These are the vitamins, minerals, and special nutrients Nelson takes and the reasons he takes them.

1. B-Complex: includes 100 mg of each B vitamin -- possibly reduces mitochondrial toxicity and lipodistrophy, and for overall health, energy metabolism cardiovascular health and brain function - 1 tablet twice per day.

2. SuperNutrition Super Blend complete daily multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, antioxidant formula: for overall health and to improve insulin sensitivity - 2 tablets twice per day. Click here to see the ingredients.

3. Carnitine: to reduce the potential for mitochondrial toxicity and lipodistrophy, to improve insulin sensitivity, and improve fat/triglyceride metabolism 1,000 mg twice per day. Click here to read about carnitine.

4. Coenzyme Q10: to reduce the potential for mitochondrial toxicity and lipodistrophy, to improve insulin sensitivity, and as an antioxidant - 200 mg twice per day. CoQ10 also increases energy at this high dose. People usually report that the dose has to be above 200 mg per day to increase the feeling of energy.

5. Zinc/Copper 50/5 mg per day: for appetite, and sexual function. (Be sure to take antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, if you take copper, which can increase free radicals.)

6. Silymarin: for liver health and to improve insulin sensitivity -- 160 mg three times per day.

7. Alpha Lipoic to reduce the potential for mitochondrial toxicity and lipodistrophy, and to improve insulin sensitivity-- 200 mg twice per day.

8. Calcium/Magnesium: to improve overall health and to improve insulin sensitivity -- 1000/400 mg total per day, split into two doses.

9. Digestive enzymes with each meal -- for digestion and to reduce bloating.

10. Experimenting with SAMe -- for energy and mood.

11. Chromium: to support insulin sensitivity -- 400 mcg total per day spread out throughout the day, part from the Super Blend and part added.

12. Selenium: anti-viral protection, improves glutathione -- 400 mcg per day total.

Comment: Nelson does not appear to have symptoms of lipodystrophy. I wonder if this is because he has been taking high doses of nutrients for a long time.

While he has taken N-acetyl cysteine in the past, in an effort to reduce his total pill burden he has decreased his supplements to what is listed. Notice that he has taken the three nutrients we think have the most potential to reduce lipodystrophy, Carnitine, CoQ10, and B-vitamins for a long time.

Michael Mooney