Hi Matt,


You're welcome!

Thanks, we had a great time at the wedding last night! It was the second wedding in our extended family in 3 weeks and both were lots of fun. The one several weeks ago was out-doors, all day, first a traditional ceremony (with little dogs as the ring bearers, lol!) and reception with a DJ, dancing, etc. on a large covered deck. In mid-afternoon we changed into casual clothes and used the pool, climbing wall, zip line (not me!), out-door games, etc., until early evening when the bride and groom departed the ceremonies in a helicopter! Last night's was more traditional, a church and a reception at a country club, though the DJ and guests turned it into a pretty wild party! :)

I think you symptoms could be from the other fish oil you're taking. Today's breakfast experience supports this. You took only Omega RX, and you feel fine. I don't think you feel better simply because you took a smaller dose. The other fish oil is most likely not ultra-refined. We already know it's less concentrated, because you need 8 caps to equal the amount of EPA and DHA in 4 caps of Omega Rx. The gastric symptoms you described are common with less concentrated, less purified fish oils. Dr. Sears used to write to limit their use to less than 1 gram a day. More recently I only have seen him recommending taking fish oils which meet the same criteria as the Zone Labs' oils. Dr. Sears' dosing recommendations are for an ultra-refined fish oil which has a 60% concentration of EPA and DHA and that has attained the IFOS 5 star rating (No, you wouldn't count EPA and DHA in fish you eat.)

In regard to acne, its just the opposite of your sister's information. Acne and a host of other skin concerns are eliminated with fish oil.

BTW, my symptoms were very different from yours. I did recently post I have diarrhea if I take too high a dose of fish oil form my needs, but this common to all, and was not one of my initial symptoms. When I began taking Omega Rx 7 years ago (the old form of Omega RX, it's since been improved), within 45 minutes of my dose (and only 1.2 grams) I became extremely lethargic, felt spacey in my head, like my head was swimming inside, became off balance, faint, and felt profoundly fatigued. This would reach its peak at about 1 to 1 1/2 hours after the dose, and then would slowly begin to diminish. By 2 1/2 hours later I'd be back to normal except of a lesser degree of fatigue that would continue to lessen throughout the day. These symptoms were profound, and debilitating. I had no gastric symptoms and no diarrhea. It was these symptoms which prompted me submitting a fish oil question on Dr. Sears Website. It was that inquiry which led to Dr. Sears’ most generous offer to help me with my dose.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask. I'll be glad to share my experiences!

My best to your wife. I hope she's feeling better now.

Have a great weekend!

Tom,

Unless you have long range plans to do serious athletics walking is one of the very best, if not best, physical activities you can engage in - stick to it and as energy etc improves just do more of it. [walk farther and more often ]

Basically the great benefit is that it mildly elevates our heart rate etc for an extended duration.

Mild elevation over long periods is far superior to huge elevation over short periods - as in what a body builder would do.

Also - frequency is the desired pattern. Better to walk a little every day than a lot once or twice a week.

Walk as far as you are comfortable EVERY DAY and work on increasing length of time little by little.

I recently saw a very extensive study done on the effects of varying amounts of walking on weight loss in particular and overall health in general - apparently this has become a matter of controversey in the medical community and the study was an attempt once and for all to settle it conclusively.

The results were quite interesting and extensive but let me summarize that pertinent to you [ and me - I walk every day ]

There were among the many things and groups compared a very large comparison of a group of people who walked for a half hour every day to a group that walked for an hour every day.

The difference in weight loss and overall health benefits mesured over a wide array was insignigicant between the two groups !

The implication drawn from this - the big message if you please - is that FREQUENCY is what's important.

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net

Excellent advice E. Wally!

Matt, I walked every single day, rain or shine, snow, etc. as I lost my 100 pounds, lengthening the time little by little, as E. Wally described. I've added other activities since, as well as I now take a rest day from exercise once a week. I change it up every few months with different aerobic activities . The plan I've been doing so far this summer is walking 5-6 days a week (step aerobics on rainy days), stretching every day and sometimes twice daily, strength training 3 days a week, and yoga class twice a week. The strength training and yoga classes I do all year round. I also do 2 or 3 additional shorter yoga sessions at home each week (great way to relax). Besides that I swim, snowshoe and hike for fun, depending upon the season.

Take it one step at a time. Whether you run or walk won't make a difference to your weight loss in the Zone. Most important, have fun with it and exercise safely.

Sue:

The weddings sound like fun! Dogs as the ring-bearers - how cute!

I did some more reading on fish oils and here's what I found. EPA and DHA actually do help reduce acne, as you said. But some fish oils are made from Cod Liver Oil which is rich in Vitamins A and E. Too much Vitamin A causes acne. And my non-zone fish oil? Made from Cod Liver Oil, mackerel and sardines.

I did have another bout of diarrhea the next day after taking only Zone Fish Oil, but I suspect that my vitamin A levels were still pretty high. I took a couple of days off from fish oil and took 2.4g (4 capsules) of Zone Fish Oil this morning. We'll see what happens.

I have not had any lightheadedness (nothing debilitating for sure) and no pronounced fatigue. So, I think you are right about the symptoms I had.

Thanks for your comments.

Matt

Tom,

I actually do have a long-term goal of running a marathon. A few years ago I was training for a marathon and was side-lined by shin splints (ouch!). After that I got depressed and started to put on weight.

So, my hope is to get back to running once my weight allows.

Thanks for the tips about exercise. I will definitely keep walking for exercise for the time being.

Matt

Thanks for the additional FO info Matt! Keep us updated on your dosage levels. I'll be interested to see how it goes.

A marathon, go for it! We have a little bit of marathon experience at our house. I was the first to begin running, about 10 years ago, just for run, no races. By a couple years later, my husband (he lost 67 lbs in the Zone)! and two oldest daughters had begun running. They have all run marathons now. My oldest daughter has done the NYC Marathon twice, my other daughter the NYC, The Portland Marathon(Maine), and the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C., and my husband ran his first marathon, the Hartford Marathon (in CT) last fall at the age of 58!

Matt,

Earlier in this thread you mentioned you were struggling with hunger. Was just wondering if you had resolved it, and what you did to resolve it?