Dr. Atkins--Diet
Cytherea
Sorry for jumping in. But I have an important question to ask.
Is anyone here on diet by Dr. Atkins? It's the one with low carbohydrate
consumption, basically restricted sugar intake.
I am doing it right now and would like to share/exchange
stories/experiences. He's the only diet doctor that mentions psychotropic
drugs as the worst offenders when it comes to slowing down
metabolism/increasing metabolic resistance. I was on The Zone diet before by
Dr. Sears, it didn't do me any good, plus he didn't mention any drug side
effects.
I have lost 8 pounds in just 6 days! My fatigue associated with the
depression is gone and I feel better. I never felt hungry on this diet,
although I do feel strange giving up ice cream for a while.
If anybody is interested in this, please e-mail me.
Cy
Keith Hardwick
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/tophealt.html
http://www.familyinternet.com/quackwatch/index.html
Robin
It has worked very well for me in taking off weight and keeping it off. I
don't know anything about the reaction with psychotropic drugs, however, and
what I do recommend (and so does Dr. Atkins, BTW) is that you talk to your
doctor about the diet in general. My own doctor wasn't a big fan of it, but
I kept in touch with him regularly and got the blood work and so forth done
that both Dr. Atkins and my doc recommended. He may also know more about
how it will react with your meds, or your pdoc may.
Robin
Cytherea <mwd...@unix.tamu.edu> wrote in message
news:7o8qgi$8kc$1...@news.tamu.edu...
Ralph
diabetes. Prozac helps with the diet and lowering my bloodsugar.
Are we talking the same type of thing? Ralph
On Wed, 4 Aug 1999 02:34:42 -0700, "Cytherea" <mwd...@unix.tamu.edu>
wrote:
>Hello,
Lynda
Hi Keith,
> These radical diets are health frauds that will harm your health!!!
> http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/tophealt.html
> http://www.familyinternet.com/quackwatch/index.html
Thanks for posting these web sites for us :)
Yours,
Lynda (Lyn...@bigfoot.com)
Cytherea
Hi Robin,
Thanks for responding. I am going to talk to my doctor about it.
I've checked my pulse and blood pressure and they're in perfect normal
range.
I am reading the book right now and so far I am quite convinced that this
diet is going to work. My metabolism is sooo screwed up by lithium that I
can't eat my typical diet anymore (on which I never gained more than 5
pounds). I took biochemistry, biology and chemistry classes and I am a
chemistry major, when I read his scientific explanation I didn't see
anything weird or out of place. When I was on low fat diet I couldn't
function, I was tired all the time, now I am full of energy. Plus, I like
his slow approach with all the stages. With the maintenance stage I can eat
rice and pasta again, but in limited amount. As long as I am taking these
weight magnet drugs I am going to stay on the Atkins Diet.
Good luck,
Cytherea
Cytherea
Hiya Ralph,
Yeah pretty much the same thing. Although eventually I will ease off to the
Maintenance stage after going through 3 previous stages. On this stage I am
allowed to eat 'some' sugar, probably more than what the diabetics are
allowed to consume.
I feel great and more energetic, PLUS I never ever felt hungry on this diet.
My thoughts aren't preoccupied with food food food all the time cause my
stomach is adequately full. Like I said I've lost 8 pounds in 6 days. I
don't see why this is such a problem since I did gain 20 pounds in just 3
months thanks to lithium. Overall I've gained 40 pounds since the start of
all the drugs.
I am not doing this because of vanity. I just feel so uncomfortable being
overweight. I never had the supermodel type body, but at least I wasn't
overweight, at least I wasn't out of breath everytime I climb the stairs to
my apartment. I feel sluggish when I am overweight and I hate it.
Striving for a healthy body,
Cy
Ralph
I understand what you mean. I am a "big" boy so I am allowed 70grams
per meal x 3.5 meals a day. I have set up my own schedule of eating, I
eat one meal when I take my AM insulin, another meal when I take my PM
insulin, and a little snack before bedtime (probably 60 grams x 2.5
meals). My blood sugars have been in the normal range for about the
past month. I have gotten to the point where I can breathe without
becoming out of breath. Next month, I might try to actually DO
something. <grin> Good luck in getting healthy. Ralph
On Thu, 5 Aug 1999 01:13:41 -0700, "Cytherea" <mwd...@unix.tamu.edu>
wrote:
Tim Gatty
I am interested in the connection between diet/minerals and vitamins and
mental illness.
I am aware that food intolerance can cause both mental and physical symptoms
.There is reckoned to be a higher incidence of food intolerance amongst
schizophrenics compared to so called normal
people and schizophrenics are often found to have multiple intolerances.
One usually has an intolerance to those drinks/foods one takes with some
frequency.IE one craves that which is bad for one.
Do any of you have drinks/foods that you get cravings etc for?Do you find
your moods affected by what you eat or drink?
Could diet/nutritional therapy have a part to play in combating bipolar
illness even if only as an adjunct to orthodox drug therapy?
Tim
jmc
Tim Gatty <t.j....@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:7ojvgk$fb8$1...@plutonium.btinternet.com...
> What is the Dr Atkins diet and how does it help with bp?
> I am interested in the connection between diet/minerals and vitamins and
> mental illness.
me, too.very. Also, since so much research showing immune system
abnormalities in association with bipolar (don;t know about schizophr.).
> Do any of you have drinks/foods that you get cravings etc for?Do you find
> your moods affected by what you eat or drink?
> Could diet/nutritional therapy have a part to play in combating bipolar
> illness even if only as an adjunct to orthodox drug therapy?
>
> Tim
improvement? Alot was posted about a month ago. regards, julie
Tim Gatty
jmc wrote in message <7ok0rn$oo5$1...@autumn.news.rcn.net>...
No i have not read about Omega-3 fatty acids and bipolar.Can't you also get
omega-6 fatty acids?
I think that oily fish is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6.
Do you know what else is a good source of omega3 etc.?
For example do nuts contain a lot of omega3 and omega 6.
Tim
jmc
> Julie,
> No i have not read about Omega-3 fatty acids and bipolar.Can't you also
get
> omega-6 fatty acids?
> I think that oily fish is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6.
> Do you know what else is a good source of omega3 etc.?
> For example do nuts contain a lot of omega3 and omega 6.
> Tim
capsules, evidently).
julie
> Archives ofGeneral Psychiatry <..Original Article - May 1999 Omega 3
Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder A Preliminary Double-blind,
Placebo-Controlled Trial Andrew L. Stoll, MD; W. Emanuel Severus, MD, PhD;
Marlene P. Freeman, MD; Stephanie Rueter; Holly A. Zboyan; Eli Diamond;
Kimberly K. Cress, MD; Lauren B. Marangell, MD Background: 3 Fatty acids
may inhibit neuronal signal transduction pathways in a manner similar to
that of lithium carbonate and valproate, 2 effective treatments for bipolar
disorder. The present study was performed to examine whether 3 fatty acids
also exhibit mood-stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder. Methods: A
4-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, comparing 3 fatty acids
(9.6 g/d) vs placebo (olive oil), in addition to usual treatment, in 30
patients with bipolar disorder. Results: A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis
of the cohort found that the 3 fatty acid patient group had a significantly
longer period of remission than the placebo group (P=.002; Mantel-Cox). In
addition, for nearly every other outcome measure, the 3 fatty acid group
performed better than the placebo group. Conclusion: 3 Fatty acids were
well tolerated and improved the short-term course of illness in this
preliminary study of patients with bipolar disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry.
1999;56:407-412 Bipolar Disorder (manic-depressive illness) is a common
neuropsychiatric illness with a high morbidity and mortality.[1] Despite
available mood-stabilizing drugs, such as lithium carbonate and valproate,
the illness is characterized by high rates of recurrence.[1,2] Recent
research suggests that all of the currently available mood-stabilizing drugs
have inhibitory effects on neuronal signal transduction systems. These
findings have led to the hypothesis that overactive cell-signaling pathways
may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bipolar
disorder.[3-6] By using this model of mood stabilizer action based on
suppression of neuronal signal transduction mechanisms, novel
mood-stabilizing agents can be rationally developed. One promising group of
compounds is the 3 fatty acids, obtained from marine or plant sources.[7]
Among other effects, the ingestion of large amounts of 3 fatty acids is
associated with a general dampening of signal transduction pathways
associated with phosphatidylinositol, arachidonic acid, and other
systems.[8,9] Thus, 3 fatty acids may be useful in conditions such as
bipolar disorder, where the pathophysiological process may involve
overactivity of cell signal transduction. We hypothesized that orally
administered 3 fatty acids would exhibit inhibitory effects on signal
transduction mechanisms in human neuronal membranes, and that high-dose 3
fatty acids would be an effective mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. The
goal of this preliminary study was to assess the subacute mood-stabilizing
effects of 3 fatty acids in patients with unstable bipolar disorder.
PATIENTS AND METHODS OVERVIEW This was a 4-month, parallel-group,
placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study in which outpatients with
bipolar disorder were randomized to receive either 3 fatty acids or
placebo, in addition to their ongoing usual treatment. PATIENTS
Participating subjects were men and women, 18 to 65 years old, who met
DSM-IV[10] criteria for bipolar disorder (types I or II), and were free of
notable medical and psychiatric comorbidity. The diagnosis of bipolar
disorder was established by means of all available clinical information,
including the mood disorder module of the Structured Clinical Interview for
DSM-IV.[11] Patients were required to have had at least 1 manic or hypomanic
episode within the past year, because the expected high risk of recurrence
in this subgroup[1] enhanced the power of the study to detect a difference
between the 2 treatment groups within the study period. Forty percent of the
study cohort had rapid-cycling symptoms, defined as 4 or more mood episodes
in the 1 year before enrollment in the study.[12] Patients were permitted to
continue with their outpatient psychiatrist or psychotherapist, but no new
psychotherapy treatment was started. Subjects receiving other medications at
study entry continued to receive these medications at constant dosages,
whether or not they were in the therapeutic range. Table 1 <oa8185t1.htm>
summarizes the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study
subjects. This study was approved by the human studies committees of Brigham
and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,
Tex, and all participating patients gave written informed consent after
receiving a full explanation of the study. STUDY PROCEDURES During the
baseline visit, a detailed psychiatric and medical history was obtained, and
the following standard rating scales were performed: Structured Clinical
Interview for DSM-IV screening questions for current mania and depression,
Young Mania Rating Scale[13] (11-item structured interview version),
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression[14] (31-item structured interview
version), investigator- and patient-rated Clinical Global Impression
scale,[15] the Global Assessment Scale,[10] and a brief adverse-effect
rating scale. The rating scales were repeated during office visits at weeks
2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16. Because of a presumed delay in the therapeutic
effects of 3 fatty acids, a priori criteria mandated that subjects remain
in the study for 30 days or more to be included in the analysis. Identical
gelatin capsules containing concentrated 3 fatty acid ethyl esters or
placebo (olive oil ethyl esters) were obtained from the Fish Oil Test
Materials Program, a joint research program of the National Institutes of
Health and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Each capsule of 3 fatty
acid concentrate contained 440 mg of eicosapentanoic acid (C20:5, 3) and 240
mg of docosahexanoic acid (C22:6, 3), which was vacuum deodorized and
supplemented with tertiary-butylhydroquinone, 0.2 mg/g, and tocopherols, 2
mg/g, as antioxidants. The source of the 3 fatty acids was menhaden fish
body oil concentrate. Subjects were randomized by the Brigham and Women's
Hospital Research Pharmacy to receive either 3 fatty acid treatment or
placebo. The randomization was stratified according to sex, the presence or
absence of concurrent lithium treatment, and the presence or absence of
rapid cycling. Subjects received 7 capsules twice daily, for a total daily
3 fatty acid dosage of 6.2 g of eicosapentanoic acid and 3.4 g of
docosahexanoic acid. Patients randomized to placebo also received 7
identical capsules twice daily. A relatively high dosage of eicosapentanoic
acid and docosahexanoic acid was used, because similar doses have been
safely and effectively administered in other disease states. Furthermore,
because of the lack of data regarding the effective dosage of 3 fatty acids
in mood disorders, a relatively high dosage was chosen to avoid a
potentially ineffective low dose. Blood levels of 3 fatty acids were not
monitored in this trial. OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measure chosen
a priori was the duration of time to exit double-blind treatment because of
symptoms of bipolar disorder of sufficient severity to warrant a change in
medication. Specifically, patients ended their participation in the study
and treatment was considered to have change in medication. Specifically,
patients ended their participation in the study and treatment was considered
to have failed if mood symptoms emerged, or continued beyond 30 days in
patients who were not euthymic at baseline. Hence, duration of time in the
study represented an overall measure of treatment efficacy. The two blinded
principal investigators (A.L.S. and L.B.M.), in collaboration with each
patient, were responsible for the decision whether to end a patient's
participation in the study. Secondary outcome measures were the results of
the Young Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Clinical
Global Impression, and Global Assessment Scale ratings, before and after
treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS A power calculation was performed before
the study to determine the appropriate sample size. Assuming a large effect
size, we calculated that 60 patients (including dropouts) would be
sufficient to demonstrate a difference between the 2 arms at 90% power with
an <.05. The study was originally intended to include 60 randomized
patients, each for 9 months of double-blind treatment. However, an
unexpected cessation of production by the National Marine Fisheries Fish Oil
Program led to a shortage of material. Simultaneously, a preplanned,
blinded, interim analysis performed when 20 subjects had either failed
treatment or completed 4 months suggested significant differences between
the groups. The combination of these 2 factors led us to end accrual and
then reanalyze the data after 30 patients had either failed treatment or
completed at least 4 months of follow-up. A standard sequential design would
prescribe looking for a P value of .02 or less to signal significance on the
first interim analysis, and a P value of .04 or less to signal significance
on the final analysis. Because of the 2 factors cited above, the results in
this study fall between the interim and final analysis, and the P value
designating significance could be taken conservatively as .015 or liberally
as .042. A Kaplan-Meier "survival" analysis (Mantel-Cox log-rank statistic;
df=1) was used to compare the duration of remission in the 2 groups. The
rating scale scores on the last day of the study for each patient were used
as the "final" data points (last observation carried forward). Categorical
variables were analyzed by means of the Fisher exact test. Continuous
variables were examined with the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test.
Statistical significance for the primary outcome measure was set at <.01 (2
tailed). Forty-four patients were randomized, but only 30 had evaluable
data, based on the a priori criteria for inclusion. Four subjects dropped
out before the 1 month point because of noncompliance with the study
protocol (n=2), gastrointestinal tract side effects (n=1), or concern over
the possibility of receiving placebo (n=1). The remaining 10 subjects had
not yet reached the 4-month end point required for the main outcome measure
when the trial was ended and therefore were not included in the analysis.
RESULTS The results for the 30 patients with evaluable data, as defined
above, are presented herein. There were no significant differences in the
demographic and baseline clinical characteristics of the 3 fatty acid and
placebo groups (Table 1). Figure 1 <oa8185f1.htm> depicts a Kaplan-Meier
survival analysis of the study cohort. The duration of time remaining in the
study was significantly greater in the 3 fatty acid-treated group when
compared with placebo (P=.002; Mantel-Cox, log-rank statistic, ²1=9.990).
The time to a 50% rate of ending the study prematurely ("nonresponse") was
65 days for the placebo group, reflecting the unstable nature of the study
population. A post hoc analysis was also performed for the subgroup of 8
subjects who entered the study while receiving no other mood-stabilizing
drugs. As was observed in the whole study cohort, the 4 subjects who
received 3 monotherapy remained in remission for a significantly longer
time than the 4 subjects who received placebo monotherapy (Figure 2
<oa8185f2.htm>; P=.04; Mantel-Cox). Other post hoc analyses showed that sex,
the presence or absence of rapid cycling, and the type of bipolar disorder
(I vs II) did not predict response to 3 fatty acids, although the number of
subjects in each cell was small. Table 1 displays the comparison of the
secondary outcome measures between the 3 and placebo groups. For nearly
every outcome measure, the 3 fatty acid group performed better than the
placebo group. Three patients developed side effects of the study drug and
were permitted to lower the dosage to a minimum of 5 capsules twice daily.
The most common adverse effect in both the 3 and olive oil groups was mild
gastrointestinal tract distress, generally characterized by loose stools. Of
the patients with adverse effect data at week 4 of the trial, 8 (62%) of 13
3-treated subjects complained of mild gastrointestinal tract side effects,
whereas 8 (53%) of 15 placebo-treated subjects experienced gastrointestinal
tract side effects (P=.72 by Fisher exact test; 2 subjects with missing
data). No other adverse effects appeared with significant frequency or
severity, and overall the patients tolerated the trial well. No research
subjects were hospitalized or developed marked suicidal ideation or
behavior. Demographic and clinical data for each subject are listed in Table
2 <oa8185t2.htm>. COMMENT 3 Fatty acids used as an adjunctive treatment
in bipolar disorder resulted in significant symptom reduction and a better
outcome when compared with placebo in this pilot study. Improvement was
significantly greater in the 3 fatty acid group than the olive oil control
group on almost every assessment measure. The striking difference in relapse
rates and response appeared to be highly clinically significant. These
pilot results are intriguing and suggest that the addition of 3 fatty acids
improved the subacute course of illness in this cohort of patients with
bipolar disorder. The baseline clinical state of the research subjects in
this study did not permit an evaluation of the antimanic effects of 3 fatty
acids. Although the study was also not designed to provide definitive data
on antidepressant effects, most of the patients receiving placebo who were
considered treatment failures exhibited depressive exacerbations or
recurrence. The suggestion of antidepressant effects of 3 fatty acids in
this cohort of patients is noteworthy and warrants further study. Although
this was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, several methodological
factors must be considered. The mixture of bipolar types I and II, varied
mood states at study entry, and varying concomitant medications was a less
rigorous design than in the ideal clinical trial. The variability in the
clinical profiles of the study patients was controlled to some degree by
stratifying the randomization for sex, concurrent lithium treatment, and
rapid cycling. It would be ideal, although impossible in a small study, also
to stratify for other variables. However, the randomization did result in a
comparable representation of key variables in the active and control groups,
including concomitant medications and baseline mood state. A further
concern is the potential compromise of the blind. A distinct "fishy"
aftertaste was episodically reported by subjects in both groups, but more
often in the 3 group. When patients were asked to guess their randomization
status, 86% of the 3 group guessed correctly, compared with 63% of the
placebo group. Although in some cases the guess was based on the presence of
a fishy aftertaste, in many cases it was based on the patient's perceived
clinical response (or lack thereof in the placebo group). Correctly guessing
a putative active treatment in the presence of a good clinical response is
probably unavoidable. However, the possibility that the 3 group exhibited a
placebo effect must be considered. Future studies to replicate and extend
these findings should consider strategies to improve the blind, such as
using a lower dose of 3 fatty acids to reduce the frequency of the fishy
aftertaste, or alternatively adding a small amount of a fishy-tasting
substance to the placebo. If the results of this study are correct, and 3
fatty acids do possess mood-stabilizing action, then there are tangible
implications for our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of
bipolar disorder and for the development of future treatments. Biochemical
studies of human white blood cells show that high-dose therapy with 3 fatty
acids leads to the incorporation of these polyunsaturated compounds into the
membrane phospholipids crucial for cell signaling.[8,16] Increased
concentrations of 3 fatty acids in membrane phospholipids appears to
suppress phosphatidylinositol-associated signal transduction pathways.[8,16]
The precise mechanism of this effect remains unclear. However, the
incorporation of the polyunsaturated 3 fatty acids into the lipid bilayer
of the cell membrane alters the physical and chemical properties of the
membrane,[17] possibly producing a local environment in which the membrane
phospholipids are more resistant to hydrolysis by phospholipases. This could
result in reduced generation of the second messenger molecules
diacylglycerol and inositol triphosphate, thereby producing less activation
of "downstream" intracellular signaling molecules, such as protein kinase C
and calcium ion (Figure 3 <oa8185f3.htm>). As in peripheral tissues, the 3
fatty acids are also highly incorporated into neuronal phospholipids in
animal models.[18] Thus, it is possible that the 3 fatty acids also inhibit
signal transduction mechanisms in the human central nervous system. Recent
work by several investigators[3-6] strongly suggests that the mechanism of
action of typical mood stabilizers, such as lithium and valproate, involves
a similar inhibition of postsynaptic signal transduction processes (Figure
3). Our results support other data suggesting that the mechanism of action
of mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder is the suppression of aberrant
signal transduction pathways. This is consistent with a model of abnormal
signal transduction as the pathophysiological basis of bipolar disorder. If
further studies confirm their efficacy in bipolar disorder, 3 fatty acids
may represent a new class of membrane-active psychotropic compounds, and may
herald the advent of a new class of rationally designed mood-stabilizing
drugs. From the Psychopharmacology Unit, Division of Psychiatry, Brigham
and Women's Hospital (Drs Stoll, Severus, and Freeman, Ms Rueter, and Mr
Diamond), and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (Drs Stoll
and Freeman), Boston, Mass; Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany (Dr
Severus); and Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,
Tex (Ms Zboyan and Drs Cress and Marangell). Dr Stoll is now with the
Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass, and
continues with the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.
Accepted for publication October 2, 1998. This study was supported in part
by a grant from the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and
Depression (NARSAD), Chicago, Ill (Drs Stoll and Marangell). Capsules of 3
fatty acids and matching olive oil placebo were provided by the Fish Oil
Test Materials Program, a joint research program of the National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Md, and the Southeastern Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Charleston, SC. Presented in part at the 36th Annual
Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Waikoloa,
Hawaii, December 10, 1997. We thank John Orav, PhD, for his assistance with
the statistical analysis. Reprints: Andrew L. Stoll, MD, Psychopharmacology
Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478
(e-mail: als...@mclean.harvard.edu <mailto:als...@mclean.harvard.edu>).
Lynda
Hi Tim,
> What is the Dr Atkins diet and how does it help with bp?
It is a ketogenic diet....high fat, low carbohydrate. I am not sure
about the claims re: BP but some authorities feel a high protein diet
does help BP illness. Of course a prolonged high protein diet can be
potentially harmful to the kidneys as they work to eliminate nitrogenous
compounds that are formmed from the catabolism of protein foods.
> I am interested in the connection between diet/minerals and vitamins and
> mental illness. I am aware that food intolerance can cause both mental and
> physical symptoms .There is reckoned to be a higher incidence of food
> intolerance amongst schizophrenics compared to so called normal people and
> schizophrenics are often found to have multiple intolerances.
Yes that is my understanding as well.
> One usually has an intolerance to those drinks/foods one takes with some
> frequency.IE one craves that which is bad for one. Do any of you have
> drinks/foods that you get cravings etc for?
I have to be careful with chocoalate.
>Do you find your moods affected by what you eat or drink? Could
>diet/nutritional therapy have a part to play in combating bipolar
>illness even if only as an adjunct to orthodox drug therapy?
>
I have always believe that a nutritionally sound diet, eliminating
refined carbohydrtaes and saturated fats coupled with a physical,
activity program were important adjuncts in the management of BP
illness. Caffeiene and alcohol consumption also need to be restricted as
many appera to overindulge and need a quickstart with caffeine, as well
as comedown with alcohol.
Other modalities are also used as adjuncts: Meditation, Yoga, Martial
Arts, even acupuncture.
Peace,
Lynda (Lyn...@bigfoot.com)
Lynda
Hi Tim,
Here is some info on Omega 3 FA...these are the ones implicated in BP
illness. My pdoc advised me to take 2 tbl. of flaxseed oil/day. It has
to be refrigerated. You can buy fish oil capsules but I prefer the
falxseed oil.
> Julie,
> No i have not read about Omega-3 fatty acids and bipolar.Can't you also get
> omega-6 fatty acids?
Yes you can.
> I think that oily fish is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6.
> Do you know what else is a good source of omega3 etc.?
> For example do nuts contain a lot of omega3 and omega 6.
Lynda <LyndaNPr...@bigfoot.com> wrote in
http://www.washingtonpost.com:80/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-04/27/105l-042799-id
x.html
>
> A brief citation:
>
> ""The group taking the fish oil was performing strikingly better than
> the placebo group, including significantly longer periods of
> remission," said Andrew L. Stoll, director of the
> Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at Harvard Medical
> School/McLean Hospital. "A decision was made to stop the trial on
> ethical grounds."
>
> Based on those promising findings, Stoll said, the National
> Institutes of Health (NIH) has given preliminary approval for a
> larger fish oil trial starting this summer. That trial, at McLean
> and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, would include 120 people
> suffering from manic depression and would last for three years.
>
> "If this works, it would be one of the most exciting findings in
> psychiatry in the past 20 years," said Jerry Cott, chief of the
> psychopharmacology research program at the National Institute of
> Mental Health. "This is the first time we would be testing a
> nutritional supplement that appears to be having efficacy about to
> the degree of a synthetic medication.""
>
>
Web links about fish oil and depression:
>
> Docosahexaenoic acid fights depression
> http://vvv.com/healthnews/ddiet6.html
> http://199.60.118.2/HealthNews/ddiet6.html
>
> Fish oil seen cutting risk of mental illness
>
http://www.boston.com:80/dailyglobe/globehtml/247/Fish_oil_seen_cutting_
risk_of _menta.shtml
>
> Researchers: Fat in the diet may affect mental ability
> http://cnn.com:80/HEALTH/9809/04/fat.brains/
>
> Fish May Cast Away Depression
> - Fish Oil Compounds Can Effect Seratonin Levels
> - Consumption Of Oil May Reduce Depression
> http://www.cbs.com:80/prd1/now/template.display?p_story=77828&p_who=network
>
>
> MedLine references:
>
> Joseph R Hibbeln. Fish consumption and major depression. The Lancet,
> Volume 351, Number 9110 18, April 1998.
>
http://www.thelancet.com/newlancet/r0eg/issues/vol351no9110/corresponden
ce1213
_
> 1.html
>
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=9643729&form=6&d
b=m&Dop
> t=b
>
> Peet M, Murphy B, Shay J, Horrobin D. Depletion of omega-3 fatty acid
> levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive patients. Biol Psychiatry
> 1998 Mar 1;43(5):315-319
>
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=9513745&form=6&d
b=m&Dop
> t=b
>
> Edwards R, Peet M, Shay J, Horrobin D. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
> levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients.
> J Affect Disord 1998 Mar;48(2-3):149-155
>
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=9543204&form=6&d
b=m&Dopt=b
>
> Maes M, Smith R, Christophe A, Cosyns P, Desnyder R, Meltzer H. Fatty acid
> composition in major depression: decreased omega 3 fractions in
> cholesteryl esters and increased C20: 4 omega 6/C20:5 omega 3 ratio in
> cholesteryl esters and phospholipids. J Affect Disord 1996 Apr
> 26;38(1):35-46
>
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b=m&Dopt=b
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> Adams PB, Lawson S, Sanigorski A, Sinclair AJ. Arachidonic acid to
> eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in blood correlates positively with clinical
> symptoms of depression. Lipids 1996 Mar;31 Suppl:S157-S161
>
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b=m&Dopt=b
>
> Hibbeln JR, Salem N Jr. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and
> depression: when cholesterol does not satisfy. Am J Clin Nutr 1995 Jul
> 62:1 1-9
>
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=7598049&form=6&d
b=m&Dopt=b
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> Hibbeln JR, et al. Essential fatty acids predict metabolites of serotonin
> and dopamine in cerebrospinal fluid among healthy control subjects, and
> early- and late-onset alcoholics. Biol Psychiatry. 1998 Aug
> 15;44(4):235-42.
>
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> Hibbeln JR, et al. A replication study of violent and nonviolent subjects:
> cerebrospinal fluid metabolites of serotonin and dopamine are predicted by
> plasma essential fatty acids. Biol Psychiatry. 1998 Aug 15;44(4):243-9.
>
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b=m&Dopt=b
--
Lynda (Lyn...@bigfoot.com)
Keith Hardwick
>Could diet/nutritional therapy have a part to play in combating bipolar
>illness even if only as an adjunct to orthodox drug therapy?
Yes, but <only> with the help of a trained dietician. Trendy diets like the
Atkins diet can seriously harm your body in ways that may not show up for years,
if they don't kill you now. As a general rule, any "doctor" who publishes
paperback diet books is a quack who will laugh all the way to the bank while you
harm yourself.
"Dr. Atkins" is on a list of sources that should <not> be relied upon for
medical information, maintained by the US government.
Keith
Ralph
I do not know if this is valid as a fact, but my observation has been
that Calcium, Magnesium, and B-Complex greatly improves my depressions
if I remember to take them. Ralph
On Sun, 8 Aug 1999 13:46:42 +0100, "Tim Gatty"
<t.j....@btinternet.com> wrote:
>What is the Dr Atkins diet and how does it help with bp?
>I am interested in the connection between diet/minerals and vitamins and
>mental illness.
>I am aware that food intolerance can cause both mental and physical symptoms
>.There is reckoned to be a higher incidence of food intolerance amongst
>schizophrenics compared to so called normal
>people and schizophrenics are often found to have multiple intolerances.
>One usually has an intolerance to those drinks/foods one takes with some
>frequency.IE one craves that which is bad for one.
>Do any of you have drinks/foods that you get cravings etc for?Do you find
>your moods affected by what you eat or drink?
>Could diet/nutritional therapy have a part to play in combating bipolar
>illness even if only as an adjunct to orthodox drug therapy?
>
>Tim
>
Scott Woodard
problem people are having with low carbohydrate diets wile taking medications
(especially mood stabilizers such as lithium or depicote) is that low
carbohydrates means high protein. And like many medications protein is broken
down in the liver, and to much protein along with certain medications can
overwork the liver, so I would just like to pass on to you the advice my doctor
gave me if you are going to go on a low carb. high protein diet you might want
to have your liver checked on a regular basses.
Your Bipolar Friend: Scott W.
richar...@hotmail.com
consumption and depression in some people, and I found this post. It
reminded me of my own experience. DON'T consider this a cureall for
depression for everyone, just an example of my own experience.
Well, I wanted to lose weight. My weight was up to 210 lbs. and
climbing. I decided to start on Dr. Atkins diet, and then I borrowed
from other low carb schools of thought, and sort of created my own diet
plan. Well, about 5-6 months later, my weight is down to around 170
lbs and hold. Basically, the only change was eliminating carbs from
the diet. For me, it worked, because I don't cook and food elimination
was easier than a major shift in the diet.
Anyhow, why I am writing. Well, when I started, within a week, I
noticed something interesting. For pretty much my entire life, I kept
running a low grade depression. I would never really get up, except
for moments would be manic and nature, and I would tend to run low
grade depression. Even when things were fine, I would still feel down.
When things were stressful or down, I would get really depressed. The
funny thing was that by limiting carbs, mostly sugars of all types and
white products, my depression cleared up. It is like a doom cloud
lifted.
Anyhow, this is my experience. I think there is a possible link here.
Perhaps excess consumption of white flour and sugars can cause
depression in some people (or make people more sensitive to getting
depressed). I had struggled with depression much of my life, with
myself (I didn't do medication) seeking professional help, even having
thoughts of suicide at certain points in my life.
I was reminded again of this because yesterday, over a multiple hour
period, I had like 6 sugary donuts that resulted in depression setting
on again a few hours later.
All I can say is that this might be an avenue worth looking into...
- Richard Hutnik
In article <7o8qgi$8kc$1...@news.tamu.edu>,
"Cytherea" <mwd...@unix.tamu.edu> wrote:
> Hello,
> Sorry for jumping in. But I have an important question to ask.
> Is anyone here on diet by Dr. Atkins? It's the one with low
carbohydrate
> consumption, basically restricted sugar intake.
> I am doing it right now and would like to share/exchange
> stories/experiences. He's the only diet doctor that mentions
psychotropic
> drugs as the worst offenders when it comes to slowing down
> metabolism/increasing metabolic resistance. I was on The Zone diet
before by
> Dr. Sears, it didn't do me any good, plus he didn't mention any drug
side
> effects.
> I have lost 8 pounds in just 6 days! My fatigue associated with the
> depression is gone and I feel better. I never felt hungry on this
diet,
> although I do feel strange giving up ice cream for a while.
>
> If anybody is interested in this, please e-mail me.
>
> Cy
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Lynda
Hi Richard,
> I was on Dejanews, trying to find posts on the link between sugar
> consumption and depression in some people, and I found this post.
There is a connection.
> It reminded me of my own experience. DON'T consider this a cureall for
> depression for everyone, just an example of my own experience.
Okay.
>
> Well, I wanted to lose weight. My weight was up to 210 lbs. and climbing.
> I decided to start on Dr. Atkins diet, and then I borrowed from other low
> carb schools of thought, and sort of created my own diet plan. Well,
> about 5-6 months later, my weight is down to around 170 lbs and hold.
> Basically, the only change was eliminating carbs from the diet. For me,
> it worked, because I don't cook and food elimination was easier than a
> major shift in the diet.
Are you referring to refined carbohydrates?
>
> Anyhow, why I am writing. Well, when I started, within a week, I noticed
> something interesting. For pretty much my entire life, I kept running a
> low grade depression. I would never really get up, except for moments
> would be manic and nature, and I would tend to run low grade depression.
> Even when things were fine, I would still feel down. When things were
> stressful or down, I would get really depressed. The funny thing was that
> by limiting carbs, mostly sugars of all types and white products, my
> depression cleared up. It is like a doom cloud lifted.
I believe that many people have food sensitivities. Our meds often
result in increased appetite manily for refined carbohydrtaes (sugar,
white flour). I have eliminated fat and refined foods from my diet but I
do eat complesx carbohydrates.
>
> Anyhow, this is my experience. I think there is a possible link here.
> Perhaps excess consumption of white flour and sugars can cause depression
> in some people (or make people more sensitive to getting depressed). I
> had struggled with depression much of my life, with myself (I didn't do
> medication) seeking professional help, even having thoughts of suicide at
> certain points in my life.
Have you told your pdoc about this?
>
> I was reminded again of this because yesterday, over a multiple hour
> period, I had like 6 sugary donuts that resulted in depression setting on
> again a few hours later.
No surprise to me....rebound effect by the rapid increase of blood
glucose to the brain.
>
> All I can say is that this might be an avenue worth looking into...
Thanks for your post. I do believe that nutrition plays a vital part in
the treatment and mangement of BP illness. Unfortunately, it is rarely
addressed by pdocs.
I do not agree with Atkins' emphais on high protein fooda as there is
too much demand on the kidney which has to deal with Nitrogenous
compounds that form fro the breakdown of protein.
I support a moderate protein, complex carbiohydrate eating plan, and
limiting saturated fat intake to less than 20 grams a day. It is
important to eat monosaturated fats (olive oil) daily as well as
polyunsaturated fats (corn oil, canola oil, vegetable oil).
Peace,
Lynda (Lyn...@bigfoot.com)