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Created: June 30, 2001.
Serious and chronic disease, especially neuron and muscle diseases are complex and often very difficult to treat. These disorders are often "untreatable" by today's medical standards. In many cases, people use supportive medicinal therapies and alternative therapies. Supportive therapies often involve vitamins or minerals or other nutritional supplements. Alternative therapies cover a wide range of practices, many with some scientific rationale, some with no scientific rationale.
Unfortunately, especially in the Internet age, there is a great deal of promotion of various materials for treating many different diseases. Generally speaking, these materials are sold at a fairly hefty price but the promise is made that the patient will see dramatic and immediate effects. Again generally speaking, no scientific rationale for the mechanism of these treatments is given nor is any research given in support. Often, anecdotal reports are given -- "this treatment saved my life" -- this type of report is the weakest type of evidence and should not be given credence. Three questions arise when considering these kind of herbs or supplements: 1). Is it going to do any good for my specific condition?, 2). Is it going to do me any potential harm?, 3). What is the cost and is the chance of benefit worth the risk and cost? My general suggestion would be caveat emptor -- consumer beware. Here is a website focused specifically on herbal remedies for sIBM:
Several studies have suggested using supportive medicinal therapies in muscle disease. These will be mentioned below.
Please consult your physician before taking any type of therapy on your own. It is best to coordinate all therapies for best results, so it is important your Doctor know everything you are taking that has a medicinal effect. This would include things like caffeine, alcohol, and over the counter medications as well as those mentioned below.
Several studies have suggested possible benefits from taking antioxidant vitamins when dealing with serious disease. Antioxidants are considered possible aides in the prevention of cancer and other cell abnormalities.
-There is some research rationale for using the following daily regime of vitamins and supplements for muscle related disorders:
Vitamins:
--Vitamin E: 800 i.u.s
--Vitamin B12: 100 ug
--Vitamin B6: 10mg
--Vitamin C: 1000 mg
--Folic Acid: 1 mg
Other:
--Co-enzyme Q 10: 400 to 600 mg (this is a fairly large amount)
--L-Carnitine: 3 to 4 g (this is a fairly large amount)
--Creatine: 5 to 10 g
Mail Bill: btillier@shaw.ca
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