16 replies to this topic

[Shepard]

Okay, guys. I'm looking for suggestions for my mother's situation. While I'm fully willing to experiment and play around with damn near anything on myself, I'd like more feedback from others on this situation. I'd love to have her go somewhere else to see a decent doctor (small town AL doesn't attract the brightest), but she comes from a family that doesn't go to the doctor for fear of hearing bad news. It's a chore just to get her there for regularly scheduled appointments.

Personal History:

She was shot in the back ~28 years ago. The bullet was too close to her spine to remove, so it is still lodged there. She has nerve damage that has left her paralyzed in her right leg. She used to be very athletic, but after that incident, having two kids, etc. she has gained weight and her health has gone down considerably since that time. About 8 years ago, she had knee replacement surgery and was prescribed Vicodin for the pain (before, she abused Advil).

Family History:

Her father died last year at 88 years old, after numerous strokes. He was diabetic, overweight, completely deaf.
Her mother is still alive and is 87, overweight, but still in good health and relatively active.

My main worry right now is her high blood pressure. It was measured at her last doctor's visit to be 138/92. She went for an eye exam, and was told that there is evidence of blood vessel damage in her eyes. So, I'm assuming it is pretty much systemic. She worries about a lot of stuff, so I'm sure that affects her BP. I think it has also affected her body composition and cognitive function pretty significantly, too.

Prescription medications that she is on:

Vicodin
Flexeril
Neurontin
Norvasc (forgets to take a lot of times, due to impaired memory)

Her stats now:
5'5"
180-190 lbs. (~30-35% BF)
54 years old

Other issues that she deals with:

Digestion troubles (I have a feeling this is tied in with the nerve damage)
Largely deaf in one ear (Genetic, I imagine)
Cognitive impairment (I feel that this is from the Vicodin, as she used to be incredibely sharp)
Slight arthritis
Pain in her leg (this happens probably once/week and is rather fierce)

I've tried to get her to improve her diet, and she has, but probably only 50% of being what I would consider healthy (still eats processed foods, has a few drinks/week, likes salt). She has also been exercising for a few months at Curves. Now, I'm very suspect of the efficacy of the regimen used at Curves. Actually, I don't like it. But, she is more comfortable there, so whatever. A lot of exercises are difficult for her due to her paralysis, obviously. I think she might finally have gotten the hint regarding her lacking diet, so maybe she'll clean that up some more.

What I hope you guys can help me with is some supplements/drugs that can help her condition. Here are my ideas:

Basic supplement list I was thinking of (I'm fairly confident she could remember it 75%+ of the time if I write it all down for her):

Ortho-Core
Ortho-Mind
Extra Vitamin C
LEF Fish Oil
Flax seeds
Green/White tea extracts
NAC
Astaxanthin
Calcium/Magnesium formula
Ashwaganda
Coenzyme Q10
LEF Blueberry Extract
Sesamin
Turmeric
Probiotics
Phosphatidyl Choline

Other things I'm thinking of:

Bromocriptine
Garlic extract
Propionyl L-Carnitine
Resveratrol
AOR E Complex
Additional B Vitamins
Bilberry Extract

Sorry for the long post, guys. I'd really appreciate any further advice, or if you see something that doesn't work with her prescription meds, please post it up.

[Mind]

Sounds like an expensive regimen. I would definitely start out with the Ortho-core, Ortho mind and green tea. Keep encouragin her to attend Curves. Getting the extra weight off will be just as effective as supplements.

Maybe get another opinion on the bullet. Perhaps there are newer options for removing it that have developed over the last couple of years.

[Shepard]

The weight is definately a huge issue. That alone could help her out in pretty much every way, I think. However, her genetics at this point are going to be a huge hurdle for her weight loss. I'm hoping Bromocriptine will be able to help her out in this regard.

[syr_]

Considering the age I think probiotics are a must. Omega-3 or other fatty acids complex may help with arthritis pain.

For helping weight loss, cabergoline seems safer than bromo.

[Shepard]

Has cabergoline been studied for weight loss other than in patients with hyperprolactinemia?

[sentrysnipe]

have jarrow epa-dha instead of omega-3, or udo's choice for a good 3-6-9 ratio.

Weight loss:
Guggul extract http://www.bodybuild...syn/guggul.html (6% e,z guggulsterones) or http://www.papanatur...s&pid=NOW-04709 (2.5%/pill)
Green tea extract http://www.greenteamax.com/ or
Matcha green tea
and the ingredients in http://www.papanatur...s&pid=NOW-03307
Is she tolerant with non-palatable supps like these?

what about Nutrisystem, or the 'original' Weight Watchers programme?

I've also tried my parents to aim for a healthier diet but they're not cooperating as much as I expected them to.

[Shepard]

" have jarrow epa-dha instead of omega-3"

I don't quite understand what you mean.

I'm not a big fan of 3/6/9 formulations, guggul extract, or the WW/Nutrisystem diets. I do have her on a couple of different green/white tea extracts, though.

I appreciate your ideas and comments.

[sentrysnipe]

^ I meant get the isolates instead of choosing fish oil gels or perhaps flax (well good fiber source anyway). Guggul worked well with my mom. It's beneficial for the kidneys too

[Shepard]

Jarrow EPA/DHA Balance (per 2 caps):

Fish Oil Concentrate 2126 mg †
Omega-3 Fatty Acids 1260 mg †
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) 840 mg †
DHA (Docosahheaenoic acid) 420 mg

LEF Super EPA/DHA (per 2 caps):

Wild Fish Oil Concentrate 2000 mg *
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) 700 mg *
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) 500 mg *
Other Omega-3 fatty acids 100 mg *
Polyphen-Oil Olive Fruit Extract (Olea europa)[standardized to 0.9% polyphenols (2.5 mg), 0.6% hydroxytyrosol (1.75 mg)] 265 mg *
Sesame seed lignan extract [standardized to 60% sesamin (6 mg)] 10 mg

It's essentially Jarrow has a 2:1 formulation and LEF has a 7:5 one. Maybe I'm just not thinking clear after this past weekend, but I'm still a little in the dark. Or are you suggesting getting Jarrow's EPA formulation and DHA formulation seperately?

I'm of the opinion that fresh ground flax has plenty of benefits, but I certainly wouldn't replace my fish oil for it.

[scottl]

Shepard,

This is a complex topic to be sure. I would realy ditch the AOR mutli and go for the iron free life extension. If the AOR is sufficient for anyone, it ain't for your mother. Do start it slowly to allow her body to get used to it.

I've got a ton of stuff on my plate now and really can't give this the time it needs (assuming you wish) for a few days. If you'd like my input, PM me after Tuesday and I'll be glad to give you my input.

Scott

[sentrysnipe]

No, I was saying get the ones with an epa-dha label as opposed to taking something marketed as "omega 3" source alone.

I take 4 gel caps a day of Jarrow EPA-DHA Balance. LEF's olive oil and sesamin addition seems not quite enough so I'd rather take them separately from the epa/dha.

[Shepard]

I'd definately love your opinion on this, Scott. I'll PM later on this week.

[Shepard]

No, I was saying get the ones with an epa-dha label as opposed to taking something marketed as "omega 3" source alone.

I take 4 gel caps a day of Jarrow EPA-DHA Balance. LEF's olive oil and sesamin addition seems not quite enough so I'd rather take them separately from the epa/dha.

Okay, I think I get what you're saying. I agree with you about the olive oil and sesamin in LEF's fish oil.

[scottl]

Sorry for the delay. OK from the top.

1. BP. If this is not controlled, then it needs to be. COenzyme Q-10 and fish oil can help. There was just an abstract on grape seed oil and BP as well.

2. evidence of blood vessel damage in her eyes.

Bilberry and grape seed extract can help here.

3. My basics of health are sufficient water (enough so the urine is colorless and odorless most of the day), sufficient protein--older people often do not get enough. Then vitamin C...at least 3-4 grams in divided doses. Ascorbate is gentler on the system and nature's life make time release ascorbate c-1000. Then a multi. AOr's really has tiny doses. If you use it you'll need to add a B-50, more vit E and more minerals. Let me know if you decide to go this was and I'll suggest the minerals.

4. Digestion troubles the best digestive enzyme is similase. You can get it on the web or even at rite aide. Should make a big difference. 2/meal.

probiotic probably a good idea. Flaxseeds ground are good source of fiber.

5. I would not go whole hog,a nd certainly not at once with nootropic stuff. A choline source e.g. CDP choline or alpha GPC (or some of each) would be a good start. YOu can certainly add more later.

6. coenzyme Q-10 100 mg

7. some form of ALA e.g. R-ala or one of geronovas concoctions. My older grandmother experienced a big improvement in energy even from LEF's mixed ALA.

If you update me on where you are e.g. how is BP, etc I can make other suggestions.

[Shepard]

Thanks, Scott.

She's been remembering her BP medicine lately, and was at 118/76 last time it was checked.

She is currently taking Ortho-Core, additional Vitamin C (4-6 g/day), fish oil (4-6 grams/day), Theralac, and AOR'S EGCG Max. I've got a few other supps there that she is slowly introducing (adding 1 per week, or so): glucosamine, MSM, NAC, Coenzyme Q10, GSE/Resveratrol combo, and AOR's Total E.

[scottl]

B-50

[Shepard]

Word.