Composition of Pharmaton capsules with selenium

Composition of Pharmaton capsules with selenium is as follows:

Content	Quantity
Ginseng extr G115 Ginseng extract made from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, adjusted to 4% ginsenosides	40 mg
Vit A	2,667 IU
Vit D3	200 IU
Vit E	10 mg
Vit B1	1.4 mg
Vit B2	1.6 mg
Vit B6	2 mg
Vit B12	1 mcg
Biotin	150 mcg
Nicotinamide	18 mg
Vit C	60 mg
Folic acid	0.1 mg
Copper	2 mg
Selenium	50 mcg
Manganese	2.5 mg
Mg	10 mg
Fe	10 mg
Zn	1 mg
Ca	100 mg
Lecithin	100 mg

Ref: http://www.mims.com/Page.aspx?menuid=mng&name=Pharmaton+Capsules+with+Selenium+soft-gelatin+caps&CTRY=MY

My finalized treatment plan I

For the past few weeks I am taking the following nutraceuticals and find myself free from depressive thoughts, anxiety and pronounced stuttering.

In this exercise, apart from the type of nutrients I take, I also find that the timing of their dosing is also very very important to achieve the optimum effects.

I am not feeling excessively sleepy and tired. I could motivate myself to do the things. Even though the effects are not so enriched, the results are optimum and removing all my symptoms.

Time and food	Drugs	Remarks
Morning - Breakfast with oats	Pharmaton multivitamin capsules with Ginseng	This multivitamin formulation contains all the B-complex vitamins to the maximum of 100% of daily recommended intake. This avoids too much dosing of vitamins.
Noon - Lunch with rice, Indian curry (avoid protein intake)	No drugs	Protein intake is avoided to minimize the fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels mainly to avoid stuttering. Protein intake in the morning or in the lunch increases adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine and give more energy but at the same time producing more pronounced stuttering. So, protein intake can be safely allocated to the night meal. Then the next whole day's neurotransmitter levels can be maintained adequately.
Night - Dinner with rice or bread or chappathi with one piece of fried chicken preferably with a chicken breast piece	Liv.52 - 2 tablets Folic acid - 400 microgram - 1 tablet omega-3 supplement - 1 capsule	Folic acid gives me warm to the body and energy. I find it is easy to get up from bed in the morning with folic acid taken at night. Liv.52 taken at night counteracts this effect and making me to sleep longer. So, Liv.52 dosage can be reduced to 1 tablet. Also, I feel that along with omega-3 supplement, I may need to take omega-6 oils also to balance the essential fatty acid intake and also to avoid the side effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Protein intake is mainly restricted to the night meal to minimize the fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels especially the catecholamines. Also, I found that fried chicken is the best absorbed protein for me and giving me more energy than the curry-cooked chicken pieces.

The oats taken in the morning boosts serotonin levels and the ginseng in the multivitamin capsules prolong the effect of serotonin (by weak inhibitory effect on re-uptake of serotonin) almost until the late noon (around 1.30pm). Then the lunch with no meat proteins also boosts up the serotonin level by the same mechanism. Then the folic acid taken at the night promotes the methylation reactions (to produce adrenaline) which gives good sleep and easy getting up in the morning. Omega-3 supplement gives enhanced tone of prefrontal cortex over dorsal raphae and amygdala thus reducing anxiety and helping in sustaining the speech.

GTF Chromium 200 microgram

GTF chromium can also be taken preferably in the morning. When taken at night, it produced stimulating effect and the sleep was not of good quality. When taken in the morning, it was enhancing the serotonergic neurotransmission. So, if loudness of voice and less stuttering is required on some special days, GTF chromium can be taken in the morning.

My view on atypical depression

Since I am suffering with atypical depression, I just analysed the mechanism of neurotransmission probably responsible for the observed symptoms like hypersomnia, hyperphagia and leaden paralysis.

The serotonergic neurotransmission may be normal in some areas of the brain (may be ascending 5-HT neurotransmission) and low in some parts of the brain (may be descending 5-HT neurotransmission which may be from prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex).

Noradrenergic neurotransmission may be normal (if the person is not having trait anxiety) or may be excessive (if the person is having trait anxiety).

Dopamine neurotransmission may be significantly impaired (both D1 and D2 type).

I feel it is the serotonin to dopamine ratio which is critical in some areas of the brain which is responsible for the observed symptoms.

High serotonin and low dopamine condition (improper ratio) might be leading to hypersomnia. Actually hypersomnia is not a condition of motivated willingness to remain in sleep. Rather it is a condition of unable to motivate oneself from getting up from the bed. So, I feel it is a condition of high serotonin and low dopamine. Because, when the sleep is not refreshing much, nobody will be willing to remain in bed for long period of time. It is the low dopaminergic neurotransmission which might be accountable for this.

The same high serotonin to low dopamine ratio would also be responsible for the hyperphagia. Because, serotonergic drugs induce carbohydrate cravings. So, increased serotonin levels would be leading to carbohydrate cravings thus leading to more food intake and weight gain.

The same high serotonin to low dopamine level would also be responsible for the fatigue, tiredness and heaviness in the legs. I suspect a low dopaminergic neurotransmission in basal ganglia.

Brightness of vision and increased contrast detection

I really don't know how to call the effects I observed today. That's why I used the above title. Now, I could see more brightness in my house as well as on the roads. When I see my laptop monitor, I could see rich blues and rich rendition of colors and brightness. Previously I never used to see like this.

I used to feel this effect only when I was taking bupropion. At that time, I could see more clearly in my car's rear view as well as side view mirrors. Previously I could not see the distance between cars in those mirrors and cannot make any judgment about their relative location. I could only see bunch of headlights fashing in my car's mirrors. With rear view mirror, I could see something for the nearby cars but for the cars at little distance, I could not see clearly. The condition was worse with side view mirrors.

My diet today:

• Rice + 1 chicken drumstick for breakfast.
• Rice + 1 piece of fish + tea for lunch
• Rice + chicken egg omelet for dinner

My medicines today:

• Pharmaton vitality multivitamin capsules (contains ginseng) - 1 capsule at breakfast
• Folic acid 400 microgram - 1 tablet at breakfast
• Liv. 52 - 2 tablets at breakfast
• GTF chromium 200 microgram - 1 capsule at breakfast

Possible mechanisms:

It could be because of either folic acid or Liv. 52.

Phobias, panic attacks and chromium

Today I had a shock given by a cat. It is a open restaurant located in a hilly area. Cats are roaming around that area and they survive on the waste food from the restaurant. The cats are freely roaming inside the restaurant. I always have an inhibition to touch an animal and if an animal touches me, I used to have hypersensitivity. I was eating fast and i heard a miaw sound from below the table. I saw a cat between my legs and looking at me making the sounds. Last week, I had a big shock. That event came to my mind and immediately my anxiety became very high and I could not sit at that place. I got up and moved away. Last week, at the same restaurant, a cat was below my table and made the sound. With some sounds I was chasing a away the cat. The cat was reluctant to go away. Then another big cat came. These two cats touched their noses and made a different kind of sound. Suddenly they started fighting vigorously and they both entered into my leg area which made me to have heightened hypersensitivity and panic. I started screaming. The people at the surrounding table looked at me strangely at my sounds and actions. Since cats are harmless in general, they might have thought that I was doing something unusual.

So, this incident came to my mind today and I became restless and I could not continue sitting there.

Similar incidents happened to me with stray dogs.

These kind of heightened sensitivity and panicking seems to be related with increased noradrenaline, adrenaline levels as well as low serotonin and GABA levels. The shock reaction was persistent for some time today. It subsided after I took GTF chromium 200 microgram.

GTF chromium seems to increase serotonergic neurotransmission.

Effects of Ranbaxy's Revital

Revital gave me the first experience of mental well being after a long time suffering of social anxiety and depression. It happened in 2007. At that time, I did not even realize that I had severe anxiety and depression. After seeing a TV ad, I started taking Revital capsules. Within a week time, my sexual libido increased. It reduced my anxiety to some extent. However, it did not lift my depression. It has increased my energy as well as motivation to do the things what I desire. However, it did not produce any improvement on stuttering (in fact it worsened stuttering sometimes).

Positive effects:

• Increased energy as well as motivation
• Increased libido initially and after few weeks no new increase.
• Unknown fear was reduced. However, anxiety existed to some extent.

Negative effects:

• Increased sweating
• Unable get sleep in the night - insomnia
• Worsened stuttering - sometimes
• No loudness in voice
• Heightened anxiety with palpitations - sometimes

Composition of Revital:

Each capsules contain approximately:


Ginseng Extract power (Highly Concentrated, standardized Ginseng extract corresponding to 212.5 mg of root to Panax ginseng )


Calcium 75.0 mg

Phosphorus 58.0 mg

Vitamin C 50.0 mg

Ferrous Fumarate 30.0 mg

Zinc (as zinc oxide) 10.0 mg

Nicotinamide 10.0 mg

Calcium D-Pantothenate 5.0 mg

Vitamin E Acetate 5.0 mg

Magnesium (as Magnesium Sulphate) 3.0 mg

Potassium (as Potassium Sulphate) 2.0 mg

Vitamin B2 1.5 mg

Vitamin B1 1.0 mg

Vitamin B6 1.0 mg

Manganese (as Manganese Sulphate) 0.5 mg

Copper (as Copper Sulphate) 0.5 mg

Folic Acid 0.15 mg

Iodine (as Potassium lodate) 0.1 mg

Vitamin A Palmitate 2500 IU

Vitamin D3 200 IU

Vitamin B12 1.0 mcg


Update on 6 May 2016:

The composition of new Revital H is given below:

Items	Quantity
Vitamin A	2000 IU
Vitamin B1	1 mg
Vitamin B2	1.5 mg
Vitamin B3	10 mg
Vitamin B5	5 mg
Vitamin B6	1 mg
Vitamin B12	1 mcg
Vitamin C	40 mg
Vitamin D	200 IU
Vitamin E	5 mg
Folic Acid	0.12 mg
Zinc	10 mg
Ferrous fumarate	17 mg
Iodine	0.1 mg
Magnesium	3 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg
Calcium	75 mg
Copper	0.5 mg
Phosphorus	58 mg
Potassium	2 mg
Ginseng extract powder (Highly concentrated, standardized Ginseng extract corresponding to 212.5 mg of root of Panax Ginseng)	42.5 mg

Update on 24-Aug-2019

I have been taking revital H for the last 4 days. Below are the effects I have observed.

Positive effects

1. Increased affection for wife and increased social connect
2. Sustained motivation to do certain tasks

Negative effects

1. Increased sleepiness
2. Slightly decreased loudness of voice
3. Stomach bloating and mild stomach pain
4. Unable to focus on certain tasks
5. Slightly increased stuttering

The composition of Revital H

Items	Quantity
Vitamin A	1500 IU
Vitamin B1	1 mg
Vitamin B2	1.4 mg
Vitamin B3	10 mg
Vitamin B6	0.8 mg
Vitamin B12	0.8 mcg
Vitamin C	33 mg
Vitamin D3	300 IU
Vitamin E	7 mg
Folic Acid	0.08 mg
Zinc	10.29 mg
Iron	10 mg
Iodine	0.1 mg
Magnesium	3.13 mg
Manganese	0.6 mg
Calcium	76.9 mg
Copper	0.52 mg
Phosphorus	59.43 mg
Potassium	2.07 mg
Panax Ginseng root extract (2%)	212.5 mg

Folic acid, folinic acid and depression

Today I saw a research paper on folic acid accidently while searching for some literature on antidepressant experiment protocol in animals. The research paper [1] states that the folic acid exhibits antidepressant property through opioidergic mew and delta receptors. Delta opiod receptor agonists are reported to be potential antidepressant agents [2].

The dosage of folic acid mentioned in the clinical trials is between 500 microgram - 800 microgram per day [3].

On the basis of current data, we suggest that oral doses of both folic acid (800 µg daily) and vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) should be tried to improve treatment outcome in depression [3].

References:

[1]. Evidence for the involvement of the opioid system in the antidepressant-like effect of folic acid in the mouse forced swimming test. Behavioral Brain Research. 2009 Jun 8;200(1):122-7.
[2]. The Antidepressant - like Effects of Delta-Opioid Receptor Agonists. Molecular Interventions. June 2006, 6:162-169;doi:10.1124/mi.6.3
[3]. Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12. Journal of Psychopharmacology. January 2005 vol. 19 no. 1 59-65.

Stomach bloating - causes and cures

For the past few weeks, I stopped taking any non vegetarian foods except eggs. During the last week, my stomach bloated (increased in circumference ~ 2-4 inches) made me unable to put on my pants. My belly bulged like a pregnant woman gave me heavy embarassment. Then one day, at lunch and dinner I took two drum stick pieces of chicken. The next day morning, my stomach bloating went away and I was able to put on the same pant without much difficulty. I am suprised to know that my stomach is the root cause of many problems.

I realized that I have stomach bloating when I was 24 years old. I used to have stomach bloating almost throughout the day. But I used to defecate every morning mostly after taking milk tea. No constipation. After defecation, my stomach bloating used to decrease. After taking the breakfast, it used to increase slowly reaching the maximum after lunch, bulging out visibly. In the evenig after taking tea, I used to fart loudly and continuously. The gases in my colon made me to fart loudly. If I didn't fart loudly, I used to feel incompleteness.

From the scientific literature, I understand that, gas formation is responsible for the stomach bloating. However, more than gas formation, it is the hypersensitivity of the intestinal tract to the formed gas matters most. This type of behavior was observed in crohn's patients. So, I checked for symptoms of the Crohn's disease. I never used to have stomach or abdominal pain or constipation. So, I may not have Crohn's disease. I thought I may have inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). So, I checked for IBS symptoms. The Rome III criteria states that abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort is the main symptom and it should be relieved by defecation. I never used to have abdominal pain or discomfort. I used to have only stomach bloating.

Serotonin, dopamine and stomach bloating

I used to feel increased stomach bloating when I used to take serotonergic enhancing formulas like 5-HTP, Magnesium amd chromium. I have to check the effect of fluoxetine on this. When I was taking bupropion, my stomach bloating decreased very much and also farting. No loud farts I did. These observations suggest that my intestinal tract is deficient in dopamine and have relative abundance of serotonin. Improper  serotonin/dopamine ratio exists in my intestinal tract. So, the serotonin produces its maximum effect. Without enough dopamine, my intestinal tract bloats. The fried chicken that I took, might have enhanced the dopamine levels in the intestinal tract thus reducing stomach bloating.

It is also mentioned in the below reference that the abnormal sensitivity of the stomach muscle wall in response to the expansion of intestinal tract may also contribute to stomach bloating.

Suggestions to cure stomach bloating

• Ensure regular consumption of foods that increase dopamine neurotransmission
• Do exercises to strengthen the stomach muscles so that their hypersensitivity can be blunted.
• Consume curd/yoghurt with bacterial cultures such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (probiotic preparations)  

Reference and for more information, please visit:
http://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/fgidc/abdominalbloating.pdf

Effects of serotonergic neurotransmission enhancers

After the treatment with lot of nutraceuticals and drugs for the past 1.5 years, I feel that my serotonergic system is unable to buffer itself against even little variations. If I take any food/drug which has effect on serotonergic system, my serotonergic system has a profound effect thereby suppressing the dopamine and noradrenaline systems. If I don't take anything, I used to feel worthlessness and anxious indicating the relapse of depression.

The foods/nutraceuticals which produced profound effect on my serotonergic system are given below.

Food/Nutraceutical	Positive Effects	Negative Effects
Instant Oats - Morning breakfast	Less anxious but not much when I started stutter	Tiredness, stomach bloating, increased stuttering
Supradyn recharge multivitamin capsules - 1 capsules per day	Less anxious, Alertness while driving	Tiredness
GTF (Glucose tolerance factor) chromium 200 - 400 micrograms per day	Great reduction of anxiety, music is enjoyable, can do tasks if already programmed like a robot	Tiredness, unable to focus or concentrate on a particular task (concentration dependent jobs required more time to finish), less clarity in thinking, mental cloudiness, unable to pursue reward oriented tasks even though the reward is known already, confusion in decision making

I feel that the enhanced serotonergic system suppresses the dopamine and noradrenaline systems thereby affecting my focus, concentration and reward circuitary. But I feel that the combination of Supradyn recharge and GTF chromium is very much suitable for reduction of stuttering and reducing anxiety. However, to increase the focus, attention and reward seeking behaviour, either vitamin C (500mg-1g/day) or DL-phenylalanine can be added.

Effect of Supradyn recharge + GTF Chromium + Liv 52

For the past few days, I am taking Supradyn recharge (a multivitamin capsules) + GTF Chromium 200 micrograms (Glucose tolerance factor) + Liv. 52 (Himalaya)

Supradyn Recharge	1 capsule in morning after breakfast
GTF Chromium  200 microgram	1 capsule in morning after breakfast
Liv. 52	2 tablets in morning after food 2 tablets in night after food

Positive effects	Negative effects
No negative thoughts, sense of well being	Slight confusion in doing things
Less anxiety (Palpitations are less pronounced)	No improved concentration and focusing
Less stuttering and more fluent speech	No improvement in self-motivation
Increased libido	No improved energy, unable to get up from sleep