AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question QUESTION: Hello Dr.Alan,
I hope you can help me because I'm a little bit lost, and I'm sure no one in my country would help me with this question.
I have a serious malnutrition problem which caused dry eyes, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, fatigue and impaired concentration, anxiety and arthritis.
I started taking supplements few month ago:
1 tablet Centrum
4 grams Omega 3
2 grams Flax seed oil
3 grams Pumpkin Seed oil
1.5 grams Borage oil
1.5 grams of Glucosamine sulphate, 800mg Chondroitin sulphate and 500mg MSM
260 mg Gingko Biloba
2 grams Vitamin C
400 mg Vitamin E with 100mcg Selenium
300mg Magnesium
Most of these supplements increase the risk of bleeding, I'm only taking Diltiazem for high blood pressure. Not on any other medications, so Am I at increased risk of bleeding Dr.Alan?
ANSWER: I am maxed out for today. Ask again tomorrow and also why must you take the borage and pumpkin seed oils?
Dear Michael
Have you any idea of exactly what your malnutrition problem is? This would help greatly.
I would cut out the vitamin E as there is now strong evidence that excess and 400mg is excess can cause various problems in the long term. You need so little that your diet is hardly likely to be deficient in it. All the oils you are taken can increase bleeding tendencies especially in excess although there is no doubt that overall these supplements are generally good for one. However I think 4 rather excessive and would advise you stick with the omega 3 and drop the others. Your other supplents can be kept although Gingko is probably not much use for anything no matter what fringe medics may say. I would also deccrease the vitamin C to 1 g per day (that's what I take and have for 40 years).
Hope this is of some help but get back to me quickly re my first statement as I go on prolonged leave on Friday.
Regards
Alan Galbraith
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello again Dr.Alan,
It seems that I have a malnutrition problem since I was a child, the place where I live has really bad vegetables and fruits (it contain alot of pestisides so I better avoid them).
I have fatigue all the time and I can't concentrate for 10 minutes. I have done all the possible blood work I can think of, I even checked my thyroid and had many types of scans on it and on my body. Nothing is wrong but still I feel so fatigue.
I take Borage oil because it's anti-inflammation and I have arthritis, and Pumpkin Seed oil for my inflammed prostate.
I just started Ginkgo Biloba and I feel that it's really working, I feel I can concentrate better.
My diet is based on milk, cereal, some protien from chicken, bread and cheese. sometimes I eat fruit and vegetables but rarely.
I will decrease my supplements to
1 gram Omega 3
1.3 gram Borage oil
1 gram pumpkin seed oil
1 gram vit. C
1 multi-vitamin tablet
260mg Ginkgo Biloba
1 magnesium tablet (it lowers and regulates my heart rate, I really can't live without it)
1 gram Glucosamine with 0.8 gram Chondroitin and 0.5 gram MSM
What do you think dr.Alan? do I still have a problem with bleeding?
Sorry for my long question, but I had to explain why I take too much supplements. I'm 27 by the way
Thanks alot,
Michael
Answer Dear Michael
I cannot guarantee that you still may not have a problem with bleeding but the risks should decrease. Omega 3 plus your chondroitin/glucosamine should help your arthritic problems - borage oil is not much different. Why not try Saw Palmetto and/or Epilobium instead of pumpkin seeed oil for your prostate as all these oils worry me a bit as they can inccrease bleeding times.
Can you not thoroughly wash the fruit and vegetables as pesticides are normally only on the skin. Again I cannot comment further not knowing your form of malnutrition syndrome. Also I would recommend you contact a nutritionist on this site as I am not one (only some professional knowledge but not in depth) and they may be able to offer further advice.
