To dreambirdie re: simplified treatment approach
Hi, dreambirdie.
In response to your request, the updated protocol for the simplified treatment approach to lifting the methylation cycle block is posted below.
Please note that I am not claiming that this is the optimum treatment. I (together with the help of a person on the Yasko treatment) extracted it from the full Yasko treatment program. I did this for two reasons: to test the Glutathione Depletion--Methylation Cycle Block hypothesis for CFS, and to provide a treatment protocol that was simpler and less expensive than the full Yasko program. I first proposed it in January, 2007.
The main parts of it are hydroxocobalamin and the active forms of folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate and folinic acid). There is also a multi to supply vitamins and essential minerals as well as other supplements to support the sulfur metabolism and the antioxidant system. There is also a phosphatidylserine complex to support the damaged cellular membranes and to help clear out toxins from the membranes.
From what I can tell, there are many similarities between it and freddd's suggested treatment, but there are also some differences. Freddd emphasizes the importance of taking both the methyl and the adenosylcobalamin forms of B12, and he suggests higher dosages. He also recommends taking cofactors, perhaps in higher dosages than are in the Yasko multi.
Most of the people who have tried the protocol below have benefited from it, though some have not noticed any effect. In the latter cases, some apparently did not have high enough levels of the cofactors or of the esssential amino acids, such as methionine and serine. These are important to support and feed the methylation and transsulfuration pathways.
I acknowledge that I still have a lot to learn about treatment, but experience so far, including an open-label cliinical study, has convinced me that lifting the methylation cycle block, which allows glutathione to come up to normal, is an important part of the treatment for CFS.
People seem to differ a lot in terms of the dosages that work best for them. Some take only a "sprinkle" of the folates and/or B12, in order to avoid major unpleasant symptoms. Others require fairly large dosages to see effects. I think it depends to a large degree on the set of genomic polymorphisms that a person has inherited. For example, Dr. Yasko has found that people who have polymorphisms in methionine synthase and methionine synthase reductase require much higher dosages of B12.
I hope this is helpful, and I will note again that my position is that a person must be working with a licensed physician while on this treatment, to make sure it is appropriate for them, and to detect and deal with any adverse effects that may arise.
Best regards,
Rich
April 18, 2009
SIMPLIFIED TREATMENT APPROACH
FOR LIFTING THE METHYLATION CYCLE BLOCK
IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (Revised)
(Extracted from the full treatment program
developed by Amy Yasko, Ph.D., N.D.
which is used primarily in treating autism [1])
SUPPLEMENTS
1. FolaPro [2]: tablet (200mcg) daily
2. Actifolate [3]: tablet daily
3. General Vitamin Neurological Health Formula [4]: start with tablet and work up dosage as tolerated to 2 tablets daily
4. Phosphatidyl Serine Complex [5]: 1 softgel capsule daily
5. Activated B12 Guard [6]: 1 sublingual lozenge daily
All these supplements can be obtained from
http://www.holisticheal.com, or all but the third one can be obtained from other sources.
The first two supplement tablets are difficult to break into quarters. We recommend that you obtain (from any pharmacy) a good-quality pill splitter to assist with this process. They can, alternatively, be crushed into powders, which are then separated on a flat surface using a knife or single-edged razor blade, and the powders can be mixed together. They 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. They can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.
GO SLOWLY. As the methylation cycle block is lifted, toxins are released 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, and Gordon, Garry, The Puzzle of Autism, Matrix Development Publishing, Payson, AZ, 2006, p. 49.
[2] FolaPro is a registered trademark of Metagenics, Inc.
[3] Actifolate is a registered trademark of Metagenics, Inc.
[4] General Vitamin Neurological Health Formula is formulated and supplied by Holistic Health Consultants LLC.
[5] Phosphatidyl Serine Complex is a product of Vitamin Discount Center.
[6] Activated B12 Guard is a registered trademark of Perque LLC.