Hi Everybody
Today my supplements arrived for beginning the Methylation Block Protocol and I am feeling some trepidation. I know that I should start slowly with a quarter tablet for the Actifolate, Intrinsi/B12 and the Neurological Health Formula. But should I take all five supplements (plus the extra selenium) right from the beginning or should I introduce one supplement at a time?
I have decided to keep a diary of my progress on this forum whilst taking protocol. I will give an account of how and if my symptoms change and what I took.
Currently, I am taking 20 mg Fluoxetine and am on a course of Terbinafine for a fungal infection, I have two weeks left to go on this. I am also taking acidophilus pearls, I have ten days left of those.
Today, I am feeling quite rough. I have a thick head and am very tired. My legs ache and so does my head and ears. I have some pain and tenderness around the lymph nodes in my head and neck. I feel so tired that I am feeling a bit emotional and possibly irritable.
Zen
Hi, Zen.
I'm sorry that you are feeling so badly today.
Some people have chosen to start the methylation protocol slowly, adding one supplement at a time, while others have taken all of them from the beginning.
For those who have asked about starting slowly, I have suggested starting with the Neuro Health Formula, because it will help the overall nutritional status and counter deficiencies in vitamins and essential minerals that might be present. After this, I have suggested adding support for the phospholipids. In earlier versions of the protocol, this was phosphatidyl serine complex. More recently, I have suggested that for people who have low cortisol, lecithin might be a better choice. After these are being taken and tolerated, then adding the sublingal hydroxocobalamin would be next. Finally, adding the reduced folates, coming up slowly, would be the last ones to add.
I think you must be referring to an earlier version of the protocol. I no longer recommend Intrinsi/B12/folate, because the supplier of this supplement changed the formulation so that it no longer contains folinic acid. Most recently, the two folate supplements I am suggesting are folinic acid and MethylMate B, which is a liquid form of 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate. Since you have Actifolate on hand, I would suggest going ahead and using it. It contains three forms of folate. I have substituted folinic acid for Actifolate in the most recent version of the protocol in order to lower the amount of folic acid in the protocol, because some people are not able to utilize it very well, and it competes for absorption with the two more active folate forms, but Actifolate has worked well for many people. You didn't mention FolaPro, but if you have that, it is a good form of 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate. I switched to MethylMate B because it is a liquid, and I thought this might be more convenient than having to split tablets.
I'm sorry about the confusion in protocols. I had to change from Intrinsic/B12/folate because the supplier changed its formula. I made the other changes for the reasons I mentioned, in order to improve the protocol as more was learned and more experience was reported. The first protocol was suggested in early 2007, and there have been several revisions since then.
Here is the most recent version of the simplified methylation protocol:
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.
Best regards,
Rich