What Supplements Do You Take?

[Karina]

Now since I have been gluten-free for awile, I am thinking that my "recovery" has reached a plateau with regards to simply being gluten-free. I have been doing some research and have found that there are a few diets and supplement ideas for people with chronic digestive disorders such as Celiac Disease. I have not seen many other "diets" talked about here other than our good ol' gluten-free diet. My hypothesis here is that there is some "total healing" that still needs to take place--not only in the gut but the rest of the body as well. Although I suspect of course that it all begins in the gut. For example an overgrowth of yeast can cause intestinal damage and needs to be dealt with. Even after one has removed gluten from his/her diet, he/she may have other issues to deal with--such as a yeast overgrowth, or other "bad" bacteria infestation, etc. In fact, it is now suspected that many other disorders originate from problems in the gut--such as certain forms of autism and other behavioral disorders. Since some of us are further along on our journey than others and have done more research than others, I thought it would be good to share what supplements we use (with a brief why), and what other diets and/or treatments we have used (with a brief why).

Here are mine (I don't take much--I am researching things, which is why I posted this ).

1. Supplements: New Chapter probiotics--9 billion (3 caps) in the am on empty stomach. Why? I suspect my good bacteria count to be down, and will back off to a maintenance dose in a week or so. New Chapter was recommended by very knowledgeable newly liscensed-not-yet-practicing chiropractor who works at Vitamin Shoppe and it was cheaper than Natren which I knew was good.

2. Vitamins: still researching do I need multi, B complex and what about Cal/Mag combo?

3. Diets: gluten-free of course. Recently started Maker's Diet. Sugar is totally restricted accept minimal amounts of pure forms such as raw honey and maple syrup--this is hard for me (sugar addict ). High protein, high fat (good fat--coconut oil, olive oil, animal fat), high raw veggie emphasis and fruit. Pretty much a primitive diet. All organic with an additional emphasis on raw goat's milk products that are supposed to be VERY beneficial for gut disorders such as Celiac.

I also have interest in the SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET which is highly recommended for celiac disease, but is a bit more restrictive than even the Maker's Diet--but a lot of the same ideas.

4. Enzymes: Still researching, but pretty ready to take this plunge as it has been HIGHLY recommended from people here, other nutrition books, and other naturally minded health concious people I know--plus it makes physiological sense to me.

Ok, so that's me......what about you?

[KaitiUSA]

1. Probiotics:Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection.Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms. These have really been beneficial for me

2. Enzymes(capsules): Helps me with digestion. Even being gluten-free for over a year when I eat sometimes I get feeling nauseated. Enzymes usually clear it up pretty quick

3:B Complex(capsules): each B vitamin has benefits including the following: helps with energy, skin, hair, eyes, nerves. Maintains stomach acidity and the digestive tract. Also helps maintain a normal appetite.

4: Liva Guard(capsules): helps to cleanse the liver

5:Grape Seed(capsules): antioxidant, also helps me with my mood

6:Arctic Cod Liver Oil(capsules): moisturizes skin,hair, and helps with nerves

7:Garlic(capsules): antioxidant

8:Sublingual B12-goes straight into blood steam. Body is able to absorb this better and quicker.

9:Calcium

This is just some of what I take that I can think of at the moment

They have helped me get alot better than I was.

[aaascr]

MSM

Quercetin

Multi-enzyme

DGL - really helps

distilled aloe vera juice - very healing

zinc

potassium

I tried probiotics - my system isn't ready for

them yet - going to try again later.

Since I tend to be allergic to one thing or another

in a multivitamin, I take most of mine individually as well

as trying to get things like Vit A, iron etc. through diet:

B complex

buffered vit C

Calc/magnesium

Flax Seed oil

New Chapter stuff is great

I use the Zyflammend PM for my arthritis

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

On the german message board there's also going on a discussion about enzymes (strange, some topics appear at the same time). And I asked them and they said Wobenzyme wouldn't be bad. So I started to take something called Wobenzyme N. The woman in our local health shop had it and when I started to get her attention on the fact, that there is a clear and a red wobenzyme, she started to try to figure out, what the difference is, since most ingredients seem to be the same. Among other things it's also for healthy joints and sports injury recuperation. That were my reasons for taking it. Next time i go there i ask her, what the difference is now and i'll keep you informed about it.

I also take a probiotic called Primadophilus. I thought i try this, when i had a cold i couldn't get rid off for 14 days. It's a little bit better so far, but not much.

And I take a multivitamin from the Nature's Made brand.

Hugs, Stef

[megzmc3611]

does everyone take an iron supplement as well? I am need of one that is easy on the tummy! Is calcium mag different then calcium supplements? For example, I take two of those Viactic calcium chews a day.

Thanks for any input...

[rmmadden]

Here is what I take:

* Aloe Extract in my morning juice.

* Garlic (Antioxidant)

* Magnesium (Good For The Heart)

* Calcium (Good For The Heart & Bones)

* Multi Vitamin

* CoQ10 (Antioxidant & Good For The Heart)

* Fish Oil (Omega 3 Fatty Acids = Great For The Heart)

* Food Enzymes w/ meals

* Melatonin (Before Bed = Helps Sleep)

* Probiotic Eleven (Before Bed = Good Intestinal Flora)

I also have milled Flax Seeds mixed into my Hot Cereal (gluten-free, of course) from time-to-time. Occassionally I will take Cayenne Pepper (open capsul into a bottle of water and drink = Great for circulation, cholesterol and your heart). Finally, I make fresh apple/celery/carrot juice to drink 2-3 times a week.

Cleveland Bob

[gf4life]

I had a question for those of you who use probiotics. I have been using them since about December after a rather long hectic course of multiple types of antibiotics that really tore up my insides. I hate taking antibiotics, but I had a bladder infection followed by a very persisitent staph infection and it took 3 kinds to kill that one!

Well now I recently had bladder surgery (last Tuesday) and they had me on IV antibiotics for 2 days and now they have me on Levaquin. It is for urinary tract infections and they don't want me to get infected, so I have to take them while I heal.

Finally my question! Can I take the probiotics at the same time as the antibiotic, or do I have to finish the antoibiotics first. I read a long time ago (like 6 years ago) that you can't take them at the same time. That the good bacteria would kill off too much of the antibiotics and they wouldn't be effective. Is this true, or am I going by the wrong information? I am going to go do a bit of research online about it, but was wondering what you guys think...

God bless,

Mariann

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hi Mariann,

I think, it sounds logical. I mean the part, where the good bacteria would kill of the antibiotics. But I can't really help either, I guess. But I wish you a soon recovery.

Hugs, Stef

[gf4life]

Okay, I've been doing some research. It seems you CAN take the probiotics during the course of the antibiotics, BUT you should space them out. It says to take them as many hours apart as possible. So right now I am taking the antibiotic once a day around noon, after lunch, since they upset my stomach. So if I take the probiotics at night, when I go to bed, then they should help, right? It does say to take 1 probiotic capsule 4 times a day. So does this mean I should do it about every 6 hours?? I'm so confused. I haven't been sleeping well since the surgery. I am supposed to be taking Vicodin for the pain, but I hate the way it makes me feel. I prefer taking Motrin, but they won't allow me to use it yet, since it has blood thinning properties to it. My bladder doesn't hurt as much as my head and my body hurt. I'm tired of laying around, but I have to take it easy...

I'm also having to use a stool softener. And if I feel I need it a laxative. I mean give me a break. I haven't had to use laxatives in just about forever! One of my main symptoms was diarrhea. I had to have my husband go buy a laxative, since I don't keep it in the house! Then I had to use it yesterday since I had been plugged up for a few days and really needed to go. I suffered until the laxatives went into effect last night and I was up every hour all night long!! Ughhhhhhh. I'm fed up. I hope you guys can give me some ideas here of what I can do. I have been having yogurt everyday, but would like to take the probiotics, since they really help reduce the amount of gas producing in my large intestine. Less gas would be better. My bladder is a bit tender and the gad pushing on it causes some discomfort, as well as a backache.

Looking forward to your help.

Mariann

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Ah, with four times a day, I don't know. Cause with mine I only have to take one tablet one time a day. Maybe your doctor knows something about it as well? But I think, if you'd only take the one at night, that would work, too. Some days I don't even take the one probiotic tablet, because I forget and it still works.

Hugs, Stef

[KaitiUSA]

Yes you can take probiotics with antibiotics. The antibiotics kill all bacteria even the good bacteria and the probiotics give you good bacteria back. Even when I have been on antibiotics or other medications I always take my probiotics and they have never seemed to interfere.

[Carriefaith]

Right now I take at least one of these once daily:

Jamieson Mega Cal: High Absorption Calcium: Calcium Magnesium

Jamieson: Vitamin D

Centrum Forte: High Potency Multivitamin

I plan on taking digestive enzymes in the near future.