Natural supplements and vitamins - what really works?

[masshole]

I have Benign prostatic hyperplasia, a slightly enlarged prostate (%#*@# I'm only 46!!) :-(
So at my wife's urging, I tried Saw Palmetto, been taking it about 15 days.
And damn if it doesn't actually work! I haven't had to get up in the middle of the night for a week!
I've never been much for taking vitamins or supplements, but this is making me rethink all that.

So DU, what supplements work for you?

[flvegan]

1. Ma huang is the greatest gift the gods have to give.

I also used St. Johns Wort for some time (old job, long story) and found that it was very effective.

That saw palmetto is the real deal, too. I've read quite a bit about it. Glad it's working as it should.

[Lyric]

6. Ma huang? You mean ephedra?

That's some seriously scary stuff. ThinkBlue1966 used to take it as part of a dietary "energy boosting" supplement years ago, but stopped when she started having heart palpitations and headaches. That was before the big FDA warning in 2004.

I admit, it surprised me to hear that you take that stuff. Wow. Each to their own, of course, I'm not being critical or anything, I'm just surprised.

(for those who have no idea what I'm talking about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedra )

St. John's Wort has helped a lot of people I know. I'd never heard about saw palmetto, though. Does it only work for men?

[flvegan]

8. You have to take a quality version of it.

It's also not for everyone. The heart palpitations are a side effect that suggest one should discontinue use. Anyone with high blood pressure or any other heart issue shouldn't use it. Additionally, one needs to start at a VERY low dose. I've been using it for a decade without a single problem.

[applegrove]

2. One can never get too much vitamin D.

[RebelOne]

3. Oh yes, one can.

Supplements are tricky, however, because overdoses of D can be toxic, leading to kidney stones, kidney failure, muscle and bone weakness, and other problems. Danger starts at 2,000 IU a day. It’s nearly impossible to get too much D from food. A daily multivitamin with 400 IU of vitamin D is usually the best solution for those over 60. Some calcium supplements also contain D.

http://www.wellnessletter.com/html/wl/2003/wlFeatured0103.html

[applegrove]

11. I meant it as a turn of phrase. Sorry. Yes best to not overdue it. All people should

be on some vitamin D. It is one of the great cancer stoppers they have discovered.

[NewJeffCT]

4. A very talented cardiologist I know recommended Red Yeast Rice for cholesterol

Available in most places they sell vitamins & supplements.

[NMDemDist2]

10. and Garlic supplements will help lower blood pressure n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. Testosterone cream for women.

Adds energy. Only available at compounding pharmacies, because the FDA won't approve a patch in a dosage appropriate for women -- my theory is that they're scared of horny hairy women running around trying to take over!!!

[Lyric]

7. I take a multi-vitamin, along with lots of extra Vitamin C

Gotta love those antioxidants. Plus the supplements taste awesome--like sugarfree orange candy. :)

[NMDemDist2]

9. manganese (NOT magnesium) really helps with back pain and sciatica

hubby pulled his back out last week and he's as good as new (again) once I got the manganese

[Kali]

12. Read anything by Andrew Weil.