too calming and it's bye-bye back to depression land.
Such a lot of oil, and you would think it would make me fat. However I was scrutinizing the old bod in the mirror this morning (which I try to avoid doing having a history of EDs) and did indded notice my *rse is thinner. I don't diet (if I did I'd be back with the ED) and I don't care - just buy comfy clothes and remember I have a pretty face (I think!). So eating large quantities of EFAs doesn't seem to pack on the pounds (as it shouldn't anyway from what I've read).
I'm assuming taking such a lot is ok - I feel good and my skin says it's good (apart from the odd zits which plague me). Also I take a lot of vitamin E and C.
Loops
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 12, 2005, at 23:28:40
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by LOOPS on July 12, 2005, at 9:27:28
LOOPS,
I like OmegaBrite, but I have nothing to compare it with. I do like that it is high grade and pure. I have so much trouble with my stomach, I need something that is not too fishy!
MidnightBlue
Posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:02:10
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by Glydin on July 6, 2005, at 8:14:33
Hi Glydin,
I've been having a lot of skin breakouts lately, too, but I figured that was from all the very hot, humid weather. When I sweat a lot, I tend to break out more. I don't know whether fish oil has made my skin worse. It has definitely NOT made it better.
I have also had some bad experiences with alternative meds that were as bas as, or worse than, some of the side effects I've had from traditional meds.
Like you, I keep looking and hoping for something that will help, but I am much more cynical than I used to be.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:27:33
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by KaraS on July 6, 2005, at 19:57:47
Hi Kara,
Over the past couple of years, there have been so many posts from people who've noticed that fish oil causes acne. I'm surprised by this because fish oil is reputed to be so good for skin. I have not noticed an increase in acne, but my skin and other ailments (such as joint pain) are not improved at all on fish oil.The only supplement that has caused a noticeable improvement for me is Magnesium. I take 400 mg of Magnesium at night before bed. This is in addition to the Magnesium that is in the multi-vitamin I take.
Thanks for mentioning the fish oils with the high EPA to low DHA ratio. If I decide to continue taking fish oil, I will look for such a brand. Are there any, in particular, that you recommend?
Posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:37:27
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by Mistermindmasta on July 6, 2005, at 21:31:59
Hello Mistermindmasta,
That's an interesting name!Thanks for the information on omega 6's, 3's and trans fats. Actually, in spite of what I said in my original post about feeling better when I eat junk food, I hardly ever eat junk food. My diet is quite healthy, yet I feel awful most of the time. The fats in my diet are almost all omega 3's (not including the fish oil capsules). The oils I use primarily are olive oil and canola oil. I rarely eat trans fats or saturated fats, although I really do feel better on those rare occasions when I consume them.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:39:03
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by gardenergirl on July 7, 2005, at 0:25:54
Hi gg,
I'm glad to hear that the fish oil has helped lower your cholesterol. I gather that you're not sure whether it's helped your depression.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:48:19
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » Sarah T., posted by MidnightBlue on July 7, 2005, at 0:44:39
Hi Midnight Blue,
That's interesting that you. your doctor, and your mother have noticed an improvement. I wonder how much of that improvement is from the acupuncture or something else altogether.
You mentioned that you use a prescribed acne medicine. Which one do you use? Do you think it helps? Does it dry out your skin a lot? As I mentioned in some posts above, fish oil has not made my skin breakouts worse, but it hasn't made my skin look better either. The only medication that very obviously aggravated my skin and caused cystic-like acne was Wellbutrin. I took that a long time ago, and I was on it for quite a few years. As soon as I stopped taking it, my skin started to get better.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:55:03
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by blueberry on July 7, 2005, at 19:35:22
>> I can't really tell when I take fish oil. But I can tell when I stop. I take one capsule a day. Whether it has any significant psychiatric benefits or not, I don't think so with me, but it is good for the brain anyway as well as the heart and cholesterol and stuff. I can't feel any effects when I take it, but if I stop taking it I feel like something just isn't quite right. Hard to explain.>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi blueberry.
I've had the experience you describe (not being able to notice a difference until I stop taking it) with other supplements, especially magnesium and B vitamins, but I haven't noticed it with fish oil. It sounds as if the fish oil might be helping you.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 16, 2005, at 0:04:15
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by LOOPS on July 9, 2005, at 22:37:48
Hi LOOPS,
You mentioned that fish oil without GLA results in too much dopamine for you. Is that a fact? I've heard that fish oil has some effects on dopamine, but I never paid much attention to it because it doesn't seem to do anything for me. Can you tell me what you feel like when you don't take GLA? Do you feel too "wired" or anxious?
Posted by Sarah T. on July 16, 2005, at 0:09:24
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:08:10
> I'm not really sure how fish oil is suppposed to work. But I did read something that made me think that it makes brain cell membranes more receptive to seratonin.> I've been taking it for about a year and it works for me. It only seems to work along with an AD, as I've tried it alone and had no effects.> I also notice a difference in brands.>> cherylann
Hi Cherylann,
I think fish oil might make brain cells more receptive. I think it helps improve membrane permeability. That's interesting that it only works for you when combined with an AD. I've heard that from people who've had success with Lamictal. They have to take Lamictal with an AD. I don't think I've ever met anyone who improved on Lamictal alone.
Posted by LOOPS on July 16, 2005, at 9:22:20
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » LOOPS, posted by Sarah T. on July 16, 2005, at 0:04:15
> Hi LOOPS,
> You mentioned that fish oil without GLA results in too much dopamine for you. Is that a fact? I've heard that fish oil has some effects on dopamine, but I never paid much attention to it because it doesn't seem to do anything for me. Can you tell me what you feel like when you don't take GLA? Do you feel too "wired" or anxious?Hi -
yes I feel like I can't sit still and concentrate on one thing without the GLA. Sometimes the anxiety is like feeling very motivated but with nothing to do - but that is my life sometimes; which is a shame, as I should be putting my mind to something good.
Oh but it is such a balancing act. Too much GLA and I get tired and irritable, although I am more inclined to sit down and do just one thing.
Not that you want to know this, but interestingly, too much GLA before a tennis lesson makes me play like crap. Just the fish oil and lecithin with a small amount of GLA is excellent.
If I haven't had any GLA all month (this is what happened recently) I get wicked PMT, which is immediately relieved by EPO.
Loops
Posted by KaraS on July 16, 2005, at 16:56:50
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:27:33
> Hi Kara,
> Over the past couple of years, there have been so many posts from people who've noticed that fish oil causes acne. I'm surprised by this because fish oil is reputed to be so good for skin. I have not noticed an increase in acne, but my skin and other ailments (such as joint pain) are not improved at all on fish oil.
>
> The only supplement that has caused a noticeable improvement for me is Magnesium. I take 400 mg of Magnesium at night before bed. This is in addition to the Magnesium that is in the multi-vitamin I take.
>
> Thanks for mentioning the fish oils with the high EPA to low DHA ratio. If I decide to continue taking fish oil, I will look for such a brand. Are there any, in particular, that you recommend?
Hi Sarah,
I think it is very strange that we don't read anything in the literature about fish oil and acne. I thought it was just a fluke or an allergic reaction or something with me but after I posted about it and several others said that they had the same response to the fish oil, then I knew that somehow it had the potential to aggravate acne.Tealady has posted here about a B vitamin possibly offsetting this acnegenic effect. I think it was B5 but I'm not positive. I have not had the necessity to test it as I haven't had the acne problem with fish oil lately (either because of hormonal issues, not taking a high enough fish oil dosage or maybe even because of the brand I've been taking). I do plan on trying a higher dosage of fish oil in the future so this problem may come up again, in which case I'll try the B vitamin.
I'm can't tell you first-hand what brands of high EPA/low DHA fish oil to try. Maybe others can help you out more on that. The brands that have a high EPA fish oil product that I have read good things about on this board so far (that I remember) are Twinlab, Omegabrite and Source Naturals. I think there's another liquid one also that I can't think of now. This doesn't necessarily relate to all products by those companies so you'd have to look at their stats to make sure they were high EPA/low DHA.
Kara
Posted by Sarah T. on July 17, 2005, at 20:17:42
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond, posted by LOOPS on July 16, 2005, at 9:22:20
Hi LOOPS,
What form of GLA do you take? Evening primrose oil or black currant seed oil or borage oil?
You said that GLA helps alleviate your premenstrual symptoms. May I ask what your PMS is like, or does it vary from month to month? I've heard that EPO is very good for symptoms like breast pain and tenderness. Do you find that it also helps PMS symptoms like irritability, foggy thinking, etc?
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 17, 2005, at 20:25:07
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » Sarah T., posted by KaraS on July 16, 2005, at 16:56:50
Hi Kara,
Regarding fish oil brands, I think Nordic Naturals is also supposed to be good, but I don't know about its EPA to DHA ratio. You mentioned a liquid brand. Could that have been Carlson's by any chance? I've seen that at the health food store but I never bought it because I figured it would be too difficult to take along a bottle of fish oil when I travel. It would be awfully messy and smelly if a bottle of fish oil leaked in my suitcase, and it would probably make the TSA (airport security personnel) even more annoying than they already are.
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 17, 2005, at 23:20:34
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » MidnightBlue, posted by Sarah T. on July 15, 2005, at 23:48:19
The name of the acne med I use is Benza Clin and it is a combo of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel. It IS prescription. I am in my early 50s, and STILL get acne! It does dry your skin out some, but not a lot. It is good for cystic type acne, too.
MidnightBlue
Posted by Sarah T. on July 18, 2005, at 21:25:46
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » Sarah T., posted by MidnightBlue on July 17, 2005, at 23:20:34
Hi Midnight Blue,
Thanks for the mention of Benza Clin. I'm pretty sure I used that at some point in the distant past. I think it was very good. Is that the one that has to be refrigerated? I could sure use some of that this summer! The heat and humidity have made my skin look as if I am going through puberty again.
S.
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 18, 2005, at 21:50:34
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » MidnightBlue, posted by Sarah T. on July 18, 2005, at 21:25:46
Yes, I keep it in the refrigerator. I tried to shorten that, and the computer thought it was a naughty word!
MB
Posted by KaraS on July 19, 2005, at 1:39:01
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on July 17, 2005, at 20:25:07
> Hi Kara,
>
> Regarding fish oil brands, I think Nordic Naturals is also supposed to be good, but I don't know about its EPA to DHA ratio. You mentioned a liquid brand. Could that have been Carlson's by any chance? I've seen that at the health food store but I never bought it because I figured it would be too difficult to take along a bottle of fish oil when I travel. It would be awfully messy and smelly if a bottle of fish oil leaked in my suitcase, and it would probably make the TSA (airport security personnel) even more annoying than they already are.
Hi,
I was thinking that it might be Carlson's but when I looked it up on-line at iHerb.com, I couldn't find a Carlson's version that was high EPA. I'll have to look into it further.A lot of people here prefer the liquid but I have the same reservations that you have. I haven't tried it yet though.
K
Posted by Sarah T. on July 29, 2005, at 1:38:14
In reply to Re: Fish Oil Survey -- please respond » Sarah T., posted by KaraS on July 19, 2005, at 1:39:01
Hi Kara,
Today I found some fish oil with a high EPA: DHA ratio. It is "ProEPA" and is made by Nordic Naturals. I have seen many other Nordic Naturals products, and this is the only one I've seen with that large a ratio. Two softgels contain 850 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA. I think there are some products that might contain ONLY EPA or only DHA, but for those that contain both, this is largest ratio I could find.
Posted by KaraS on July 31, 2005, at 2:53:32
In reply to Kara, re: EPA: DHA ratio » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on July 29, 2005, at 1:38:14
> Hi Kara,
>
> Today I found some fish oil with a high EPA: DHA ratio. It is "ProEPA" and is made by Nordic Naturals. I have seen many other Nordic Naturals products, and this is the only one I've seen with that large a ratio. Two softgels contain 850 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA. I think there are some products that might contain ONLY EPA or only DHA, but for those that contain both, this is largest ratio I could find.
I think that's a pretty good brand if I remember correctly. Good luck with it and let me know how it goes.K
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 31, 2005, at 23:57:26
In reply to Kara, re: EPA: DHA ratio » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on July 29, 2005, at 1:38:14
One OmegaBrite 500mg softgel provides in a 7:1 ratio 350mg of EPA and 50mg of DHA. Their literature says that is the highest ratio in the industry, but I don't know for sure.
MB
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