Supplements safety

[Guest]

I have been looking into ways of maintaining vocal health lately; something I never did before. Being new to all of this I never realized the importance of hydration, how you speak as well as how much, air flow etc. I especially never knew about products I've seen such as lozenges specifically for singers, teas and such. However, after almost buying a product called Throat Coat I now have to question everything. Having heart disease, I am always cautious about anything I take. Some are just no good for people with heart disease and others don't mix with medications I take. Throat coat clearly states not to use the product if you have heart disease. I am especially careful with herbs and things of that nature.

Does anyone else take this into consideration? Does anyone else have similar problems? If so, can anyone recommend a good "safe" product? Or, are these things not really necessary.

Thanks

Tommy

[Joanna]

Hi Tommy - You are wise to be cautious, filtering general advice/folklore/advertising info through your own circumstances!

Throat-coat Tea has some benefit, helps cells hold onto moisture, but the areas of the throat that benefit are above where vocal cords are. Nothing you drink/suck/swallow actually gets to the cords because they are in your airway, below the "divide" between breathing & swallowing.

I think throat-coat tea also contains a small bit of licorice, and that herb is reported to slightly elevate blood pressure. If you use a BP cuff at home you could brew a cup & see if it makes a difference that day. Or stay away from it to be most safe.

Mostly, though, teas and lozenges affect sensations in the throat but not vocal function... you can feel better but not necessarily sound any better, if that makes sense.

If your throat feels dry "way down deep" where your voice comes from, try simple steam -- humidity -- long hot showers-- etc. Otherwise general wellness, and good safe voice training, will help you more than sprays, lozenges, and the like.

best wishes to you -

[Guest]

Thanks

[Adolph Namlik]

Tommy,

Ginger is also added to Throat Coat tea and will also elevate your blood pressure. An alternative is Throat Comfort tea. It also contains ginger, but not as much, and in my experience has not elevated my blood pressure.

While I don't have have a problem with hypertension (as I did in the past due to pain issues), when I used the Throat Coat tea, it literally raised my BP "OFF THE CHARTS" !!!

It's just a suggestion, but I recommend the Vishudda brand teas. It's all I use now when singing. No problems at all.......

Here's a couple of links for your convenience >>

http://themodernvocalistjournal.com/product-reviews/soothing-sips-vishudda-tea-for-singers-review/

http://www.vishuddaforsingers.com/

Warm Regards,

Adolph

[Guest]

Ginger is also added to Throat Coat tea and will also elevate your blood pressure.

You might mean Ginseng. Ginger is known to lower BP and may even thin the blood.

Thanks

Tommy

[ronws]

One supplement I take is Ginko Smart. It aids in memory and brain function with a major component of aiding blood flow. Blood flow is part of hydration. There is another benefit that I can tell you, in an email.

[Adolph Namlik]

I stand corrected. Well, somewhat.

I consulted my doctor about ginger and he advised me to be aware of using ginger as it would elevate my BP. I verified it via WebMD as I always do when I am prescribed a new medication or consider using a new herbal, etc. :

"CAUTION: Lactating or pregnant women, chemotherapy patients, or those suffering from hypertension should not ingest large quantities of ginger."

>> http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/warm-up-to-ginger?page=2

Being a "tea-aholic" (so to speak), perhaps I was going overboard with the ginger ??? Not to mention the licorice that Joanna mentioned.

I also discovered the following :

"Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions. Don’t use ginger if you have a heart condition."

>> http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-961-GINGER.aspx?activeIngredientId=961&activeIngredientName=GINGER&source

I discovered a LONG TIME AGO that medications, herbals, etc., affect all of us differently. For instance, when I was 21, it was common for doctors to treat ulcers with valium... Yeah, no kidding !!! I was prescribed valium at that time. Valium is SUPPOSED to have a calming effect. Well, it was like being on amphetimines to me....... No further comment --- :cool:

[Guest]

Info that points in the opposite direction

http://nstarzone.com/GINGER.html

http://naturalhealthsherpa.com/ginger-combat-heart-disease-inflammation/52590

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginger-000246.htm

http://bodyecology.com/articles/health_benefits_of_ginger.php

Part way down the page this says Ginger may lower BP

WEBMD

[Adolph Namlik]

Tommy,

Yes, I agree with you and have read these "reviews" as well. My point is simply that some medications and herbals affect us differently, or "OPPOSTITE" as it were. This is why I mentioned valium as it was the first drug that came to mind. Over the course of the past seventeen and a half year since my injury, I have found several drugs that reacted opposite on me.

While I still consult my doctor (and WebMD) when I'm prescribed a new medication, and while I trust my doctor, I also have come to realize that doctors have very little knowledge when it comes to meds - they get most of their information from the d****d DISTRIBUTORS !!! In other words, when they are in med school, they receive VERY LITTLE instruction in meds. TRUE, as it was verified by many of my doctors. Now, I rely on my PHARMACIST who receive extensive instruction. I refuse to try any new med or herbal without consulting my pharmacist.

Regards,

Adolph

[Guest]

This is true Adolph, The doctors have their education payed for by the pharmaceutical companies. Who are also the ones funding many of the studies. Doctors know little about nutrition also. We have to all do our own research health wise.

That's why I asked the original question. Many things interact with my medication and there are some things out there just not good for someone with heart disease. And mine is genetic so working out and proper diet, which I followed for over 30 years, doesn't help. That means small mistakes, like ingredients that don't sit well with my meds or my heart are extra dangerous. Diet related heart attacks are bad enough. Genetics you can't control very well.

Tommy

[Felipe Carvalho]

You dont need anything other than water.

If your larynx is healthy, the only thing you can accomplish by using herbs or whatever is making it less sensitive and thus allowing you to hurt yourself without suffering the immediate consequences, like discomfort or breaks.

Keep yourself well hydrated and rested, thats all you need. If something feels wrong on your throat when you sing, it is because you are doing something wrong and using drugs to disguise the symptom will not get rid of the cause.

[kavien49]

I think you have to take epistane supplement for good and quick results. It is also safe for your body and you can use it on your daily basis.

[ronws]

I think you have to take epistane supplement for good and quick results. It is also safe for your body and you can use it on your daily basis.

And I think you are a spambot searching from keywords. Who else would resurrect a 2 year old thread?