Question about supplements

[Guest guest]

Lorinda

Your body may well not fall within the 'average' range. And I

understand that Mg is hard to test for.

Magnesium and Vitamin E help me a lot with muscles spasms.

Our doctor says that Charlie and I are the healthiest sick people she

treats! So, you are not alone.......

The first thing I did when Charlie injured his leg Saturday was to

double his Magnesium..... slowly..... didn't want that spasm to spread to

other parts of his body.

Hope this helps

mjh

In a message dated 7/23/02 11:27:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lorindarose@... writes:

> Many of you are taking vitamins and other supplements. I am headed in that

> direction and curious.

> I have taken herbs to clean out my system and curb my migraines. Not only

> did it curb the migraines, which I used to have a couple of times a month,

> but it stopped them. Now, I'm going back to the nervines to curb my valium

> intake. But for the last couple of years I've been getting bad cramps in my

> legs and I know I'm about ready for another seizure episode when this

> happens. Also since taking myself off of Dilantin, I have been twitching.

> Last month I ended up in the ER and I asked them to please check my calcium

> and magnesium levels. They, along with other tests they ran, came back

> A.O.K. In fact they said I was really healthy. I just smiled at them...if

> I'm so healthy what am I doing in the ER room getting ripped to pieces by

> seizures. My question is this... If your tests come back o.k. and your

> levels are within the normal range, will supplementation still help?

> Lorinda

>

[Guest guest]

Many of you are taking vitamins and other supplements. I am headed in that

direction and curious.

I have taken herbs to clean out my system and curb my migraines. Not only did it

curb the migraines, which I used to have a couple of times a month, but it

stopped them. Now, I'm going back to the nervines to curb my valium intake. But

for the last couple of years I've been getting bad cramps in my legs and I know

I'm about ready for another seizure episode when this happens. Also since taking

myself off of Dilantin, I have been twitching. Last month I ended up in the ER

and I asked them to please check my calcium and magnesium levels. They, along

with other tests they ran, came back A.O.K. In fact they said I was really

healthy. I just smiled at them...if I'm so healthy what am I doing in the ER

room getting ripped to pieces by seizures. My question is this... If your tests

come back o.k. and your levels are within the normal range, will

supplementation still help?

Lorinda

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Lorinda,

Get a second opinion from professionals who treat epilepsy using our

Bookmark section. That's what it is there for. Clinics like

s-Reiter will respond to your specific questions.

I used to be on Dilantin. It did not increase the size of my gums, but

it did adversely affect my memory recall ability. Over time I went from

Dilantin and Phenobarbital, to Dilantin alone to Tegretol to Lamictal.

Then, something amazing happened. I actually got educated on my

specific seizure disorder. Today, after 34 years of prescription

medication I am drug-free and I don't have seizures. I found out I

could solve my seizure disorder problems without prescription drugs,

surgery or vitamin supplements. It all depends upon " why " you are

epileptic and what it is that triggers your seizures. If you seek to

answer those questions, you may go a long way toward improving your

overall quality of life. I encourage you to use all the resources

presented by our Bookmark section to solve the problems you face.

Good luck.

Lamar

Lorinda wrote:

>

> Many of you are taking vitamins and other supplements. I am headed in

> that direction and curious.

> I have taken herbs to clean out my system and curb my migraines. Not

> only did it curb the migraines, which I used to have a couple of times

> a month, but it stopped them. Now, I'm going back to the nervines to

> curb my valium intake. But for the last couple of years I've been

> getting bad cramps in my legs and I know I'm about ready for another

> seizure episode when this happens. Also since taking myself off of

> Dilantin, I have been twitching. Last month I ended up in the ER and I

> asked them to please check my calcium and magnesium levels. They,

> along with other tests they ran, came back A.O.K. In fact they said I

> was really healthy. I just smiled at them...if I'm so healthy what am

> I doing in the ER room getting ripped to pieces by seizures. My

> question is this... If your tests come back o.k. and your levels are

> within the normal range, will supplementation still help?

> Lorinda

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Migaines could be caused by a fragile iron metabolism.

Kathy

Re: [ ] Question about supplements

>

> Many of you are taking vitamins and other supplements. I am headed in

that direction and curious.

> I have taken herbs to clean out my system and curb my migraines. Not only

did it curb the migraines, which I used to have a couple of times a month,

but it stopped them. Now, I'm going back to the nervines to curb my valium

intake. But for the last couple of years I've been getting bad cramps in my

legs and I know I'm about ready for another seizure episode when this

happens. Also since taking myself off of Dilantin, I have been twitching.

Last month I ended up in the ER and I asked them to please check my calcium

and magnesium levels. They, along with other tests they ran, came back

A.O.K. In fact they said I was really healthy. I just smiled at them...if

I'm so healthy what am I doing in the ER room getting ripped to pieces by

seizures. My question is this... If your tests come back o.k. and your

levels are within the normal range, will supplementation still help?

> Lorinda

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Lorinda,

Blood levels of many things may fall within the " normal " range, but your body

may still not be utilizing the nutrients effectively. It's really difficult to

tell whether or not your tissues have an appropriate level of something with a

blood test. In addition, at times I've found that, even though my blood tests

come back within the normal range, I still benefit from additional nutrients.

My body seems to need more than the " normal " amount of some things to function

well.

One thought I had related to your magnesium and calcium levels pertains to

Vitamin D. Your body needs magnesium and Vitamin D to process calcium

effectively. A few minutes in the sunshine every day will help your body get

enough " D. " My doctor told me NOT to wear sunglasses for about ten minutes,

because the naked eye absorbs " D " best. (Of course, you should never look

directly at the sun.) If medications have made you " sun-sensitive, " you can

find a good " D " supplement.

Often the formulation of a nutrient can make a difference, too. My body is

particular about the source and type of calcium and magnesium formulas.

There are only a few vitamin supplements you need to watch to be sure you are

not overdosing. Vitamins A, B-6 and E, are three that it pays to keep track of.

You should also monitor the balance between magnesium and calcium, and zinc and

copper. This is not, in any way, a complete list of considerations, but since

you may be venturing outside of the recommendations of Western medicine, I hope

these will help you.

One final thought is this: your blood levels of nutrients change constantly

throughout the day and week. I have had blood tests one week apart with

dramatically different results. If you sense that your body needs something,

you are probably right!

Best wishes,

Carrol

Lorinda <lorindarose@...> wrote:

Many of you are taking vitamins and other supplements. I am headed in that

direction and curious.

I have taken herbs to clean out my system and curb my migraines. Not only did it

curb the migraines, which I used to have a couple of times a month, but it

stopped them. Now, I'm going back to the nervines to curb my valium intake. But

for the last couple of years I've been getting bad cramps in my legs and I know

I'm about ready for another seizure episode when this happens. Also since taking

myself off of Dilantin, I have been twitching. Last month I ended up in the ER

and I asked them to please check my calcium and magnesium levels. They, along

with other tests they ran, came back A.O.K. In fact they said I was really

healthy. I just smiled at them...if I'm so healthy what am I doing in the ER

room getting ripped to pieces by seizures. My question is this... If your tests

come back o.k. and your levels are within the normal range, will

supplementation still help?

Lorinda

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

The EAS Advantage RTD is really close (less than one)

and the bars are three and under.

C

[Guest guest]

,

Was the original question regarding sugars? The EAS Advant Edge RTD that we get

up here in Canada has a load of sugar in it. 23 of the 24g of carbohydrates are

sugars. Maybe I am reading the label wrong?

Laurie C2D4

Re: Question about supplements

The EAS Advantage RTD is really close (less than one)

and the bars are three and under.

C

[Guest guest]

No, you aren't reading it wrong. The regular RTD is

loaded. The low carb is very low sugar, that is the

one I was referring to. I'm terribly sorry if I miss

posted....I'll have to be more careful.

C

[Guest guest]

Oh, I haven't seen a low carb one here - I'll have to look for it!!

Laurie

Re: Question about supplements

No, you aren't reading it wrong. The regular RTD is

loaded. The low carb is very low sugar, that is the

one I was referring to. I'm terribly sorry if I miss

posted....I'll have to be more careful.

C

[Guest guest]

You can get protein that is just as good in just one package. I

personally love Ultra Size or Muscle Provider by Beverley

International. You can get these from www.vitaglo.com and they taste

great. Using either flax oil or UDOs helps with cravings and adds

the good fat that assists in the fat burning process. A tablespoon a

day. Hope this helps.

Stasia

[Guest guest]

Do not feel that you NEED to have supplements to do well on the BFL

program - they are totally like icing on the cake - an extra. Many

people only totally rely on foods and do very well on program with

no supplements, bars, or drinks etc. Getting down the basic foods

and eating every two to three hours is the most important thing when

you first start - its like a learning curve to make good choices.

But when you do look at adding in supplements dont go gungho - take

your time and read up first before buying (otherwise its

overwhelming when shopping). You can first add in say some

dietary 'boosts' like protein powder (anykind that offers over 20

grams of protein per scoop is ok, there are no 'better' kinds

really - trust me, its all about the taste because if it tastes like

wallpaper paste you wont drink it even if its 'good for you'!) Its

sometimes hard to get enough protein - on the go or just not a meat

eater(worried about saturated fats too) then whey protein powder or

even soy protein powder can 'boost' your daily totals. Then adding

in some 'good fats' like flax oil or the blend of EFA's (essential

fatty acids) like the brand name UDO's Choice Blend is the next good

choice to consider. When you are on a 'lowfat' way of eating

(getting out the bad saturated fats from your diet) then your body

can readily use and NEEDS 'good fats' - it lets your body know you

arent starving it so it can let go of the stored bodyfat to get the

results you want :-)

Then once you work these into your program alot of people like to

add in a muscle repairer like glutamine - or like the blend called

BetaGen which has glutamine/creatine and other ingredients that help

with muscle soreness/repair etc. Totally an extra and not something

everyone uses. Personally I like just plain glutamine which also

helps boost your immune system and aids in digestion problems

(people with Crohns or IBS can totally benefit from this).

Anyways, hope this helps a bit!

<<joni>>

*There are no elevators to success, you have to take the stairs* :-)

[Guest guest]

>

> Anyhoo, lots of people say their progress is a little slower with

> more bars and shakes. Of course fresh veggies and fruit and other

> whole foods are better than supplements...but you can't beat the

> supplemental foods on the go. It doesn't mean you will never

> progress past this point. Do your best and if you don't have time to

> do the whole food thing, the bars and shakes are A LOT better than

> some fast food!

>

-I totally agree with ruth. (i'm on c3 wk9) But want to chime in on a couple of

things

just to suport what eveybody said. Until I read renee's lean out/swell up menu,

I was

having a 8 week freakout (!) in challenge 1. I did what she wrote and broke my

plateau.

-There have been many plateaus since, but I know now, how to break them- more

fruits and veggies. an apple a day and some broccoli with dinner. skip the bread

type

carb portions and eat some grapes with those turkey slices! It looks funny but

it

works.

-Normally if all is going along okay, i drink a shake for breakfast (myoplex

lite), and

keep a bar in my purse ( just because like the other posters say, its all

relative. a bar

isn't great, but it is 100 times better a burger and fries) My bars are

insurance. If I

don't have a bar that day, sometimes I have a bfl pudding. (fat-free,

sugar-free jello

with protein powder and low-fat milk) You could try that as a change up. I'm

starting

to suspect that the more dairy products I have in my diet, the easier the weight

goes.

And also try to drink some green tea if you are bloated. Also vary lower

calories days

with higher calorie days. Its not as hard as you might think. After free day,

reign it in,

eat those fruits and veggies, and skip the bar and bread products, the next

day, have

them!

Oh yes, and try the cottage cheese yumminess that ruth made up. Its really good

and

I think including healthy fats like nuts ( and also avocado and such on

sandwiches)

really helps with shedding fat.

None of those works miracles, but, I'm finally starting to figure out how my

body

reacts to stuff. and what I need to do. I'm not able to do it all the time, with

all the

socializing lately... but I try and keep the portions small, even if its a

cheat. That's my

rule for the approaching holliday season. No sense in making all the treats

around

worse than they are. I tell myself, " yeah, that (enter cheat food here) won't

kill you,

BUT lets not keep eating it. Lets not make it worse than it has to be. That's

where

keeping up with the eating every three hours really will keep me on track. Never

allow

myself to get hungry. But I digress.

jodi

Ps. be sure and take measurements every 4 weeks to see if maybe you are losing

inches right now and not pounds..... Try on those old jeans!

[Guest guest]

--- In , Fannon <

>

> The problem is that most of that progress was made during the

first 4 weeks. I know everyone's bodies are different; perhaps the

most logical thing to do is to keep doing what I'm doing and wait

for it to kick in (so easy to gain weight, but it's just so hard to

be patient about losing it!).

>

I think that is very normal. Happens to me every time and at week 7

I still start freaking out <G>. I don't think I noticed big changes

again until week 10.

You could post some sample menus to get some feedback but I'm

guessing that with time, you'll results will be there1

Colleen

[Guest guest]

I've eaten like this for the past four years. It hasn't slowed my

progress any. In fact, it is the only way I can be sure of getting

all the protein I need. I eat so much on the go it is hard to cook

and pack that much food. My tote is my daughter's lunch box from

last year full of different kinds of bars, an apple, some soynuts,

maybe a little beef jerky, and a tuna or turkey sandwich for lunch.

Don't worry about the supplements. Use them, especially if it is a

choice of those vs. the drive thru.

Stasia

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I've now been going into details of what I should be taking & have

some questions regarding the supplements. My doctor has given me a

variety of supplements to take so here are my questions:

B complex - the combination of various B vitamins is different. Some

are higher like Niacin is 200 mg but others like thiamin and

riboflavin are lower. I take 1 capsule a day. I've still got 2

bottles so I'm wondering if I should continue or search for one with

similar dosage recommended.

B12 - I was given a sublingual one which is supposed to help with my

fatigue. That is 5 mg.

Fish oil - I cannot handle anything in gel caps (I think its the

gelatin) so I take the liquid cod liver oil from Nordic Naturals or

Childlife. These do contain fruit flavouring. But so far, these are

the only ones I can handle without feeling nauseous. Are these ok?

Vit E - again, the gelcaps issue. I dont seem to be able to take them

at all without feeling sick.

CoQ10 - Again recommended by the doctor for my fatigue. They come in

100mg capsules and I take 4 a day. Should I continue this?

Glutagenics - this is a glutamine supplement that also has licorice

and aloe. This is supposed to help heal my leaky gut. Is this ok?

HCL - I havent been able to find it at all in Singapore!!! So I've

added metazyme which is a digestive enzyme, one at lunch and dinner.

I really want to see all this work so I want to be careful about what

I do. Please let me know if I should continue taking them. These

supplements cost a lot at the doctors office coz according to him

they are hypoallergenic & good quality items.

Sorry if this is so long and complicated.

Shirin