Is this service?

[Sharon_]

This almost qualifies as a double post.

Homburg wrote what I wanted to say.

If you try it, I think you will find Omega -3 EFA vastly superior over plain fish oil, not least of which, you're not burping fish taste all day. There is also a "Complete EFA" that includes alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid in addition to the EPA and DHA discussed below.

****begin paste******
How Does NSI® Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA work?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated "good" fats found in oil from coldwater fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, or in seeds of flax, walnuts, hemp and other plants. They're classified as "essential" because your body needs them for complete health, yet cannot produce them on its own. They must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

Omega-3 EFAs play an important part in cardiovascular wellness by helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure and heartbeat. They're believed to reduce the "stickiness" of blood cells (also known as platelet aggregation), promoting healthy circulation. The American Heart Association recommends consuming fatty fish at least twice a week, or that omega-3 EFAs be obtained through regular supplementation, for heart health protection.

Omega-3 EFAs may also contribute to neurological, or brain, health. Nearly 60 percent of the human brain is composed of structural fat, a third of which is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is essential for the proper growth and development of the infant brain, and appears to affect function throughout one's lifetime. Low levels of this important fatty acid may be connected to increased incidence of poor mood, personality and behavior.

Because omega-3 EFAs can be converted into anti-inflammatory substances (prostaglandins and leukotrines), they're also believed to provide joint support, promoting flexibility, mobility and potential pain relief.

NSI® Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA has been formulated to contain optimal levels of the omega-3 EFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). While typical fish oil supplements contain only 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA, Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA contains 400 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA per one-softgel serving.

Mega EFA contains oil from fresh, deep-sea, coldwater sardines and anchovies, harvested from waters off the coast of South America. It also undergoes the process of molecular distillation to ensure mercury and any other potential contaminants are eliminated.

Mega EFA conforms to the Council for Responsible Nutrition's (CRN) monograph, which establishes strict quality standards for manufacturing marine-sourced omega-3 EFAs. In addition, it's the only fish oil product on the market to contain USP-verified ingredients, thus setting the standard for quality.

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Mega-EFA-Omega-3-EPA-DHA-240-Softgels

 

[Recidiva]

If you try it, I think you will find Omega -3 EFA vastly superior over plain fish oil, not least of which, you're not burping fish taste all day. There is also a "Complete EFA" that includes alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid in addition to the EPA and DHA discussed below.

****begin paste******
How Does NSI® Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA work?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated "good" fats found in oil from coldwater fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, or in seeds of flax, walnuts, hemp and other plants. They're classified as "essential" because your body needs them for complete health, yet cannot produce them on its own. They must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

Omega-3 EFAs play an important part in cardiovascular wellness by helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure and heartbeat. They're believed to reduce the "stickiness" of blood cells (also known as platelet aggregation), promoting healthy circulation. The American Heart Association recommends consuming fatty fish at least twice a week, or that omega-3 EFAs be obtained through regular supplementation, for heart health protection.

Omega-3 EFAs may also contribute to neurological, or brain, health. Nearly 60 percent of the human brain is composed of structural fat, a third of which is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is essential for the proper growth and development of the infant brain, and appears to affect function throughout one's lifetime. Low levels of this important fatty acid may be connected to increased incidence of poor mood, personality and behavior.

Because omega-3 EFAs can be converted into anti-inflammatory substances (prostaglandins and leukotrines), they're also believed to provide joint support, promoting flexibility, mobility and potential pain relief.

NSI® Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA has been formulated to contain optimal levels of the omega-3 EFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). While typical fish oil supplements contain only 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA, Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA contains 400 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA per one-softgel serving.

Mega EFA contains oil from fresh, deep-sea, coldwater sardines and anchovies, harvested from waters off the coast of South America. It also undergoes the process of molecular distillation to ensure mercury and any other potential contaminants are eliminated.

Mega EFA conforms to the Council for Responsible Nutrition's (CRN) monograph, which establishes strict quality standards for manufacturing marine-sourced omega-3 EFAs. In addition, it's the only fish oil product on the market to contain USP-verified ingredients, thus setting the standard for quality.

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Mega-EFA-Omega-3-EPA-DHA-240-Softgels

I'm taking the good stuff.

I started after watching Mehmet Oz's series "The Truth About Food" where they had cab drivers who were highly stressed take a trial of fish oil supplements and they almost all mellowed out over time.

Great show.

I didn't do so well on a trial of Valerian to help me get better rest.

Depressed the hell out of me over time. Snuck up on me slowly, but I felt immediately better when I ran out and didn't replace the trial bottle.

 

[Homburg]

Fish oil has Omega-3 EFA in it. EFA is just essential fatty acids, and fish oil is packed with it in the animal-based form. There is no "just plain fish oil". Fish oil is fish oil, and the difference comes in to the concentration of DHA and EPA. Complete EFA is a different animal, and may or may not be useful to a given individual due to enzyme response. For people that are just starting out with EFA supplementation it is advisable to keep the alpha and gamma linolenic sources seperate from EPA/DHA due to potential inability to process certain type of plant-based linolenic EFA's.

As mentioned above, flax is iffy depending on age of the person taking it. Complete EFA product *usually* source plant EFA's heavily from flax. Those EFA's can be gotten from other plant sources that may not have the enzymatic profile. Unfortunately, those sources are not as good as flax, and are more expensive. Safflower oil comes to mind, as do a few others.

The two major types of EFA's have different effects in your system. I am personally of the opinion that EPA/DHA is more importwant and useful than the linolenic forms, but animal-based EFA's are just not going to happen for vegetarians, vegans, and folks with allergies. ALA/GLA is useful at that point, and not a bad idea at all for those supplementing with more EPA/DHA.

While fish oil is fish oil, and concentration is the only improtant difference, krill oil is not fish oil. It is an animal-based EFA though, and thus has EPA and DHA, and the concentrations are really impressive. It is tougher to find though, and expensive.

As an aside, pasture-fed beef is significantly higher in EFA than grain-fed. Natural browsing cows do in biologically diverse fields raises the EFA content of the meat. You can also get EFA-rich eggs, which are eggs laid by chickens fed a diet high in flax. It is flax EFA so it may still have the enzyme problem, and some people find the taste objectionable (probably due to enzyme incompatibility), but it can be a great way to get plant-based EFA into your diet.

Oh, and for the vegetarians out there, hemp protein powder is becoming more available. It is supposed to very biologically active,easy to absorb, etc. I've not tried it, but I've read good things, and some folks are soy-averse or simply allergic to soy. Hemp gives another vegetable-based source of protein powder. Some places carry rice-based protein powders too.

 

[Rosie_Riveter]

Homburg,

I seem to tolerate flax oil just fine--either as oil or in seeds--and I'm over 50. Not sure if it does me any good though. I just started it recently.

I have longer experience with fish oil--and yes, I always thought it was one type of EFA. I buy the cheap stuff and sometimes burp fishy burps which are not pleasant, but I hear some of the more expensive brands are burp free.

Sometimes I even eat it in the form of salmon.

 

[Homburg]

Homburg,

I seem to tolerate flax oil just fine--either as oil or in seeds--and I'm over 50. Not sure if it does me any good though. I just started it recently.

I have longer experience with fish oil--and yes, I always thought it was one type of EFA. I buy the cheap stuff and sometimes burp fishy burps which are not pleasant, but I hear some of the more expensive brands are burp free.

Sometimes I even eat it in the form of salmon.

It is apparently random as to whether or not flax does you any good past that age. I wish it did for me, but blech. can't deal with it any more.

Try looking for fish oil with "enteric coating". It can be a bit more expensive, but it is a coating that won't break down in the highly acidic environment of the stomach. It breaks down rapidly in the less acidic, more basic intestines, and will not cause fish burps. I've seen enteric coated fish oil at places like Walgreens. You just have to look for it.

 

[Sharon_]

I'm taking the good stuff.

I started after watching Mehmet Oz's series "The Truth About Food" where they had cab drivers who were highly stressed take a trial of fish oil supplements and they almost all mellowed out over time.

Great show.

I read you (or I think it was you) telling Doll Parts about Oz. Sounded interesting.

I didn't do so well on a trial of Valerian to help me get better rest.

Depressed the hell out of me over time. Snuck up on me slowly, but I felt immediately better when I ran out and didn't replace the trial bottle.

Yeah, one has to be careful with herbs. Thanks for the heads up on valerian. I think my only experience with it was using some valerian root in a smoking mixture I made up one time. Gah...stuff tasted like cut grass stuffed in a pipe.

 

[Rosie_Riveter]

It is apparently random as to whether or not flax does you any good past that age. I wish it did for me, but blech. can't deal with it any more.

Try looking for fish oil with "enteric coating". It can be a bit more expensive, but it is a coating that won't break down in the highly acidic environment of the stomach. It breaks down rapidly in the less acidic, more basic intestines, and will not cause fish burps. I've seen enteric coated fish oil at places like Walgreens. You just have to look for it.

Ah, thank you, I will look for it. That makes sense. And if I don't get the fish burps, I can take a bit more of it.

 

[Recidiva]

I read you (or I think it was you) telling Doll Parts about Oz. Sounded interesting.

Yeah, one has to be careful with herbs. Thanks for the heads up on valerian. I think my only experience with it was using some valerian root in a smoking mixture I made up one time. Gah...stuff tasted like cut grass stuffed in a pipe.

I have his book, too. "You: The Owner's Manual." So much dietary advice is given by those who really are passionate about what they know works for them, but assume works for everyone else. I prefer the "give it a try, see what works" school.

I think valerian is one of the stinkiest herbs in existence.

The only smell that was ever worse was a tea I was able to get in California for a short while. The only thing that ever fixed my headaches before Imitrex - had lady slipper in it. And then lady slipper became endangered and I couldn't get the tea. Damn!

But I'll tell you, facing that scent with a migraine - not good. I am glad Imitrex has no odor.

And that it's now in tablets, because the nasal spray was...oh Dear God.

 

[Rosie_Riveter]

I read you (or I think it was you) telling Doll Parts about Oz. Sounded interesting.



Yeah, one has to be careful with herbs. Thanks for the heads up on valerian. I think my only experience with it was using some valerian root in a smoking mixture I made up one time. Gah...stuff tasted like cut grass stuffed in a pipe.

It's Valerian that smells like dirty socks, yes?
A naturopath suggested L-Theanine to me for anxiety and insomnia. It seems to work pretty well. Vitacost carries it.

Velvet, it's a shame your health care won't cover nutritional counseling. It's a whole lot cheaper than dealing with diabetes down the road. Not to mention the depression he's dealing with now.

 

[Recidiva]

It's Valerian that smells like dirty socks, yes?
A naturopath suggested L-Theanine to me for anxiety and insomnia. It seems to work pretty well. Vitacost carries it.

Velvet, it's a shame your health care won't cover nutritional counseling. It's a whole lot cheaper than dealing with diabetes down the road. Not to mention the depression he's dealing with now.

I think...Valerian is what "The Bog of Eternal Stench" smells like.

I'm a "Labyrinth" fan.

 

[Homburg]

I think...Valerian is what "The Bog of Eternal Stench" smells like.

I'm a "Labyrinth" fan.

Ludo: "SMELL BAAAAAD"

 

[Recidiva]

Ludo: "SMELL BAAAAAD"

YAAAAAY!

 

[honoria]

Velvet,

Thank you for the welcome.

If he is getting therapy or at least admitted he needs it then you have won half the battle. I don't know where you are but with all the people on this board who are willing to help perhaps someone in your area can recommend a "kink friendly" therapist.

And, sweetie, it sounds like you have a whole bunch on your plate to deal with physically. I'm a big believer in therapy/counseling. Though, really after reading this board this may be as good and you don't need an appointment! On the subject of a nutritionist I was concerned that with physical illness and medication that perhaps he needed a little extra help especially if he is using food to self medicate along with the alcohol. You seem to realize that there is a difference between self medication and true alcoholism so that is a help. Same symptoms, different problem completely.

As far as exercise, that's a tough one. I hate, hate, hate exercise and have to force myself into it. What seems to work for me is to plan a trip that will require physical exertion - climbing Guadalupe Peak in Texas was one, hiking Palo Duro Canyon was another, looking at Big Bend next. All of these require a level of fitness that is achievable(sp?) for me and can be planned far enough in advance that it keeps me in a fitness frame of mind for months at a time. But that's just me something else may work for y'all. Just try to think outside of gyms or exercise mats at home (unless those work for you).

As before prayers for you both and let us know how things go.

 

[Sharon_]

It's Valerian that smells like dirty socks, yes?
A naturopath suggested L-Theanine to me for anxiety and insomnia. It seems to work pretty well. Vitacost carries it.

I can't say that I suffer from either, I'm one of those annoying people whose head touches the pillow and out cold in under 30 seconds, in the middle of a conversation, even....open my eyes and it's daybreak (or nearly)...No remembrance of dreaming and only a vague awareness that time has passed.....but I love Vitacost.

I'm not sure which herb(s) in the mix prompted the foul smell and taste, there were seven or eight of them in there. But it was DAMN foul

 

[catalina_francisco]

I didn't do so well on a trial of Valerian to help me get better rest.

Have you tried Melatonin? I think you can buy it without prescription in the US as we can here now. It may take some experimenting to find the exact dose right for you but IME it can help with sleep problems for a lot of people and the upside is it is good for many other conditions and preventative natural therapy. I have been advised the liquid form is not as reliable as tablet or capsule form as it is not possible to be as exact with how much Melatonin is actually being given in a dose.

Catalina

 

[Recidiva]

Have you tried Melatonin? I think you can buy it without prescription in the US as we can here now. It may take some experimenting to find the exact dose right for you but IME it can help with sleep problems for a lot of people and the upside is it is good for many other conditions and preventative natural therapy. I have been advised the liquid form is not as reliable as tablet or capsule form as it is not possible to be as exact with how much Melatonin is actually being given in a dose.

Catalina

Yes! Although many doctors advise to stay away from melatonin, it works for me.

When things are really bad I need two melatonin (total 6 mg) in tablet form and two Benadryl (total 50 mg).
This is apparently enough to knock out a horse, so start with a lower dose if anybody's bent on experimentation.

I've tried lots and lots of other herbal/over the counter and even prescription methods of sleep management, and this is the one that works best for me. Still takes me about two hours for it to kick in. The hardest part honestly about this regimen was accepting that I needed it daily. Fortunately Benadryl is an alternate preventive remedy for migraines also, so I think it serves two purposes. This method doesn't result in being sluggish or groggy the next day.

It's not just getting to sleep, it's staying asleep and having nightmares that can be a severe problem for me. There were times in the past where I was insomniac because I was terrified of sleeping. Not good.

After a few years of managing my sleep well enough to get 6-8 hours every night (miracle for me) I can fall asleep naturally again. Although I use just the Benadryl most nights because it makes it easier for me to stay asleep.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Are things going better in this Velvet?

Catalina