victor@okabe_rintarou (In response to your DM requesting a public post)
Herbs: I really can’t claim to be an expert on herbal medicine. It’s something I’m gradually learning more about, and I’m growing my own herbs to help. It seems like commercially-grown herbs (even organic) are “watered down” in a way, and I’ve noticed that anything I grow has a LOT more flavor and is far more pungent. This could be part of the reason why many people think herbal medicine is stupid–they’re using ineffectively-grown herbs.
Supplements: I take them, and the healthiest people I know take them. On the other hand, those who take supplements are likely prone to healthy eating, regular sleep schedule, and exercise in the first place, which may be the main factors in overall health. So my recommendation to people is usually to focus on healthy habits primarily and THEN work on supplements. No amount of vitamin C/D will help you if you treat your body like a swamp and don’t exercise it.
For specific supplements, you have to keep in mind that the supplement industry has fads like any other, especially with the nootropics people. So focus on the mainstays that people have always agreed are important: Vitamins C and D, zinc, magnesium (at bedtime), maybe fish oil. Multivitamins are iffy; you have to really read the label, and big name brands like Centrum and GNC may have questionable sources. I like Sport Formula 99, though it’s expensive.
For some of the more trendy ones of late, I hear a lot about N-Acetyl Cysteine for removing microplastics from the brain and countering spike protein. Maca root is good for dealing with anxiety or restlessness. Quercetin is said to work with zinc to make it far more effective, which in turn assists other vitamins with being more effective. Tribulus terrestris is a fun one when taken sparingly, and alpha GPC is good for helping focus in a semi-natural way, similar to caffeine but without the trouble falling asleep later. Coenzyme-Q10 is said to help prolong youthfulness for those 30 and older, though it’s quite expensive, and the same is true for pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).
Iodine is a controversial one, and the medical industry really hates when people supplement with it (even though it’s already included in most salt). I’ve taken iodine supplements and still do occasionally, but I don’t notice a huge difference in mood/energy/etc. Maybe I don’t have a deficiency? It’s one of those things you have to try for yourself, but be careful if you have thyroid issues; the results could be wonderful or awful, so it’s a gamble. Always start slow and ramp up. I don’t think there’s a big difference between potassium iodide, Lugol’s formula, and nascent iodine, but I’m sure the “experts” would beg to differ.
Fasting: I don’t have much experience with it, but since I’ve read about it in the Bible often, I take the scriptural references as a hint that fasting is a good and healthy thing to do under the right circumstances. I also know of people who have done periodic fasting, combined with rigorous exercise, who vastly improved their health in a short amount of time (months). This take an enormous amount of discipline, though, so it’s better for those who have been disciplined in the past and gotten out of shape recently than for those who have never been in shape in the first place.
Sorry for the wall of text, but you asked for it!
TL;DR: Grow your own herbs. Focus on healthy eating/sleeping/exercise before supplements. Fasting is good in general, and it both requires and builds discipline.
Bead
Okabe
All GNU social JP content and data are available under the