Vitamins..essential Or Not?

[Jenn2005]

Wow...I get all those same symptoms off and on but I've had my blood checked for B12 deficiency a couple times and they said it was fine. 

Sometimes I wonder about my HMO cuz they also said I didnt have malabsorption but Enterolab results showed high malabsorption (I lost 25 lbs.)

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Rachel - Did you get a copy of the blood work? My husbands GI tested his vitamin levels and told us all was normal not to worry about it and a week later I had to get a copy of it for the University Hospital he sent us to and on the lab report the normal ranges for the lab were 200 - 1100 his being 240 which did fall in the normal range so the doctor was right but the lab had inserted a note on the report that patients with levels between 200 - 400 can experience neurological and hematologic abnormalities due to occult B12 deficiency. Less than 1% of patients with values above 400 will have these symptoms. So it seems even some normal levels can cause symptoms of B12 deficiency.

Jennifer

[VydorScope]

Vitamins are essential for life. One thing overlooked alot is also the need for minerals so don't forget those as well.

I like liquid vitamins because the absorption is supposed to be more effecient. I would think it would definitely give your immune system a boost. When your body has optimal levels of nutrients then it operates better...with the nutrition content in alot of food these days you need an extra source of nutrients so I would suggest getting on something.

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Just to clarify, I believe KatiUSA does not mean vitman PILLS are essentail for life, just the vitmans they calim to supply.

[KaitiUSA]

Just to clarify, I believe KatiUSA does not mean vitman PILLS are essentail for life, just the vitmans they calim to supply.

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Yep, right on

[KaitiUSA]

Kaiti,

I found something to take. Its a multi vit/min supplement...not liquid though. Does it take awhile for vitamins to take effect or do they usually make a difference pretty quickly? So far, I'm not noticing a difference.

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Well when I was pre gluten-free I was taking a chewable multi and my levels were all messed up. I believe all except my B12 was deficient and the B12 wasn't only because I take B12 sublingualy.

Around the time I went gluten-free I was recommended to try the liquid ones because I was told the absorption is more effecient. The next time, a few months later, I got tested my levels were all in the normal range.

I still take liquid vitamins and minerals and I haven't had any problems and they definitely seem to keep my immunity high for the most part.

They may not work the same for everyone but I definitely have a high recommendation for them.

[Jen H]

I take a multivitamin by Natures Made and Caltrate for calcium. They're both gluten-free. I was getting massive brain fog and was constantly exhausted. I'm new to celiac disease, so that could be part of it, but the vitamins have helped me a lot.

Jen

[thomas3000]

The neurological problems can be caused by magnesium deficiency. If you have twitching and burning sensations I would get some magnesium glycinate or taurate. It's the number one deficiency here in America, no wonder why we're sick and depressed all the time. I hate our government and conventional medical community. They're way behind when it comes to health care. I have a friend who had severe chest pains and the burning and tingling you've been talking about. He was administered magnesium and felt better immediately, and suprisingly his depression/anxiety disappeared right on the spot. We're simply eating a poor diet here and it's killing us, some of us fast, others slowly. Gluten intolerance is the most misdiagnosed condition ever. If you read the book "Dangerous Grains", it will freak you out because it is responsible for hundreds of conditions, mainly depression/anxiety disorders....I'm afraid to eat out anymore also. If anyone out there suffers from depression, there is a way to build up serotonin/dopamine levels naturally. I can help with this and you don't need an anti-depressant....

[jerseyangel]

As someone who's celiac disease symptoms include depression, anxiety, and tingling feelings, I am interested in hearing more of what you have to say. I take Standard Process Calcium Lactate which has magnesium. The tingling is still very much with me, the other 2 are greatly reduced with the diet and suppliments. I also take a Centrum Multi., vit.B6, Vit.B12 along with the Cal. Lac. Thanks

[darlindeb25]

I take Nature Made Woman +50 with iron, a good B complex, Calcium, and B12 1000mcg sublingual every day. I did have the depression, anxiety, panic attacks--that is all gone now, most of it. I also have the tingling with burning, but that is due to the neuropathy I developed because of being deficient in all vitamins and minerals before going gluten free. My neuropathy has slowed down in progression, but I dont think it will ever go away. Deb

[jerseyangel]

Deb, Could I ask you about the neuropathy? Is the burning and tingling the start of it or are these actual symptoms of having it? I feel it most on the left side of my face and left arm. I feel burning "spots" on the soles of my feet also. Sorry--I don't know too much about it, I found out that these were symptoms of celiac disease only after being Dx. Also, my face often feels hot from the inside--my mouth included. I would appreciate any light you could shed on this for me. I plan to speak to my Dr. about it when I go in in Jan. I find, though, that I get better info. here! Thanks, Patti

[thomas3000]

I have a few books that explain why celiac causes neurlogical/psychological symptoms.. I know for sure that most are deficient in Magnesium. I would honestly suggest going off all calcium supplements and get rid of any calcium in the diet for a year. Replace with magesium only, and eat lots of magnesium rich foods. Check internet for foods that contain magnesium. I have been taking a whole food supplement from New Chapter, it has everything the body needs except magnesium, so I take the Every Man vitamin/mineral supplement and 1200 mg of magnesium glycinate. The vitamins are whole food supplements so you can chew them and they work way better than synthetic vitamins. As far as the lingering neuropathy symptoms, maybe you're still healing from it, but remember that magnesium is involved in nerve impulses so I would supplement with it. Start with about 600-800 a day. Get the Carlson's magnesium glycinate since other form can worsen depressive symptoms. But no calcium in the diet for a while....

[jerseyangel]

Why no calcium? I'm a 49 yr. old woman and the thought of no calcium scares me a little! I eat no dairy products, but try to get nutrients from food--its hard to get enough of some things from food, though, and thats why I supplement.

[Guest kim07]

As someone who's celiac disease symptoms include depression, anxiety, and tingling feelings, I am interested in hearing more of what you have to say.  I take Standard Process Calcium Lactate which has magnesium.  The tingling is still very much with me, the other 2 are greatly reduced with the diet and suppliments.  I also take a Centrum Multi., vit.B6, Vit.B12 along with the Cal. Lac.  Thanks 

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To all on this subject: I'm a celiac who suffers from depression as well, and anxiety. I would absolutely love to get off of some if not eventually all of my anti-depression meds, so I'm wondering if what Thomas has to say about Celiac Sprue and depression, and Vitamins, is true as well, I'm sure some of it is.

The only thing that makes me worry is the same thing that concerned you was the Calcium, being a (35 year old woman). I don't know if stopping taking calcium all together is the best idea. I know for me already showing signs of Osteopenia its deffinitely not a good idea. But everything else Thomas is saying makes sense, or at least sounds great, to be able to do. I'm wondering now, if the Celiac Disease was a huge part of what was causing my bouts of major depression now.

What are you talking about tingling? I've been getting tingling sensations, but lately they have been related to hives. But I have always had these wierd burning sensations. I usually get them on the sides of my belly or in my abdomen. I always ask my husband why on earth would I be feeling that, it scares me sometimes, I'm now wondering if its the same burning sensation feeling all of you are talking about.

Kim

[jerseyangel]

The tingling feel is hard to describe--kind of a numb tingling that is always there. I don't have hives or anything on the skin that would cause it, its pretty widespread on the left side especially but affects both feet on the soles. I think the ideas that Thomas has are interesting. I have an open mind and actually a Kinesiologist was the first person to tell me that a lot of my problems were diet related. I am open to alternitives and seek medical help also when I feel I need to. Ideally, in my mind, the two would work together more and we would be better for it. In my opinion, celiac disease can definately cause problems with depression. How long have you been gluten-free? In my case, it was a good 3 months before I noticed a real lift from the depression and anxiety. Those only keep getting better (except if I accidently get gluten, then I feel really depressed). It helps so much to finally understand how all of this is connected--it kind of gives me a certain amount of power over it instead of the other way around.

[thomas3000]

Check this out!!! coldcure.com/html/dep.html

If your depressed or anxious i would try to take some L-tyrosine and L-Tryptophan. They boost the dopamine and serotonin levels and tyrosine produce important adrenal and thyroid hormones. FTH Neutraceuticals has the purest form of L-tryptophan out there, it's expensive but will make you feel better..I think any form of L-tyrosine will do. Celiac will deplete these amino acids and you need to replenish them to regain your sense of well being. Get some Jay Robb's egg protein cuz they supply all the amino acids you need for good mental health, or just eat about 3 eggs a day..

[Guest kim07]

The tingling  feel is hard to describe--kind of a numb tingling that is always there.  I don't have hives or anything on the skin that would cause it, its pretty widespread on the left side especially but affects both feet on the soles.  I think the ideas that Thomas has are interesting.  I have an open mind and actually a Kinesiologist was the first person to tell me that a lot of my problems were diet related.  I am open to alternitives and seek medical help also when I feel I need to.  Ideally, in my mind, the two would work together more and we would be better for it.  In my opinion, celiac disease can definately cause problems with depression.  How long have you been gluten-free?  In my case, it was a good 3 months before I noticed a real lift from the depression and anxiety.  Those only keep getting better (except if I accidently get gluten, then I feel really depressed).  It helps so much to finally understand how all of this is connected--it kind of gives me a certain amount of power over it instead of the other way around.

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[Guest kim07]

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[RiceGuy]

I know I haven't been getting all the proper nutrients. I eat loads of veggies every day, but the malabsorption is of course a factor. One thing I found that seems to help is RealSalt. When I'd use "regular" table salt, I would get fluid retention in my legs and feet if I used the amount I prefered. I tend to eat things very plain too. I don't like a lot of salt and flavorings. Still it wasn't working out. So it was tricky to get food tasting not too bland but avoid the puffy effects. However, with the RealSalt this doesn't happen. The salt comes from an underground source that has been locked away since goodness knows when, so man never got a chance to polute it! They don't use high temperatures or chemicals to process it either, thus the trace minerals are intact. Sounds good to me

I was surprized just how much processing our table salt goes through. In the "old days", the salt was sun-dried, but now most salt is kiln-dried, and at such high temperatures that the trace minerals are destroyed. One of the first to go is iodine. This is very important for the thyroid among other things. Around the late 1800 there was a large number of people getting goiter. The research indicated a lack of iodine, which of course had not been a problem before. They decided to add iodine to salt, so people would get the trace amount which had been destroyed. That seemed to take care of the goiter.

Today, people all over are having thyroid problems. I think it could very likely be the iodine they put in the salt, because I read it is synthetic, as derived from the refinement of petrolium!

Anyway, I don't want a synthetic substitute. I don't care who says it's "close enough" or the same. That's why I avoid overcooking my veggies. I try to just heat them enough so they aren't cold, unless I want them to be of course.

I've had many brands of sea salt, but the RealSalt is surprizingly different from anything I ever tried before. It actually tastes sorta "sweet", but not in the familiar sense. It's hard to describe, and at first I wasn't sure what to make of it. I didn't get the typical "saltyness", so I tended to add more. The sharp, zingy taste I was used to didn't surface as expected. After a short time using the salt, I really began to appreciate it. Natural flavors where getting enhenced, not covered up. Food simply seems to get "not bland" rather than taking on a sharp, salty taste. I don't have to add much to get things tasting right.

Since the fluid retention problem doesn't seem to happen with it, I think the trace minerals might be helping with absorption. In any case it helps, and since it's a natural blend of trace minerals, I like the idea quite a bit.

Interestingly, I recently tried some soy cheese for the first time ever. I have had puffy legs and feet since then - about three days or so I don't know if it's the soy, or casein (I think it has that, but I'll have to recheck the label), or maybe they use iodized salt to make the cheese. In any case that's the only thing I experimented with recently. If something in the cheese has effected my ability to absorb nutrients, that could explain the retention I think.

Anyone interested in the RealSalt can read about it on the official site: www.RealSalt.com

[lgleeson]

The neurological problems can be caused by magnesium deficiency.  If you have twitching and burning sensations I would get some magnesium glycinate or taurate.  It's the number one deficiency here in America, no wonder why we're sick and depressed all the time.  I hate our government and conventional medical community.  They're way behind when it comes to health care.  I have a friend who had severe chest pains and the burning and tingling you've been talking about. He was administered magnesium and felt better immediately,  and suprisingly his depression/anxiety disappeared right on the spot.  We're simply eating a poor diet here and it's killing us, some of us fast, others slowly.  Gluten intolerance is the most misdiagnosed condition ever.  If you read the book "Dangerous Grains", it will freak you out because it is responsible for hundreds of conditions, mainly depression/anxiety disorders....I'm afraid to eat out anymore also.  If anyone out there suffers from depression,  there is a way to build up serotonin/dopamine levels naturally.  I can help with this and you don't need an anti-depressant....

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This is so interesting. Can you tell me if you would know for sure if you are deficient in magnesium from blood levels? Or is it similiar to calcium or vitamin B where your blood levels are o.k. but your body is actually "leaching" it from other body systems?

[thomas3000]

IF your blood pressure is low, I don't think magnesium deficiency is a problem, but who knows. If you have Celiac/anxiety induced high blood pressure, the only thing it could do is help. It's an important mineral that is responsible for 300 different functions in the body. The Standard American Diet doesn't contain near enough magnesium as well as other vitamins/minerals. The website I posted was a godsend for me because I had severe anxiety and depression for 1 1/2 years and it was relentless. I would get the New Chapter multi since it's a whole food supplement and it has everything in it. I had to go to numerous docs before I found one that explained what was going on inside of me. I'm one of the lucky ones....