supplements

ANyone take any special supplements such as vitamins or mineral or other supplements to relieve the CFS symptoms.  I currently take amino acid herbs and vitamin d3.  thanks

[PlateletGal]

I'm taking :

ACETYL Carnitine
B Complex (the drops.. you can purchase at Walgreens)
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Amino Acids (liquid form)
COQ10
Magnesium (very important for CFS and fibro --- I buy it in powered form)

And I recently added vitamins C & E to the mix.

[benedwards1]

do you see positive results from those supplements and do you have one that benefits you the most?  

[PlateletGal]

I am seeing some improvement with my symptoms and I think the supplements that have helped me the most are the magnesium, B Complex drops and the ACETYL Carnitine. D-Ribose also used to help me, but then after several months of taking it.... that changed.

I forgot to mention something else that I'm taking that has helped me a GREAT DEAL. Iodine. Here was a post that I posted only weeks ago in this forum about the progress that I've made since I started doing the iodine. Highly recommended !!!!!!

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/625348?personal_page_id=1064&post_id=post_3397006

[benedwards1]

I heard so many great things on D ribose and will be buying some but do you have any re hotaking some hs recommendation for certain type and do you recommend the powder vs pill?  thanks

[PlateletGal]

If you can get supplements in powder form (vs. pill form) --- I say do it. I think it would absorb easier and especially considering that CFS and people with autoimmune conditions have gut problems.

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

Response from Prof. Nicolson:  There are several vitamins/minerals/supplements that help CFS/FMS patients.  Chronic illness patients are often depleted in vitamins (especially B complex, C, E, CoQ-10) and certain minerals.  These illnesses often result in poor absorption.  Therefore, high doses of some vitamins are useful; others, such as vitamin B complex, cannot be easily absorbed by the gut (oral dose).  Sublingual (under the tongue) natural B-complex vitamins in capsules or liquids (also injectable) (Total B, Real Life Research, or www.vitaninshoppe.com) should be used instead of swallowed capsules.  General vitamins plus extra C, E, CoQ-10, beta-carotene, folic acid, bioflavoids and biotin are best.  L-cysteine, L-tyrosine, L-glutamine, L-carnitine, malic acid and especially flaxseed or fish oils and especially the lipid replacement supplement NTFactor (www.NTFactor.com) are reported to be useful in clinical trials.  Certain minerals are depleted in chronic illness patients, such as zinc, magnesium, chromium and selenium.  Some recommend up to 300 mcg/day sodium selenite, followed by lower doses.   For patients on antibiotic, antiviral or oxygen therapy, it is recommend that antioxidant vitamins be taken at least 4 hr before or after each therapy dose. The suggested doses of vitamins can vary dramatically among patients; consult with your physician or nutritionist for appropriate dosage.

[cino]

I have taken a host of vitamins & supplements and have tried a lot of what Dr. Nicolson has said above. I have had to take it in large amounts to make me feel a bit better, which for me was quite costly, as I am on a disability pension now and just cannot afford an over amount of supplements. I do have to say that some have helped, and others have not. I get cramps in my legs & feet extremely bad, and have been on zinc, potassium, magnesium and chromium for years and it just does nothing for me. I just think that I am one of those people who doesnt respond well to certain things, as I have problems finding anything that will help me, but i say try anything you can, cause you never if it will help unless you try it. I did find that some things upset my stomach, like fish oils and vitamin B's make me very nauseated. I did try glucosamine, which did help my joint pain a bit, but then it flared up my gout.

[PlateletGal]

bumping up for our newest members (welcome !)

[PlateletGal]

P.S. ~ I need to purchase more supplements ! ; ^ )  

Thank you, Dr. Nicolson. btw.... Dr. Nicolson will be back here in MedHelp on Wednesday, May 20th... answering our questions again. I look forward to his joining us and am so happy that he is taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions !

[VaBreeze]

I can't wait until Dr. Nicolson visits again.  I believe I had missed his first one and it was so informative.  It's exciting to have someone so knowledgable giving his time to assist us with questions we may have.

I have recently added a supplement called colloid silver to my daily routine.  It's been about a week now.  I started with 1/2 tsp. just to insure I could tolerate it, then increased the dosage to 1 - 3 tsp. a day.  I'm excited to see how it will work after approx. a month.  In the first week I have noticed a slight increase in energy.  For me that is a real bonus.  They also have colloid gold, which I may begin in the next couple of months.

[VaBreeze]

P.S. - this supplement will cause herxing symptoms...so I know it's doing something good.