Supplement Overdoes?

[Tashea]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and have just spent the last four days reading hundreds of postings and all I can say is wow, I am so thankful I found you guys!

I am going to apologize in advance for what might be a long email.. After years of suffering with various symptoms

(ulcer, stomach cramps, acid reflux, D and C, early menopause, gall bladder removal, vitamin B deficiency, fatigue, adrenal & thyroid imbalance, hair loss, and misc allergies to name just a few) I was finally diagnosed via blood and stool sample tests as being GI in 2/07, along with low adrenal & thyroid functions, and a stomach fungus. My doc is an MD who also practices holistic medicine. I was put on a regimen of supplements that I have been one for more than a year - DHEA, NAC, Amino Acids, multi-vitamin, calcium, BioGest, 722, Ashwaganda, L-Tryosine, 5 HTP, CoQ10, probiotic, digestive enzyme, and melatonin. Also take Biosil (for my hair loss) daily and Emergen C every couple of days (as needed for energy).

After about three months on the gluten-free diet and supplements, I started feeling better. Then in December, I started once again having sporadic "issues" with stomach cramping, gas, bloating D & C. I chalked it up to possible unknown CC and did my best to make sure everything in my environment was as pure as possible. In other words, I only eat straight meat, veggies and fruits, cleaned out the med cabinet, checked all cosmetics, etc... I also switched around the supplements and had some relief, but now my symptoms are back with a vengence. A month ago I decided to eliminate soy, sugar and dairy, thinking that maybe they were the new culprits. CC might be an issue, although I doubt it, as I am extremely careful. Still no relief, instead my symptoms are getting worse with constant stomach cramps and D.

So to make a long story shorter, today I go to my favorite health food store (doubled over in pain) to get my monthly supplement supply. The woman that usually helps me suggested that my stomach might be reacting to all the supplements I have been on and suggested that I cut back on everything. She suggested that I only take a multi-vitamin, digestive enzyme, fiber, gluten-zyme, coenzyme b complex, omega 7, probiotic and l-glutamine and give my insides a chance to heal. My question is can I be causing more damage to my stomach and intestines by taking all of these supplements? Unfortunately I can't go back to the Dr because I am currently unemployed and have no medical insurance. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

[confused]

Emergen c, to my knowledge is not gluten free, that could be your culprit.

[Tashea]

Thanks for the response! At first I thought the same thing but according to the company website and their product support person, it is gluten-free.

[nmw]

There is a possibility of supplements causing issues-that's a lot of stuff to be dumping on your poor, hurting, healing gut. Once your gut starts to heal and better absorb nutrients and food it could be overloaded by the daily onslaught of all you are taking. It's time to reassess what you really need and don't need. I think over-supplementation contributed to my further food intols (beyond gluten) and leaky gut.

[YoloGx]

Thanks for the response! At first I thought the same thing but according to the company website and their product support person, it is gluten-free.

My understanding is that some emergence-C is gluten free but most isn't.

Make sure your other supplements are gluten and other common allergens free too.

[RiceGuy]

What's the reason for taking gluten-zyme? Wouldn't that be applicable only for someone eating gluten? I agree that it seems like one or more of the supplements might be causing the distress. Perhaps even the fiber, depending on the proportions of of foods you eat. There are many posts from members about having to be careful not to consume too much fiber. Cramping and D could be the result of that. The L-Glutamine may not be well tolerated either, and unless I miss my guess, it might be food for intestinal yeast. If you have a yeast overgrowth, I'd suggest caprylic acid.

[YoloGx]

What's the reason for taking gluten-zyme? Wouldn't that be applicable only for someone eating gluten? I agree that it seems like one or more of the supplements might be causing the distress. Perhaps even the fiber, depending on the proportions of of foods you eat. There are many posts from members about having to be careful not to consume too much fiber. Cramping and D could be the result of that. The L-Glutamine may not be well tolerated either, and unless I miss my guess, it might be food for intestinal yeast. If you have a yeast overgrowth, I'd suggest caprylic acid.

Although L-glutamine really can give you extra energy I discovered its not good for folks who tend to have kidney problems or tendencies towards diabetes.

Hadn't heard about the yeast thing though with L-glutamine. Is that really true?

Pao de arco and garlic plus extra pro biotics with F.O.S. also help against yeast infections--plus reducing sugars and quickly digested carbohydrates (high glycemic fruit and flours).

You might just want to go off all of your supplements and see how you do -- and then just add in the gluten free basics that are usual for celiac (D, B vitamins, calcium and minerals, magnesium, bromelain/papain and/or pancreatin enzymes); if that isn't sufficient (i.e., it seems you need extra help) then add in the anti yeast stuff etc.

You could do a similar trip with your food --just do basic stuff like squash and vegetables and some meat you figure is safe (or just avoid at first), then add in one item every couple of days or so and record the results. Taking your pulse is helpful too since one sign of an allergy etc. is a fluctuating pulse (i.e. it goes higher than normal) not due to exercise.

[RiceGuy]

Hadn't heard about the yeast thing though with L-glutamine. Is that really true?

It is my best guess, based on some articles I read recently. It seems L-Glutamine is a form of glutamic acid, and companies that grow yeasts often use glutamic acid to greatly speed up growth. So I put two and two together.

[YoloGx]

It is my best guess, based on some articles I read recently. It seems L-Glutamine is a form of glutamic acid, and companies that grow yeasts often use glutamic acid to greatly speed up growth. So I put two and two together.

Wow that's interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I will tell a friend of mine to be cautious about it.

I took L-glutamine for a couple of years but finally went off it when my kidneys started acting up. Before that I liked it however since it seemed to give me more energy. Maybe because its a kind of sugar? I read its supposed to help rejuvenate one's hormones naturally...

Meanwhile I have had this nasty yeast/fungal infection that just seems immune to everything that began roughly the same time period I started taking the L glutamine. I now have the yeast infection in spades of course due to being on 2 courses of antibiotics due to a difficult to get rid of U.T. I. It seems to help to alternate my anti fungal/yeast regime so the beasties don't get too used to one protocol and then just over-ride it. I am betting too being off all the trace glutens will also help me get rid of the fungus in time.

[Tashea]

Although L-glutamine really can give you extra energy I discovered its not good for folks who tend to have kidney problems or tendencies towards diabetes.

Hadn't heard about the yeast thing though with L-glutamine. Is that really true?

Pao de arco and garlic plus extra pro biotics with F.O.S. also help against yeast infections--plus reducing sugars and quickly digested carbohydrates (high glycemic fruit and flours).

You might just want to go off all of your supplements and see how you do -- and then just add in the gluten free basics that are usual for celiac (D, B vitamins, calcium and minerals, magnesium, bromelain/papain and/or pancreatin enzymes); if that isn't sufficient (i.e., it seems you need extra help) then add in the anti yeast stuff etc.

You could do a similar trip with your food --just do basic stuff like squash and vegetables and some meat you figure is safe (or just avoid at first), then add in one item every couple of days or so and record the results. Taking your pulse is helpful too since one sign of an allergy etc. is a fluctuating pulse (i.e. it goes higher than normal) not due to exercise.

Thanks for all the info and advice! I have gone off of everything except the B vitamins, enzymes and probiotics and seem to be having some relief from the cramps, so I am making slow progress...

[YoloGx]

Thanks for all the info and advice! I have gone off of everything except the B vitamins, enzymes and probiotics and seem to be having some relief from the cramps, so I am making slow progress...

Yay!