a true natural remedy? - Page 7

[KatSG]

GABA is what I take before I go to bed. I fall asleep really easily, it's a restful sleep, and I notice it when I don't take it. My husband finds that it's hard to wake up in the AM when he takes it, however. And my friend's husband found that it made him weepy. Just a reminder to keep in mind your own needs and adjust as neccesary.

Something that I keep forgetting to mention, and dh and I always need to remind ourselves of this, is that The Mood Cure book isn't just about pushing supplements. She would really like to see people eat more real protein, esp. fish, and get their aminos that way. The supplements are meant to be just that, supplemental.

Now that I'm in the very last stages of pregnancy I can really see the difference between this pg and last pg, when I didn't get enough protein. I've barely been swollen at all, and I feel a lot more relaxed. I slacked on my protein in the last week and got really cranky. As soon as I upped it, and upped my supplements (tyrosine and 5-HTP) I felt a lot better. It's making coping with these last weeks a lot easier, esp. with my 2 year old!

[Panserbjorne]

ITA. you really need to determine where your deficiencies are and treat that way... Just because something like GABA works for one person doesn't necessarily mean it will work for another. I know the mood cure will help to narrow down your needs, but there are many tests that can give you good answers. Diet is always the best way to get it, but if you are significantly deficient supplements may be necessary.

[vanessab23]

Can't write all I want to right now (splitting headache from all the crying, but at least readin the thread has shown me that I do truly have some PPD) but I did want to ask the following, because I just went the the HFS:

I am EBF my DSso.....
--If 5-HTP makes some people sleepy, what happens when your baby wakes up for a night nurse? Are you really drowsy or does it only relax you a little?
--If 5-HTP makes some people's appetite go down, does it affect your milk supply, since you need enough food (extra 500 calories) to keep up a good supply?

Thanks mamas

[KatSG]

Originally Posted by vanessab23

Can't write all I want to right now (splitting headache from all the crying, but at least readin the thread has shown me that I do truly have some PPD) but I did want to ask the following, because I just went the the HFS:

I am EBF my DSso.....
--If 5-HTP makes some people sleepy, what happens when your baby wakes up for a night nurse? Are you really drowsy or does it only relax you a little?
--If 5-HTP makes some people's appetite go down, does it affect your milk supply, since you need enough food (extra 500 calories) to keep up a good supply?

Thanks mamas

(((HUGS))) to you, mama. I'm sorry you're so down. I don't find that the supplements make me feel drugged at all. But like I said, my husband doesn't care for GABA because he thinks it does make him groggy. As for supply, I didn't notice that at all, but I wasn't pumping anymore when I started taking 5-HTP and dd1 was only nursing at night by then so supply wasn't such a big deal to me.

I know when you're feeling so stressed out and trying to be the best mom you can be it's hard to do something that you're afraid may create a whole new problem to deal with, like not being awake for your child or putting your supply at risk. If the supplements like 5-HTP worry you, consider trying Cod Liver Oil, or another oil supplement like Omega Mom. But I would seriously doubt 5-HTP would either make it hard for you to awaken or risk your supply.

[Panserbjorne]

We've talked about the Mood Cure, but has anyone read "Depression Free for Life" by Dr. Gabriel Cousens? I feel like it went five thousand steps further and really helped you to understand chemically what was happening. He addresses far more than four neurotransmitters and gives little tests here and there to guide you in finding what neurotransmitters/amino acids/nutrients you are lacking or have an overabundance of. It is a must read in my mind for the scientific stuff. It also addresses correlations between addictions, drug usage and depression from a very different place. I really like that he pits natural cures against drugs and gives all the research to back it up (ie: why drugs work initially and then stop in many cases.)

I have not heard of 5-HTP affecting milk supply at all. In fact, because of it's action on the gut I'd be more inclined to believe that it would promote supply-but don't take my word on that. I have no research to back up my claims

[KatSG]

Thank you for the suggestion! I have a friend who has a script for Wellbutrin in hand right now and a nursing 5 month old and I'm gently trying to get her to consider alternatives. I'll suggest this book, too.

[Panserbjorne]

The one thing I don't love about it is that it's pretty hardcore veg for the nutrition section. Gabriel Cousens is a doc and a psychiatrist, but he is also a vegan raw foodist. I was fine with it, because I can take what I need and leave the rest. But in terms of the science...well I already said I was pretty impressed. It was really comprehensive. Just know that you may need to forewarn about the recipes...

[nmm2112]

Just wanted to subscribe to this thread.. tons of great info here!

[yogachick79]

That is very interesting, I will have to check that book out. The info sounds great but I am also very interested in the nutrition part simply because I have so many people after me to eat meat health wise I would LOVE a book that promoted a more vegan type lifesyle.

On another note, how much 5-HTP are you taking now, and are you splitting it throughout the day or all at once?

[ramlita]

Originally Posted by firefaery

The one thing I don't love about it is that it's pretty hardcore veg for the nutrition section. Gabriel Cousens is a doc and a psychiatrist, but he is also a vegan raw foodist.

That is really interesting!!!
Especially compared with The Mood Cure, which says over and over that vegetarians, never mind vegans, have a hard time getting the complete proteins they need for mental health.
I've been struggling with this issue since I got the book in the mail recently...
I'm a lifelong vegetarian, leaning toward vegan but not quite, who is also very prone to depression and anorexia. I have strong moral feelings against killing animals for my food (since I have the luxury of having enough food without animal flesh), and the few times animal bits have made their way into my food, it has hit my body like food poisoning.
To think that I may have to eat meat in order to fight off depression...?
doesn't really cover it.
Now I'll have to check out Cousens book...

[Panserbjorne]

Okay-here's something I will say just to say it-and don't feel like I'm judging because as Amanda will tell you I am just recently off the raw vegan path. And only because of this:

Raw veganism is amazing and has a TON of health benefits. I loved living that way and have serious ethical issues with eating meat. The problem is that depression is a gut issue. It means that for whatever reason your body is not functioning properly. Your gut is damaged to some extent because all hte necessary amino acids/neurotransmitters are formulated in the gut. If you aren't making them you will need to supplement-and that's why we're all here. While it is absolutely possible to be a healthy vegan (especially if you are raw) it's not the best way to heal. I tried, and it didn't work. Beyond that though, once you understand physiology (and I'm doing my best!) it really is necessary to obtain nutrients from the sources that require minimal effort on the part of your body.

That said, I think there are also people who metabolically are more able to handle veganism/vegetarianism...I just don't happen to be one of them. I tested with several different people and I always come out an extreme protein type. Gabriel Cousens says that you can be a protein type and thrive on a raw vegan diet-and maybe you can. I just am not convinced you can heal your body of malnutrition and poor gut function living that way. Healing from cancer? Quite possibly-it's a different problem. Just keep it in mind. IF you have success, share with us! Clearly he believes it's possible.

[NadiaSJ]

This is a great thread, so far I have learned through your posts and links that my thyroid issue for which I was prescribed synthroid (not taking it) has something to do with why I have been feeling so crappy for so long now.

Also, I drink at least 2 cups of coffee per day, which kills inositol. I love coffee, but need to take inositol supplement to compensate.

I am a vegetarian who lately has been ignoring my need for protein.

I am also getting the book Depression Free for Life asap.

Thank you ladies!

Now, any particular supplement/natural remedy worked for you for hypothyroidism?

Thanks again.

Simply,
Nadia

[KatSG]

Hi, Nadia! I don't have any ideas for supplements for you. Are you going to start the synthroid or do you think you'll try other things first?

Good luck with the protein intake. I eat meat and I still have a hard time getting all I need while pregnant (MWs want me to get 80 g/day!). I know how hard it is to plan those meals with kids. I ate a lot of nuts/trail mix while I was nursing dd and really needed the protein carbs to make milk. I probably got at least 10-20 g protein/day just by carrying a bag of trail mix with me everywhere I went.

Glad you're here!

[vanessab23]

Originally Posted by NadiaSJ

Also, I drink at least 2 cups of coffee per day, which kills inositol. I love coffee, but need to take inositol supplement to compensate.

nadia-- is that true? do you mean to say that the inositol naturally in our bodies is zapped when you drink coffee? or do you mean even AFTER taking inositol suppl. the coffee zaps it? What about decaf?

[NadiaSJ]

Originally Posted by vanessab23

nadia-- is that true? do you mean to say that the inositol naturally in our bodies is zapped when you drink coffee? or do you mean even AFTER taking inositol suppl. the coffee zaps it? What about decaf?

I got that info from this website:
http://www.anyvitamins.com/inositol-info.htm

This is what it says:

When more inositol may be required
Taking of long term antibiotics may increase your need for inositol, as well as if you consume a lot of coffee.

Enemy of inositol
Coffee kills this nutrient.

Originally Posted by KatSG
Hi, Nadia! I don't have any ideas for supplements for you. Are you going to start the synthroid or do you think you'll try other things first?

I never started taking the synthroid and don't plan to, people who take that take it for life. I was recommended a few things that didn't really work too well, including aromatherapy with geranium rose and Metabolean by Innerlight. I feel like I need to get my self on a program cause I know my digestion isn't too great and I read here that all these problems have their source in our guts, which makes sense.

[KatSG]

Nadia said:

I never started taking the synthroid and don't plan to, people who take that take it for life. I was recommended a few things that didn't really work too well, including aromatherapy with geranium rose and Metabolean by Innerlight. I feel like I need to get my self on a program cause I know my digestion isn't too great and I read here that all these problems have their source in our guts, which makes sense.

Have you been tested for celiac disease (gluten intolerance)? That often goes with low thyroid. Celiac runs rampant in my family and many of the women who have it have low thyroid.

[cobluegirl]

man is coffee destroys inositol...then I am sunk..lol I love my coffee... :-)

[NadiaSJ]

Originally Posted by KatSG

Nadia said:


Have you been tested for celiac disease (gluten intolerance)? That often goes with low thyroid. Celiac runs rampant in my family and many of the women who have it have low thyroid.

No, I havent' been tested. What would be some symptoms of that condition?

[NadiaSJ]

Originally Posted by cobluegirl

man is coffee destroys inositol...then I am sunk..lol I love my coffee... :-)

i know me too, i am going to buy the inositol tomorrow.

[KatSG]

The symptoms are so vast and varied. Basically it's an autoimmune disorder that makes you allergic to the protein in wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats (this last one is still up for debate). You can be asymtomatic for a long time until other disorders result from your body being under attack for so long. This is how it works in my family. The disorders range from loose stools to thin hair to anemia to skin problems (like severe acne) to thyroid issues to arthritis to diabetes to multiple sclerosis (which my brother was just diagnosed with--his celiac went untreated forever b/c he wouldn't get tested). In some people, like very young children, it's a fatal disease in the first years of life because they just waste away. But mostly it's treated as a food allergy and once people get on the diet, which isn't that hard to follow, they feel so much better that they won't go back.

To get tested you can get the antibodies blood test, which is the easiest, but not always the most reliable. You have to have gluten in your diet for the test to work. There is also the upper GI which will check for damage to the small intestine, a tell-tale symptom.

I just asked about celiac because you made a reference to gut issues. I don't have celiac but I notice that I feel cranky if I eat too much refined grains, like bagels and such. My dd also tested negative but since in my family it seems like it can have an adult onset we're pretty low-gluten in our house.