Or when did you give up?
I've been on Fredd's protocol for about a month, and am just not seeing any increase in energy. I'm taking most all the cofactos (except didn't do well with sam-e/tmg) and have avoided the confounding factors (folic acid, gulthathione). And have been on decently large doses (of all the right brands) of the 12's (6mg mb12 a day, 6mg adb12 a week, LOTS of methylfolate - in the range of 4800mcg a day) for several weeks (sorry for the vagueness, I don't have my notebook with me that I track this in and my memory is crud).
My problem is that I seem to be tolerating most everything well now (had muscle cramping to start) but have had zero energy improvement. Just to be clear, I don't expect miraculous, dramatic or overnight results but I haven't had even a glimmer of energy improvement since starting this.
And it seems like everyone else has some at least initial energy increase (and everyone has a nicer car/better hair, etc. ; )
Could it really be taking this long even for an even temporary energy improvement? Or is this just not working for me?
Hi, Penny.
I'm sorry that Freddd's protocol has not given you an increase in energy.
As you may know, Freddd and I have somewhat different views about the dosages that most PWMEs need. Based on the test results I've seen, dosages of methyl B12 in the several milligrams per day, combined with dosages of methyfolate that are large compared to the folate RDA levels of a few hundred micrograms per day, overdrive the methionine synthase enzyme in the methylation cycle. This prevents enough homocysteine from entering the transsulfuration pathway to feed the synthesis of glutathione. So long as glutathione remains depleted, the mitochondria will remain dysfunctional, and the person's energy level will remain low. At these high levels of supplementation, the cells are not able to regulate the homocysteine flow as they normally do. The result of this is that the methylation cycle and the folate cycle develop a "futile cycle" between them, in which they pass excess methyl groups back and forth via sarcosine and 5L-methyltetrahydrofolate. You might consider lowering the dosages to something comparable to those suggested in the simplified treatment approach, pasted below.
Best regards,
Rich
March 30. 2011
SIMPLIFIED TREATMENT APPROACH
FOR LIFTING THE PARTIAL METHYLATION CYCLE BLOCK
IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROMEMarch 30, 2011 Revision
Rich Van Konynenburg. Ph.D.
(Based on the full treatment program
developed by Amy Yasko, Ph.D., N.D.
which is used primarily in treating autism [1])
SUPPLEMENTS
1. General Vitamin Neurological Health Formula [2]: Start with tablet and increase dosage as tolerated to 2 tablets daily
2. Hydroxy B12 Mega Drops [3]: 2 drops under the tongue daily
3. MethylMate B [4]: 3 drops under the tongue daily
4. Folinic acid [5]: capsule daily
5. Phosphatidyl Serine Complex [6]: 1 softgel capsule daily (or lecithin, see below)
All these supplements can be obtained from
http://www.holisticheal.com.
The fourth supplement comes in capsules that contain 800 mcg. It will be necessary to open the capsules, dump the powder onto a flat surface, and separate it into quarters using a knife to obtain the daily dose. The powder can be taken orally with water, with or without food.
These supplements can make some patients sleepy, so in those cases they take them at bedtime. In general, they can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.
Phosphatidyl serine can lower cortisol levels. Patients who already have low evening cortisol levels may wish to substitute lecithin [7] (at one softgel daily) for supplement number 5 above. Lecithin is also available from
http://www.holisticheal.com.
For those allergic to soy, lecithin from other sources is available.
GO SLOWLY. As the methylation cycle block is lifted, toxins are mobilized and processed by the body, and this can lead to an exacerbation of symptoms. IF THIS HAPPENS, try smaller doses, every other day. SLOWLY work up to the full dosages.
Although this treatment approach consists only of nonprescription nutritional supplements, a few patients have reported adverse effects while on it. Therefore, it is necessary that patients be supervised by physicians while receiving this treatment.
[1] Yasko, Amy, Autism, Pathways to Recovery, Neurological Research Institute, 2009, available from
http://www.holisticheal.com or Amazon.
[2] General Vitamin Neurological Health Formula is formulated and supplied by Holistic Health Consultants LLC.
[3] Hydroxy B12 Mega Drops is a liquid form of hydroxocobalamin (B12), supplied by Holistic Health Consultants. 2 drops is a dosage of 2,000 mcg.
[4] MethylMate B is a liquid form of (6s)-methyltetrahydrofolate supplied by Holistic Health Consultants, based on Extrafolate S, a trademark of Gnosis S.P.A. 3 drops is a dosage of 210 mcg.
[5] Folinic acid is 5-formyltetrahydrofolate. capsule is a dosage of 200 mcg.
[5] Phosphatidyl Serine Complex is a product of Vitamin Discount Center. 1 softgel is a dosage of 500 mg.
[7] Lecithin is a combination of phospholipids without phosphatidylserine. One softgel is a dosage of 1,200 mg.