What supplements do you take for nutrition to get through the day?

nightingale, RN · Jan 16, 2002

I found a time released multi (without iron....) that was $ 15.00 for 100 pills. It seemed "okay"in the dosage etc.. I was surprised at how reasonable the cost was...

B.:)

Peeps Mcarthur · Jan 17, 2002

Nightengale,

The Herbal Medicine Handbook;Springhouse pub. puts usual doses at 40-80 mg TID. I sometimes take 100 mg at a time or 1/2 hour before "activity" as it increases peripheral blood flow.

Since it is believed to cause a decrease in platelet aggregation as well as vasodilation I would think 600mg at one dose would be alot. Maybe the caffeine you drink when driving counteracts the decrease in BP?

Anyhoooo, you don't want to hear me blather on so I would recommend going to a website that I use. http://www.tnp.com. It's a natural pharmacy site and would tell you plenty about Ginko Biloba. It's primarily used to treat cerebral insufficiancy so that's likely the benefit for you.

Brad

nightingale, RN · Jan 18, 2002

I appreciate the tip and the website! You're a keeper!

B.

nightingale, RN · Feb 3, 2002

This seems to be helping quite a bit. Sometimes I would get cramps in my legs at night and I find I do not now.. Love the tip and info about the gingko too.... Thanks Brad!

B.:)

RNforLongTime · Feb 3, 2002

Good morning everyone,

Here's what I take to get me throught the day. Oxycontin, ativan and ritalin. Just kidding!

But seriously, I would NEVER take Metabolife 356 or any diet supplement containing ephedra. It can do some bad stuff to your heart. Have had several patients admitted to my unit for chest pain-unstable angina after taking Metabolife for a while. No damage was done, thankfully, but you never know! Tis better to be safe than sorry!

Peeps Mcarthur · Feb 3, 2002

Nightengale,

That's wonderful. I'm glad to be of some use.

Kaknurse,

What made you think that prolonged use of Ephedra was the etiology of these unstable patients?

Were they abusing it?

Metabolife has a changed the formula. I believe it's even weaker than previousely and certainly less effective than others.

I'm curiouse from a clinical viewpoint. I'm certainly not going to defend the use of stimulants by persons with preexisting cardiovascular diseases, but the hype by the media is tremendouse in these cases and "muddies the water" in the formation of medical oppinion.

No offence to you. You certainly have a right to an oppinion and I appreciate the fear you have.

Do you have any data other than anecdotal observation?

Any lab values maybe that point directly at these alkaloids having not metabolised and built up to toxic levels?

Seriousely, I wasn't there and made no observations myself of course but, do you think the term "dangerouse" is in order? That would seem to be saying that even responsible use could not have avoided heart disease.

Do you see what I'm saying?

I think Ephedra gets a bad rap and is the easiest scapegoat the FDA ever had.

I would greatly appreciate any links or websites to view your clinical evidence. I think it's very important and relevant to the modern practice of medicine and the safety of our patients.

Thank you,

Brad

RNforLongTime · Feb 4, 2002

I don't have any CLinical data to back me up! Just the wise words of some of the Cardiologists in the hospital where I work. So, I have made the personal decision not to use any weight loss supplement that contains ephedra...metabolife, xenadrine, etc. It's not worth the risk. As far as I know those patients were not abusing Metabolife. One lady had just started taking two a day for three days when she started having problems and another pt who was a man had used it--three tablets a day for a month.

Peeps Mcarthur · Feb 4, 2002

Kaknurse,

That's amazing. Because you ocassionaly see pts that claim Ephedra toxicity and know a cardiologist(who has many years of medical training) that says its dangerouse. I can understand why you would discount its validity as a weight loss supplement.

I have known people that just love it (most) and a few who say it makes them "jittery" but I have never known anyone to have a life threatening episode. I'm sure there must be SOME group of cases that would make a large enough sample to make a case study.

If Ephedra is putting people at risk why have there been no studies?

My assertion is that there is no credible data so anecdotal reports(that are not linked to any credible data) will have to do. The AMA can't have people going around willie-nillie self medicating themselves without thier permission. Especialy when it works and doesn't kill or cripple people for life like Phen-Phen did.

I guess if I hadn't been using Ephedra products for the past ten years or so with no side effects whatsoever and if I didn't have a large sample group for my own anecdotal reports that show no seriouse side effects, then maybe I would be as incredulouse as you are about its safety.

Not having the opportunity to see the many success stories as I have, you are right to doubt its safety with so much of your own observations being negative.

But there is an alternative to stimulants.

Scan Diet is a wonderful weight loss supplement. It's a meal replacement that uses soy as its base protien. It has 7gms of fiber too.

There are no stimulants but it'll take care of your appetite and give your body some nutrition at the same time.

The mixed berry flavor in the ready-to-drink packet is my favorite.

I've seen people successfuly lose weight with it as well.

Brad

nightingale, RN · Feb 5, 2002

Brad:

It is called just that.. SCAN? and it fills you up? I could probably find some in a health food store here.. huh?

Thanks Brad...

B.:)

mario_ragucci · Feb 5, 2002

(Mario admittedly soapboxes)

Yall taking all those wigged out supplements are very disciplined consumers. Don't you know how nutrient absorption takes place? Its all about the food you eat, and not the pills you take. Your body looks for nutrients that can stay in your GI tract. In other words, you hafta consume soluable and insoluable fiber (cellulose) in order to allow the bacteria in your gut to harvest the nutrients you need. Nutients hafta be spread out, not be dumped into your stomach in one big lump, c'mon!!! I'm surprised.

I'm taking a Food and Nutrition class now, and have learned, after a three day diet study on myself, that I don't need to take any vitamins because I get enough from the food I eat. You can't harvest your DAILY requirements unless you eat properly, eat roughage and drink enough water...pointblank! The smart monkeys will show you pictures and tell you anything to get you to pay money for thier pills; Don't fall for it. Just eat responsibly; Find out how to eat responsibly. I've said enough. Think about where things go after you swallow it; what is happening beyond the stomach. We are not machines; we're physical. You put a concentrated form of a nutrient in your stomach and your renal system will expell it, 1,2,3.

Although, I go for the "writestuff" diet from time to time, lol. All in moderation, but think about the pills, and what is fair for your body, and what is not meant to be.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Feb 5, 2002

Sorry to burst your bubble, Mario, but in today's nutrient-depleted soils and foodstuffs, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get the nutrients your body needs from your diet (just try getting enough vitamin E or folic acid, for instance). You'd have to eat like a gorilla!!!

Peeps Mcarthur · Feb 5, 2002

Mario,

I thought like you do once.

Before my skin felt good. Before my hair and nails grew well and didn't split(geeze I hate that!). Before my digestion was efficient.

Those are just the things I can SEE and FEEL. I don't know what improvements have taken place internally.

As for the meal replacement. If you can put together a whole food meal at only 160 calories that has as much fiber and protien, vitamins and minerals as Scan Diet then I will eat it.

Maybe that would make a good paper for class.

Brad