sregan:
I have used charcoal plenty in the past and it does a good job at pulling toxins out of the bowel from what I can tell as well as some beneficial things (B3 is produced in the gut as well as T4). When I saw her recommendation of one or 2 capsules followed by a bottle of magnesium citrate I was curious.
I haven't seen the recommendation for a whole bottle, and found that I needed around 300mg of magnesium citrate.
From Yasko's book:
Charcoal and Magnesium Flushes
Dosage: 1 to 2 capsules of charcoal, followed by enough magnesium citrate to
produce a bowel movement within 8–12 hours. Once per week or more depending
on testing and behaviors.
So 1 or 2 caps seemed like barely enough for a flush. I was wondering why the mag-citrate then you mentioned constipation and that's got to be why. I don't think that's enough charcoal to cause constipation is most people.
All I know is that the 1/2 capsule (bout 1/4 teaspoon max) of bulk activated charcoal really did constipate me. I don't know perhaps the loose powder form I used is somewhat more powerful than tablets.
I would think a small but steady flow of charcoal throughout the day 2 hours away from food (maybe in between meals) maybe like 1/2 capsule per would keep grabbing the gut toxins as they are produced while not robbing too much of the beneficial things.
yes I had excellent success with this approach. I think with depleted systems, and weak adrenals especially we all have to be careful about overdoing the detoxing, and cleansing. I always start way lower on supplement recommendations and then increase to tolerance.
I wanted to ask if you were using Yucca at all? I didn't see that you mentioned it?
No. The steroid saponins in Yucca were too hard for my adrenals.
Also if anyone can eloborate on this. Yasko mentions things like: "SHMT+ and ACAT + " and "
COMT V158M + or VDR Taq – SNPs"...
What did you want to know? My eyes may be failing me, but I don't see you have SHMT, or ACAT mutations in your signature list. I do however see you have COMT listed. This is strongly related to CBS mutations and affects the dopamine pathway (= energy/motivation), and as well I see you have a MAO mutation listed, which affects serotonin. As well the MTRR mutations could indicate difficulties with B12, and your BMHT mutations could as well really interfere with methylation. See Yasko below:
Why is the MTR/MTRR pathway so important? As you recall, there are four
pathways through this key portion of the methylation cycle.
Our methylation intermediates (all the biochemicals we need on this pathway)
can go one of four ways:
• Down via the CBS gateway to transsulfuration end products
*We know you have difficulties here.
• Through the SHMT to create thymidylate
• Via the BHMT shortcut, or
*We know you have difficulties here.
• Through the MTR/MTRR portion of the cycle.
*Thus, it may be prudent to support here.
I find that if we limit “traffic” through CBS, SHMT, and BHMT so that we
shunt the traffic through MTR/MTRR, we often see increased excretion of
metals, especially mercury. *Very good thing.
Doing this means that we supply all the necessary
ingredients for the MTR/MTRR reaction, while balancing the other pathways
at a maintenance level. Accordingly, my supplement recommendations for CBS,
SHMT, and BHMT will help you
limit traffic down those pathways. In this section,
we focus on enhancing MTR/MTRR, which entails increasing B12 levels.
However, before supplementing with B12, please first take into account your
COMT V158M and VDR/Taq status, which will help to determine whether
to focus more heavily on hydroxyl B12 or methyl B12 for support. In my clinical
experience,
I’ve regularly observed that those with COMT V158M + and
VDR Taq – mutations don’t tolerate methyl donors well, including methyl B12.
Also adults, regardless of their COMT V158M/VDR Taq status, have more
limited tolerance than children for the detox triggered by methyl B12. Despite
that,
those who are MTR + and MTRR + can and should look at higher-dose
B12 support, balancing the ratio of methyl to hydroxyl B12 based on COMT
V158M/VDR Taq status. As you gradually proceed to add in B12, you can also
take into account your own or your child’s personal tolerance for it. In addition
to either methyl or hydroxyl B12, I often suggest the use of low doses of cyano
(to support the eyes) and adenosyl B12 with vitamin E succinate, as you will see
in the supplement recommendations.
One way to begin B12 support is with one chewable methyl B12 (5mg) or hydroxyl
(1 or 2mg) daily, gradually increasing to two, three, or more per day if you
can tolerate it. If mood swings occur, then decrease the dose of B12 back down to
a more comfortable level. While a new nasal B12 is available, I don’t recommend
using that exclusively. I prefer some B12 to be absorbed through the gut with the
help of Intrinsic Factor, which is contained in some of the recommended supplements.
In addition, the use of oral B12 sprays (available as hydroxyl or methyl,)
topical B12 cream, B12 gum and the B12 patch are other means by which to
146 Autism: Pathways to Recovery
support B12 in the body. I like to see multiple routes and forms of B12 used until
I feel that the system has been saturated with B12 (see discussion of cobalt levels
below). Literature suggests that oral B12 is as effective as injected B12. However,
if preferred, you can consider B12 injections, making sure to use either plain
methyl B12 (without any added folinic or NAC) or plain hydroxyl B12 injections.
You can use the chewable B12 and the oral B12 spray on the injection “off days.”
If you plan to use injections, start with once per week, and gradually increase
to three times per week. Allow your tolerance levels to determine how you can
gradually increase the B12. As always work in conjunction with your health care
provider.
Is she lumping +/+ and +/- together as +?
Yes. And this is what I do too. As we cannot be entirely sure of the difference in expression between +/+ and +/-, I have been doing the same too.
Best of luck! Star
