AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. 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 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.
