Scene Tulsa World
Search Spot
Contact Info



Newspaper View Newspaper View      Print this story Print      Email this story Email      Comment Comment      RSS RSS     
Share      Bookmark Bookmark

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

Newspaper View Newspaper View      Print this story Print      Email this story Email      Comment Comment      RSS RSS     
Share      Bookmark Bookmark

Reader Comments
       Add your comment

0 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Report Comment Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 
 
Add Your Comment 
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.

 
  
Post Your Comment
 


Home | About Tulsa World | Advertise With Us | Privacy | Usage Agreement | Help | Contact
Copyright © 2009, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.