Supplements?

[Corylus]

Do any of you take supplements of any kind?

I've just started taking cod liver oil and glucosamine combined as I've suffered knee pain. As I'm only young I think I need to keep my eye on it because I shouldn't really suffer knee pain for long unless there is some sort of underlying condition. Not sure if it's my posture.

So do any of you take any supplements? If so, do you feel that they work well or are they largely a placebo?

 

[Greek Bonfire]

I take multi-vitamins, fish oil, Acai berry, vitamin E (as a prescription by my doctor). I think it helps (so far). I feel like I have more strength, the vitamin E helps with breast lumps and fish oil is great for the heart, as there is a lot of heart disease in my family. Acai berry is supposed to help with cancer; a friend of mine who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and survived, strongly recommended Acai, as I just had a precancerous lump removed. Also, I take fiber, which my doctor has recommended since my twenties, as he stated that people, at least in the USA, don't eat enough fiber each day.

 

[Imeera]

I take evening primrose oil everyday to help with PMS/PMT (I get it really badly) and that helps loads, I don't think it is a placebo because when I forget I get grumpy and I don't know why I am or realise I didn't take it that day. I also take a multi-vitamin if I have had a bad food day, not sure if it helps but better to be safe than sorry.

Make sure you have a balanced diet however, it may just be your lacking vitamins/minerals. For example lack of calcium can cause cramps. Look at your posture too if you think it may be that. But in your case I think you should keep taking the supplements. See if it helps after a month or two. If it still persists I would see a doctor about it for some advice.

 

[Amanda (was Aziyade)]

So do any of you take any supplements? If so, do you feel that they work well or are they largely a placebo?

This is my fear.

I've tried to read up on studies testing supplements, but most of the ones I've read are really inconclusive or they contradict others.

The vitamin industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and their marketing scheme appears to be something like this:
"Well they won't hurt you, and might help you, so buy supplements now!"
That kind of bothers me.

Corylus, pain is an indicator that something is wrong -- possibly in the alignment of the joint, possibly a muscular imbalance creating extra stress on on side -- and you should talk to your doc about it. Sometimes you can find info online about exercises to do if the pain is related to the above. The location of the pain is important, and in what joint angle you feel most pain.

 

[Shakti]

I have taken ayurvedic supplement called Guggal. It is from the bark of the myhrr tree. It was not something that had to build up over time, it worked quick like ibuprofin. It is a great anti inflamatory. I only buy ayurvedic supplements from Swami Naryan Assoc., they have a website if there is not a temple near you.

adding fresh Ginger, and habanero peppers to your diet are great for reducing pain.

Also frozen Amla fruit is my new favorite anti- oxidant.

here is the link:

:: BAPS

 

[LunaXJJ]

So do any of you take any supplements? If so, do you feel that they work well or are they largely a placebo?

I take a womens one a day multivitamin, and amino acid supplements.

No, they don't work as a placebo. It actually has the nutrients your body needs, and no one would gain anything from them being placebos.

Placebos are used more for drug testing, and to trick people into feeling better.
For example, if someone is complaining about leg pain, the doctor might give them a placebo to make sure they aren't just seeking drugs. Or like my doctor did, give me fake Ativan to see if I was lying about my anxiety. Which was a foul move considering my anxiety is pure hell, and I don't appreciate being messed with.

Anyway, sorry for that personal rant, lol. Back on point, vitamins, and other supplements have no use as placebos.
Not to mention I don't think the FDA would approve of companies making placebo supplements. People actually need those nutrients. I'm sure they wouldn't risk someone getting osteoporosis because they weren't actually getting the calcium they thought they were.

 

[Amanda (was Aziyade)]

Not to mention I don't think the FDA would approve of companies making placebo supplements. People actually need those nutrients. I'm sure they wouldn't risk someone getting osteoporosis because they weren't actually getting the calcium they thought they were.

As far as the FDA is concerned, the government recognizes the necessity of certain vitamins and minerals in the diet, and has recommended a certain minimum "dosage" of them, known as the recommended daily allowances.

This is an entirely different issue than people taking OTHER supplements, such as chondrotin and glucosamine, for something like osteoarthritis. If you look closely at the label, you will see a phrase similar to "The FDA has not evaluated these claims," which is a nice way of saying "as long as they don't actually harm you and don't claim to cure you, we have to let the industry go unregulated." In reality, the FDA HAS evaluated a lot of them, and found the claims to either be false, or the research lacking in some way.

See this, for instance:
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate: Scientific Evaluation

In the US, we have had a lot of trouble with herbal remedies and claims to help or cure cancer. (Anyone remember the laetrile scandal?) Herbs ARE drugs -- and just like drugs, can have side effects. The FDA usually clears those supplements that don't seem to induce serious side effects, but that doesn't mean they are giving them their stamp of approval. AND the FDA does not regulate the manufacture and warehousing of dietary supplements, which is why you hear news reports about supplements containing 60% rat poop, or dead yeast, or bacteria eating away at the pills.

Supplements DO often work as placebos -- I full well know that Vitamin C does not cure or prevent a cold. However, if I feel a cold coming on, I will drink a lot of orange/grapefruit juice. I feel better during the duration of the cold, so therefore I always attribute it to the juice. In reality, it's probably the hydrating with ANY non-diuretic liquid that is keeping me from feeling crappy during the period of the cold, but I have personally decided that it is the juice, and because my brain thinks juice cures a cold, it sort of does "cure" it -- by making it seem less severe. Check any medical research done on supplements, and people like me will swear up and down that their favorite food or supplement cures what ails them But anecdotal evidence is not, unfortunately, a double-blind study with a control group.

Remember: PAIN is usually an indicator of a failure in the system. You don't want to treat a continually painful knee with aspirin, orange juice, or a supplement UNTIL you have talked with your doctor about the cause for the pain. If the doc clears you for supplements, or PT, or whatever, then go for it, but until that time please do not try to diagnose yourself and self-medicate. I saw too many ballet dancers end their careers trying to quietly treat pain with home remedies rather than the rest and immobilization the doc recommended.

 

[gisela]

I take a combination pill with calcium and d-vitamin. I had a depression (well, not quite "cured" yet) and took all kinds of blood tests. Turns out I had severe vitamin D deficiency. I can't remember the exact levels but if I was supposed to have at least 55 units of something I had perhaps 24 :shok: I am sooo bad generally at remembering to take pills but this I really have to take. Levels are much better now but I can't feel a lot of change in my body.

 

[LunaXJJ]

please do not try to diagnose yourself and self-medicate..

I wasn't taking about myself with the whole pain thing. Just the anxiety bit.

I'm not talking about supplements being used as a cure or anything. I'm talking about them just for the nutrients for your body. Whether you have a specific problem or not, supplements are still good for keeping your body healthier.

 

[Amanda (was Aziyade)]

Oh no, Luna -- I meant the OP, who complained of joint pain.

 

[LunaXJJ]

Oh, lol.

 

[Ariadne]

Concerning multivitamins... if you aren't getting your nutrients from your food you should probably take a look at how you are eating; it's so much better for you an get them naturally. I was on Calcium supplements for years and had to live with all kinds of side effects I didn't even realize came from them, yes Calcium + D. On the other side of the equation when I was expecting for the first time the Dr totally freaked out when they got my tests back because of my iron levels and wanted to know what supplement I was taking. However the instant he found out that I wasn't taking Iron pills but just ate plenty of dark greens he was completely fine with it. Yes I know not all supplements can poison you like Iron can but it still shows how much better it is for you to receive them from natural sources.

Supplements DO often work as placebos -- I full well know that Vitamin C does not cure or prevent a cold. However, if I feel a cold coming on, I will drink a lot of orange/grapefruit juice. I feel better during the duration of the cold, so therefore I always attribute it to the juice. In reality, it's probably the hydrating with ANY non-diuretic liquid that is keeping me from feeling crappy during the period of the cold, but I have personally decided that it is the juice, and because my brain thinks juice cures a cold, it sort of does "cure" it -- by making it seem less severe.

I don't take Vit C in juice form during colds, I take the time release pills. In my experience the Vit C makes a difference in keeping the "fluids" flowing so my nasal passages don't stop up and I can breath. Does it actually cure the cold? Probably not, but it does help a great deal in making the cold easier to live with in the meantime.


Wait... lol! Yeah, I don't believe in multivitamins but I do espouse taking Vit C during a cold. :lol:

 

[LunaXJJ]

I agree its best to get them in your diet.
A lot of people can't get it all though. I have a really hard time making sure I get what my body needs. Its a tough situation, and that's why I take the vitamin.

 

[Aniseteph]

I used to do Chondroitin/glucosamine because my orthopaedic consultant said it might help with knee problems I was having a few years ago. At the time there was some medical evidence for it but it's since been thrown into doubt again. I stopped because I'm forgetful that way and anyway the knee got better - which I put down to giving over-the-counter orthotic insoles a go, and avoiding sleeping on my front.

 

[gisela]

I was on Calcium supplements for years and had to live with all kinds of side effects I didn't even realize came from them, yes Calcium + D.

What kinds of side effects did you experience? It is, of couse, ok if you don't want to tell. If you think it is a personal question, I mean.

 

[Ariadne]

I don't mind. They all effected the digestive tract, everything from constipation to nausea. We didn't realize it was doing it because I already had IBS and they masked each other. Once I stopped taking the supplements though everything cleared up and my IBS started improving for the first time in years. Changing the type of supplement wouldn't have helped either since I was already taking Calcium Citrate which is supposed to be the type least likely to cause a reaction.

Oh, and in case anyone wonders the supplement and amount daily was prescribed by a Dr and not just something I decided to do on my own.

 

[Greek Bonfire]

Turns out I had severe vitamin D deficiency. I can't remember the exact levels but if I was supposed to have at least 55 units of something I had perhaps 24 :shok: I am sooo bad generally at remembering to take pills but this I really have to take. Levels are much better now but I can't feel a lot of change in my body.

In your case, I suggest you move to the Riviera!

 

[gisela]

In your case, I suggest you move to the Riviera!

You know what, I think you are right. *Starts packing*

 

[CottonAnatomy]

Everyday I take a multivitamin, calcium and fish oil. Also some days I'll take fiber due to some digestive issues. I definitly feel a difference in how I feel today after having started taking these!

 

[Belly Love]

Mona-Vie

Purchase MonaVie product from Sia Moody serving the Chicago, IL area

It's an acai berry juice blend. This specific one, "Active", is the one I take (it's the green label). At first I thought it might be overrated and over priced, but this stuff is amazing! It's helped my achy joints so much. I also sleep much better when I take it. Honestly, I only bought it from my friend to be nice because she just started selling it. I didn't know anything about it. 4 days after taking it, I mentioned to my friend about how I've had the best sleep in years for the past few nights and she told me that's from the Mona-Vie. It definitely wasn't psychological because I didn't even consider the Mona-Vie to be a contributor to my good sleep.

Anyway, it is a bit pricey, but no more than other acai berry products that are sold in health food stores and it tastes really good! I've tried other stuff that tasted horrendous. You only take a shot or two per day. Everyone I know who takes it swears by it. Geez, I'm sounding like a sales person!

Anyway, you might want to check it out.