Supplements, what are you taking?

I just thought that this deserved its own thread because I see it being talked about in other responses and wanted a quick way to refer back to them.

I just started taking Fish Oil today because I did research on it and found that it is incredibly helpful for depression and makes a.d.'s and other meds work better.

Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in brain function. People with depression may have low blood levels of brain chemicals called eicosapentaenoic (i-koe-suh-pen-tuh-e-NO-ik) acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (doe-koe-suh-hek-suh-e-NO-ik) acid (DHA). EPA and DHA can be found in fish oil.

I an also taking a good multi vitamin.

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I am also taking L-Lysine supplement.

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Please reply back with what you are taking and we can compare and maybe help one another with these supplements. I have also heard that D3 and Zinc is helpful.

The only supplement I take nowadays, is a multi-vitamin, and I choose a small pill because I have HUGE piles of prescription pills to take. The only other is an iron supplement, and only during my menstrual periods, since they are heavy.

I went through an approximate three year phase where I took oodles of OTC supplements, for various reasons. The only noticeable effect was distress from taking so darned many pills. I had to buy bigger pill boxes and a third pill box in order to even handle all of them. I will say here that if a doctor discovered that I had a deficiency, or if they recommended a prescription supplement (once I did have a prescription iron supplement), I would take it/them. But none are recommended beyond the two I mentioned.

If I recall correctly, during that 3-year period I took the following, plus a much bigger "horse pill" multi-vitamin:

• OTC Fish Oil - I took almost the maximum recommended. I actually took it more to lower my triglycerides, which it didn't help at all. It did nothing to improve my moods. I've been told that prescription fish oil is more effective, but not for everyone. Nowadays, I try to incorporate wild caught salmon and tuna into my diet as much as possible, as well as other sources of Omega 3s (flaxseed meal, chia seeds, walnuts). Tastes much better!
• Vitamin B Complex - I took it to increase my energy. Did not help.
• Zinc, Biotin, & Selenium - Took to help counter Lithium hair loss. Did nothing. Oddly, my hair loss finally eased AFTER I went off of these.

Oh, one advantage I did have was learning to swallow 10 or more pills at the very same time with one gulp of water.

Luckily, even my prescription pill numbers have gone down over the last five years. That's a good thing!

None at the moment but I plan on starting a daily multivitamin and fish oil

I only take fish oil. My psychiatrist and therapist recommended it and there is decent science to back it up. I don't feel it is hurting me, so I will stay on it for now.

I personally think the efficacy of supplements and many of the meds we take is dependent on a whollistic approach to being healthy. Our bodies are like one big chemistry set and all of the variables need to be at the correct setting to give us the greatest chance at success. So I think it takes a combination of the right foods, proper exercise, exposure to sunshine, balanced meds, minimal to no use of alcohol and other drugs, emotional therapy, a well developed set of coping skills, support from family and friends, spiritual balance, and trauma work if necessary. My personal goal is to place as little as possible work in the hands of the substances I ingest. Just my take...

I've also considered using holy basil, but I haven't needed it it yet.

Consider authoring threads like this in the Bipolar Treatments sub forum in the future. This would have been a good addition.

None, currently. Was on fish oil for a couple or three years while I was on an extended hospitalization. I don't think it did anything for me. I do not take a multivitamin. I eat tons of fruits and veggies, as I have become nearly vegan (if there is such a thing). I do watch my B12, though.

I was in healthcare for awhile and the smart folks I talked to convinced me that, for most people, a major multivitamin is just creating expensive urine. No idea if that is still common thinking or not. Perhaps I should reconsider.

Omega 3, B complex, multi vitamin, OPC3, magnesium, l-theanine (for anxiety)

I take fish oil and it helps me think more clearly. I took a B complex for a while and it really helped my energy, since I was probably deficient. I bet it wouldn't do anything if you already had enough B vitamins. Vitamin D I take sometimes because I avoid being out in the sun, and I occasionally (but not regularly) take a multivitamin since I don't always eat so well and I don't want to become deficient in anything. I think they all have helped me, but some multivitamins are better than others - some create expensive urine as said above but others don't. I cut mine in half since they put so much of everything in there.

fish oil
I might try melatonin again

I forgot about melatonin!! That's how I sleep at all!

Mulit-vit, Super B complex, B12 (for migraine prevention), magnesium (for migraine prevention), Vitamin D, probiotics

Vitamin d because I’m
Deficient.

Melatonin

Folic acid because a genesight test revealed my body only absorbs half of
What I intake

A women’s mega pack of various vitamins and supplements, biotin, magnesium for anxiety, NAC for my liver, omega 3’s for depression, probiotics, ginkgo biloba for memory and healthy greens in my smoothie each morning.

Multi vitamin, krill oil and a vitamin for eyes that also has omega 3 and extra vitamin C. Vitamins are a good option for me since sometimes stressed or in a hurry and don’t always eat right. Usually make an effort to eat veggies and fruit daily and if get enough sleep, walk daily and take fish oil it helps depression some.

Yes I need to make a morning smoothie with greens part of my daily routine. In the future, I want to freeze fresh spinach for daily smoothies.

This just popped up in my facebook feed and I thought it was relevant and interesting. Not quite on topic but close enough.

5 Vitamins You Might Be Overdoing – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Nothing, but I'm just here to say that St. Johns Wort has serious (possibly dangerous) interactions with a whole host of drugs. Check with all you docs before taking.

I take Source of Life multivitamin. It helps with energy and makes my hair and nails so much healthier.

I also take Vitamin D because that helps with my mood. Especially in winter darker months.

I take Quercetin with bromelain but that’s for my allergies.

When I wasn’t taking medication I was taking 5-HTP and that really helped.

I take NAC - 2 grams, Multi-vitamin, fish oil, probiotic, Vit D, B-12, L-Methylfolate, Vitamin C, Magnesium

I just want to thank those that contributed to this topic thus far. I have done some research on a few of the ones mentioned here and I will be ordering some more supplements to take.