Take me as example: don't have any depression, apathy or anxiety. How would I even recognize these natural compounds would affect my dopamine receptors? I don't feel anything like that from them. But have taken most of them (except Lion's Mane, because a bid too expensive) for many years.
On the other hand, I did have a alphabet soup of diagnosis: PAD2, COPD1, T2D, CKD1, NAFLD, CFS. And I did experience remissions with diet, supplementation and life-style changes, the main one a 60% walking-disability from PAD.
That's how completely differently everyone might be affected, with also different health-condition at the outset. For example, holy basil is really great for me diseased lungs. Take it as organic tea, powder and herbal extract.
With disability, of course, the value of any money becomes questionable anyway. Don't spend much more than 200,- a month for mostly organically produced foods (at least such as the dirty dozens, or any animal products), but even 500,-/month for comprehensive supplementation (together about 60% of my income, the rest is for the rent of a flat). Still not depressed, on the contrary.. excited about my greatest investment in life: my own health.
That's very true! Though I am guessing that there's people here with dopamine problems as well who have tried the supplements, or people who know people who tried it. But for CFS, I have that as well. Sometimes it goes, but usually it's there. Today for example I slept for around 11 hours and I still feel tired and low on energy, and my mental energy is so low that I don't want to do anything and can't think well. What helped you with that the most would you say?
As for the amount money, my budget is a lot lower than that. I was going to calculate something like 60% for supplements and the rest for food (after rent). I don't spend money on other things except when I really need something, then I cut down on food expenditure.
But I agree that with disabilities money loses its worth in some way, you just want to fix yourself and feel better. That's what I'm after right now too, that's why I'm looking at supplements even after trying dietary and lifestyle changes.
My biggest improvement was to cut out coffee and black tea completely, now I just drink water, but sometimes it feels so boring, so I will be ordering some kind of tea (still don't know which) for those times.
That was followed by dietary changes of course, to cut out anything processed and any animal products.
After that it was being active at least a few times a week, I feel like it gets the blood flow going.
But I still have severe problems with fatigue and inability to just get up and do something. No motivation, no get up and go, and sometimes very low moods too.
Certainly wouldn't eat grains... could be part of the problem.
QUOTE: "I can't tolerate dairy, animal protein, eggs, fish, gluten"
Fish... really?
Have you looked into simple canned fish or shellfish?
Nothing added (other than water and salt).
Fish (without any toppings and such) is usually well tolerated...
Eating mostly canned fish has lowered my caloric requirement somewhat.
I find tuna dry... but Spanish Mackerel is quite good straight from the can:
https://www.walmart....oz-Can/47241085
https://www.amazon.c...EEK0XFSKFQQSPY8
At around $2 or less per can...
Most days I eat less than $10 total... especially if eating in a 4 to 6 hour window.
Why do you say that grains could be a part of the problem specifically?
I do okay with only a couple of grains (haven't tried exotic ones like Amarath though), other grains I have problems with as well. They are gluten free, but maybe they ARE part of the problem?
My reason for eating grains is that I cannot get calories within my budget otherwise unless I drank oil by mouthful. Vegetables contain little calories and I can't eat potatoes (maybe because they're nightshades? I don't do well with paprikas either), every other vegetable that is higher in calories costs too much to eat in high amounts daily.
So I had to come up with something, and some grains seem to be okay with my system.
About fish, I do better with some fish than others, but I still have problems even with the small 5cm long canned sardines (least problems of all fish I've tried). Shellfish I don't know because I can't afford to eat it regularly. It's 50-70eu/kg. I could eat a teaspoon a day? I did have problems with mackerel though, even though I find it very tasty.
Also I'm European, not American, so some things cost a lot more than others here, same like in the US.
Thank you for advice though!
Based on all of this, you may want to visit a Doctor and ask for a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone test. The test is not expensive and can let you know if you have a thyroid problem.
I had hypothyroid, but it has gotten a lot better since I started taking reishi and cordyceps regularly, and especially after cutting out all animal and any processed products. I used to be so cold that I shaked in a sweater in 25-27C sitting, now I'm fine in 22C with a shirt. I also feel less depressed and have slightly more energy than I used to. My main problems now are apathy, lack of motivation, inability to get up and go, very bad memory, and general lack of energy. Better on some days than others. Feeling sad comes around sometimes without a reason, but not every day like it used to.
I have other physical problems but my mental state is a lot more important to me so I'm not focusing on them, and with the supplements they should improve as a side effect.
