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Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+) => Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup => Topic started by: lasagna on May 31, 2007, 01:40:10 PM



Title: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: lasagna on May 31, 2007, 01:40:10 PM
Omega 3 fish oil evens out moods.

This is medically substantiated. Psychiatrists prescribe it, usually as an addition to SSRI.

The added benefit is that the fish oil is anti-inflammatory (for those of us who are aging) and good for the heart. It is sold in odorless, tasteless pills. No fishy burps. Make sure you buy a good brand that assures no mercury. This is one item that I overlook price for quality control.


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: Healthy88 on January 11, 2017, 08:42:25 PM
Recent studies seem to be confirming fish oils are effective, but can take 3-4 months to see results... .similar to antidepressants so they have to stick with it. Just ordered low dose Ashwaganda (Indian ginseng) to try with the fish oils. From all my research so far, they seem like 2 natural supplements to try to help with BPD.


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: Tattered Heart on January 12, 2017, 08:40:53 AM
My uBPDh takes L-Thienine (L-γ-glutamylethylamide and N⁵-ethyl-L-glutamine) and I can see it work within minutes of him taking it. He has also taken 5HTP. healthy and I were talking about this just a couple days ago. There are a few amino acids out there to help with behavior. I think he has tried Ashwaganda (Indian ginseng) too. A daily probiotic works wonders with him too. He has also taken tumeric (Curcuma longa) and I have never seen him so mellow before, but tumeric cannot be taken on a long term basis.

For my H, diet makes a huge difference. If he eats gluten, deep fried food (especially McDonald's chicken nuggets), or too much sugar he tends to dysregulate. We try to limit gluten and eat paleo/Whole 30 as much as possible. When we steadily eat this, his mood changes immensely.

A couple years ago we both tried a GAPS diet. It stands for Gut & Psychology Syndrome diet. THe premise of the diet is to eliminate anything that can cause leaky gut and to begin healing your gut. Our mental wellness and immune system both start in our digestive system. It's a pretty intensive diet that basically cuts almost everything out and you add in foods every few days to see if you have a reaction to it. This diet helps people with autism, auto immune disorders, excessive inflammation, and behavioral issues. It's a very difficult diet to maintain so that's why we began doing paleo instead.


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: Kyanite on January 12, 2017, 09:48:22 AM
An unequivocal yes.

DH used to have real anger management issues, to the point that he was starting to grab and intimidate the kids when they were little. Right around that time we discovered that he had celiac. We removed gluten (and some other food allergies) from his diet, and he calmed down significantly. He describerd it as having "space" to consider the action before responding. He still gets angry and throws things occasionally or swears at traffic, but the level and fequency is SO much less. If he eats an allergic food, his mood is the first thing to go.

As for supplements, we have found the most success with a hefty probiotic - one with at least 30 different strains. Other supps are hard to tell, as he is not consistent with taking them except the probiotics.


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: Healthy88 on January 24, 2017, 10:55:14 PM
Hi All,

I want to correct a comment about probiotics and Kefir. Apparently, there are some oral probiotics that contain more live cultures than Kefir, even though Kefir has a lot and is a great source of probiotics. I personally, noticed some benefits from Kefir that I did not with oral probiotics. I just wanted to correct a previous incorrect comment FYI!


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: Kyanite on January 26, 2017, 10:09:27 AM
Hi All,

I want to correct a comment about probiotics and Kefir. Apparently, there are some oral probiotics that contain more live cultures than Kefir, even though Kefir has a lot and is a great source of probiotics. I personally, noticed some benefits from Kefir that I did not with oral probiotics. I just wanted to correct a previous incorrect comment FYI!

Depends ont he Kefir. Water kefir has very few probiotics. Coconut keifer has like 36 or so (I have onlly seen 1 specific probiotic with 37 strains and a couple of the same brand that have 32-34). the probiotic strains are not as tightly controlled in kefir, so they will tend to be different and possibly better for some people than a more controlled probiotic. I read that the human gut is supposed ot have a few hundred strains of probiotics, and the exact list can be different fro each person. There is even a place in the Boston area now doing "fecal transplants" to help people with very severe health challenges get those few hundred strains. Not sure what I would think of that... .


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: snowwhite on March 06, 2019, 05:48:25 PM
I have read a number of medical studies conducted over the last five years or so that are investigating the effects of the gut microbes (pre-biotics and probiotics) on mental health, which can in some cases be substantial. As it turns out, some of the precursor molecules that go on to create neurotransmitters in the brain come from the intestines and can be affected by what particular microbes grow in your intestine.

While the only research study I could find that is specific to borderline is just starting in Europe in 2019 and will not be completed until 2021, I wondered if anyone had heard anything from their doctors or had added these to their treatment.


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: Skip on March 13, 2019, 08:26:33 PM
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are extremely moody and suffer from symptoms of depression and anxiety, problems regulating emotions and thoughts.

Results of two studies indicate that daily intake of omega-3 fish oil supplements which contain EPA and DHA, the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood, are effective.

Excerpt
Can J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;58(7):402-8.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in adolescents with borderline personality disorder and ultra-high risk criteria for psychosis: a post hoc subgroup analysis of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
Amminger GP1, Chanen AM, Ohmann S, Klier CM, Mossaheb N, Bechdolf A, Nelson B, Thompson A, McGorry PD, Yung AR, Schäfer MR.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23870722


RESULTS: At baseline, erythrocyte n-3 PUFA levels correlated positively with psychosocial functioning and negatively with psychopathology. By the end of the intervention, n-3 PUFAs significantly improved functioning and reduced psychiatric symptoms, compared with placebo. Side effects did not differ between the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Long-chain n-3 PUFAs should be further explored as a viable treatment strategy with minimal associated risk in young people with BPD.


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: LightAfterTunnel on March 14, 2019, 07:40:17 AM
(https://bpdfamily.com/book-covers/0062368605.jpg)(https://bpdfamily.com/book-covers/spacer.gif)I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life
Author: Ed Yong
Publisher: HarperCollins  (January 16, 2016)
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN-10: '0062368605
ISBN-13: 978-0062368607

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Hey snowwhite,

I recently read the book “I contain multitudes” by Ed Yong in which it recounts quite a lot of recent studies discussing gut microbes. And there is a section in which it talks specifically about the microbes and their effects on neurotransmitters as well as in regards to mental health. I don’t have the book with me but the book is quite well referenced with papers from within the last 5 years as well.

It’s truly a great read in itself and it might be worth checking out for general knowledge on the modern theories and limits of understanding of the mechanisms going on. However, I don’t remember any references directly related to BPD.

LAT


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: hope2727 on March 14, 2019, 08:24:41 AM
Hi interesting topic. There is some peer reviewed empirical evidence that suggests probiotics may support various processes including distress tolerance HOWEVER ... these researchers are very clear that these are VERY specific strains of probiotics at very specific doses. The message they repeatedly emphasized is that there are so many specific strains and they are required in specific doses that are WAY larger over longer periods than people realize to be even moderately effective. Further research found that some subjects did repopulate their gut microbes, others the probiotic supplements delayed the repopulation and for some they had no effect. So this was also not what they expected as they have far to go to understand how the supplements helped some yet harmed others. Basically the bottom line is that there is not way to use them effectively without further research, most specific strains are not available to the public, and the supplements that are are not in the right combinations or doses. So yes interesting approach but not yet useful for the average person. If you want more info CBC radio had a couple of decent discussion available on line, and there are some decent scholarly articles published. 


Title: Re: FAQ: Are amino acids and probiotics helpful to pwBPD?
Post by: ProblemAddict on October 03, 2019, 03:20:07 PM
Excellent thread. I have been researching on this for years, as I am a addicted to problem solving.

Yes. My wife improves when she takes Omega-3, BCAAs and other specific vitamin/minerals she needs. Also when she avoids sugar and fast carbohydrates and when she makes regular physical exercises (such as gym).

Omega-3 is the #1 supplement for mood. And you don't need 3-4 months to start seeing the effects. May improve in a couple of days. Everyone not supplementing is deficient on it, unless you eat lots of raw deep sea salmon.

However, one might need to take Omega-6 too. ( * ) Pushing further an existing imbalance between Omega-3 and 6 will have negative effects on mental health, as observed by Dr William Walsh. Hence I believe it is safer to take both together (or do the blood exam if you can). Borage Oil has greater concentration but it adds Omega-9, which is unwanted, so Primrose Oil is a better long term choice.

( * ) Our diet is rich in LA (Linolenic Acid), the first Omega-6 fatty acid from which our body can derive the remaining forms. However, some people can't convert it to the next step, GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), due to deficiencies in D6D enzyme, especially in the case of untreated Pyroluria.

My wife had severe Pyroluria in past, which could be easily notable from her fruity breath. My sister and daughter have also been diagnosed with Pyroluria. Anyone over intense stress may develop it, even those without genetic predisposition. Hence I believe it is very common in people with BPD. Basic treatment is Zinc and B6. Extended treatment includes Omega-6 and Biotin (B7), plus fibers and other stuff for gut healing.

Amino Acids are important too, especially BCAAs:

"BCAAs may also play important roles in brain function. BCAAs may influence brain protein synthesis and production of energy and may influence synthesis of different neurotransmitters, that is, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and so forth, directly or indirectly."
source: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/amb/2014/364976/

And some specific amino acids act directly as neurotransmitters:

"There are inhibitory amino acids (IAA) or excitatory amino acids (EAA). Some EAA are L-Glutamate, L-Aspartate, L-Cysteine, and L-Homocysteine. These neurotransmitter systems will activate post-synaptic cells. Some IAA include GABA, Glycine, β-Alanine, and Taurine."
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid_neurotransmitter

Probiotics? Very promising, but it may be hard or impossible to promote the growth of all of the good bacteria you need. First, not all of them can be delivered in capsule form. Second, they won't survive in an inadequate environment, such as a gut covered with lime disease or dominated by a "stronger" bad bacteria. Fecal transplant research is very significant, but this is obviously not the answer for general public. I believe the viable option is to perform an effective gut cleanse, then use diversified probiotics and consume foods that promote good bacteria. How to clean your gut is the big question. I'll list below some alternatives I found, but can't recommend any of them, nor have tried any of them:
  • Taking specific juices, in large quantities
  • Some remedies that target specific parasites
  • Diets with garlic and other stuff that kills most bacteria (I think this is dangerous)
  • Fasting for 7 or more days
  • Taking ionized water with PH of 11.5. This will require an expensive water ionizer/filter which uses titanium blades (research for Kengen Water).
  • Taking steady doses of Chlorine Dioxide, orally or through enemas (anal). This is the key component of MMS, obtained by destination. I need to add that FDA has banned it's use for medical purposes.

Minerals and vitamins are also important. Sub optimal levels are detrimental, but excess is even worse than deficiency, so be careful. I do not recommend general multi-vitamin supplements for anyone suffering from mental illness, mostly because they contain minerals that may accumulate, such as Copper and Iron.

Safest supplements are Magnesium, the relaxation mineral, and vitamin C. In both cases, they must be taken gradually because our body monitors the blood levels and rejects them if taken too fast (through gut flushing). Without magnesium, my wife is unable to relax, and has lots of muscle tension problems. And Vitamin C in large doses does help her to reduce conflict seeking behavior and be less of a drama queen. It is used in large doses to recover from drug addiction too.

Mineral balance is more important than vitamins. Hair tests can easily reveal mineral deficiencies or excess.

Most common mineral issue is copper excess, especially in woman, and it is treated with Zinc, B6 and Vitamin C. It is essential to have a good Copper/Zinc balance in our brain.

Most people with bipolar disorder have deficiency on Lithium mineral, and in BPD it might be common too. Lithium carbonate used in hospitals will become toxic if sustained, due to the "Carbonate" component. However Lithium Orotate is the safest form and available over the counter. It's not clear how it works on our brain but it's known to reduce inflammation too. Some doctors advocate for the daily usage of 5 mg of Lithium Orotate for everyone, and more for those with severe mental illness (up to 20 mg per day). However some countries do not allow it to be sold over the counter. Lithium is present in water from some natural sources, in lower concentrations such as 0.05 mg per liter, but minerals dissolved in water are much better absorbed as this is the "ionic" form. Some studies found that those places with Lithium in natural water supplies have significantly lower rates of criminality.

Thyroid issues are also very common in BPD. My wife had tyroid issues during pregnancy and did not recover with medication, but did recover with the a Thyroid complex supplement including a few vitamins/minerals required for Thyroid health. Now she also takes Iodine in the form of Lugol. This is a very strong form that must be taken with Selenium and should have medical supervision but Lugol can be bought without medical prescription.

Any supplement of which you are deficient can make your healthier (if it is taken in a form that you can absorb well) and greater health does usually have a positive effect on moods. Just make sure you need it first.

And don't take my word for it. Do your own research.  *)