Here is the nutritional regimen I have followed for decades. It was prescribed for me by a doctor back in 1982. I have fallen off the wagon from time to time. Each time, my wife notices a difference and gets me back on the regimen. I have added a few things over the years.
I have updated it with more current information on Nov. 8, 2014. mrsD has been a big help.
The injured brain needs to do two things, First, it needs to cleanse itself of the toxic remnants of the injury. Second, it needs to regain strength (heal) in the damaged areas. B vitamins are the most important. I suggest:
B-12 (500 to 1000 mcgs daily or more) Methylcobalamin, taken on an empty stomach or sublingually (let it dissolve under your tongue).
a B-50 complex, for all the other B's so you get a good balance of B's
a high potency multi-vitamin like GNC Mega Women/Men. Centrum and One a Day are too weak.
Niacin, 200 to 500 mgs
Some extra anti-oxidants, Vit C (500 to 1000 mgs) and Vit E 400 IU's
D3, plenty of this, 1000 to 5000 IU's
Omega 3 fish oil, with a proper balance of Omega 6 and 9
Calcium with magnesium, 500 mgs per day Magnesium needs to not be mag oxide. mag citrate is easy to find.
I also have added
Curcumin (pricy but worth it) 950 mgs daily This is a Turmeric extract
DHEA, 25 mgs , a hormone that helps the body balance the other hormones, If your skin gets oily try 1/2 of a 25 mgs tablet. I only take a half of a tablet.
a Costco High Energy Multipack (7 pieces) in place of the multi-vitamin
I have recently added:
Cayenne capsules
Resveratrol, it is supposed to help the Omega 3 fish oil work better
Garlic capsules for cholesterol
Good meat protein for the amino acids, pork is the best, especially for BCAA's (branched chain amino acids).
A good amino acid supplement including essential fatty acids and BCAA's (broken or branched chain amino acids).
Vegetarian diets are usually deficient in these so they need supplements.
No caffeine, alcohol, MSG, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, Nutrasweet, Equal, Splenda, sucralose), high fructose corn sweetener, and only moderate natural sugar. Some studies suggest a single serving of caffeine or alcohol per day is acceptable for those who tolerate it.
We should also avoid aluminum compounds. The most common aluminum is found in antiperspirants (aluminum chlorhydrate) and many antacids. They should be avoided. Learn to read labels before putting it on or in your body.
My regimen based on the above costs about $1.30 to $1.50 per day including some non-brain supplements (arthritis).
I was started on the brain basics by a psychiatrist 30 years ago as a way to treat PCS depression and avoid medication. It was very effective. I was put on paroxetine years ago and have replaced it with 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan. 100mgs of 5-HTP in the AM and 100 mgs of L-Tryptophan later in the day. The L-Tryptophan will convert to 5-HTP as my body needs it.
The B-12 and the folic acid in the B-50 is important for repair of the myelin sheath that protects axon and dendrite fibers. The rest are for improving brain metabolism.
This regimen needs to be a long term or lifetime discipline. It take 4 to 8 weeks to see improvements.
After using the regimen for a month or so, it is good to get a blood test for the D3, B-12 and folate to make sure your blood levels are adequate. B-12 should be about 1000 pcgs/mL and folate at about 20 or higher.
There are three valuable resources for you to check out.
The TBI Survival Guide at
www.tbiguide.com.
Print it out (84 pages)
The brain line 'TBI Lost and Found'
http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html
You Look Great on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso4qGdlI
The YouTube is a 6 part series that takes about an hour total.
Share these with your family and/or friends. And, try to find a TBI support group to attend with your family. They can be a great source of support and understanding.
For Upper Cervical Chiropractic information, check out
www.NUCCA.org or
www.AtlasOrthogonal.com
For good legal information about concussions and mTBi's / TBI/s for those entering litigation, check out:
www.tbilaw.com and
www.subtlebraininjury.com.
Attorney Gordon Johnson has very good information about diagnostic testing and such.
Home made Ice pack
My recipe for a flexible/crushable ice pack is simple. One part rubbing alcohol with three parts water in a zip lock baggies. Freeze them, three is good, so you can alternate them and always have a frozen one. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to make it more tolerable. Ice frequently for 15 minutes on and 30 minutes off and repeat. If you get any stiffness or head ache, get the ice pack out. The upper neck easily gets inflamed causing symptoms like head aches, etc. This should make a difference.
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