Improvement with NO2

okay, I'll put in my 2 cents. I agree that there is a lack of quality, well controlled studies on the effectiveness and safety of many of the OTC dietary supplements. However, there has been such an interest in the supplements that scientific research is now being conducted. No I can't quote specific references. I know this because my doctor, who practiced traditional medicine for 20 or so years, is now practicing integrative medicine. I trust him to read the relevant research and filter out what is hooey for me. I also know this because my daughter is a manager of a GNC store. You'd think as a manager she would sell the customer whatever he/she wanted, but I've actually seen her tell a customer that she didn't believe the claims of a partictular product and besides that she didn't try to sell him anything else! In addition, to the lack of adequate research is the problem of quality control... the active ingredinents of supplement x may vary so much from brand to brand (or even bottle to bottle) that it is extremely hard to tell whether you have taken an adequate amount (or possibly overdosed!). There are some brands, however, that guarantee the strength/purity of the supplement. I don't remember the nomenclature right now, but there is one. So if you are considering taking any supplements research the nomenclature first and ask about it when you go into the store. If they can't answer your question walk out of the store. Also remember that the sales people are there to make money... its best to get a doctor of integrative medicine to 'prescribe' a supplement and if the store you are in doesn't have it, don't let a sales person talk you into another one that 'does the same thing'... the sales person is just trying to make money. Now all that being said, remember that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamth of in your philosophy... Don't automatically reject a dietary supplement because some government beaurocrat hasn't approved it yet. It was beaurocratic idiots who came up with the 'food pyrimid' that has made so many Americans fat. My personal testimony as to what dietary supplement really does work... CLA. CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid. It is an essential fatty acid found in foods like cheese, beef and safflower seeds. Many of us do not get enough of it because we are eating a low fat diet which restricts those foods. CLA helps the body use fat in muscle tissue, resulting in leaner muscles. I have taken CLA (prescribed by my doctor and at a somewhat higher dose than recommended on the label) for a while now and can certainly tell a difference in my muscles. I've not experienced any side effects. Lainey

okay, I'll put in my 2 cents. I agree that there is a lack of quality, well controlled studies on the effectiveness and safety of many of the OTC dietary supplements. However, there has been such an interest in the supplements that scientific research is now being conducted. No I can't quote specific references. I know this because my doctor, who practiced traditional medicine for 20 or so years, is now practicing integrative medicine. I trust him to read the relevant research and filter out what is hooey for me. I also know this because my daughter is a manager of a GNC store. You'd think as a manager she would sell the customer whatever he/she wanted, but I've actually seen her tell a customer that she didn't believe the claims of a partictular product and besides that she didn't try to sell him anything else! In addition, to the lack of adequate research is the problem of quality control... the active ingredinents of supplement x may vary so much from brand to brand (or even bottle to bottle) that it is extremely hard to tell whether you have taken an adequate amount (or possibly overdosed!). There are some brands, however, that guarantee the strength/purity of the supplement. I don't remember the nomenclature right now, but there is one. So if you are considering taking any supplements research the nomenclature first and ask about it when you go into the store. If they can't answer your question walk out of the store. Also remember that the sales people are there to make money... its best to get a doctor of integrative medicine to 'prescribe' a supplement and if the store you are in doesn't have it, don't let a sales person talk you into another one that 'does the same thing'... the sales person is just trying to make money. Now all that being said, remember that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamth of in your philosophy... Don't automatically reject a dietary supplement because some government beaurocrat hasn't approved it yet. It was beaurocratic idiots who came up with the 'food pyrimid' that has made so many Americans fat. My personal testimony as to what dietary supplement really does work... CLA. CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid. It is an essential fatty acid found in foods like cheese, beef and safflower seeds. Many of us do not get enough of it because we are eating a low fat diet which restricts those foods. CLA helps the body use fat in muscle tissue, resulting in leaner muscles. I have taken CLA (prescribed by my doctor and at a somewhat higher dose than recommended on the label) for a while now and can certainly tell a difference in my muscles. I've not experienced any side effects. Lainey