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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on January 15, 2019, at 7:06:52
As time proceeds in the study of mental illness, one of the most interesting and potentially therapeutic findings is that inflammation occurs in the brain and is associated with with several disorders.
One of the more exciting substances being suggested as a treatment for depression (including bipolar disorder) is Acetyl-L-Carnitine. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid normally found in the body. One of the functions of carnitine is to support mitochondrial function - the production of usable cellular energy. In people with depression, the blood levels of carnitine is very low. This might end up being used as a biomarker for diagnosis.
It seems that supplementing the diet with Acetyl-L-Carnitine can produce major improvements in depression in some people. Perhaps this is limited to those who test low for blood carnitine. I don't know, but I'm sure these associations are being studied.
It is now firmly established that there is an association between depression and inflammation of the brain. I am having a difficult time interpreting the data. Does inflammation produce depression or does depression produce inflammation? I guess it is conceivable that the depression first emerges as neurotransmission and circuitry abnormalities produced by childhood adversity and other psychosocial stressses. As the depression persists and grows, perhaps the immune system is triggered and targets the brain. One of the mediators of inflammation in the brain are microglia cells.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a potent anti-inflammatory in the brain.
http://bipolarnews.org/?p=4517
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 16, 2019, at 0:51:12
In reply to Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Depression and Inflammation., posted by SLS on January 15, 2019, at 7:06:52
there is no proof that Orthomolecular treatment, amino acids, etc. correct any sort of underlying abnormality for any DSM label because no one has yet found an underlying abnormality, defect, etc. that explains severe distress or madness.
i'm not simply rehashing szasz here, i promise. the deal is...
just as prozac may 'successfully treat severe depression' in 2 people and completely fail to impress 2 others, so too might any given 'alternative treatment' yield spectatcular results for 3 people and simply add more frustration and expense to 3 others.
no one knows what makes some people 'depressed' or even 'schizophrenic,' and there are no reliable blood tests or even brain scans that can confirm a psych doc's opinion.
i do a DIY Orthomolecular protocol because I do better on OM+Rx than I do on just OM, just Rx, or without any pills, whatsoever.
i do personally encourage people who listen to me (not many people...) to look into supplementation, especially Orthomolecular.
vitamins, minerals, amino acids are generally easily accessible, non-toxic, and relatively inexpensive, especially compared to The Miracle Meds. and I've experienced 'side benefits' from 'treatment,' just as Hoffer, Pauling, and other OM experts write about.
I'm still left wondering: is my 'mental illness' really an 'illness,' at all? what are these Rx pills, the labels, -really- about?
i -do- benefit from 'ongoing treatment,' but i often find myself at odds with 'treatment providers' because they speak of these DSM codes as if they are 'diseases,' while I focus more on rx drugs+supplements that make my life better by addressing my concerns, not my dsm label(s). I'm thinking of "The Myth of Mental Illness" meets "Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone" with a touch of "Stigma" and "The Loony Bin Trip" thrown in, for good measure.
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 27, 2019, at 22:55:56
In reply to Re: Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Depression and Inflammation., posted by Christ_empowered on January 16, 2019, at 0:51:12
Have you ever tried ALC Scott?If i remember correctly, it made me a little psychotic. I still think you might have low testosterone and low growth hormone. I just have to get on your nerves one last time. Its your life, you can do with it whatever you want.
Posted by SLS on January 28, 2019, at 10:03:16
In reply to Re: Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Depression and Inflammation., posted by Lamdage22 on January 27, 2019, at 22:55:56
> Have you ever tried ALC Scott?If i remember correctly, it made me a little psychotic. I still think you might have low testosterone and low growth hormone. I just have to get on your nerves one last time. Its your life, you can do with it whatever you want.
You don't get on my nerves.
I appreciate your ideas. I'll make a note to add those things to my lab work.
Right now, I am doing better since reaching a dosage of 100 mg/day of Parnate. I spent years at 80 mg/day. It was a dead end at that dosage. I don't know how far 100 mg/day will bring me, but I am still missing a significant improvement in anhedonia, loss of interest and motivation. I am missing the mood-brightening and clarity of thought effects that I experience when Nardil and a few other antidepressants work. Unfortunately, they don't work for very long. I am grateful for functioning better, but I am not optimistic that I will experience a broad improvement. I don't need 100% in magnitude, but I do want 100% in breadth.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 28, 2019, at 10:39:04
In reply to Re: Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Depression and Inflammation. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on January 28, 2019, at 10:03:16
Ok, so you while you dont need single symptoms to improve 100% you do need an improvement in many areas? I hear you!
Do you take any Cyp3a4 substrates? What is your regimen?
This is the end of the thread.
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