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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bissie66 on April 14, 2014, at 8:27:35
My pdoc wants me to increase the omega-3 i take (currently 600 mg in 2000 mg of fish oil). he says new research says i should take a lot more -- 2000 mg of omega 3 which would be equivalent to 4-5,000 mg of fish oil, he says. Sounds expensive! does anyone know a cheaper way to get the omega 3? He also said there are two types of omega 3s. EPA and DHA. He said you want both, but majority EPA.
Btw i am bipolar (mostly depression by far) and on a host of prescribed drugs too. He has me taking a few supplements as well.
Many thanks!
Posted by Hugh on April 14, 2014, at 11:13:01
In reply to Omega-3 Question, posted by Bissie66 on April 14, 2014, at 8:27:35
If the higher dose of fish oil doesn't help, you might try krill oil. It's more absorbable than fish oil, so you can take a much lower dose. I can feel krill oil in my brain far more than fish oil (I have unipolar depression).
Good places to order fish and krill oil are iherb.com and swansonvitamins.com
What other supplements do you take?
Posted by Bissie66 on April 14, 2014, at 12:24:51
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Question, posted by Hugh on April 14, 2014, at 11:13:01
Thank you so much. That is very helpful. I don't like the idea of taking four capsules a day of fish oil!
The other supplements I take for mental health are N-acetyl Cysteine (sp?) 1000 mg morning and 1000 mg at night and folic acid (800 mg). I think that's it. I also take Vitamin D per my regular doctor's orders because I was very low on vitamin D when tested.
My pdoc insists on the N-acetyl Cisteine (sp?). He said there is robust research from NIH that it is extremely helpful for mood disorders. But not many people have heard of it. My pDoc really keeps up with NIH research which I appreciate.
Posted by Hugh on April 14, 2014, at 15:10:36
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Question » Hugh, posted by Bissie66 on April 14, 2014, at 12:24:51
It sounds like your pdoc is on top of things. I started taking NAC not long ago, and so far I like it. It makes my mind quieter. Are you taking regular folic acid or L-methylfolate? This is the activated form of it -- some people have trouble converting folic acid into its active form.
http://www.iherb.com/Solgar-Folate-As-Metafolin-800-mcg-100-Tablets/13961
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:00
In reply to best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by bissie66 on April 13, 2014, at 18:28:51
I take vitacost fish oil. Its cheaper, strawberry flavored. If you want a spendy brand, they have those, too, usually for less $$$ than most brick-and-mortar stores.
Posted by bissie66 on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:01
In reply to Re: best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by Christ_empowered on April 13, 2014, at 20:15:07
thank you!
Posted by phidippus on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:02
In reply to best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by bissie66 on April 13, 2014, at 18:28:51
He should be able to prescribe you Lovaza, an omega 3 supplement.
Eric
Posted by Bissie66 on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:03
In reply to Re: best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3? » bissie66, posted by phidippus on April 14, 2014, at 14:12:03
Thanks! I've never heard of it.
> He should be able to prescribe you Lovaza, an omega 3 supplement.
>
> Eric
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:03
In reply to Re: best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3? » phidippus, posted by Bissie66 on April 14, 2014, at 14:23:49
I didn't even think of that. Eric, do you know how the dosing works with lovaza for mental issues?
Posted by phidippus on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:04
In reply to Re: best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by Christ_empowered on April 14, 2014, at 14:24:40
I imagine larger dosages will impact mood more greatly.
Eric
Posted by Chris O on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:05
In reply to best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by bissie66 on April 13, 2014, at 18:28:51
I sometimes drink huge doses (15-20 grams) of the Nordic Naturals and Carlsons brand liquid fish oils. It's the only thing that's ever had an effect on my anxiety and depression (albeit a mild one, even at high doses). And it is expensive. Too expensive and too mild for me to do long-term.
I did do several long-term trials of fish oil with the Andrew Stoll brand (he wrote a popular book on the topic about 15 years ago) and a few other brands, at doses of 2 grams or more. I think Carlson's capsules could be doable in terms of pricing at that dosage. But again, for me, even over a period of months, I did not get noticeable relief from anxiety or depression. But I'm not bipolar either, so it sounds like things are different for you.
Good luck!
Chris
Posted by bissie66 on April 15, 2014, at 6:49:47
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Question » Bissie66, posted by Hugh on April 14, 2014, at 15:10:36
> It sounds like your pdoc is on top of things. I started taking NAC not long ago, and so far I like it. It makes my mind quieter. Are you taking regular folic acid or L-methylfolate? This is the activated form of it -- some people have trouble converting folic acid into its active form.
>
> http://www.iherb.com/Solgar-Folate-As-Metafolin-800-mcg-100-Tablets/13961I have never felt the NAC doing anything. But he insists and I take his advice. The famous Dr. Robert Post (formerly head of NIMH) also recommends it. I just buy the folic acid from CVS, generic brand so it's probably just regular folic acid. Again, I don't feel any different from taking it. Thanks for your response!
Btw what is your dose of NAC?
Posted by bissie66 on April 15, 2014, at 6:55:10
In reply to Re: best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3? » bissie66, posted by Chris O on April 15, 2014, at 0:21:05
> I sometimes drink huge doses (15-20 grams) of the Nordic Naturals and Carlsons brand liquid fish oils. It's the only thing that's ever had an effect on my anxiety and depression (albeit a mild one, even at high doses). And it is expensive. Too expensive and too mild for me to do long-term.
>
> I did do several long-term trials of fish oil with the Andrew Stoll brand (he wrote a popular book on the topic about 15 years ago) and a few other brands, at doses of 2 grams or more. I think Carlson's capsules could be doable in terms of pricing at that dosage. But again, for me, even over a period of months, I did not get noticeable relief from anxiety or depression. But I'm not bipolar either, so it sounds like things are different for you.
>
> Good luck!
>
> ChrisChris, to be honest, I have never felt any effect from taking fish oil either! I take prescribed drugs too though and they are much more noticeable (i.e. antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, mood stabilizers.
Posted by Hugh on April 15, 2014, at 19:11:36
In reply to Re: Omega-3 Question » Hugh, posted by bissie66 on April 15, 2014, at 6:49:47
> Btw what is your dose of NAC?
I'm taking 1,800 mg -- 600 mg three times a day. I've read that it's safe to go as high as 3,600 mg a day, though it's recommended to take a multivitamin with a high dose, as NAC can deplete zinc and copper.
Posted by Zyprexa on April 20, 2014, at 23:24:39
In reply to best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by bissie66 on April 13, 2014, at 18:28:51
I take 6 of the 1000mg generic Costco fish oil. Works better than all the others. I tried concentrated, and flaxseed oil. Just taking a lot of the regular stuff works best at increasing my hdl cholesterol.
Posted by Bissie66 on April 20, 2014, at 23:24:40
In reply to Re: best way to get 2000 mg of omega 3?, posted by Zyprexa on April 17, 2014, at 21:21:47
> I take 6 of the 1000mg generic Costco fish oil. Works better than all the others. I tried concentrated, and flaxseed oil. Just taking a lot of the regular stuff works best at increasing my hdl cholesterol.
interesting. thank you. that would work. i ended up ordering mega omega-3 gel caps and will get 2126 mg of omega 3 in two capsules.
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