![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 Bob on November 4, 1999, at 20:54:06
Did anyone out there ever talk about this supplement? DId I miss that discussion? What do folks know about this and how it might mix with ADs?
Posted by Carol on November 5, 1999, at 13:23:26
In reply to Enada/NADH, posted by Bob on November 4, 1999, at 20:54:06
> Did anyone out there ever talk about this supplement? DId I miss that discussion? What do folks know about this and how it might mix with ADs?<<
Hey Bob,
I've been carrying a clipping on this stuff that I got from prevention magazine, hoping I could find out where to get some. The clipping doesn't say anything about depression, though. It's about a study done at Georgetown University, using NADH to help women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Since most people suffer fatigue as a result of depression(me too)I figured it might be worth a try just to get more energy. Here's a quote from the clipping, "NADH is a coenzyme found naturally in all cells in the body." "The more NADH a cell has, the more energy it can produce."
You could probably find more info on some kind of "natural healing" website.
Carol
Posted by Bob on November 5, 1999, at 22:22:14
In reply to Re: Enada/NADH (not much info,but...), posted by Carol on November 5, 1999, at 13:23:26
Thanks Carol!
I had to ask about this stuff because my "natural supplements information source", a friend whose husband has MS and is into researching every nutritional therapy, was quite excited about it. Wouldn't you know it, but there's a website out there called www.nadh.com, sponsored by someone connected to the company that makes it. The website's site structure is an absolute mess, but they quote a lot of european research on the stuff.
btw, a search on NADH thru Excite also turns up a website that lists the prices of internet sources of NADH/Enada for comparison shopping. The Vitamin Shoppe (real-world store ... don't know about the on-line store or if it's affiliated) carries it as well.
Anyway, there's lots of stuff on that www.nadh.com site for the biologically-inclined to scrutinize. Essentially, NADH is what causes the release of energy during cellular respiration. Thus, it's been used in a lot of research around disorders such as CFS which involve abnormally low energy levels. It's an extremely fragile substance, tho, so even tho biologists have known about it since 1905 or so, it hasn't been until recently that a mechanism has been developed for delivering it in quanity as a supplement.
It's also believed to help in nerve cell regeneration as well as for other types of cells. Thus, its been used in research as an anti-Parkinson's and anti-Alzheimer's agent. Other more important neurological implications for most of us here is that it increases the production of neurotransmitters. One study showed a six-fold increase in the production of dopamine, with not quite so strong an effect on norepinephrine and less still on seratonin. Another study found it completely compatible with prozac ... I guess the theory is that since it just boosts production of neurotransmitters, this can't have an negative impact or interaction with the various meds out there that influence the re-uptake of the stuff.
So, bottom line is that besides being perhaps the most powerful anti-oxidant (and I thought SOD claimed that prize) around, it also boosts energy levels, boosts neurotransmitter production, and may aid in regenerating nerve cells.
The site said some people respond in 3-10 days, some in 10-30 days. I bought some today and will begin giving it a trial tomorrow ... you have to take it on a stomach that's been empty 6-8 hours with 8 ounces of water, then wait 20-30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else.
At about $0.70 a tab, it better do something to earn its keep ;^)
Bob
Posted by Carol on November 6, 1999, at 11:39:05
In reply to Amazin' what you learn when you ask..., posted by Bob on November 5, 1999, at 22:22:14
> The site said some people respond in 3-10 days, some in 10-30 days. I bought some today and will begin giving it a trial tomorrow ... you have to take it on a stomach that's been empty 6-8 hours with 8 ounces of water, then wait 20-30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else.
>
> At about $0.70 a tab, it better do something to earn its keep ;^)
> Bob
Wow! Thanks for all the info, Bob. Please keep me posted on your trial, especially energy levels. Hope you find it helpful! Gee, isn't it a shame though, that we can't get something like this covered by insurance? Good Luck! Carol
Posted by Bob on November 6, 1999, at 21:52:09
In reply to Re: Amazin' what you learn when you ask..., posted by Carol on November 6, 1999, at 11:39:05
> ... Gee, isn't it a shame though, that we can't get something like this covered by insurance?
Well, flex spending accounts, if you're lucky enough to have one as part of your benefits at work, do cover "vitamins" that your doctor prescribes for you. Maybe with the medical information available at www.nadh.whatever, your doctor might agree to writing out a script for it for billing purposes.
Of course, my $2k in my flex account hardly covers my therapy bill over the course of a year, let alone med co-pays and pdoc visits....
Bob
Posted by jamie on November 7, 1999, at 3:12:05
In reply to one possible means of reimbursement, posted by Bob on November 6, 1999, at 21:52:09
There is another possible reimbursement. If something works, where nothing else did, the insurance company may consider covering it on an individual basis. You would have to put in a formal request, state your case, and have your doctor write something too. You have to make the case that a certain treatment is working where nothing else was as effective, with your doctor backing you up. Especially if that treatment is cheaper than other options, insurance companies will consider it. But you have to make your case and a request in writing. The worst they can do is say no. The first thing though is to verify that the treatment is going to work.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.