Posted by Lao Tzu on May 8, 2010, at 15:25:42
In reply to How do you know if it's helping, posted by alchemy on May 8, 2010, at 9:12:20
I also want to say that I completely understand where you are coming from. Years ago, I wouldn't have even thought or wanted to start taking vitamin supplements. I just didn't think that it was necessary. To this day, my psychiatrist thinks I am wasting my time with vitamins and that all I need to do to feel better is take my medicine, have a well-balanced diet, and exercise. Three things. He doesn't believe in taking extra vitamins. So I tell him that I am because I read something on the internet, and he just shrugs his shoulders. He doesn't put any credence into taking supplements. He says it isn't necessary, which is what I thought years ago. So maybe it is just placebo effect, you know, if you read about the "miracles" of vitamin supplements, you just might start to believe it wholeheartedly. Maybe that's what happened to me. Yet, I still say that some vitamins and minerals are good to supplement with if you have a poor diet and are not getting enough from your food. You just might feel somewhat better. You can go to a nutritionist for help. You can talk to your family physician or a naturopathic doctor, or you can do what I did and experiment on yourself. If you do the latter, it may take a few years to get it just right. I started experimenting with vitamins in 2007, and now, in 2010 I've got it to a point where I am fairly sure of what to take and what to stay away from. If I can give you any advice, it is to stick with the nutritional supplements that your body uses naturally on a daily basis. This includes individual B vitamins, vitamins C and E, minerals such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and selenium, and essential fatty acids, like fish oil, flax oil, and borage oil. The hard part is determining dosages. Sometimes, you can rely on the dosage they give you on the bottle. Sometimes, you have to take more or less. That is the most difficult part, determining dosage. I always say start off with dosage on the bottle. If it seems like too much, take half that dosage. Also, do a little research on your own, reading books on the subject. Sometimes, I find information on the internet that helps me determine what dosage to take and what vitamins will help according to the symptoms you are experiencing. And I also say that if you are doing just fine taking your medicine, then maybe you really don't have to take extra vitamin supplements. Just eat a balanced diet and exercise, like my doctor told me.
poster:Lao Tzu
thread:946773
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100322/msgs/946789.html