A healthy diet may be suitable for an uninjured brain but an injured brain often needs extra levels of nutrition. The B vitamins are essential. Plus, Omega 3 would require eating more cold water fish and such than would be in a normal diet. D3 is also critical.

I eat a healthy diet but still notice a big difference when I have not been able to take my regimen.

Things like L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine are not available in therapeutic amounts in foods, no matter how one targets their diet.

For many of us, the vitamins and supplement regimen is a primary attempt to avoid prescription meds.

Hi,

A little over 2 months ago, my mom hit her forehead on the bottom beam of a garage door and now has been diagnosed with PCS. She has begun seriously resting now (no screen time/electronics, no multitasking, etc) but I understand adding vitamins and supplements may help her heal more completely so have begun researching. Here is what I plan on suggesting she begin taking:

Omega 3 - fish oil, with EPA 800mg and DHA 600 mg or so taken 2 times a day
Folic Acid, at least 400mcg but less than 800mcg
B12 (Methylcobalamin), 1000 to 5000 mcg
Magnesium Malate, about 1000mcg
D3, 2000IU at least

I chose Methylcobalamin because of the benefits it gives to those with fibromyalgia. She hasn't been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but her symptoms are eerily similar. She also fights depression (has for years), so I'm hoping with this regimen that might be helped as well.

Does anyone have some advice on dosages or other things I need to be sure she takes/avoids? I know it's said that DHEA is bad for those with Bilateral Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (which she has), and too much folic acid for a long period of time can be bad for those with heart problems, but is there anything else I need to be aware of? She does take a small aspirin each day for her heart and is in her upper forties. So far her doctor has only been pushing for her to rest and sleep as much as possible. If knowing her specific symptoms will help you help me, I'll list them, just let me know

Thanks

She should add a B-50 Complex to get the whole spectrum of B's. Also, a high potency multi-vitamin and all of the anti-oxidants, C and E. Reducing oxidative stress will be good. It can take weeks for supplements to start to show improvements. The brain often needs to detoxify before it can start to heal.

Okay, is there a brand that's best or is any brand fine?
Thanks so much

Hey what do you guys know or think about noopept?

Please discuss nootropics in the main forum. Noopept has never been discussed before. It is not approved for promotion and sale in the US. Paracetam and other racetams have been issues of controversy in the past.

Interesting... I'll have to look into the vitamins. Years and years ago, way before the brain injury, my husband was told to avoid B vitamins because, at the time, his doctor felt that they would have a negative impact on his moods. Now I wonder if that doctor had any idea what he was talking about. Over the course of my life, I am finding myself constantly questioning medical advice... We are also vegetarian, and I am extremely conscious of making sure that my husband gets protein. Caffeine and alcohol are the two things I have a hard time getting him to cut out. When he first came home, I bought him decaf, as per his therapists instructions... at the time, he didn't know the difference. I could put it in the coffee container and grind it up espresso style and he didn't know the difference. No fooling him now, though... no matter how much I tell him caffeine and alcohol will harm his recovery, he thinks the doctors are being over dramatic. It doesn't help that the doctors really left him for dead and wanted to send him to hospice before he came out of his coma... so it's easy for him to say "the doctors don't always know best..."

I've had pcs for 2 1/2 years and its finally gotten so much better. I can live an almost normal life again. I never posted much, but just knowing there were other people who had similar experiences always helped my feelings of isolation so much.

Taking 2 tsp of turmeric every morning helps significantly because turmeric decreases swelling and its effects build up over time. I just started taking 1 tsp of maca powder for brain fatigue and it seems to be working.

Acupuncture helps a lot, but only when I'm treated for symptoms such as anxiety as direct headache treatment provokes them.

And Yoga has helped tremendously because it allowed me to move again. By matching my movement with my breath I could use my body without provoking symptoms. It grounds me when I have to deal with the irrational emotions, the loss of sense of self, the anxiety, and depression. But make sure to find a genuine studio that is about serving people, not about looking good, and a good teacher and start with gentle classes.

I wish you all the best. And remember things do get better, even if sometimes its just that we get better at coping.

Omega-3 fish oil tabs seem to have given me awful gas/abdominal discomfort...

has anyone else experienced this?

Are you taking it with food?

Krill oil is usually easier to tolerate.
Costco and Sam's club have it at affordable
Prices.

We use Mega Red here at our house.