Supplements - come and critique my list

[SoWhatDoWeDoNow]

I couldn't decide whether this should be in S&B or health, but as my shallow primary concern is with my appearance rather than my health I have opted for S&B.

I need to lose 2 stones in weight, my skin is looking ropey and I'm peri-menopausal with raging PMT. I get moody, I get brain fog, I get anxiety, I eat carbs as a way of dealing with emotional stress, and I feel like a pathetic wreck most of the time, although on the face of it I am very together and capable.

I have dabbled with low-carb eating and supplements on and off for years, and I love it but struggle to stick to it, even though I know it works and makes me feel better.

I am going to really make an effort now, as I think it would help my PMT and my skin, as well as my weight.

I have bought loads of supplements to help kick start me and stave off cravings as well.

An over the counter appetite suppressant for those days when I need a little help. Caffeine, guarana, green tea, all the usual stuff. They do work as a way of helping me ease into ketosis, and are good for those days when I fall off the wagon - they stop me over-eating when being fed carbs by other people, hectic schedule etc.

Krill oil. supposedly the best source of all the most valuable omega oils, good for the mood swings, concentration, skin, PMT etc.

Cayenne capsules. Not sure what to expect from those really.
Are they going to give me an ulcer or terrible heartburn?

5-HT supplement. Ditto. Although they are talked about alot in conjunction weight loss and boosting serotonin levels. As my carby over-eating phases are usually triggered by emotions/anxiety and stress I was hoping this might help.

A probiotic.

Kelp for boosted iodine. good for regulating your thyroid and good to ward off cancer.

Melatonin for better sleep and concentration.

A mixed supplement of L-carnitane, Coenzyme Q 10 and chromium.

I have taken them all except the appetite suppressant and the kelp today. I am sort of waiting for there to be some weird explosive reaction in my stomach. I'm a bit nervous about the cayenne.

Any thoughts?

Eh? I'm not the one being aggressive...

I would describe a Professor of Immunology, responsible for much detailed research into allergy, as 'advanced', a post grad not so much...

I'm sorry I really can't be bothered to discuss this further.

Hi OP, I think that's an awful lot of stuff you're wanting to introduce all at once. I think some supplements may have value but yours seems a bit of a scattergun approach...what if something doesn't agree with you / has negative side-effects? You won't know which it is.

My top tip is to make stock / broth from the bones of any roasts you cook. Ideally this would be from free-range, organic meat (I know some scoff at this, but I believe it!). Chuck all bones and scraps into a large saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Skim off any froth that forms and then simmer for 24-48 hours. When the bones become brittle, break them with a wooden spoon - the marrow is flavoursome and nutritious. When it's done just strain it, portion it and freeze it. Use it to make soup or add to stews and sauces. Great way of supplementing your diet with trace minerals and makes food unbelievably tasty

Pycnogenol 60mg

Something with Zinc. I take Silica Complex as it contains horsetail. Don't laugh but it is fab for my hair

I take a mega multi vitamin which really seems to make me feel better in myself.
Omega oil (for skin mainly)
Tumeric (joints and hydradenitis supprativa)
Extra zinc (HS as above)
Ferrous fumarate (prescribed) as anaemic

I haven't read the thread so I apologise if I am repeating what others have said. I have a great diet but always felt crap and my skin was awful until I got a whack load of D3 down me. You can feel better within a day.

Twinkle sorry, but you were being aggressive.

You came along and added a sarcy comment about me knowing everything. I don't see why that was necessary at all from you. I was making a valid point about the training of nutritionists. Just because your Prof referred you to someone 'good' it doesn't change the fact there are some dodgy ones out there.

I also don't see what we are arguing about! I saw a Prof of Immunology and Allergy 30 years ago when he was one of the first people ever to show the relationship between food and illnesses. He was a pioneer of all this.

None of this has anything to do with the fact that there are some people who practise nutrition who are barely qualified to do so.

Yes, there are some good degrees now in nutritional science- but that doesn't alter the fact that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist- it's not a fully regulated profession yet- and that's what I was warning the OP of.

Sorry everyone if this seems off topic but I wanted to clear that up.