Dietary supplements

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:00:48 GMT

One reason many people take fish oil is because of the mercury levels in fish I wasn't trying to make a case against fish oil, just stating that there is no additional benefit to over consuming it. Kinda like vitamins. Once you have enough, additional consumption just colors your urine.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:25:10 GMT

This is a good point. There does not seem to be any medical dispute that you need only a small amount of omega-3's, so if you eat fatty fish like sardines or salmon, no need for fish oil. If you don't eat anything that naturally contains omega-3s or is fortified, then fish oil might be a benefit. One reason many people take fish oil is because of the mercury levels in fish but the two fish you mentioned(sardine and salmon) are actually the safe fish to eat. I eat salmon and sardines several times a week which is why I don't take fish oil as a supplement.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:45:47 GMT

I don't think we are disagreeing Gull, but correct me if I am wrong. One serving of sardines packed in water contains 6 grams of fat. For most people, that is just as good as a OTC fish oil capsule. Regular oily fish eaters probably don't need supplements. Now if Dr. Gull tells you need more fish oil to help lower triglycerides, you are taking a pill form of fish oil because the Dr. wants to make sure you are getting a decent dose. The dose itself is still pretty small. 4 grams is only 36 calories. My understanding is that the key is the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids (specifically EPA and DHA), which are purified and concentrated.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:31:07 GMT

Currently fish oil is used to treat very high levels of triglycerides (>500 mg/dl). Both HDL and LDL tend to increase slightly. Lovaza is FDA approved and is available by prescription; the usual dose is 4 grams daily. The actual content of the over the counter supplements varies. I don't think we are disagreeing Gull, but correct me if I am wrong. One serving of sardines packed in water contains 6 grams of fat. For most people, that is just as good as a OTC fish oil capsule. Regular oily fish eaters probably don't need supplements. Now if Dr. Gull tells you need more fish oil to help lower triglycerides, you are taking a pill form of fish oil because the Dr. wants to make sure you are getting a decent dose. The dose itself is still pretty small. 4 grams is only 36 calories.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:11:43 GMT

This is a good point. There does not seem to be any medical dispute that you need only a small amount of omega-3's, so if you eat fatty fish like sardines or salmon, no need for fish oil. If you don't eat anything that naturally contains omega-3s or is fortified, then fish oil might be a benefit. Currently fish oil is used to treat very high levels of triglycerides (>500 mg/dl). Both HDL and LDL tend to increase slightly. Lovaza is FDA approved and is available by prescription; the usual dose is 4 grams daily. The actual content of the over the counter supplements varies.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:03:22 GMT

i get my fish oil from sardines. This is a good point. There does not seem to be any medical dispute that you need only a small amount of omega-3's, so if you eat fatty fish like sardines or salmon, no need for fish oil. If you don't eat anything that naturally contains omega-3s or is fortified, then fish oil might be a benefit.

RE: Dietary supplements

Chris Stevenson — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:12:10 GMT

Interesting that so many people are taking fish oil. I don't think I've ever even heard of it before reading this thread! What are its purported benefits? Here is my experience. Though my LDL and total cholesterol levels are great, I have perennially very low HDL levels in my blood -- not helped at all by exercise levels -- and sometimes have trouble with high triglyceride levels. My doctor attributes both to genetics given my family medical history (though I also have a sweet tooth I struggle to control at times) and has me on Lipitor mostly to boost HDL. I get tested several times a year to ensure my dosage level is correct; my HDL still is not high. I heard that fish oil was good for this and tried it for quite some time; I would rather fish oil than a prescription drug (I didn't stop taking the Lipitor during this time, however). Alas, there was no affect on test results that I noticed, so I stopped. I subsequently asked my doctor about it and he basically said my body just doesn't know what to do with the stuff. YMMV.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:19:49 GMT

I have a swim friend who used to take a double dose of Accelerade the morning after imbibing adult beverages. I think before going to bed would be even better. There is no reason that restoring hydration and electrolytes needs to wait until the morning, and probably a little late if you want to get a practice in :)

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:42:40 GMT

Sometimes after an especially hard workout (or after an adult beverage or two) I drink the Endurox recovery. Its not as disgusting as some of the other stuff that I have tried. That is both funny and a really good idea.

RE: Dietary supplements

The Fortress — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:55:54 GMT

That is both funny and a really good idea. I have a swim friend who used to take a double dose of Accelerade the morning after imbibing adult beverages. I take fish oil, flax seed oil and Vitamin B. I've started drinking coconut water for more potasssium and I'm going to start using a product called "Leg Cramps" with quinine because I'm so prone to calf cramps. I use endurox/Balance bars for convenience or else throw whey protein and flax seed oil into fruit smoothies. My doc recommended flax seed for dry eyes. Vitamin B is apparently contra-indicated if one has sleep issues though ...

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:54:19 GMT

Interesting that so many people are taking fish oil. I don't think I've ever even heard of it before reading this thread! . I've been a member on a board for body weight exercises for years. Most members are into boxing and Martial Arts. Fish oil seems to be the most common supplement they pretty much all take. . finally, whether I want to or not, 2 glasses of good red wine :rolleyes: in the evening. Lol..why is that?

RE: Dietary supplements

KEWebb18 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:19:23 GMT

Multi-vitamin and extra vitamin D daily. Coffee in the morning, and water the rest of the day. I have started to drink G2 during workouts to fuel my body. Sometimes after an especially hard workout (or after an adult beverage or two) I drink the Endurox recovery. Its not as disgusting as some of the other stuff that I have tried. I told my friends to never let me become the person at the doctor's office that has a separate page of all of the medications and supplements I take.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:56:14 GMT

There is no proof that quinine works, and it is not without side effects. I would stay away from it. I think the "side effects" come from the gin, not the quinine...

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:25:55 GMT

I've started drinking coconut water for more potasssium and I'm going to start using a product called "Leg Cramps" with quinine because I'm so prone to calf cramps. There is no proof that quinine works, and it is not without side effects. I would stay away from it.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:22:34 GMT

I've read in Rip Esselstyn's book "The Engine 2 Diet", that fish oils are considered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to be potential risks and are "highly unstable molecules that can break down and release dangerous, disease causing free radicals" I don't agree with that statement. Do they have any research to back it up?

RE: Dietary supplements

JoeBob — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:07:47 GMT

Unless you're allergic to shrimps, krill oil may work better to improve your lipid profile and to protect you against oxidative stress. altmedicine.about.com/.../krilloil.htm www.proteinpower.com/.../ How many people here like curry? I sprinkle some curry on my wild Siberian kale. Since adding curry and kale to my diet, my joint and lower-back pains have pretty much disappeared. www.annieappleseedproject.org/spicraccanfi.html www.nutritiondata.com/.../2

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:42:36 GMT

Gull, I've read in Rip Esselstyn's book "The Engine 2 Diet", that fish oils are considered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to be potential risks and are "highly unstable molecules that can break down and release dangerous, disease causing free radicals" Note.... Rip won the 200yd back at Austin Masters Nationals in the 45-50 age group. Your thoughts? John Smith I found this to be an interesting and well referenced article on fish oil: www.wannabebig.com/.../

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:43:12 GMT

Enough fish oil also creates a "sheen" on the body, similar to slime on a fish, which offers obvious advantages to slip easily through the water.:bolt: I wouldn't eat fish that have a slime in them...

RE: Dietary supplements

Tim L — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:17:07 GMT

I don't take any supplements. After reading all the supplements others take I am now concerned I am missing something. Tim

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:55:56 GMT

One oil that I consume daily, and is delicious too, is olive oil. We go through a pint of this stuff a week. Me too I guzzle the stuff, but if we are going to this level of supplement detail, I must throw in Pinot Noir, Monster cookie and Reese's miniature peanut butter cups. I am confident these are critical to my (lack of) success.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:03:37 GMT

Fish oil lowers your triglyceride level (which when elevated is a risk factor for coronary artery disease), and there is preliminary evidence that it may help prevent atrial fibrillation. Gull, I've read in Rip Esselstyn's book "The Engine 2 Diet", that fish oils are considered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to be potential risks and are "highly unstable molecules that can break down and release dangerous, disease causing free radicals" Note.... Rip won the 200yd back at Austin Masters Nationals in the 45-50 age group. Your thoughts? John Smith

RE: Dietary supplements

__steve__ — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:54:45 GMT

in Rip Esselstyn's book "The Engine 2 Diet", that fish oils are considered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to be potential risks and are "highly unstable molecules that can break down and release dangerous, disease causing free radicals" I am interested if this is dependant on certain types of fish, or all fish. One oil that I consume daily, and is delicious too, is olive oil. We go through a pint of this stuff a week.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:52:16 GMT

Fish oil lowers your triglyceride level (which when elevated is a risk factor for coronary artery disease), and there is preliminary evidence that it may help prevent atrial fibrillation.

RE: Dietary supplements

Former Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:48:27 GMT

I take a multi-vitamin every day and if I'm home after a swim, I'll have some chocolate milk. During meets, I'll drink a combination of water and Powerade. And I always follow up after a meet with chocolate milk, especially if it's a multi-day meet.

RE: Dietary supplements

aquageek — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:22:30 GMT

Interesting that so many people are taking fish oil. I don't think I've ever even heard of it before reading this thread! What are its purported benefits? It's an omega 3 fatty acid, allegedly for cardiovascular health, I think. They just sell big bottles of them for cheap, so it meets my requirements for a supplement.