taking glutatione recycler.ingredients below. look ok for sjogrens?

[valene2009]

this is to enhance not boost immune system.. it is to boost glutathione levels..my naturopath has me taking.. these are the ingredients.  anyone have any probs with these or experience?  i dont want to take anything that will hurt me.

?N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): A powerful antioxidant that is rapidly metabolized within cells to form glutathione.


?Cordyceps Extract: A traditional Chinese herb that is shown to possess a variety of health benefits, including better immune system function. Research shows that Cordyceps protects cells by engaging the glutathione enzyme cycle.


?L-Glutamine: An essential amino acid involved in maintaining a positive nitrogen balance as well as aiding rapidly growing cells. Glutamine is also a regulator of acid-base balance in the body and acts as a nitrogen transporter.


?Alpha Lipoic Acid: A fat- and water-soluble antioxidant made by the body that helps turn glucose into energy. Also shown to help regenerate other antioxidants in the body.


?Milk Thistle Seed Extract: Used to treat chronic liver disease, encourage proper gall bladder function, and protects the liver against toxins.


?Gotu Kola Extract: Used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, this herb is used to treat infection, anxiety, depression, circulation problems, liver disease, stomach pain, indigestion, and to aid in the healing process, among many other purposes. Research shows that this herb seems to decrease inflammation and blood pressure while increasing collagen production.

[irish]

II would not take any of those until you run them by your pharmacist and your doctor. It is very easy to listen to people brag up the supplemental herbs, but if they are taken with a medication that causes a drug interaction you can be in trouble.

I am trying to check out the NAC for my hubby and his pulmonologist uses it some but she is not wanting him to take it. I would bet that he takes meds that would cause problems. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean that it isn't dangerous.

I know for a fact that some of these natural herbal remedies can cause liver damage but danred if I can remember which ones they are right now. Sometimes we just have to learn to accept our health status and take the slow route with other medications in order to slow things down. There really isn't a magic bullet for autoimmune disease. If there was somebody would be bloody rich by now. Irish

[anita]

You appear anxious to try 'anything/everything' at this point.  Just because supplements are not regulated, doesn't mean they don't have side-effects (some serious) and might not mix well with other meds/supplements.  Natural does NOT mean benign.  There are many good supplements out there (and I'm NOT against taking them), but be careful.

But more importantly, you should only start ONE new supplement or med at a time...and you have at least 2 other current threads (more older ones) about other things you're starting to take.  How else are you supposed to know which is helping (or hurting)?

I hope you find something that helps.

[cargillwitch]

Asking your allopathic ( mainstream) doctor for advice on herbal supplements is like asking your mechanic for financial advice.

Most who are honest will tell you that is not their area of expertise.

Doing research on your own, talking with herbalists, Traditional Chinese practitioners, Naturopaths etc. (those not selling the items to you) would garner a more unbiased opinion.

Go slowly,I have opted this route instead of allopathic treatments . It means taking more responsibility for your choices and being willing to do lots of research on your own. Results may be more subtle and take longer, but have fewer side effects.

[valene2009]

im not anxious=-i have had this supplement for months from my naturopath-i asked my doc what he thought -actually 2 docs and they both it isnt their area of expertise.. i dont want to take it if its going to make my sjogrens worse.

[Joe S.]

When I Think about taking a supplement, I will usually look for drug interactions, counter indications, and side effects before I take it. I hope that it is working well for you.

[valene2009]

Joe you are back! yeah.. are you doing better? i ve missed ya!  also im thiniking of going off plaquenil to try low dose naltrexone... i dont think plaquenil has helped me