My dad (a coach and health-food nut) sent me a list of supplements he thought might help/I should take, and I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on them. (I need to find out if they contain soy, and if so, if I can get some that don't. I'm hoping I don't need to take them all as our budget is stretched thin as it is, but would love to hear what you all think to be the most important.
I've been taking One A Day's probiotic and my dad said that was all synthetic and not good. (Not sure the probiotic has been doing anything for me, anyway ....)
I'm going to copy and paste from his email message.
betaine HCL 650 this increases stomach acid and helps you to get all the nutrients out of your food. also stops indigestion and
okay by brand (# = an impt brand in my opinion)
# new chapter (because they are natural and you need to take em in over time)
enzymes 4 times a day
vitamins
probiotics
# carlson brand
d 4000 iu
swanson
triple magnesium complex
calcium citrate the citrate part is imprtant and for magnesium for absorption
(lyposomal versions are better but i bought this)
NOW
co q 10 cause everyone says you need it?? cannot feel anything from it even when i stop
selenium
l-lysine cause i had a cold sore a month ago or more
vit a
nature's way
C
DIM plus
twin lab
zinc
NATURE'S LIFE
BETAINE 648
BROMELAIN PAPAIN
BLUEBONNET
E mixed tocopherola especially gamma
it is the gamma tocopherols that you want included in your mixed tocopherols
Opinions on supplements
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Jennifer,
A few thoughts:
Not everyone needs Betaine HCL. If you take it, it should be taken roughly 10 or 15 minutes before a substantial meal (especially one with a significant amount of protein). It shouldn't be necessary for snacks, or light meals. 15 or 20 minutes after you take it, you should experience a warm feeling in your stomach. That suggests an optimum dose. A larger dose may be needed if no warm feeling occurs. If you experience a burning feeling, instead, then either you are taking too much, or you don't need any.
Enzymes are risky for some of us. I took one little enzyme capsule one morning, a few minutes before breakfast, and within 2 or 3 hours, I was vomiting (a vile, bitter, green mix). That was repeated every few hours for the rest of the day, though after 2 or 3 sessions the best I could do was dry heaves.
It took me 4 days to get over it, before I felt like eating solid food, again.
A handful of people here have found probiotics to be helpful. Most of us find that they either do nothing for us, or they make us worse. Some of us have violent reactions to them. Probiotics are a very individual thing, and finding one that is beneficial is almost like searching for the Holy Grail.
4,000 IU daily is a reasonable dose of vitamin D
Most of us are low on magnesium (a deficiency can cause foot or leg cramps, or restless leg syndrome), but be careful that you don't overdo it (400 mg max), because magnesium is a laxative, when taken in larger doses. Yes, the citrate versions are better for absorption potential.
I'm not sure that everyone needs co-enzyme Q10, but anyone who takes a statin probably should definitely take it. IMO, unless someone absolutely needs to take a statin, (for known significant cardiovascular/stroke issues), then it's usually a bad idea to take one, since the risk/reward ratio is not favorable when a statin is taken merely because of slightly elevated cholesterol levels, (in the absence of verified cardiovascular issues).
Tocopherols are risky for many of us, since approximately half of us are sensitive to soy and most legumes, and soy is a common source of tocopherols.
We're usually better off if we postpone taking vitamin supplements (especially non-essential ones), until after we are in remission. Vitamin D an vitamin B-12 are exceptions, though, because they can cause serious consequences if they remain deficient for too long. Be sure that you analyze all your pharmaceutic products carefully for allergenic ingredients. Prescription drug and supplement manufacturers are notorious for producing products that contain known allergens. Almost without exception, the fewer ingredients we ingest while we are recovering, the faster we tend to recover.
Tex
A few thoughts:
Not everyone needs Betaine HCL. If you take it, it should be taken roughly 10 or 15 minutes before a substantial meal (especially one with a significant amount of protein). It shouldn't be necessary for snacks, or light meals. 15 or 20 minutes after you take it, you should experience a warm feeling in your stomach. That suggests an optimum dose. A larger dose may be needed if no warm feeling occurs. If you experience a burning feeling, instead, then either you are taking too much, or you don't need any.
Enzymes are risky for some of us. I took one little enzyme capsule one morning, a few minutes before breakfast, and within 2 or 3 hours, I was vomiting (a vile, bitter, green mix). That was repeated every few hours for the rest of the day, though after 2 or 3 sessions the best I could do was dry heaves.
It took me 4 days to get over it, before I felt like eating solid food, again.A handful of people here have found probiotics to be helpful. Most of us find that they either do nothing for us, or they make us worse. Some of us have violent reactions to them. Probiotics are a very individual thing, and finding one that is beneficial is almost like searching for the Holy Grail.
4,000 IU daily is a reasonable dose of vitamin D
Most of us are low on magnesium (a deficiency can cause foot or leg cramps, or restless leg syndrome), but be careful that you don't overdo it (400 mg max), because magnesium is a laxative, when taken in larger doses. Yes, the citrate versions are better for absorption potential.
I'm not sure that everyone needs co-enzyme Q10, but anyone who takes a statin probably should definitely take it. IMO, unless someone absolutely needs to take a statin, (for known significant cardiovascular/stroke issues), then it's usually a bad idea to take one, since the risk/reward ratio is not favorable when a statin is taken merely because of slightly elevated cholesterol levels, (in the absence of verified cardiovascular issues).
Tocopherols are risky for many of us, since approximately half of us are sensitive to soy and most legumes, and soy is a common source of tocopherols.
We're usually better off if we postpone taking vitamin supplements (especially non-essential ones), until after we are in remission. Vitamin D an vitamin B-12 are exceptions, though, because they can cause serious consequences if they remain deficient for too long. Be sure that you analyze all your pharmaceutic products carefully for allergenic ingredients. Prescription drug and supplement manufacturers are notorious for producing products that contain known allergens. Almost without exception, the fewer ingredients we ingest while we are recovering, the faster we tend to recover.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Jennifer,
I know how you feel. I thought maybe taking quite a few supplements would help but it is really best to hold off on most like Tex said (except D and B-12). I take a B complex with C. Yes, find your source of any med that contains Tocopherals! I take Vitamin D from Lanolin, the other D I was taking had soybean oil so had to ditch that. As for probiotics, I've been putting off taking them though I know a few people on the forum who use Culturelle (it's dairy and gluten free). I just found out I have Vaginosis so my GYN wants me to take Lactobacillis (sp) to balance my flora. I've had this bacterial infection for over a year now. It's very persistent. Nervous about taking a probiotic but will see how it goes. I took a Probiotic for the last 2 years with different strains of Bifido in them and apparently that did nothing for me except having to go to the bathroom twice per day rather than once (all norms though). Since I got this disease I got off them. So probiotics are a big iffy. From what I hear you just need to experiment with them to see what may work the best. Some recommend one strain while I've read that others recommend many different strains. So it's tough to call.
I know of at least one lady on this forum that just tried the Betaine but was taking too low of a dose to tell. Haven't heard an update on whether it's working for her or not. It doesn't hurt to try it but make sure it has Pepsin in it. I have a little gastritis so I'm holding off on that for awhile.
Good luck... but right now, less is probably better. Then you can start adding things. I've also wanted to try L-Glutamine....few members take that as well, but again afraid to add something at this time.
Terri
I know how you feel. I thought maybe taking quite a few supplements would help but it is really best to hold off on most like Tex said (except D and B-12). I take a B complex with C. Yes, find your source of any med that contains Tocopherals! I take Vitamin D from Lanolin, the other D I was taking had soybean oil so had to ditch that. As for probiotics, I've been putting off taking them though I know a few people on the forum who use Culturelle (it's dairy and gluten free). I just found out I have Vaginosis so my GYN wants me to take Lactobacillis (sp) to balance my flora. I've had this bacterial infection for over a year now. It's very persistent. Nervous about taking a probiotic but will see how it goes. I took a Probiotic for the last 2 years with different strains of Bifido in them and apparently that did nothing for me except having to go to the bathroom twice per day rather than once (all norms though). Since I got this disease I got off them. So probiotics are a big iffy. From what I hear you just need to experiment with them to see what may work the best. Some recommend one strain while I've read that others recommend many different strains. So it's tough to call.
I know of at least one lady on this forum that just tried the Betaine but was taking too low of a dose to tell. Haven't heard an update on whether it's working for her or not. It doesn't hurt to try it but make sure it has Pepsin in it. I have a little gastritis so I'm holding off on that for awhile.
Good luck... but right now, less is probably better. Then you can start adding things. I've also wanted to try L-Glutamine....few members take that as well, but again afraid to add something at this time.
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Hi Jennifer, I have a hair test done by Trace Elements Inc. Hair tests are always regarded by the medical community as an ineffective method of determining the trace element status. Only naturalpathtic doctors order them becasue they deal with the whole body. Taking supplements without controls can be dangerous. The body has an unique balance and taking a supplement can cause an imbalance between the trace minerals. The hair tests are done every six months and the vitamins and trace elements are changed according to the hair results. I get a full report and explanation. Your PCP has to sign the paper for the test and he also get a doctors report. But, I have found that many doctors do not understand the results as they have had only one course in nutrition. Jon