Laz,

Sure I can, however let me preface this response by pointing out that I am not a Dr. If I were a Dr there's an 80% chance I'd be out of shape ( http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411404,00.html)AND know almost nothing about nutrition (as pointed out in the article referrenced in my first post on this thread). When exploring anything that I've posted here please do due diligence and work with your Dr, a nutritionist AND a pharmacist as Dr's and nutritionists/dietitians tend to know very little about drug interactions when it comes to vitamins and minerals(unless they have a couple of cool apps on their iPhone or iPad).

As I've shared I suffered from sever fatigue post treatment, which is very common, and had a hell of a time recovering from treatment and surgery. During treatment and surgery I lossed a total of 70 lbs, taking me from a muscular 210 lbs to a paltry 140 lbs. I was weak, tired and had a terrible time trying to function mentally and emotionally.


Due to complications and side effects from tx/surgery I cannot eat solids very well (missing teeth, half my face and tongue paralyzed, damaged swallowing mechanism from rads/ND and of course dry mouth) so the majority of my nutrition is liquid. To ensure(haha) that I could get the proper nutrients my body needed to rebuild I have to supplement.

Now I "eat" 6x per day using Ensure, blended foods, protien shakes, juiced fruits and vegies etc and track the calories and protien/carb/fat breakdown of my intake. I exercise (lifting, boxing, sprints, stretching etc...) and have a supplement regiment that I've put together with the help of some medical professionals and natureopaths.

My supplement strategy is to optimize energy levels and testosterone production as I suffer from hypogonadism (baseline T levels were 70 ng/dL where normal is between 260 ng/Dl and 1000 ng/dL) and suffered from severe mood swings when taking Androderm patches. I take B3(flush free Niacin), B6, B12 (sublingual), Ginseng (Korean), Zinc, Magnesium Aspartate, Calcium, Kola Nut extract (natural caffiene), CoQ10, Horney Goat Weed, Tribulus Terrestris, coconut oil(medium chain triglyceride, great for energy) and olive oil(long chain triglyceride, good fat, promotes testosterone production).

I also take Vitamin C, D3, tumeric, Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Reservatrol (in wine form ) and a few others.

I do not take every one of these supplements everyday, they are on a specific schedule and I do have blood work done regularly to check my levels as some of these supplements can be toxic at certain concentrations in the blood.

When I started this regiment, my nutrition plan and a rigorous exercise routine in June of this year I was 145 lbs and could barely work a 4 hour day (this was after spending a month in bed after getting sick in April). At the end of October I was 175 lbs, had a 42" chest, 16" neck, 16.5" arms, and a 29" waste. My testosterone levels were 450 ng/dL and I was working an 80 hour week with fantastic energy levels (some of my thoughts and physical exploits during this time were chronicled in my blog on the Coping Anger/Fear forums, Letting the Healing Begin).

Now was it all due to the supplements? No but I do know how I felt and my energy levels without them and it's a stark contrast. Currently I'm a bit off as I'm coming off an injury I suffered when I switched up my training in late October when I was going to train for a marathon, I'm not built for distance running any longer due to a side effect from my surgery (drop foot). My weight is up slightly to 185 lbs and my waist is suffering(currently 31") from the lack of exercise the introduction to large amounts of eggnog (I can't help it, it's like crack to me!!) and a change in occupation and schedule.

Anyway, this may have been more then you bargained for in expanding my comment and for that I apologize, I like to read my comments and pretend I'm smart.

Eric