Two weeks ago, I made a change to my supplement routine and accidentally had the best energy and clearing of brain fog EVER. I got so much accomplished. It lasted one week and then vanished overnight. I know how good I CAN feel so I'm working on getting that back permanently.
I have been on a schedule of basic and methylation supplements since 2012 and felt alright (ok, relatively functional), but definitely not great. My basic supplements include all Bs, C, D, A, E (gamma complex), Fish Oil, Magnesium, Potassium (~900mg/day), DMG (~250 to 500mg/day), probiotic, choline, inositol, zinc, selenium, K2-4 and K2-7. I never had to titrate the methylation supplements so I had stayed at 3.2mg methylfolate (Metafolin), 5mg MB12, 2.1 mg AB12. I had also been using a range of carnitines: 500mg L-Carnitine-Fumarate, 500mg GPLC, and 500mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine. I have PCOS and the carnitine is the only thing that regulates my menstrual cycle which is the only effect I could previously detect.
The change I made that precipitated my boost of energy and brain fog clearing was adding 500 mg GPLC - just one extra capsule, I was thinking to help with fat loss. That day I felt energized, like I was getting more oxygen, thinking clearly, and able to easily recover from any physical tasks. I also no longer had food/carb cravings. Over the course of the week that I felt great, I did several tests with alternately increasing the Fumarate and ALC forms rather than the GPLC, but they did not have the same effect as GPLC.
When my low energy/brain fog returned after that first week, I assumed that it was from low potassium. I increased my potassium significantly (upwards of 4g/day split) with no effect.
Just before adding the carnitine, I had also switched back to a paleo, lower carb diet which normally works best for me. I thought I might have gone too low carb, so I upped the carbs, but did not feel any effect.
Upon further reading here, I realized I had added B1, B2 and B3 (thinking I need to balance out the other individual Bs I was taking) in significant amounts which I now know affects need for methylfolate. I stopped those and upped my methylfolate which made me feel better immediately. I've been titrating methylfolate for several days but my energy and brain fog have not yet recovered to the levels of my "perfect week".
So, I guess I'm going to stay way from foods high in folic acid and work on titrating the quartet. As of today I'm at 6.4mg (split) methylfolate, 5mg MB12, 4.3mg AB12, 500mg Fumarate, 500mg ALC & 1000mg GPLC.
I'm thinking of titrating the methylfolate first (since I know that is an issue) while leaving the MB12, AB12 and Carnitines as is. Then raising MB12 & AB12 and then carnitine if needed.
Wish me luck!
I have been on a schedule of basic and methylation supplements since 2012 and felt alright (ok, relatively functional), but definitely not great. My basic supplements include all Bs, C, D, A, E (gamma complex), Fish Oil, Magnesium, Potassium (~900mg/day), DMG (~250 to 500mg/day), probiotic, choline, inositol, zinc, selenium, K2-4 and K2-7. I never had to titrate the methylation supplements so I had stayed at 3.2mg methylfolate (Metafolin), 5mg MB12, 2.1 mg AB12. I had also been using a range of carnitines: 500mg L-Carnitine-Fumarate, 500mg GPLC, and 500mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine. I have PCOS and the carnitine is the only thing that regulates my menstrual cycle which is the only effect I could previously detect.
The change I made that precipitated my boost of energy and brain fog clearing was adding 500 mg GPLC - just one extra capsule, I was thinking to help with fat loss. That day I felt energized, like I was getting more oxygen, thinking clearly, and able to easily recover from any physical tasks. I also no longer had food/carb cravings. Over the course of the week that I felt great, I did several tests with alternately increasing the Fumarate and ALC forms rather than the GPLC, but they did not have the same effect as GPLC.
When my low energy/brain fog returned after that first week, I assumed that it was from low potassium. I increased my potassium significantly (upwards of 4g/day split) with no effect.
Just before adding the carnitine, I had also switched back to a paleo, lower carb diet which normally works best for me. I thought I might have gone too low carb, so I upped the carbs, but did not feel any effect.
Upon further reading here, I realized I had added B1, B2 and B3 (thinking I need to balance out the other individual Bs I was taking) in significant amounts which I now know affects need for methylfolate. I stopped those and upped my methylfolate which made me feel better immediately. I've been titrating methylfolate for several days but my energy and brain fog have not yet recovered to the levels of my "perfect week".
So, I guess I'm going to stay way from foods high in folic acid and work on titrating the quartet. As of today I'm at 6.4mg (split) methylfolate, 5mg MB12, 4.3mg AB12, 500mg Fumarate, 500mg ALC & 1000mg GPLC.
I'm thinking of titrating the methylfolate first (since I know that is an issue) while leaving the MB12, AB12 and Carnitines as is. Then raising MB12 & AB12 and then carnitine if needed.
Wish me luck!
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