At the beginning of the summer I tried the basic B12 protocol (MethylB12, AdB12, B-Right and FolaPro) and some other things. I haven't read this whole thread, but did make it through a good portion of it, and parts of the one on WD, plus Rich's methylation info. Much to my surprise, it was starting to sink in (I think), but that was 3 months ago and now I've forgotten most of want I read then. I'll have to take a refresher course.
While taking the supplements I felt very drained and couldn't keep my eyes open within an hour or so of taking the pills. At that time I wasn't in the mindset to continue for long, but I did notice benefit from AdB12 alone. It really increases my energy so I've continued to take it.
I could be wrong but I've noticed delays in crashes and less PEM, plus a big decrease in pain (various types of pain). Is that even possible? I've not seen anything relating it to pain relief, only energy, so maybe it's just a coincidence. Or could that signify something in particular? ......with my mitochondria function for example? Is there a problem with taking AdB12 alone, or prior to the others? People have mainly discussed adding it in after they've gotten started with the others. Thx.
Hi, kerrilyn.
I think that the explanation for what you have experienced is this:
Adenosyl B12 serves as a coenzyme for methylmalonyl mutase. This enzyme is in the pathway that feeds certain substances as fuels to succinate, in the Krebs cycle, which is located in the mitochondria. These substances include branched-chain amino acids, odd-chain fatty acids, proprionic acid, and some other things. In CFS, many people do not have a very well-functioning Krebs cycle, because the oxidative stress (due to glutathione depletion in my hypothesis) blocks enzymes earlier in the cycle than succinate. As a result, these PWCs are not able to use carbs and fats very well as fuel, because they have to enter the Krebs cycle as acetyl-CoA, upstream of the partial blocks. However, succinate is downstream of the blocks, so that fuel fed in at that point can be utilized by at least part of the Krebs cycle, to supply energy to make ATP in the mitochondria. So this can give a PWC quite an energy boost.
As you may know, some of the so-called "energy drinks" that are being sold these days are very high in B12. Most of them use cyanocobalamin (except for Amy Yasko's Black Bear B12 Energy Spray, which uses hydroxocobalamin). But all of these provide their energy boost by causing an increase in adenosyl B12. Many nominally "healthy" people are a little low in B12 because of their diets, and these drinks capitalize on that by boosting B12, which really does give them energy, not just an artificial caffeine high, though many of the energy drinks use that, too.
With regard to the decrease in pain, I suggest that the adenosyl B12 is helping to supply additional energy to your neurons, also. This will help them to make ATP faster, which in turn powers their membrane ion pumps, restoring the levels of ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in these cells. That in turn will raise their threshold for firing nerve impulses, and that translates into less sensation of pain.
I don't see a problem with taking adenosyl B12 alone. Some of it will likely be converted to methyl B12, and that should help your methylation cycle, but it could be that if you take only adenosyl B12 and no folate, you may not be able to lift the methyation cycle block. I suspect that the reason you felt drained, etc., when you took the complete protocol was that you were lifting the methylation cycle block more, and this was stimulating the operation of your detox system, mobilizing toxins. I suspect that the mobilized toxins were responsible for the symptoms. I think that ultimately you will have to mobilize the toxins to get them out of your body, and there will be symptoms resulting from the detox process during that time. But it's nice to experience some of the happier effects of B12 supplemention, isn't it?
Rich
