The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Astaxanthin
Posted by Kylie (Whitianga, New Zealand) on 09/20/2012
★★★★★
I took astaxanthin for a few months and noticed that it really improved my vision. Normally in winter I have trouble seeing the computer screen on gloomy days (and I stare at it for 8 hours a day), but astaxanthin made my vision really strong. I went overseas and stopped taking it, and now my computer vision is a bit dodgy again, so I resumed taking it earlier this week. Can't remember how long it took to improve last time.
I raved about it to my mum and gave her some capsules and she said it was great but couldn't name any specific benefits it gave her. Then she asked for more and commented that she preferred it to fish oil, which I explained it wasn't a substitute for.
I totally believe in it and will continue to take it. Can't comment on the sunscreen benefits of it yet but if it stops me burning I'll let you know after summer.
Other than the definite vision improvement, I haven't noticed any other benefits with it, but that's more than other suppliments have given me so I'm stoked.
Supplement Advice
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 09/03/2012
Hi there, If you take vitamin supplements they should always be taken during meals. That's not necessarily the case for herbs or homeopathics. But vitamin supplements, with your meals for best absorption. Hope this helps, Lisa
Supplement Advice
Posted by Whole Foods (Los Gatos, Ca) on 09/03/2012
I wondered if someone could give me the rule for taking vitamins? Is it 1/2 hour before eating and 1 hour after? Many thanks!
Minerals
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 06/25/2012 2048 posts
Anon from Queens, I made the switch from "colloidal" form of minerals to the "ionic" about a yr ago and felt positive results immediately. Mine is "Trace Minerals Research" derived from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. As for dangers, the worst minerals would be lead, cadmium, and mercury. Most manufacturers screen out the big 3 from the original substrate. The elements you mentioned do not seem to pose any threat to biological organisms in the quantity recommended for daily consumption.
The benefits of trace mineral supplementation are numerous. Some researchers believe that the human lifespan is greatly decreased as a result of trace minerals deficiency. The Hunzas as well as other people who have natural sources of trace minerals in their drinking water can and have reached ages over 120 yrs.
To obtain an objective status you would want to have a hair mineral analysis before and after supplementation.
Minerals
Posted by Anon (Queens, Ny) on 06/24/2012
Hey EC..... I am looking into supplementing with a good liquid mineral and have found quite a few however, I noticed that all of them contains trace amounts of chloride, gold, flouride etc. I am now scared to use this cause I am thinking how safe is it to put these things into my body. I have read so many positive reviews on how good minerals are for your health and was hoping to try them out so please anyone with any info on this subject can you please advice. Thank you so much guys.
Minerals
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 01/17/2012
I have found a mineral interaction chart that helps you determine whether the minerals you are taking are actually antagonists to other needed minerals. From the chart you can also see that high mercury levels in the body deplete the body of iodine. Also a high calcium level is also an antagonist to Zinc. Interesting and worthwhile keeping a copy of the chart handy to ensure you are not overdosing in one mineral to the detriment of another.
http://permaculturepower.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/mulder's-interaction-chart/
Dhea
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Usa) on 10/27/2011 2048 posts
Beryl, I have been using DHEA and sometimes rotating to 7-keto DHEA for over a decade and cannot report any negative side effects. As far as safety, when it comes to supplementing hormones, one must always have a somewhat healthy liver/gallbladder to ensure proper metabolism, otherwise you could wind up either wasting your money for lack of increased hormone levels, or experience negative side effects of too much hormone levels. Best bang-for-the-buck is the regular DHEA. At your age nothing less than 50mg daily as a starter imho. After 3 months try 100mg. Also consider other anti-aging proticols in addition to DHEA, like Growth Hormone boosters. As for the entire glandular system, I like a raw "MultiGlandular" supplement as it helps boost all glandular activity. There are also good herbal combination (I like Dr. Christopher's formulas) that nourish and cleanse glands, thereby improving health and longevity.
Dhea
Posted by Beryl (London, Uk) on 10/27/2011
Hi
I'm past retirement age, and quite frankly I am feeling my age. Coping with life, housework, garden, caring for a sick husband is becoming evermore difficult. Reading about 7-Keto DHEA on the web, I'm wondering how safe it is to take? I believe there are cancer risks if taken over a prolonged period of time, but people who take it say it improves their energy levels, mood, skin, etc. And Ted recommends it. Has anyone had experience of taking it?
Beryl
Dissolving Time
Posted by John (Trang, Thai9land) on 10/15/2011
earthclinic from: cattlab2010(at)gmail.
Following Teds report on the dissolving times of vitamins - maximum 15 to 20 minutes in the stomach. It would be lovely if there was a page/site where all the vitamins/medicines plus their dissolving times were listed. I tested my vitamins and I will not buy anymore.
Also tested medicines. Two were OK -
Nifelat. R 15 minutes, [slow release?]
Aspirin 10 minutes,
Cordipin/Nifedipnum 60m ,
Manidipine/Madiplot 50m,
Omeprazole 60m,
Patar-Cap 60m ,
Bosnum/Fexofenadine 15m,
Levocitrizine/Xyzal 15m,
Terco-C 15m,
Euthyrox/Levothyroxine 60m,
and for the next one, ('don't hold your breath'.) Xanthium/Theophyline 20hrs ,
Amoxicillin 60m ,
Biotin 15m,
Vitamin B3 15m.
Dhea
Posted by Nat (Tampa, Florida, Usa) on 07/16/2011
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
People need to be aware that DHEA affects hormones, and that can have risks. I tried DHEA twice for about two weeks each time, and ended up having SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) both times. These episodes required ER visits.
Apparently, DHEA can have an effect on testosterone levels in some men, and therefore acts similarly to a steroid. While I'm sure the dangers are not as pronounced as actual steroid use, any kind of interference with hormones can be risky.
Use caution with DHEA.
Dhea
Posted by Moshi (Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia) on 07/16/2011
DHEA can be convertd by your body into Estrogens & Testosterone. My experience when taking 25mg tablets for 6 weeks was that my DHEA blood syrum level jumped to more than the recommended range & I actually got morning sickness from too much estrogen! I now take a transdermal estrogen cream at about 5-7 mg per day & have experienced incresed energy levels.
Another problem for those who have a compromised liver function is that these hormones will build up un your liver & can cause damage! I also take a few days break every week or so to stop buildup. It appals me when I see adverts for 100 - 300mg DHEA as this is not something to play around with. My advice go slowly & get your hormone levels monitored until you find what works for you. Finally, transdermal cream has less impact on the liver.
Astaxanthin
Posted by Kathie (Houston, United States) on 05/25/2011
★★★★★
I just read an article that shares several studies on an antioxident/ caritnoid called Astaxanthin. Studies showed that benefits included fewer fine lines, smoother surface, less under-eye puffiness and increased skin tone and elasticity... now get this... IN JUST TWO WEEKS! Take at least 2 mg (I am going to take 4 mg) every day. Because it is oil soluable, take it with food and your other oil vitamins for it to absorb best. It is also a great anti inflamatory, benefits eye health, and protects from sunburn!
Ganoderma
Posted by Dawn (Atlanta, Ga) on 02/10/2011
★★★★★
My family and I have been using ganoderma for a little over 6 months now. My husband and I have noticed we have more energy and he has lost weight. He has noticed too that his joints don't ache like they have for years. I have 2 children and I give them ganoderma and they have not been sick a lot this winter. You do want to make sure you get log harvested ganoderma and not plastic bag harvested. I'd be glad to share where we get ours from.
Magnesium Stearate
Posted by Newagewoes (Melborne , Fl., Florida) on 12/10/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Try to find supplements without magnesium stearate, it's been discovered that it blocks the immune system from working! Since finding supps without it, my immune system is working and I am much better from Morgellons
Zeolite
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/27/2010
Hi Rob, I have been using zeolite from a company that I have mentioned here before quite awhile ago at this point. The company is called Omica and you can find them on the internet. I have met not only their reps at various health food stores and events here in LA but also one of the scientific formulaters. He is a very knowledgeable guy whom I've even heard speak on the connection between spirituality and health. I have also had the privilege to hear him educating the reps about the products and what makes them so unique in their formulations. I also think their prices are reasonable for their products of which they have quite a few now. They offer an msm that is plant-derived and I also take their fulvic acid. Their reps are very warm and genuine people whom have taken the time to explain their formulas. Also on their site you'll find some interesting articles to read. Anyway, I hope you look into this company and that this info helps. Lisa
Zeolite
Posted by Rob (Manhattan, Ny) on 11/27/2010
Perhaps Ted could shed some light on this as he has recommended Zeolite. After a little web searching I purchased a bottle of Waiora Zeolite. Although it seems to be of quality, I don't care to purchase another as it is far too expensive and more so a multi level marketing company. They are aggressive in there marketing negating all other brands but their own. Plus the principle of MLM in my opinion is based on greed and profit. I was looking at the Zeoforce brand and wondering if in Ted's opinion it would most likely be just as effective or if anyone has success with a particular brand. I find the supplement/health industry to be increasingly misleading and untrustworthy. Taking more and more energy to separate the marketing schemes from the fact.. I will report later the results of experimenting with Zeolite.
Magnesium Stearate
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 11/03/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Magnesium Stearate is found in many compressed tablet forms of vitamins, minerals etc and is only used to actually help form the tablet. When I used Ascorbic Acid tablets in the past I would crush them up and add water as Ted advises. But this always produced a cloudy, milky solution. That is caused by the Mag Stearate. When I switched and used pure Ascorbic acid powder, the solution was always crystal clear. Being a waxy substance, Mag Stearate also interfere's with digestion and absorbtion of nutrients, and some people are actually allergic to it. The best forms of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to take are either in powdered form or in a capsule(containing powder). Avoid all tablets forms if you can.
Magnesium Stearate
Posted by Newagewoes (Melborne, Florida) on 10/30/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
For all the Morgellon sufferers out there, I just found out something important, it turns out that many of our vitamins & supplements ( even good brands ) have Magnesium Stearate in them, I myself have been taking up to 7 different supplements per day with it in them! My doctor who is baffled that I cannot get my immune system built up even though I have been on epicor for two years, suggested that I go home and check the labels on all my OTC pills because Magnesium Stearate blocks immune builders and tears down the immune system, never more than 1 pill a day should be taken with this ingredient in it.
Supplement Advice
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 10/13/2010
Hi Petunia... Your story reminded me of an article I read several years ago when I was researching the efficacy of multivitamins in general. The author of the article was interviewing a man involved with human faecal sewage. During the interview the sewage manager admitted that when he first began working at the sewage plant, he noticed lots and lots of multicoloured pills in the excreted human faeces. These were the multivitamin pills that everyone religiously takes every morning.
I also learned that most multivitamin pill manufacturers use synthetic patented vitamins -- not natural food vitamins. This is what makes multivits so expensive. As well, since I had learned a bit about vitamins by then, I also noticed that the RDA dosages of all multivit nutrients were far too small to be very beneficial. Then, of course, I also discovered that multivit tablets didn't even get digested. Also, these multivitamins that contain minerals don't tell you that taking, say, calcium, zinc and iron together at the same time in one pill will act to inhibit each other's uptake uptake because calcium, zinc and iron all compete for the same absorbtion pathways in the intestines.
In the end I settled on just using dessicated liver(DL) tablets. I just chew and swallow these tablets now, I take 3 tablets at mealtimes. The reason I take DL now is because liver contains every single vitamin, amino acid and mineral that your body needs and in the most bio-available forms. DL is also high in B vitamins. Ted prefers to take raw chicken livers mixed in a blender with fruit juice and Max Gerson -- from the Gerson Therapy -- used raw calve's liver and carrot juice blended together in a mixer to help cure his patients of both cancer and tuberculosis. I also regard DL as a better than chlorella or spirulina -- because particularly amino acids and mineral nutrient forms are simply not as bio-available or as easily digested by humans as animal forms. Generally, you can buy these DL tablets in bulk at any weight training shop -- and its relatively cheap, because it's really just a food -- liver.
Supplement Advice
Posted by Petunia (Warrenton, Or, United States) on 10/12/2010
I have been taking a multi vitamin from my health food store, it is expensive compared to the brands at the grocery/drug store. I just read Ted's comment that if it does not dissolve in water in 10 minutes it is a waste and not providing any benefit. I tried it and my vitamin was hard as a rock. However, I have been taking this for a year and a half and I have never had such strong finger nails, I really feel it is doing some good. Can Ted or someone explain this. It seems to me that vitamin tablets or food is in the stomach much longer than 10 minutes. Thank you for a wonderful site.
