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clearing the brain fog/feeling -well-. Potassium/Magnesium

Gavman

Senior Member
Messages
316
Location
Sydney
Hi team,

I didn't realise i had such bad brain fog and couldn't study. Basically been the same my whole life. I'm intelligent but slow. I stumbled across this nutrient while looking for magnesium. Potassium Phosphate Dibasic/Magnesium Phosphate.

I felt well for the first time in my life. As if nothing was wrong. My fatigue is still there, but a majority of the other symptoms are gone or minimised. The best thing was I always felt like something was wrong with me, ten seconds after taking the potassium, bam. I felt well.

After the fact, i realise why it was so effective for me.
I never put on body fluid weight, always lean.
Couldn't eat too much salt, especially with my fatigue.
Potassium and sodium help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, explains my constant chocolate cravings.
Magnesium helped on its own but only short term.

I couldn't seem to get much benefit from foods of it. I found a cellular product of it which i think goes straight into the blood stream. Wondering if anyone has any more information/contributing nutrients that go well with potassium. Seems like theres not a good database of information on it on the internet.

Still struggling with the fatigue, especially after trying a naturopaths kidney formula which felt like someone turned my bodys light switch off. Working on the kidneys seems the smart thing to do, but if the body is overreacting to everything, improving function of the kidneys seems like the last thing i'd want.

Cheers,
Gavin
 

caledonia

Senior Member
Glad you found something that seems to be a magic bullet.

If you're having an electrolyte imbalance, suspect adrenal fatigue. The adrenals help retain the electrolytes. Blood sugar problems (ie hypoglycemia) are also a symptom of adrenal fatigue.

I have adrenal fatigue and have to replace sodium and magnesium several times a day. I have heard of someone else like you where potassium is the problem.
 

Glynis Steele

Senior Member
Messages
404
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Hi Gavin,

Good to hear you have found something so useful for yourself. Here is a post from another CFS site, which you might find interesting. It is regarding reports of high d-lactate in CFS patients. D-lactate would deplete potassium, magnesium and sodium.

Glynis x

I've had ME/ CFS (CFIDS / NEID's) or whatever you want to call it since Jan 2004.

I saw my Doctor in Melbourne yesterday Dr Donald Lewis.

Amongst other things I asked about the Chronic muscle pain and the Chronic Myofascial pain (Syndrome) which is a condition characterized by chroniclly severe pain.
(The Anethstista and Pain Specialist and his team that I saw last March said in his view I am totally and perminantly disabled for work due pain, its not a fun place to be).
Chronic Myofascial pain (Syndrome) is associated primarily with "trigger points", localized and sometimes extremely painful lumps or nodules in any of the body's muscles or connective tissue known as fascia (Fibromialgia). In my case its having extreamly sore Myofascial sheiths (fascia) around my muscles. With a damaged Magnesium and Potassium channelopathy Magnesium cant get to the D-lactic (in large numbers) acid being absorbed into the bloodstream and ending up in the muscles and particularly the Myofascial sheiths (fascia) as a result of bacterial growth particularly the Streptococcus group. High strep previously recorded.

http://www.cfids-cab.org/rc/Sheedy.pdf

" Increased D-Lactic Acid Intestinal Bacteria in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by ;
JOHN R. SHEEDY , RICHARD E.H.WETTENHALL , DENIS SCANLON ,
PAUL R. GOOLEY , DONALD P. LEWIS , NEIL MCGREGOR ,
DAVID I. STAPLETON , HENRY L. BUTT and KENNY L. DE MEIRLEIR6

http://www.megazyme.com/downloads/e...

Doc Lewis prescribed a magnesium IV in Hartmann's solution which I had at his rooms immediatly after the appointment.

An hour after I left the Doctors on my way to overnight with Mum and Dad I couldn't work out why I was smiling. Then it dawned on me. For the first time in 7 years my muscles and myofascial were not screaming in pain.

I was pain free. I was pain free when I got to Mum and Dads an hour later. I was pain free whenI went to bed. I got 12 hours solid sleep. Awesome.

Magnesium IV's in Hartmann's solution really work well for muscle and Chronic Myofascial pain.
 

Gavman

Senior Member
Messages
316
Location
Sydney
Wow that information is interesting. Does your doctor know anyone in Sydney who would do the test or are you in Melbourne, UK?
What tests would I need?
And you say the solution is prescribed, is it from a chemist or where?
And the website: http://www.megazyme.com/downloads/e... is incomplete?

Sounds like it could be a path worth investigating for me. But is it all written by scientists?
thanks for your reply hey.
 

Glynis Steele

Senior Member
Messages
404
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Hi Gavin,

sorry, I should have made it clearer in my posting. The bit after my name in the post, is copied from another CFS site, and does not relate to me personally. Ther person was treated in Australia by Dr Lewis, who sees CFS patients.

Where abouts in the world are you? D-lactic can be tested for privately, but this might not mean anything to your regular GP. It needs a specific test, and will not show up in a test for L-lactic acid, the usual lactate test.

The Sheedy paper was a small research study into higher than normal d-lactic acid producing bacteria which was found in CFS patients. D-lactic acid causes symptoms such as severe lethargy, slurred speach or difficulty in speaking, blurred vision, the feeling of being drunk in the absence of alcohol, headaches, difficulty in concentration, irritability, nausea and other symptoms similar to CFS.

Some of the researchers of this paper are already taking this research further, and looking for d-lactic acid and other bio-markers, in the blood, urine and stools of CFS patients. Preliminary results are due towards the end of this year. They are from the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Feel free to ask any questions, which I will do my best to answer, though I am not by any means an expert, just very interested in d-lactic stuff!!

Glynis x

D-lactic acidosis is a rare complication of short bowel syndrome, where the small intestine is shortened due to disease. Carbohydrates then go straight to the colon undigested, which then feeds certain bacteria. When there is an overgrowth of these bacteria, d-lactate is produced, and overwhelms the bodies ability to clear it. Neurological changes then occur as d-lactic acid crosses the blood brain barrier.

Treatment is usually with minimially absorbed antibiotics, IV of sodium bicarbonate to correct the acidosis, and sometimes nil by mouth, or a low carb diet.

Sorry the other link did not work, this was part of the post I copied from the other CFS site.
 

alice1

Senior Member
Messages
457
Location
Toronto
In Cutlers protocol for chelation he recommends Alka-Seltzer Gold for brain fog.It contains potassium,magnesium and sodium.
I'm going to take some now so I'll report in if I feel a difference.
 

Gavman

Senior Member
Messages
316
Location
Sydney
I just got my old test results from a hair mineral analysis test back. Very interesting. Also i happened across this which i think is vital to understand with the adrenal problems CFS sufferers have.

"For instance, most people who have Adrenal Burnout will tend to have an imbalance in their Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, and Potassium levels and ratios. When we are 'stressed out' or over-worked, our adrenals have to secrete huge amounts of aldosterone, epinephrine and norepinephrine in order to power these 'stress reactions'. This can lead to a constant state of 'Fight or Flight'. This means that your sympathetic nervous system is stuck in overdrive. You are over-stimulated, causing your adrenals to become fatigued. This is shown by a reduction in your Sodium and Potassium levels found in your Hair Analysis chart. At the same time, Calcium and Magnesium readings will be higher but his means that they are leaving the body through the hair and other ways, and are actually Bio-unavailable.

When Sodium and Potassium are low, Calcium and Magnesium become 'Bio-unavailable'. Magnesium relaxes the muscles while Calcium is needed for muscle contraction. An imbalance in these can cause chronic muscle spasms and muscle cramps. Your body begins to take the Calcium out of your bones in order to power your muscle contractions necessary for a 'fight or flight' response thinking that there isn't enough. This can lead to Osteoporosis since all of your Calcium is being taken out the bones to help buffer against stress.

When your body is constantly pulling Calcium out of the bones and tissues to buffer against stress, we call this a 'Calcium shell'. A 'Calcium Shell' makes you numb to everything around you. You become emotionally dead. You just can't handle the stress of feeling anything anymore.

This is common among individuals with a lot of stress or people who over-extend themselves, such as Type 'A' personalities. Once you get locked into a 'Calcium shell', what you really need is rest. After sufficient rest and proper nutritional support, the Adrenal glands can recover and your ability to handle stress will also improve.

In order to raise your Sodium and Potassium levels (which indicates the healthy functioning of your Adrenals), your entire chart of about 20 different minerals has to be taken into account. You should not simply raise your intake of dietary Sodium and Potassium. There are many different vitamins and minerals that can be used to raise or lower Sodium and Potassium, each one with unique effects on all other minerals in the body.

Manganese - raises Sodium, lowers Copper

Chromium - Raises Sodium, increases sugar metabolism

Zinc - Raises Potassium,lowers Sodium and Copper

Copper - Raises Sodium and Calcium, lowers Potassium and Zinc

Iron - Raises Sodium, lowers Chromium

Molybdenum - Raises Sodium, lowers Copper

Potassium - Raises Sodium, lowers Magnesium and Calcium"

reference from: http://www.holistic-back-relief.com/hair-analysis.html
 

Gavman

Senior Member
Messages
316
Location
Sydney
Update. My brain fog is still gone and my body is loosening, still have the fatigue. Its no -cure- but it has helped.
 

globalpilot

Senior Member
Messages
626
Location
Ontario
Hi, Do you have a link to the supplement and how much do you take eac day ? I drink potassium broth daily. It's no cure for the fatigue but without it I'm much worse off.

GP

Update. My brain fog is still gone and my body is loosening, still have the fatigue. Its no -cure- but it has helped.
 

SaraM

Senior Member
Messages
526
Glynis,
Very interesting info. My Strep level is also very high. Do you know which specific Abs is helpful and how long one should be on Abs and sodium bicarbonate? I took Amoxicilin for 2 weeks to take care of H pylori which is supposed to kill strep, too, but it did not affect my muscle pain. Which doc or lab tests for D-Lactic acid in the US?
 

mellster

Marco
Messages
805
Location
San Francisco
This is a good thread - I always gravitated to sodium/potassium rich foods and I feel better when having lots of it, but I haven't figured out the optimal dosage yet. It seems the standard dosage is usually too low for a deficient person. I would love to get a good grip on dosage for potassium/magnesium/sodium supplementation.
 

Glynis Steele

Senior Member
Messages
404
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Very interesting info. My Strep level is also very high. Do you know which specific Abs is helpful and how long one should be on Abs and sodium bicarbonate? I took Amoxicilin for 2 weeks to take care of H pylori which is supposed to kill strep, too, but it did not affect my muscle pain. Which doc or lab tests for D-Lactic acid in the US?

Hi Sara,

The ab's used are minimally absorbed ones, such as metronidazole, but it depend's on the person's gut bacteria, as to which ones are used, due to natural resistance. IV's of sodium bicarbonate are used, but I am not sure for how long, I imagine it would only be for hours.

There are not many path labs that can test for d-lactic, it needs a specific assay kit, which I believe would need to be shipped in. It can present without a rise in the anion gap, making it invisible in routine testing, unless specifically tested for.

Metametrix test for it, see below

http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/organic-acids/organix-dysbiosis

If you had this test and it showed high d-lactate, I don't think a doc could help, as usually d-lactic acidosis is seen and treated by GI's, it is their area of expertise.

It can also be tested for in urine, the collection would need to be done in early evening as d-lactate builds up during the day. This would then show up high total lactate, which would suggest high d-lactic levels, which would then need specific testing.

The research study on CFS and d-lactic is being taken further by Prof Paul Gooley at Melbourne University, where they are looking at d-lactic in serum, urine and stool samples of CFS patients. The results are expected later this year, so hopefully not too long to wait before we here something.

Here is a paper which explains a bit about d-lactic, although it is in a short bowel patient, it is worthwhile reading.

http://hkjpaed.org/details.asp?id=577&show=1234

Glynis x
 

kaffiend

Senior Member
Messages
167
Location
California
I put 1/3 teaspoon of table salt (w/iodine) in a 1L Nalgene bottle and drink it throughout the day. My heart-rate and blood-pressure used to take-off on crash days, but they seem much more stable lately. I've never had much taste for salt and eat zero processed foods, so I wasn't getting much sodium in my diet. Magnesium malate a few times a day seems helpful for joint aches and pain sensitivity. I used to beat on myself pretty good (cycling, rock-climbing, etc) and not feel a thing.
 

Gavman

Senior Member
Messages
316
Location
Sydney
Its one of those annoying practitioner brand ones so its hard to find. Blackmores PPMP from GoVita in Australia. I believe the closest is Potassium Aspartate/Magnesium Aspartate together.
How do you make a potassium broth? sounds interesting.
 

globalpilot

Senior Member
Messages
626
Location
Ontario
The broth is the skins of 6 potatoes, 6 celery stalks, 3 potatoes, simmer for 2 hours.

Its one of those annoying practitioner brand ones so its hard to find. Blackmores PPMP from GoVita in Australia. I believe the closest is Potassium Aspartate/Magnesium Aspartate together.
How do you make a potassium broth? sounds interesting.
 
Messages
36
Hi team,

I didn't realise i had such bad brain fog and couldn't study. Basically been the same my whole life. I'm intelligent but slow. I stumbled across this nutrient while looking for magnesium. Potassium Phosphate Dibasic/Magnesium Phosphate.

I felt well for the first time in my life. As if nothing was wrong. My fatigue is still there, but a majority of the other symptoms are gone or minimised. The best thing was I always felt like something was wrong with me, ten seconds after taking the potassium, bam. I felt well.

After the fact, i realise why it was so effective for me.
I never put on body fluid weight, always lean.
Couldn't eat too much salt, especially with my fatigue.
Potassium and sodium help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, explains my constant chocolate cravings.
Magnesium helped on its own but only short term.

I couldn't seem to get much benefit from foods of it. I found a cellular product of it which i think goes straight into the blood stream. Wondering if anyone has any more information/contributing nutrients that go well with potassium. Seems like theres not a good database of information on it on the internet.

Still struggling with the fatigue, especially after trying a naturopaths kidney formula which felt like someone turned my bodys light switch off. Working on the kidneys seems the smart thing to do, but if the body is overreacting to everything, improving function of the kidneys seems like the last thing i'd want.

Cheers,
Gavin


Hi Gavin how are you doing now? I saw on a blog post you posted ages ago that the magnesium/potassium supplement helped get rid of your fatigue too?
 
Messages
50
I just got my old test results from a hair mineral analysis test back. Very interesting. Also i happened across this which i think is vital to understand with the adrenal problems CFS sufferers have.

"For instance, most people who have Adrenal Burnout will tend to have an imbalance in their Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, and Potassium levels and ratios. When we are 'stressed out' or over-worked, our adrenals have to secrete huge amounts of aldosterone, epinephrine and norepinephrine in order to power these 'stress reactions'. This can lead to a constant state of 'Fight or Flight'. This means that your sympathetic nervous system is stuck in overdrive. You are over-stimulated, causing your adrenals to become fatigued. This is shown by a reduction in your Sodium and Potassium levels found in your Hair Analysis chart. At the same time, Calcium and Magnesium readings will be higher but his means that they are leaving the body through the hair and other ways, and are actually Bio-unavailable.

When Sodium and Potassium are low, Calcium and Magnesium become 'Bio-unavailable'. Magnesium relaxes the muscles while Calcium is needed for muscle contraction. An imbalance in these can cause chronic muscle spasms and muscle cramps. Your body begins to take the Calcium out of your bones in order to power your muscle contractions necessary for a 'fight or flight' response thinking that there isn't enough. This can lead to Osteoporosis since all of your Calcium is being taken out the bones to help buffer against stress.

When your body is constantly pulling Calcium out of the bones and tissues to buffer against stress, we call this a 'Calcium shell'. A 'Calcium Shell' makes you numb to everything around you. You become emotionally dead. You just can't handle the stress of feeling anything anymore.

This is common among individuals with a lot of stress or people who over-extend themselves, such as Type 'A' personalities. Once you get locked into a 'Calcium shell', what you really need is rest. After sufficient rest and proper nutritional support, the Adrenal glands can recover and your ability to handle stress will also improve.

In order to raise your Sodium and Potassium levels (which indicates the healthy functioning of your Adrenals), your entire chart of about 20 different minerals has to be taken into account. You should not simply raise your intake of dietary Sodium and Potassium. There are many different vitamins and minerals that can be used to raise or lower Sodium and Potassium, each one with unique effects on all other minerals in the body.

Manganese - raises Sodium, lowers Copper

Chromium - Raises Sodium, increases sugar metabolism

Zinc - Raises Potassium,lowers Sodium and Copper

Copper - Raises Sodium and Calcium, lowers Potassium and Zinc

Iron - Raises Sodium, lowers Chromium

Molybdenum - Raises Sodium, lowers Copper

Potassium - Raises Sodium, lowers Magnesium and Calcium"

reference from: http://www.holistic-back-relief.com/hair-analysis.html

How to you fix potassium and magnesium deficiency then if they're occurring at the same time?