Herbal supplements

[LAJ123]

A common question here is about the safety of herbal / natural products.

An interesting programme on BBC2 tonight.

bbc.co.uk/news/stories-4597...

Jim

[Hidden]

Thanks for the heads-up. I think the program your refering to is Horizon on BBC2 at 9:00pm. "Vitamin Pills: Miracle or Myth?". I am going to record it. No doubt it will still be available on BBC I player later for those who still wish to view later.

[Hidden]

If you eat a varied healthy diet, there's absolutely no need for supplements. Sunshine alone should provide all the necessary vitamin D too, even in the UK 😀. There are some exceptions of course, like folic acid for expectant mothers and iron for anaemics but for most people, at best it's just a waste of money and at worst, organ failure or even death can occur. I get all my nutrients from food, zero deficiencies so far.

[jojokarak in reply to Hidden]

I have been given calceos tablets which contains vitamin d as I am so low in it and don't forget we have to be careful post transplant in the sun our main source of vitamin d I have also been advised to take vitamin e recently ... So not everything can be gotten through diet 😊

[Hidden in reply to jojokarak]

That's why I said most people and that there are exceptions jojo 😉

[jojokarak in reply to Hidden]

It's always bloody me 🤣🤣

[Will3 in reply to jojokarak]

And me, I take those tablets too 👍🏻

[jojokarak in reply to Will3]

Glad I not alone 😁

[Peppy05 in reply to Will3]

And me I take vitamin b1, Centrum and vitamin c can't consume any orange or orange juice, gastritis and also cirrhosis

[Darsmum100 in reply to Hidden]

Well, older people like me - 71 - dont absorb Vitamin D as well as you youngsters, so I take a supplement. I also take magnesium, calcium and zinc for bone health (as prescribed for me in India by an Ayurvedic doctor) as I have widespread osteoarthritis. Also, those of us who have abused alcohol over a long period become deficient in Vitamin B - I recall being given Vit B injections when I was hospitalised for alcohol abuse over 30 years ago! (Obviously the hospital treatment didn't work!). I'm far more concerned about the long-term effects of the numerous "conventional" medications I have to swallow every day than I am about supplements.

[Darsmum100 in reply to Darsmum100]

I used to be Beauport guys, but due to annoying computer malfunction I seem to have metamorphosed into Darsmum! 🤔

[GrandmaDylan]

I've recorded this and will watch it soon. I read the article however and am deeply shocked that someone could defraud and give the desperate patients completely false hope. The poor girl should have been at home with her loved ones not flying for hours and subjected to unnecessary and invasive proceedures. Deb

[Chris884]

Milk thistle is the safest and the best

[jojokarak in reply to Chris884]

Milk thistle is useless when you have liver problems and shouldn't be taken if your waiting for a transplant

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

If someone was to have portal hypertension from cirrhosis. Do they get varicose veins in lower legs also

[jojokarak in reply to Chris884]

Not as far as I know I haven't

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

So you have portal hypertension. If you have cirrhosis how did they see it

[jojokarak in reply to Chris884]

I am post transplant but when I had portal hypertension I was having regular endoscopies and they only done them once I had been diagnosed with cirrhosis

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

I just worry. Had hepatitis c 10 years ago. Took 1 year treatment got cured. Had ct with iv contrast saying all organs in abdominal normal. All blood test normal. Just got blood done last year everything in normal range.

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

If I had cirrhosis then wouldn’t ct scan with iv contrast see cirrhosis.

[jojokarak in reply to Chris884]

It should yes .. how come you're on here if you haven't got cirrhosis are you worried about something?

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

Yes lost insurance. Can’t go to the specialist I had that treated me back in 2008. Just been on a non stop worry. I had ct done at the emergency room back in 2013. Went there because was so stressed out I had some blood in stool. They did ct with iv contrast. And told me liver appears normal no vocal lesions. Spleen normal. And everything else normal in abdominal area. So I left it at that. Until I keep thinking they might have not seen if I had cirrhosis. Blood work last year shows everything in normal range. If that was portal hypertension wouldn’t it show liver was bad on ct thanks.

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

Also I am a welder I am on my feet 12-15 hours a Day. And have noticed I can see veins all around ankles. Is that portal hypertension

[jojokarak in reply to Chris884]

Your going to get varicose veins from standing on your feet for so long seriously it has nothing to do with portal hypertension it doesn't effect your legs ...

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

Thank you. Just saw your answer.

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

So you say those veins I can see through my skin around lower legs has nothing to do with if a person has portal hypertension due from cirrhosis. Like I said I am on feet long hours I am a welder. And when lower legs act up after a days work there is also pitting edema. But is gone the next day. All bloods in normal range.

[Chris884 in reply to Chris884]

Ok thanks

[Chris884 in reply to Chris884]

I read stuff on internet that people are saying. Different things. You are a lot smarter in this. So that’s why I am asking.

[jojokarak in reply to Chris884]

Chris after standing all day you are going to get water building up in your legs that's why when you go to bed and get up in the morning everything is back to normal because you are either pissing the water out or it's redistributed in your body ..... YOU do not get any kind of vein problems in your legs with cirrhosis or any kind of liver problem

If you are that concerned about things change your lifestyle no booze , better food and get a hobby so you stop worrying so much ... X

[Chris884 in reply to jojokarak]

Ok thanks I just thought you guys could help me out with the worries

[Hidden in reply to Chris884]

Chris884,

These are the guidelines for the forum:

Alternative Therapies and Solicitations:

Please note that the British Liver Trust does not endorse or recommend any specific products, services, therapies, or activities mentioned by any third party (individual or company).

The British Liver Trust does not recommend the use of any homoeopathic or herbal remedies for those with any liver problems as these may damage the liver and lead to severe illness. For more information on this subject, including the use of milk thistle, please visit the following page on our website:

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

Best wishes,

Volunteer moderator