Dietry supplements?

[Holykimura]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody has tried supplementing your diet with any kind of supplement? If you did would you mind sharing your stories? Recently I have become very concious about what I eat after reading a book called Optimum Nutrition for The Mind, by somone called Patrick Holford. He also has a website : http://www.patrickholford.com As a result I went crazy for buying most of the recommended supplements in this book and also cutting down my sugar intake and trying to eat as many low GL foods as possible. I don't know if it's a placebo or the extra supplements coupled with a better diet is working but I genuinely feel better for it. Here is what I am taking:

In the morning:

Multi Vitamin
Omega 3 supplement (Meant to be good for the brain)
Magnesium supplement
Calcium supplement
Vitamin B12 (Good to help with a number of things)
Ginseng ( meant to provide better mental physical alertness )
phospholipid choline, phospholipid seline and DMAE complex supplement (supposed to be very good for concentration and memory)


In the evening:

Vitamin B complex
Omega 3 supplement (Meant to be good for the brain)
Magnesium supplement (meant to have natural relaxing/calming effect and promotes sleep)
Calcium supplement
5 HTP
Ginseng (meant to provide better mental physical alertness )
phospholipid choline, phospholipid seline and DMAE complex supplement (supposed to be very good for concentration and memory)

In addition i am waiting until next month until I can afford some more:

Kava Kava (a pacific herb supposed to counteract stress and anxiety)
Valerian (natural herb that counters anxiety)
Glutamine ( good for improving learning memory,concentration, and speed of reflexes)
GABA (a natural substance found in the body that acts as a neurotransmitter and is also an amino acid. It's supposed to combat cortisol which causes stress)

The book also emphasises the need to eat well, having a balanced blood sugar level and getting enough exercise.

I play football twice a week and do martial arts 1 to 2 times a week, i go to the gym 1 to 2 times a week and also walk my dog most nights for about an hour. I also try and practice relaxation 20-30 mins a day.

Do any of you take anything or do anything extra in addition to your usual medication?

[Got]

Why dont you just eat a sensible diet instead of eating a poor diet with lots of supplements? If you eat plently of fresh fish, vegetables, white meat and fruit with pulses and some nuts, you will be getting most of this in your diet anyway, and you wont need to be taking all these supplements.

[Holykimura]

You are right, but the lifestyle and work that I do doesnt allow me time to focus on preparing good food and eating well for all meals of the day. My evening meal however is normally very healthy.

[Zaf]

While I agree with Steve about eating a balanced diet I also know I eat junk when I'm depressed so go with the vits etc if you think they help - there seems a lot though, it might be worth checking in independent source or two to make sure the quantity and mixture s safe

Z x

[smirfy21]

well whatever makes you feel better although it does seem a bit much, and I bet it must be costing you a bomb buying all those supplements.
I have just been diagnosed with M.E. and and now take Ferrous Sulphate (Iron Supplements), Vitamin C ( to absorb the iron), D-ribose ( to help with muscle recovery and enhance energy endurance)  and Citalopram Hydrobromide (anti depressant).