Tulsa World: Supplements are not meant as a replacement for food

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Supplements are not meant as a replacement for food

By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Published: 9/29/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 9/29/2009 8:20 AM

Dear Dr. Gott: I am an 80-year-old woman who weighed 369 pounds at age 42. I lost most of the weight with Weight Watchers, but couldn't maintain it. Then I found Overeaters Anonymous 22 years ago and have maintained my current weight of 115 pounds for around 15 years.

My problem now is that I find the amount of food my sponsor wants me to eat is too much. I take a lot of vitamins and supplements recommended by my doctor. These include calcium with vitamin D, vitamin C with rose hips, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, beta carotene, aspirin, fish oil, magnesium with chelated zinc and Ocuvite with Lutein. I also take a few prescriptions including atenolol (owing to a rapid heartbeat), furosemide (one tablet twice a week) and Klor-Con 8 (twice a week).

I consider myself in good health other than the occasional rapid heartbeat, which the atenolol seems to be controlling. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Dear Reader: You are not taking in enough protein, you don't eat any vegetables, and your grain/carbohydrate consumption is miniscule.

I urge you to make an appointment to discuss your diet with a certified nutritionist. He or she can help you devise a more appropriate and varied meal plan that will provide adequate nutrients while maintaining a healthful weight.

My other concern is that you are taking a diuretic and potassium supplements twice a week. If this is because of high blood pressure, they are probably not doing you any good. Hypertension that requires treatment should be treated with daily medication. Furosemide is also used for congestive heart failure and certain kidney and liver disorders that cause fluid retention. If this is your case, it is all the more important to have a proper diet to ensure that you have the best possible health.

Write Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave. 4th floor, New York, NY 10016.

By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association

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