So my doc wants me to stop taking MSM and flax

[zzirvingj]

Long story short, I had a routine visit today and told my doc I started taking MSM and flax seed oil since the last time I'd seen here.

She basically does not want me taking them because they aren't FDA approved... She did not "demand" I stop taking them, but she made it clear that she did not think it would be a good idea to continue using them.

 

[candiel]

Wow, really? erplexed

 

[klb120475]

Really?

Are all vits FDA approved? I've never really looked into this, not that it really matters because I'll continue to popping my vits, but just curious?

 

[sareca]

Q: What regulations cover MSM?
A:In the U.S. MSM is regulated as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires that product claims ("structure and function claims") are truthful, not misleading and supported by scientific studies. The FDA has the right to recall or ban dietary supplements that are found to be unsafe. The FDA requires that all dietary supplements are manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing practices (GMPs) using documentation and consistent methods. Information about FDA regulations can be found at the FDA website. In other countries, MSM is also federally regulated. In Japan, MSM is regulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. In Canada, MSM is regulated by the Natural Health Products Directorate, a division of Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the FDA. The Canadian government provides a unique product registration number and approval for products to be marketed in that country. Regulations in other countries vary.

---http://www.msmguide.com/index.html


I only did a quick search, but I couldn't find anything in the FDA's website about MSM specifically.

I think of my doctor kinda like a mechanic... I'm still the owner.

 

[STLCoverGirl]

My doctor said the same thing a while back, I just stick to a multi and ultranourishair.

 

[zzirvingj]

Q: What regulations cover MSM?
A:In the U.S. MSM is regulated as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires that product claims ("structure and function claims") are truthful, not misleading and supported by scientific studies. The FDA has the right to recall or ban dietary supplements that are found to be unsafe. The FDA requires that all dietary supplements are manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing practices (GMPs) using documentation and consistent methods. Information about FDA regulations can be found at the FDA website. In other countries, MSM is also federally regulated. In Japan, MSM is regulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. In Canada, MSM is regulated by the Natural Health Products Directorate, a division of Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the FDA. The Canadian government provides a unique product registration number and approval for products to be marketed in that country. Regulations in other countries vary.

---http://www.msmguide.com/index.html


I only did a quick search, but I couldn't find anything in the FDA's website about MSM specifically.

I think of my doctor kinda like a mechanic... I'm still the owner.

I do too. So I'm not sure what I'm gonna do just yet. I think she was on the Mayo Clinic website as she was telling me this stuff b/c she has a laptop in the office with her and was doing searches on MSM and flax as I was there with her, lol.

She was, however, basically telling me not to be too trustful of info from any company that manufactures a supplement I want to take.

 

[Arcadian]

Thats kind of a weird reason in fact, that seems to be no real reason at all.

Quite honestly I would never just take my doctor "cause I said so" to stop doing something. I'd need more than a non answer.


-A

 

[janeemat]

But why??? I have been taking flax seed oil for 15 yrs. It's has so many benefits (omega 3). I've never heard nothing but good things about it. As far as the MSM goes, I just started taking that in Dec 2006. No problems so far. Just nicer skin and softer hair.

 

[blackmaven]

My gynecologist instructed me to stop taking MSM and flaxseed oil. He also needed to get my bleeding under control one of the natural ingredients was conflicting with medicine. Can not remember which one though. He said I have surgery scheduled did not want me taking any kind of herbs no knowledge especially MSM.

One of his associates just had a healthy lady die in surgery year ago could not stop the bleeding. She fail to tell them she was taking some kind of natural herb.

 

[scorpian]

Doctors make their money by writing prescriptions....if we all started using natural products and left the prescription drugs alone the health care industry would use billions...there have been a lot of fda approved things that have been found to cause cancer and other health isssues and later recalled so erplexed

 

[growth2come]

Maybe you should check again. Maybe this was advice according to what your doctor knows about your health and in that case I wouldnt just ignore it because good health is far more important than getting long hair. Once you can eliminate this then you can make up your mind about whether or not to stop - because it could be that certain ingredients are likely to cause different reactions in the long run depending on a particular health history a person has....

 

[gymfreak336]

I can understand the msm in a way but flaxseed oil??? Omega fatty acids are essential to our bodies. Many doctor prescribed vitamin supplements for heart and mental health are just omega fatty acid supplements. Just like with any other medical advice whether coming from a doctor or just a regular person like me, get a second opinon.

I personally take almost all advice with a grain of salt. I find it funny that someone would say stop taking flaxseed oil (unless you have an allergy or something like that) but then also say in "clinical studies" that increased intake of fatty fish helps improve heart, skin and nervous health. Well isn't the magic spark in the fish omega fatty acids I asked a doctor once about taking melatonin and they looked at me like I was speaking French. After that I don't really bother. Its okay to take all of the prescribed medicines they give that sometimes give you worst side effects than your orginial ailment but you are supposed to stop taking flaxseed oil?

Do what you are comfortable with, no matter who recommends what

 

[laCriolla]

Doctors make their money by writing prescriptions....if we all started using natural products and left the prescription drugs alone the health care industry would use billions...there have been a lot of fda approved things that have been found to cause cancer and other health isssues and later recalled so erplexed

AMEN!
I was also going to add... Drs. are trained to not have faith in 'alternative' methods, and to think that their way is the ONLY way.

sometimes it is just the most profitable (for them and big business)

not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but lots of people make money off of keeping the public 1) over weight 2) sick 3) in fear of *something* ... (not in any order)

 

[laCriolla]

oh and,

i was having issues concentrating in school, and went to the Doctor. He wanted me to take all types of drugs.

I went to a learning specialist who said all I needed was to take Omega 3 supplements. Haven't had a problem ever since, and i'm not doped up or broke either!

just my experience.

 

[Proudpiscean]

Doctors make their money by writing prescriptions....if we all started using natural products and left the prescription drugs alone the health care industry would use billions...there have been a lot of fda approved things that have been found to cause cancer and other health isssues and later recalled so erplexed

That's exactly what I was gonna say .......I don't trust the FDA at all

 

[Divine_Order]

Doctors make their money by writing prescriptions....if we all started using natural products and left the prescription drugs alone the health care industry would use billions...there have been a lot of fda approved things that have been found to cause cancer and other health isssues and later recalled so erplexed

Exactly! A doctor would have no problem writing someone a prescription for something that may cause gambling and other irratic behavior. There are so many drugs that are FDA approved that cause so many side effects that they had the nerve to create a drug to cure the side effect. Please, the drug business is a multi-billion dollar industry. I believe that the main focus is to make a dollar...not to promote health.

 

[gradygirl]

Maybe you should check again. Maybe this was advice according to what your doctor knows about your health and in that case I wouldnt just ignore it because good health is far more important than getting long hair. Once you can eliminate this then you can make up your mind about whether or not to stop - because it could be that certain ingredients are likely to cause different reactions in the long run depending on a particular health history a person has....

I agree with this 100%.

 

[SleekandBouncy]

Did your Dr. say that it was harming you in any form or potentially harmful? Have you noticed any negative side effects? I've not heard or read of any death or hospitalization from intake of flax seed oil or MSM. In actuality, MSM in excess is released from your body in about 13hrs, making it relatively safe in appropriate dosage.

To my understanding there is a difference between FDA approved and FDA regulated. All supplements have to be FDA regulated. The FDA (as of recently) has inacted certain guidelines that will ensure they meet the content requirements, purity and freshness.
To be FDA approved, the FDA has to approve the claims of the manufacturer. That means that the FDA would have to approve, for example flax seed oil as being a recognized treatment for X,Y, and Z. That is where the sticky part comes in. Put simply because something is not FDA approved does not mean it's dangerous, it simply means the FDA is not approving (agreeing with) it's claim of being a treatment for xx.
There is a push to have supplements, herbs, even many oils reclassified as medicinal, in that case most people would have a much harder time obtaining many of the items sold in the supplement section of your neighborhood health store.

My aunt's doctor said the same thing about the supplements she was taking. His reasons being they were for "health quacks" (as he put it) and not FDA approved. On the other hand he was very generous in giving her 6 prescriptions for various drugs (half of which were to counteract the effects of the other half) and one of which turned out to cause strokes and later be recalled
After her 2nd stroke he berated her for taking supplements in an attempt to regain her ability to walk and speak, however he did marvel at her speedy and "out of nowhere" recovery.

Honestly, there's no right answer for everyone. I think that a dr's advice should be taken into consideration, but like any advice from anyone you have to use critical thinking and not just blind obedience. I would ask my doctor why and how she/he felt the supplements were dangerous for me. I'd want to be certain she/he weren't blindly viewing supplements as "quackery" and were giving me advice based on sound judgment. Also, do your own research. You can't rely solely on professionals to always know your body better than you do.
Unfortunately like anything that involves great profit, medicine has become corrupted by greed. For "some" in the medical field, supplements are seen as competition for prescription drugs and dr's who rely on patients visiting them for treatment. I don't say this as an insult to any physicians that might be members here or to say we should disregard their dr's advice. My own dr is very supportive of my supplement choices and I have family member's who are doctors, whom I respect very much.

 

[gymfreak336]

Did your Dr. say that it was harming you in any form or potentially harmful? Have you noticed any negative side effects? I've not heard or read of any death or hospitalization from intake of flax seed oil or MSM. In actuality, MSM in excess is released from your body in about 13hrs, making it relatively safe in appropriate dosage.

To my understanding there is a difference between FDA approved and FDA regulated. All supplements have to be FDA regulated. The FDA (as of recently) has inacted certain guidelines that will ensure they meet the content requirements, purity and freshness.
To be FDA approved, the FDA has to approve the claims of the manufacturer. That means that the FDA would have to approve, for example flax seed oil as being a recognized treatment for X,Y, and Z. That is where the sticky part comes in. Put simply because something is not FDA approved does not mean it's dangerous, it simply means the FDA is not approving (agreeing with) it's claim of being a treatment for xx.
There is a push to have supplements, herbs, even many oils reclassified as medicinal, in that case most people would have a much harder time obtaining many of the items sold in the supplement section of your neighborhood health store.

My aunt's doctor said the same thing about the supplements she was taking. His reasons being they were for "health quacks" (as he put it) and not FDA approved. On the other hand he was very generous in giving her 6 prescriptions for various drugs (half of which were to counteract the effects of the other half) and one of which turned out to cause strokes and later be recalled
After her 2nd stroke he berated her for taking supplements in an attempt to regain her ability to walk and speak, however he did marvel at her speedy and "out of nowhere" recovery.
Honestly, there's no right answer for everyone. I think that a dr's advice should be taken into consideration, but like any advice from anyone you have to use critical thinking and not just blind obedience. I would ask my doctor why and how she/he felt the supplements were dangerous for me. I'd want to be certain she/he weren't blindly viewing supplements as "quackery" and were giving me advice based on sound judgment. Also, do your own research. You can't rely solely on professionals to always know your body better than you do.
Unfortunately like anything that involves great profit, medicine has become corrupted by greed. For "some" in the medical field, supplements are seen as competition for prescription drugs and dr's who rely on patients visiting them for treatment. I don't say this as an insult to any physicians that might be members here or to say we should disregard their dr's advice. My own dr is very supportive of my supplement choices and I have family member's who are doctors, whom I respect very much.

Right!

 

[Neroli]

Doctors make their money by writing prescriptions....if we all started using natural products and left the prescription drugs alone the health care industry would use billions...there have been a lot of fda approved things that have been found to cause cancer and other health isssues and later recalled so erplexed

ITA. FDA is in the pocket of Big Pharm, in fact, alot of folks setting policy at FDA are former Big Pharmers and it's like asking the fox to watch the hen house. Those guys are in it for the money, not our health. My brother and his wife are physicians and they say the pressure to prescripe certain drugs are enormous, even when the patient could manage the complaint with proper diet and nutrients. I'm not saying FDA don't have its use, I just exercise common sense in some of this stuff. There's a reason why we in the US, altho most affluent, best health care, etc. are among the most obese and chronically sicker than our poorer brethren and sistern around the world. . .

 

[Supergirl]

Well, I think your hair is beautiful so you don't really need to take anything out of the ordinary. But I see that your doctor did not give a really profound reason or anything either. Good luck

 

[SleekandBouncy]

oh and,

i was having issues concentrating in school, and went to the Doctor. He wanted me to take all types of drugs.

I went to a learning specialist who said all I needed was to take Omega 3 supplements. Haven't had a problem ever since, and i'm not doped up or broke either!

just my experience.

No way!
Shouldn't all doctors look at things from a holistic perspective rather than focusing on one specific area, in this case the symptom. A parent wouldn't just tape of the bleeding wound of a child, they'd to see what caused it. Every ailment has a cause. If you treat the cause then you're more likely to have long lasting results rather than just offering quick fixes that temporarily relieve or mask the problem.

Reading stuff like that makes me feel perplexed .

 

[zzirvingj]

Thanks for all of the insight guys. You have made some really good points...points that crossed my mind as she was telling me that she was not too "hot" about me using these things, yet kind of "danced around" being able to provide a really good hardcore REASON AGAINST me to continue to use them.

My health is in pretty good condition, with the exception of me having had hypertension. It has recently been alleviated, so if my doc thought that either the MSM or flaxseed were capable of aggravating that, I think she would have mentioned it...?

To be honest, when I mentioned MSM to her, she had to look it up on Wikipedia and was reading to me that it said it was good for arthritis, which I already knew. And after doing a quick scan of what was online and not seeing anywhere that there was any "statistically significant evidence" that MSM actually helps with hair and skin, she suggested it wasn't likely that it would benefit me for the purpose I was taking it. So based on that experience alone I was kinda like.......yeah.....ok.....whatever. Not to downplay her concern but I felt almost as if I knew more about MSM and flax than her and could therefore make a more informed decision about taking them or not, ya know?

I will ask her on my next visit to be more clear on WHY she thinks it's not a good idea. I have decided to keep taking them for now. I go to my doc on a regular basis, so if I notice anything I'll let her know. I research things before I try them and I didn't see any compelling reason(s) to avoid either the MSM or the flax, so I will continue to use them for now, and if I discover something in my ongoing research that compels me to discontinue usage of either one, I will stop at that time.

 

[gymfreak336]

Thanks for all of the insight guys. You have made some really good points...points that crossed my mind as she was telling me that she was not too "hot" about me using these things, yet kind of "danced around" being able to provide a really good hardcore REASON AGAINST me to continue to use them.

My health is in pretty good condition, with the exception of me having had hypertension. It has recently been alleviated, so if my doc thought that either the MSM or flaxseed were capable of aggravating that, I think she would have mentioned it...?

To be honest, when I mentioned MSM to her, she had to look it up on Wikipedia and was reading to me that it said it was good for arthritis, which I already knew. And after doing a quick scan of what was online and not seeing anywhere that there was any "statistically significant evidence" that MSM actually helps with hair and skin, she suggested it wasn't likely that it would benefit me for the purpose I was taking it. So based on that experience alone I was kinda like.......yeah.....ok.....whatever. Not to downplay her concern but I felt almost as if I knew more about MSM and flax than her and could therefore make a more informed decision about taking them or not, ya know?

I will ask her on my next visit to be more clear on WHY she thinks it's not a good idea. I have decided to keep taking them for now. I go to my doc on a regular basis, so if I notice anything I'll let her know. I research things before I try them and I didn't see any compelling reason(s) to avoid either the MSM or the flax, so I will continue to use them for now, and if I discover something in my ongoing research that compels me to discontinue usage of either one, I will stop at that time.

The omega fatty acids in flax help with blood pressure

 

[Hair Iam]

Doctors make their money by writing prescriptions....if we all started using natural products and left the prescription drugs alone the health care industry would use billions...there have been a lot of fda approved things that have been found to cause cancer and other health isssues and later recalled so erplexed

I so agree...not to say a doctor's advise is not to be taken seriously in most matters but in my experience they always put their noses up towards vitamins in general. Remember in the case of surgery or other medication, natural or man made medication can counter act with natural vits.
The way I see it medicine is derived from herbs..I would trust a "God made "natural made herb, than a altered man made version any day.

 

[gymfreak336]

Thanks for all of the insight guys. You have made some really good points...points that crossed my mind as she was telling me that she was not too "hot" about me using these things, yet kind of "danced around" being able to provide a really good hardcore REASON AGAINST me to continue to use them.

My health is in pretty good condition, with the exception of me having had hypertension. It has recently been alleviated, so if my doc thought that either the MSM or flaxseed were capable of aggravating that, I think she would have mentioned it...?

To be honest, when I mentioned MSM to her, she had to look it up on Wikipedia and was reading to me that it said it was good for arthritis, which I already knew. And after doing a quick scan of what was online and not seeing anywhere that there was any "statistically significant evidence" that MSM actually helps with hair and skin, she suggested it wasn't likely that it would benefit me for the purpose I was taking it. So based on that experience alone I was kinda like.......yeah.....ok.....whatever. Not to downplay her concern but I felt almost as if I knew more about MSM and flax than her and could therefore make a more informed decision about taking them or not, ya know?

I will ask her on my next visit to be more clear on WHY she thinks it's not a good idea. I have decided to keep taking them for now. I go to my doc on a regular basis, so if I notice anything I'll let her know. I research things before I try them and I didn't see any compelling reason(s) to avoid either the MSM or the flax, so I will continue to use them for now, and if I discover something in my ongoing research that compels me to discontinue usage of either one, I will stop at that time.

We should all do that with whatever we take, prescribed or not.

 

[ChanelNo5]

zzirvingj:

Can you describe some of the benefits you've seen in your hair since taking these supplements?

 

[sareca]

I do too. So I'm not sure what I'm gonna do just yet. I think she was on the Mayo Clinic website as she was telling me this stuff b/c she has a laptop in the office with her and was doing searches on MSM and flax as I was there with her, lol.

She was, however, basically telling me not to be too trustful of info from any company that manufactures a supplement I want to take.

That is typically good advice. You definitely want to do your homework. But I disagree with the "not approved" part. Certain products/vendors may be rejected, but I didn't find any broad statement about MSM on the FDA website. I found an application for an MSM supplement that was received, but it doesn't say if it was accepted. http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/01/May01/052101/let7137.pdf

I found an eye wash that was contaminated http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/UltraBotanicals7_01.html

But no "MSM not approved for diet supplementation" statements.

You definitely don't want to take it if you're expecting or thinking of getting pregnant, actually that's true of flaxseed oil as well... wait a minute! Are you trying to tell us something?

 

[zzirvingj]

No way!
Shouldn't all doctors look at things from a holistic perspective rather than focusing on one specific area, in this case the symptom. A parent wouldn't just tape of the bleeding wound of a child, they'd to see what caused it. Every ailment has a cause. If you treat the cause then you're more likely to have long lasting results rather than just offering quick fixes that temporarily relieve or mask the problem.

Reading stuff like that makes me feel perplexed .

Yes, they should, but for whatever reason, this doesn't always happen. For instance, I remember one of my old docs trying to help me with my insomnia. We couldn't figure out the problem. I remember her giving me this "depression questionnaire" once. After taking about 30 seconds to check answers off, she took a few seconds to add up the numbers, said I was "depressed" and prescribed me Zoloft (on top of the meds I was supposed to be taking for insomnia).

But after doing some research I found out that depression was linked to some of the meds she had me trying out for my insomnia erplexed Not to mention, some of the meds I had been on beforehand caused me to gain weight. One of the questions in the "depression questionnaire" asked if I had gained weight. So I answered positively to a question that may have attributed to her "scoring me" as "depressed". But an insightful person would have read the questions and taken into consideration that part of the reason I may have gained weight was due to my meds.

It takes detail, concern and insight to get to the root of alot of medical problems. You can't just prescribe meds on top of meds on top of meds because at some point you will not be able to easily decipher what is "the cause" versus what is "the effect'.

 

[zzirvingj]

The omega fatty acids in flax help with blood pressure

Yay!