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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jakeman on February 19, 2006, at 13:54:55
In reply to WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 17, 2006, at 11:13:01
> Try 1 gram of inositol, and Cocoa 75 + grams.
>
> The cocoa can be bought bulk, it is hard to down (split it up), but the combination is really really mood brightening !!
>
> LinkadgeLink,
Can you elaborate. Did you used the powdered, grocery store type of cocoa? How long did the effect last? Did you feel energized, more social?
When I first tried theanine I thought I'd found the holy grail. It calmed and sharpened my mind, and I was more positive and outgoing. But it quit working after a couple of trials.
warm regards ~Jake
Posted by robot on February 19, 2006, at 19:36:17
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol » linkadge, posted by jakeman on February 19, 2006, at 13:54:55
DOnt know much about inositol, but I just started eating a bit of dark chocolate every evening--the good stuff, quality 88% cocoa. But thats stuff's too expensive for a regimine even if it tastes so good!
Ive been taking a couple teaspoons a day of cinnamon; someone wrote about that on this forum reently. Just a teaspoon really does take the edge off of my dullness, and quickly too.
Im curious to see what kind of bulk cocoa my health food store has. I might go there tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by robot on February 19, 2006, at 19:38:46
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol » linkadge, posted by jakeman on February 19, 2006, at 13:54:55
Im excited about using basic stuff like cocoa and cinnamon etc...theyre cheap to try! I also read recently about tumeric. Has anyone here tried that?
Turns out spices are really good for us.
Posted by JayDee on February 19, 2006, at 20:59:49
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 17, 2006, at 16:17:26
> Yeah, I've read about such extracts. Pure cocoa powder is unsweatened. I don't know how it compares in price.
>
> Linkadgebut doesnt cocoa still have fat and sugar?
Posted by rod on February 20, 2006, at 8:25:58
In reply to WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 17, 2006, at 11:13:01
So, do you think you finally found something that works? Is there still the need to "research" and search for drugs?
Just curious ;-)
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:45:00
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol » linkadge, posted by jakeman on February 19, 2006, at 13:54:55
No I've just been consuming about 75 grams of pure cocoa powder a day.
I have noticed some clear improvements in my mood. It does contain a little caffiene, but I am thinking that the real effect is due to its amino acid content.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:46:44
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by robot on February 19, 2006, at 19:36:17
Thats funny, cinnamon in the literature is used as a mild mental stimulant.
I too was eating those $4.00 dark chocolate bars a day. They'd give me a buzz, but it was too expensive, so I recently just been eating the pure cocoa.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:50:49
In reply to Re: tumeric, posted by robot on February 19, 2006, at 19:38:46
Turmeric does have antidepressant proeprties. It is a MAO-A, MAO-B inhibitor.
It is a strong anti-inflamitory, so the point has been rased about weather or not it is safe to take high doses in that regard.
My current regiment is:
Vitamin Pill
Inositol 1g
Fish Oil (1g EPA)
Zinc + Magnesium
50-100g cocoa powder
5-6g turmeric powder.
Note, chocolate also contains some compounds (beta carbolines) that are reversable inhibitors of MAO-A and B. I am feeling much better than I ever did on pharmacudicals. My day is simply getting easier because my general cognition is returning.Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:51:58
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by JayDee on February 19, 2006, at 20:59:49
Cocoa contains fat, but I don't think unsweetened cocoa contains sugar, it is bitter as he**.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:54:07
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol » linkadge, posted by rod on February 20, 2006, at 8:25:58
Well, part of the fun is trying new things.
Over the years, through experimentation, one finds things that seem to work the best.
I've been taking fish oil constantly for 7 years now.
It needs to be played by ear. Sometimes supplement effects don't last forever. Sometimes unique livetime circumstances require stronger effects :)
Take Care
Linadge
Posted by honeybee on February 20, 2006, at 15:51:03
In reply to Re: tumeric, posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:50:49
Linkdage,
How many different kinds of supplements do you think that you've tried in that time? Greatest hits?
hb
Posted by robot on February 20, 2006, at 17:04:50
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 20, 2006, at 8:45:00
Thats alot of cocoa... I just picked up some but I think Ill just do a few grams.
Also, picked up inositol for the first time, need to read up on it. I hate trying 2 things at once for the first time but I just might this time.> No I've just been consuming about 75 grams of pure cocoa powder a day.
>
> I have noticed some clear improvements in my mood. It does contain a little caffiene, but I am thinking that the real effect is due to its amino acid content.
>
>
>
> Linkadge
Posted by robot on February 20, 2006, at 17:19:29
In reply to WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 17, 2006, at 11:13:01
Is myo-inositol the best kind?
What about other kinds? I just picked up plain old inositol, $10 Solaray brand and IM afraid I wasted my money.
> Try 1 gram of inositol, and Cocoa 75 + grams.
>
> The cocoa can be bought bulk, it is hard to down (split it up), but the combination is really really mood brightening !!
>
> Linkadge
Posted by Loops on February 20, 2006, at 20:20:32
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by robot on February 20, 2006, at 17:19:29
Hi -
cocoa is a strange substance - I've been drinking this twice a day for the past month or so as cocoa on its own is low-carb (and I am following lc eating right now). I find it helps me sleep - I always thought that was due to the magnesium content. If you're wondering about it's nutritional content go to nutritiondata.com and enter it in the box. However nutritiondata doesn't tell you everything of course.
Glad you're having such success Linkage - it's about time no?
Loops
Posted by linkadge on February 21, 2006, at 10:21:34
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by Loops on February 20, 2006, at 20:20:32
Cocoa also helps me sleep! Chocolate contains certain compounds that inhibit the reputake of anandamide.
Anandamide is an endocannabanoid that helps to regulate sleep and pain preception.
Linkadge
Posted by robot on February 21, 2006, at 20:40:40
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 21, 2006, at 10:21:34
Wow. The gram or so of cocoa really relaxed me, made me motivated, had the best session of playing guitar/singing list night that Ive had in a LONG time. Skipped the inositol for time being. Playing better, and enjoying it alot.
BUT. I took it in the late afternoon and even at 2 am, when I went to bed, I just could NOT get to sleep. I felt so activated. NOw, I have been meditating alot lately (which decreases my need for sleep) and taking caffeine (tea) in the afternoons, but I was doing this in the days before and never had any trouble getting to sleep. FInally did get to sleep, but woke up like 1.5 hours later.
My mind's eye was clearer, remembered in more detail a person I knew a long time ago. Definitely not a placebo effect. My whole body felt softer.
Took 500 mg inositol and 1.5mg melatonin and that helped me sleep.
Today took 1 tblspoon of cocoa before work and it made me more social, generally more *interested*. Feeling more connected to myself, my memories, the world, that kind of thing.
Certainly makes me feel unhungry.> Cocoa also helps me sleep! Chocolate contains certain compounds that inhibit the reputake of anandamide.
>
> Anandamide is an endocannabanoid that helps to regulate sleep and pain preception.
>
> Linkadge
>
Posted by LOOPS on February 22, 2006, at 11:15:21
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by robot on February 21, 2006, at 20:40:40
Regarding sleep -
cocoa is quite high in copper, which might upset sleep? I know that zinc seems to help me sleep (along with Ca/Mg). Also things which have a motivational effect on me usually end up giving me insomnia.
Loops
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:23:20
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by robot on February 21, 2006, at 20:40:40
I love running, and I found that the beneficial effects of running were enhanced by dark chocolate, but not light milk chocolate.
I've reduced my regime to a vitamin pill, fish oil, and lots of cocoa.Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:26:14
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by LOOPS on February 22, 2006, at 11:15:21
I found that time released vitamin C (500-1000mg) can really help agitation that develops near bedtime for myself.
Vitamin C, has antiglutamatergic, and antidopaminergic effects, it also reduces cortisol. It had always worked as a chill pill if I had too much coffee during the day.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:28:15
In reply to Re: WOW Cocoa and Inositol, posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:26:14
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:30:58
In reply to See www.chocolate.org (nm), posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:28:15
If you really want a boost, you can take your cocoa with fo-ti, a chineese herb which is probably one of the strongest documented herbal MAO-B inhibitors.
Be carefull, this is intense!
It'll get you out of the bed in the morning though.
Linkadge
Posted by LOOPS on February 23, 2006, at 6:27:34
In reply to Re: See www.chocolate.org, posted by linkadge on February 22, 2006, at 16:30:58
I think it's so cool when we discover something simple and natural that really helps - it does seem rather obvious that chocolate (or rather, the REAL stuff cocoa) should have such a positive effect on mood. Then again, it is easy to get blinded by the bajillion new supplements/vitamins that promise this and that (not saying they don't help mind).
So I'm interested in vitamin C and cortisol - you recken 1g will lower cortisol albeit temporarily? I can only get the ascorbic pills here (gnc) so I alwyas worry about overdoing it and getting a P imbalance.
My sleep is crrrap right now and I keep getting ill with chest infections. I'm on zopiclone every night to sleep, plus 1000 supplements that SHOULD induce sleep, but never really do the job. At least now after a week the zopiclone isn't making me depressed in the day.
Ooops, hijack waffle - sorry! I'm off to find some cocoa.
Loops
Posted by linkadge on February 23, 2006, at 10:40:19
In reply to Hi Linkadge, posted by LOOPS on February 23, 2006, at 6:27:34
I found that the combination of vitamin C, and melatonin worked well.
Yeah, vitamin C has one of its highest concentrations in the adrenal glands. It is recomended to body builders as an anticatabolic agent.
Vitamin C has some antipsychotic properties. It can antagonize the effects of many stimulants in animal models.
I find that if I have had coffee too late in the day, and I am a little too wired, that vitamin C can help me unwire.
BTW, cocoa also has a high content of substances called beta carbolines. THey are present in tobacco smoke and are reversable inhibitors of MAO-A, and MAO-B. To what degree a heavy chocolate consumer can alter MAO is still in question however.Linkadge
Posted by LOOPS on February 23, 2006, at 14:39:34
In reply to Re: Hi Linkadge, posted by linkadge on February 23, 2006, at 10:40:19
How much melatonin did you take?
I was taking 1mg every night with much success - recently it stopped working, which is not unusual I believe. Should I up my dose or what? I take a bunch of stuff to sleep, then 1/2 my zopiclone/ambien if I still can't 'get there'.
I noticed the only night so far I didn't have to take a sleeping pill, was the night I took extra zinc and vitamin C (in addition to the usual stuff). Oh, and thiamin seems to help, but that's probably because I still drink wine.
Cocoa give me acne - but I don't care, it tastes good (although not as good as before I started taking Mg).
Loops
Posted by linkadge on February 23, 2006, at 15:09:47
In reply to Re: Hi Linkadge, posted by LOOPS on February 23, 2006, at 14:39:34
If I do take melatonin I usually take 3mg. I have noticed that after a break of 3-4 days it usually works again.
Its good to have an armorarium of sleep aids, then you can cycle them as necessary.
Linkadge
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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