Bacopa Monnieri

[Dougie]

Hi, I have recently been recommended Bacopa Monnieri by a nutritional therapist I'm seeing privately. She recommended this supplement for memory problems and general brain health. I was wondering if anyone has tried it or has any advice. I took one a day, as recommended in the morning after breakfast for a few days but noticed it made me feel exhausted, so I have stopped taking it. I have been very well for this past year and don't want to do anything that's going to undo all the good work. Im currently on 125mcg thyroxine and 15mcg T3. I'm also taking multivitamins, probiotics, omega 3 and vitamin D. I still have brain fog and would have liked something to support brain function that would agree with my thyroid meds.

[greygoose]

Thyroid disorders: Bacopa might increase levels of thyroid hormone. Bacopa should be used cautiously or avoided if you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid hormone medications.

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

[Dougie in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose, I will stay off this one.

[greygoose in reply to Dougie]

You're welcome.

[Hidden in reply to Dougie]

I also wonder as it is not a commonly used, well known herb(?) did your doctor explain what it was and why she was recommending it? A big oversight if she didn't. Fortunately you did your own research here before taking it. Good for you!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease) diagnosed by high TPO and/or TG antibodies?

You need to test B12 and folate, vitamin D and ferritin

Add results and ranges if you have them

Low B12 can cause brain fog. So can gluten, and it's common for Hashimoto's patients to be gluten intolerant

Multivitamins are not usually recommended on here, most have iodine in and that's best avoided with Hashimoto's

greygoose has info on multivitamins

[greygoose in reply to SlowDragon]

You shouldn't be taking a multivitamin for all sorts of reasons.

* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.

* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.

* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, copper. These things should be tested before supplementing.

* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc.

* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.

With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to get tested for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and build up your supplementation program based on the results.

[Dougie in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for this info greygoose and SlowDragon.

I had my antibodies checked and I don't have Hashimoto's. My test results are as follows:

B12 - 284 (range 140 - 724)

Folate - 8.36 (2.91 - 50.0)

Ferritin 80 (13 - 300)

Vit D 72.5 (50 - 200).

I've been on vit D supplements (Fultium-D3) 2 a day for couple years (prescription).

[greygoose in reply to Dougie]

They're all on the low side. A multi is not going to help with those. How much vit D are you taking?

[Dougie in reply to greygoose]

2 x 800 units daily vit D

[greygoose in reply to Dougie]

Well, that's only a small dose, and obviously not enough if you've been taking it for two years.

[Dougie in reply to greygoose]

You're right greygoose. I will try to get these levels up using single supplements.

[greygoose in reply to Dougie]

Good idea!

[Hidden in reply to Dougie]

And it should be Vit D3 and not Vit D2.

[Hidden]

Multivitamins, unless carefully evaluated to be sure what you don't need is not included, can often be a grab bag of supplements and dosages, some of which can do thyroid patients more harm than good. The only exception that I would feel comfortable with is a good B complex. Even these have to be evaluated before choosing . Otherwise my rule is never buy combined minerals/supplements/vitamins. The Pharma co is combining for the masses and is probably using the cheapest ingredients to maximize profits. So read labels carefully to see what you are buying. And try to avoid fat-soluble vitamins packaged in soybean oil.