annmg
07-22-2007, 12:12 PM
Does any one know how much of this vitamin one should take? I've been reading a lot about cholesterol and what I have read says that this is real good for high cholesterol. I went to the store yesterday, and the only one they had was 1000 mg. That sounded like a lot to me, so I did not buy it. Is there any side effects with this vitamin if you take to much (mg's)? Thanks for all your help!!
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HubbleRules
07-22-2007, 03:19 PM
Annmg,
I believe you are referring to Omega-3 Fish Oil...
If so, you want to check what the total of EPA + DHA is in each capsule. You want to get at least 1000mg of these 2 combined - which probably means you need to take a couple of pills daily.
Fish oil is supposed to help with cholesterol - raising HDL and lowering LDL - but I never got a significant benefit from it. My doctor told me I'd have to take at least 6 capsules daily of the brand I take (Puritan Pride's Super Omega-3) to have a cholesterol lowering effect. By the way, if you don't take enough fish oil, it may actually raise your LDL - but I still think that the benefits (lowers inflammation, good for the heart and brain) outweigh any effects from the LDL increase. I still take 2 capsules daily (total 1000mg EPA+DHA).
There are some pharmaceutical grade brands of Fish Oil (Omacron or Rescue 1250 for example) that contain good amounts of EPA + DHA - and you have to take 3-4 capsules daily for it to help.
HubbleRules
:cool:
I believe you are referring to Omega-3 Fish Oil...
If so, you want to check what the total of EPA + DHA is in each capsule. You want to get at least 1000mg of these 2 combined - which probably means you need to take a couple of pills daily.
Fish oil is supposed to help with cholesterol - raising HDL and lowering LDL - but I never got a significant benefit from it. My doctor told me I'd have to take at least 6 capsules daily of the brand I take (Puritan Pride's Super Omega-3) to have a cholesterol lowering effect. By the way, if you don't take enough fish oil, it may actually raise your LDL - but I still think that the benefits (lowers inflammation, good for the heart and brain) outweigh any effects from the LDL increase. I still take 2 capsules daily (total 1000mg EPA+DHA).
There are some pharmaceutical grade brands of Fish Oil (Omacron or Rescue 1250 for example) that contain good amounts of EPA + DHA - and you have to take 3-4 capsules daily for it to help.
HubbleRules
:cool:
annmg
07-23-2007, 08:18 AM
Thanks for all your information, I really appreciate it !!
hotdam
07-23-2007, 10:27 AM
I have been taking the Fish Oil with Omega 3 for months, the doc told me to take 3 capsules before going to bed everyday. He said it works better at night. Hope this helps.
flowergirl2day
07-23-2007, 01:13 PM
take 3 capsules before going to bed everyday. He said it works better at night.
I take mine in the morning. Did your doctor explain why it's better taken at night?
I take mine in the morning. Did your doctor explain why it's better taken at night?
hotdam
07-23-2007, 01:45 PM
something to do with it helping to lower cholesterol while you sleep, I cant remember the term he used I am brain dead today. I will find out and let you know.
annmg
07-26-2007, 08:19 AM
When you say take 3 pill before going to bed (or in the morning)...is that 3, 1000mg which means 3000mg total?
Guy1_USA
07-26-2007, 05:25 PM
something to do with it helping to lower cholesterol while you sleep, I cant remember the term he used I am brain dead today. I will find out and let you know.
My understanding is that the liver produces the vast majority of cholesterol while you are sleeping.
My understanding is that the liver produces the vast majority of cholesterol while you are sleeping.
Lenin
07-27-2007, 08:51 AM
annmg,
Yes, It usually takes 3,000, 4,000, or 5,000 mg. of fish oil to give you the 1000 mg. EPA + DHA that you want. Depends on the manuffacturinfg technique.
For plain cod liver oil, it takes a tsp....5 grams.
Yes, It usually takes 3,000, 4,000, or 5,000 mg. of fish oil to give you the 1000 mg. EPA + DHA that you want. Depends on the manuffacturinfg technique.
For plain cod liver oil, it takes a tsp....5 grams.
hotdam
07-27-2007, 09:55 AM
My understanding is that the liver produces the vast majority of cholesterol while you are sleeping.
Yes that is what my Doc told me, and Anna yes take 3 1000mg before bed.
Yes that is what my Doc told me, and Anna yes take 3 1000mg before bed.
Canyondweller
08-07-2007, 02:31 AM
My Doctor told me that it was not that effective except for high triglycerides which I don't have. He is not one to prescribe meds lightly but he does want me to try Vytorin mostly because of my bad cholesteral being high. So far I have resisted. Maybe I will give in one day but he said exercise, diet were important but genes had a bigger influence which is why he precribed the meds as he knows I eat a really low fat diet.
Lenin
08-07-2007, 10:17 AM
Vytorin is a very good drug combo.
boubou
08-09-2007, 08:51 AM
So to clarify dosage, should I take 2X 1000 mg fish oil per day or more?
hotdam
08-10-2007, 01:02 AM
I take 3 1000 mg at night before bed everynight.
EasterBunny
08-12-2007, 03:43 PM
Hello,
Normally, 3 x 1,000 mgs. tablets are suggested before bedtime. Flaxseed oil tabs (the same # and mg amount) are also known to reduce high blood pressure and help with triglycerides.
Some other more natural approaches you might want to try within your dietary regimen would be raw garlic in your salads or taking daily garlic supplements. One after breakfast after dinner. I also use garlic in a lot of my cooking. No, I'm not Italian, but I enjoy the flavor it gives to certain foods, as well as the good things I know it's doing for everyone's bodies.
Another good gambit of veggies are raw cucumbers, carrots and fresh parsley. They make a terrific, fresh tasting salad and all three are natural diuretics and are known to help with high blood pressure. Cucumbers are also high in potassium (as are bananas and avocados - but diabetics and folks with clogged arteries might have to avoid these goodies) which positively effects our electrolytes and helps stabilize our moods.
Cayenne pepper is also known as a terrific blood pressure stabilizer. I sometimes sprinkle it on my salads or make a tea out of it (1/4 to 1/2 tsp. in cup of warm water and then zap in the microwave). it'll also do wonders for your throat and nasal passages. Another good tea suggested for high blood pressure is golden seal. Just follow the directions on the back of the tincture bottle. I sweeten mine with honey, but if you're allergic to bees or pollen or a diabetic, you can make a milder blend of the tea.
Of course, like most good doctor's of heart patients suggest, you should not smoke or drink and need to try to eliminate salt and red meat from your diet. Daily exercise and periods of deep relaxation are also very helpful. AMy motto is everything in moderation, and only if you're not allergic to it and have run it by your doctor.
I also do deep breathing exercises if I'm feeling stressed out. Of course, I normally wait until everyone else has left the room. Otherwise, they're likely to think that I'm either crazy or portraying a giant wind bag - ha ! I also occasionally do deep breathing exercises at night in bed, just to relax my body and help to ensure a good night's sleep.
Good Luck,
EasterBunny
Normally, 3 x 1,000 mgs. tablets are suggested before bedtime. Flaxseed oil tabs (the same # and mg amount) are also known to reduce high blood pressure and help with triglycerides.
Some other more natural approaches you might want to try within your dietary regimen would be raw garlic in your salads or taking daily garlic supplements. One after breakfast after dinner. I also use garlic in a lot of my cooking. No, I'm not Italian, but I enjoy the flavor it gives to certain foods, as well as the good things I know it's doing for everyone's bodies.
Another good gambit of veggies are raw cucumbers, carrots and fresh parsley. They make a terrific, fresh tasting salad and all three are natural diuretics and are known to help with high blood pressure. Cucumbers are also high in potassium (as are bananas and avocados - but diabetics and folks with clogged arteries might have to avoid these goodies) which positively effects our electrolytes and helps stabilize our moods.
Cayenne pepper is also known as a terrific blood pressure stabilizer. I sometimes sprinkle it on my salads or make a tea out of it (1/4 to 1/2 tsp. in cup of warm water and then zap in the microwave). it'll also do wonders for your throat and nasal passages. Another good tea suggested for high blood pressure is golden seal. Just follow the directions on the back of the tincture bottle. I sweeten mine with honey, but if you're allergic to bees or pollen or a diabetic, you can make a milder blend of the tea.
Of course, like most good doctor's of heart patients suggest, you should not smoke or drink and need to try to eliminate salt and red meat from your diet. Daily exercise and periods of deep relaxation are also very helpful. AMy motto is everything in moderation, and only if you're not allergic to it and have run it by your doctor.
I also do deep breathing exercises if I'm feeling stressed out. Of course, I normally wait until everyone else has left the room. Otherwise, they're likely to think that I'm either crazy or portraying a giant wind bag - ha ! I also occasionally do deep breathing exercises at night in bed, just to relax my body and help to ensure a good night's sleep.
Good Luck,
EasterBunny
mod-anon
08-15-2007, 03:52 AM
I've removed a bunch of posts which started talking about potassium. These posts now have their own thread, titled "Questions about potassium". Please stay on topic and start a new thread when you have questions about a new topic.
flowergirl2day
09-01-2007, 09:23 PM
Hello, :)
I am reading a book about asthma, written by an M.D. and an asthma sufferer. He highly recommends using fish oil supplements.
A couple of interesting things he mentions:
In some people, fish oil raises LDL.
Fish oil can raise blood sugar.
It can react unfavorably with Pravastatin and Simvastatin.
Nutritional experts recommend washing fish oil down with an antioxidant (preferrably vitamin E) to preserve the potency of oil, which is sensitive to oxygen degradation.
I thought I'd mention it.
I am reading a book about asthma, written by an M.D. and an asthma sufferer. He highly recommends using fish oil supplements.
A couple of interesting things he mentions:
In some people, fish oil raises LDL.
Fish oil can raise blood sugar.
It can react unfavorably with Pravastatin and Simvastatin.
Nutritional experts recommend washing fish oil down with an antioxidant (preferrably vitamin E) to preserve the potency of oil, which is sensitive to oxygen degradation.
I thought I'd mention it.
Canyondweller
09-01-2007, 10:00 PM
I tried to find info on that but most of what I could find was that it was more beneficail that an risk would be. It did say that it may act as a blood thinner so should not be taken with a blood thinning med. Over all there seems to be more pro than con and there is no question that it lowers triglycerides.
Red60
09-02-2007, 01:44 PM
Don't you find it intersting that in Italy it would be considered mal practice not to prescribe fish oil to patients with CHD. But in England and the US, doctors find it hard to accept fish oil as a powerful medication since it is sold as a nutritional supplement.
flowergirl2day
09-02-2007, 02:43 PM
I noticed that neither any of my doctors, nor any of the pharmacists I consult are big on supplements. I guess it has something to do with the way they are educated. They are led to believe that traditional medicine, which is based on a heavy use of pharmaceuticals, is the only way to go. Very little, if any, consideration is given to alternative medicine. I was told over and over that the use of supplements is a waste of money, that supplements have no proven benefits, not enough studies have been done, their effects not documented...etc etc..One pharmacist I questioned even told me not to buy whatever I was considering buying. saying it had not been proven to work.
On the other hand, a nutritionist I saw recently at the hospital was very much pro-supplement. She strongly approved of my supplements, except for the vitamin C. She told me I was getting enough of it from dietary sources. I take five or six, which include a multivitamin. I don't go overboard.
On the other hand, a nutritionist I saw recently at the hospital was very much pro-supplement. She strongly approved of my supplements, except for the vitamin C. She told me I was getting enough of it from dietary sources. I take five or six, which include a multivitamin. I don't go overboard.
Canyondweller
09-02-2007, 04:17 PM
I heard on the radio the other day on a sydicated Dr. talk show that there is absolutely no proof all these supplements do anything especially Q-10. His family was in the vitamin business so he was raised believing all these things were important but has since changed his mind.
My doctors are all Indian and all graduated from Indian medical schools and they are not big on these supplements. I tend to think most of our health is in the genes and with the exception of certain things that we know are bad for our health we don't have a lot to say about what happens to us.
My doctors are all Indian and all graduated from Indian medical schools and they are not big on these supplements. I tend to think most of our health is in the genes and with the exception of certain things that we know are bad for our health we don't have a lot to say about what happens to us.
namelessme
09-02-2007, 05:44 PM
I heard on the radio the other day on a sydicated Dr. talk show that there is absolutely no proof all these supplements do anything especially Q-10. His family was in the vitamin business so he was raised believing all these things were important but has since changed his mind.
My doctors are all Indian and all graduated from Indian medical schools and they are not big on these supplements. I tend to think most of our health is in the genes and with the exception of certain things that we know are bad for our health we don't have a lot to say about what happens to us.
I believe this is quite false. Fish oil does have definite benefits; in fact, there is a prescription form of it too, which means the FDA had to approve it for certain conditions. If you have high triglyceride or a heart problem (like if someone just had a heart attack), I'd definitely suggest taking an omega 3 supplement.
CoQ10 has many studies backing it up in regard to heart failure. As for other conditions, the evidence is iffy. High dose may help Parkinson's, but the studies are still ongoing, I believe.
I'm not saying all supplements help, but to say that supplements do nothing and all are worthless isn't true either. I think the problem occurs when people think because a certain vitamin might help, they megadose on it, or they assume vitamins/supplements will cure almost everything -- they don't. But certain supplements are definitely beneficial, depending on the condition you are trying to treat/prevent.
My doctors are all Indian and all graduated from Indian medical schools and they are not big on these supplements. I tend to think most of our health is in the genes and with the exception of certain things that we know are bad for our health we don't have a lot to say about what happens to us.
I believe this is quite false. Fish oil does have definite benefits; in fact, there is a prescription form of it too, which means the FDA had to approve it for certain conditions. If you have high triglyceride or a heart problem (like if someone just had a heart attack), I'd definitely suggest taking an omega 3 supplement.
CoQ10 has many studies backing it up in regard to heart failure. As for other conditions, the evidence is iffy. High dose may help Parkinson's, but the studies are still ongoing, I believe.
I'm not saying all supplements help, but to say that supplements do nothing and all are worthless isn't true either. I think the problem occurs when people think because a certain vitamin might help, they megadose on it, or they assume vitamins/supplements will cure almost everything -- they don't. But certain supplements are definitely beneficial, depending on the condition you are trying to treat/prevent.
Red60
09-02-2007, 05:46 PM
I noticed that neither any of my doctors, nor any of the pharmacists I consult are big on supplements. I guess it has something to do with the way they are educated. They are led to believe that traditional medicine, which is based on a heavy use of pharmaceuticals, is the only way to go. Very little, if any, consideration is given to alternative medicine. I was told over and over that the use of supplements is a waste of money, that supplements have no proven benefits, not enough studies have been done, their effects not documented...etc etc..One pharmacist I questioned even told me not to buy whatever I was considering buying. saying it had not been proven to work.
On the other hand, a nutritionist I saw recently at the hospital was very much pro-supplement. She strongly approved of my supplements, except for the vitamin C. She told me I was getting enough of it from dietary sources. I take five or six, which include a multivitamin. I don't go overboard.
I do believe that their education has a great deal to do with it. The majority of physicians and surgeons are Doctors of Medicine the literal translation would be "Teacher of Medicine". They are part of a huge industry specializing in the treatment of sick people. Doctors for the most part have to practice medicine in a manner that is more or less within the guidelines of their industry. I believe their industry views the supplement industry and alternative medicine as a business threat or competitor. Why would they ever endorse products that where not of their own discipline? Do you think an automotive company would produce a car that would never need replacement? Not likely, for obvious reasons.I think it's much like lawyers. Most of those who draft our laws have degrees and experience in law. You would think they could write a law that was very concise with little room for challenge but it seems they write laws that are almost always subject to challenge and interpretation. I wonder why?
On the other hand, a nutritionist I saw recently at the hospital was very much pro-supplement. She strongly approved of my supplements, except for the vitamin C. She told me I was getting enough of it from dietary sources. I take five or six, which include a multivitamin. I don't go overboard.
I do believe that their education has a great deal to do with it. The majority of physicians and surgeons are Doctors of Medicine the literal translation would be "Teacher of Medicine". They are part of a huge industry specializing in the treatment of sick people. Doctors for the most part have to practice medicine in a manner that is more or less within the guidelines of their industry. I believe their industry views the supplement industry and alternative medicine as a business threat or competitor. Why would they ever endorse products that where not of their own discipline? Do you think an automotive company would produce a car that would never need replacement? Not likely, for obvious reasons.I think it's much like lawyers. Most of those who draft our laws have degrees and experience in law. You would think they could write a law that was very concise with little room for challenge but it seems they write laws that are almost always subject to challenge and interpretation. I wonder why?
Canyondweller
09-02-2007, 09:23 PM
Well, obvious difference of opinions. since my Drs are all vegetarians by nature of their religion I tend to think they would be the ones suggesting supplements since they seem to take a different approach to things than the US educated Dr. My PCP has often spoke of yoga and how beneficial it is to people so Iguess this is just one of those areas that is still very controversial. For a while they thought the Folic acid, Vit B and I forget the other vitamin were beneficial to heart but now that has been changed. It is no wonder people get confused. My dr. did say the fish oil would help with triglycerides but not the cholesteral. I hate to take any pills, I dont' care what they are supplements or otherwise. My parents lived in to their 90's with limited fruits and veggies in their diet, my Mom a smoker for over 70 years and rarely a vitamen much less a supplement so I still think the genes are the major determining factor. Whether you can alter the weakness is open for debate, I guess. For years they touted Vit E, now that is a no-no, especially for smokers so who the heck knows. You do what you think is right and takes your chances.
mmvic
09-02-2007, 09:48 PM
Just as a general FYI, many doctors in Europe and Asia do recommend and use selected supplements. Doctors are trained differently here. For example, in other areas of the world, they do not hand out antibiotics routinely or other drugs.They are also compensated differently. Also note that average lifespan is longer in most of Europe and Asia than the US. Interesting, eh what? Seems a Harvard MD only does so much in the real world.:D
Canyondweller,there are more opinions in some of the studies on supplements than there are termites in the world. Many are shabby meta studies and not properly directed double blind studies. Think about this- who would pay for a serious study since supplements are realitively low cost versus patented drugs? You just have to do you own research and analysis, decide whom you trust and make your own decisions. Same holds true for patented medicines and doctors.
Canyondweller,there are more opinions in some of the studies on supplements than there are termites in the world. Many are shabby meta studies and not properly directed double blind studies. Think about this- who would pay for a serious study since supplements are realitively low cost versus patented drugs? You just have to do you own research and analysis, decide whom you trust and make your own decisions. Same holds true for patented medicines and doctors.