• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of and finding treatments for complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

The Resistant Starch Challenge: Is It The Key We've Been Looking For?

MeSci

ME/CFS since 1995; activity level 6?
Messages
8,231
Location
Cornwall, UK
No!! I had no idea that it disappeared. I still see it!

How strange. I wondered whether my preferences had inadvertently become set to not show signatures, so I went into my preferences and it still showed that I wanted to see them. So I just clicked 'save changes' in there and they reappeared!
 

Vegas

Senior Member
Messages
577
Location
Virginia
Are there people that managed to deal with candida overgrowth by using RS? Did anyone fully recovered? Also are there any people on this thread that were not able to tolerate methylfolate and they managed to take it after they started RS?

The reason I am asking is that methylfolate could actually feed candida so maybe this is the reason that some people can not tolerate that.

Sorry, very long.

I think you need to look at methylfolate as an immunomodulating agent that becomes particularly relevant to all humans with high oxidative stress burdens. In ME/CFS the processes whereby bioavailable folate is synthesized, made accessible to various tissues, and interconverted is inhibited by a number of different mechanisms, but I believe there is a very central role for conditions that exist in the colon in mediating an immune response. We speak of supplementation of this micronutrient without regard for the particular mechanisms in which folate is selectively transported to the lining of the cells in the colon, which is is distinct from any other tissues.

The collapse of the population that provides folate synthesis and interconversion has enormous consequences on immunity, but the interrelationships between different organisms implies that all the key bacterial organisms need to be supported to restore an appropriate immune response. There is much more involved than getting reduced folate to our cells; the colon requires a continuous supply of reduced folate delivered to the epithelium, and there are multiple transport systems, which presumably control the accessibility to this nutrient when things go wrong. One of the most basic common denominators of this population of commensals that I think will soon be proven to have been compromised in ME/CFS is their high sensitivity to oxygen. This is true not just in speaking of microbial density and the species ability to withstand oxidation, but also includes the individual capacity of our microbes to reduce folate. The strength of association between "aerointolerance" and reduced folate synthesis may suggest that this evolved to inhibit the immune response when oxidative conditions predominated.

I believe the high "response" rate in this patient population to more bioavailable forms of this vitamin not only suggests that there is poor bio-availability, but that there is a high priority to limit the availability of tetrahydrofolate and its more reduced forms simply because of the importance of folate to the immune response. When we orally supplement reduced folate, this may allow for enhanced availability of microbial synthesized reduced folate to the intestinal epithelium. We are, however, also, likely over-riding a natural process of moderating the immune response, so there may be a downside to this supplementation.

We know that these reduced forms of folate are central in the metabolism of proteinogenic amino acids; which is certainly critical to the immune response, via countless mechanisms. The one most are familiar with is limiting methionine recycling, cysteine availability and the sulfur metabolism. This is one powerful means of suppressing the immune system, because it curtails the immune response stimulated by our intake and metabolism of amino acids. For example, while we think of glutathione as an antioxidant, which it it is, it also binds to nitric oxide, and plays a part in stimulating an immune cascade.

While Methionine is just one amino acid, it is particularly significant because if you suppress methionine you suppress the synthesis of threonine and all proteins. Various immunocompromised conditions/diseases demonstrate not only glutathione depletion, but inhibition of protein synthesis, which has been specifically tied to the inhibition of synthesis of these amino acids. Methionine synthase is therefore a very powerful control point because it limits the regeneration of methionine, and hence threonine. Inhibition of methionine, threonione, and glutathione is seemingly a programmed consequence of oxidative stress. This inhibition of protein synthesis is also exactly the same way that most popular category of antibiotics used to treat gram-negative bacteria works, so the process may serve to hinder the growth and replication of these organisms.

I suspect that with the multitude of human pathogens, such a central focus on gram-negative pathogens seems exaggerated, but I think their virulence is simply unparalleled, and their relationship with humans has evolved since our creation leading to countless regulatory measures to limit the harm they can cause. Our modern diets have clearly enhanced the threat that they present, as have antibiotics. The findings, such as 4-5x's the level of bacteria in the blood of those with type II diabetes is simply not getting enough attention. As far as I know, this can only be explained by bacterial translocation from the GIT. This also may underscore the power of polysaccharides that not only resist digestion, but as Ripley has discussed, are small enough to enter the circulatory system. This might represent another important means of sustaining the microbes that make their way into the extra-intestinal tissues and blood.

The quantity of endotoxin in a single GIT could kill thousands of humans, but we are largely protected while the intestinal epithelium and mucosal barrier are preserved. The TLR-4 receptors, which initiate the inflammatory response are typically not accessible in the GIT, they are protected by the mucosal barrier. It is only with the changes in the microbially-maintained mucosal layer that these are exposed, and when permeability is enhanced, the extraintestinal tissues, which do have exposed TLR-4 receptors, precipitate such a potent immune response.

Inhibition of protein synthesis via limiting threonine biosynthesis limits cellular proliferation, and this is is essentially what happens when tetrahydrofolate is limited at a molecular level. Inhibiting the synthesis of tetrahydrofolate suppresses the immune response because it is the principal co-factor required as part of the one carbon metabolism, which participates in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. Folic acid has to be reduced to 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrofolic Acid. Limiting tetrahydrofolate has the power to dampen the immune response and protect us because it has the ability to affect DNA synthesis. This is the same method used to suppress cell growth in cancer cells, but in ME/CFS, I think it principally serves to dampen the synthesis of immune cells and limit the immune response.

A robust responses to MTHF may simply imply that patients have energy deficits as ATP/NADPH is required for DHFR and MTHFR, In this respect, tetrahydrofolate and methyltetrahydrofolate synthesis can be inhibited simply by mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial function has to be coordinated with all the systems that have the potential to cause great harm. NADPH availability affects a lot of processes, including the detoxification system our uses to neutralize nearly every sort of toxin we encounter. In this regard, it's scarcity serves to limit the burden that we are subjected to, including the mobilization of toxins from all our tissues that is mediated by glutathione.

As alluded to above though, very special circumstances exist in the colon, where there is a complex ecosystem involving the microbial synthesis and interconversion of folates. Some speak of the dietary intake obviating the need for this bacterial biosynthesis and interconversion, but I think this is unlikely when you look not just at the microbial folate synthesizing and conversion capabilities, but the complicated transport systems, which allow for these various forms of folates to saturate the tissues in the colonic intestinal epithelium. Folate availability to cells and uptake in the colon is distinctly different than in the small intestine where most folate is taken up for systemic distribution and supports the microbial organisms in the small intestine that are net consumers of folate.

With uncontrolled oxidative stress, I think there is an obvious means to control the reduction of folate when energy metabolism falters. This impacts the processes of generating DNA via de novo synthesis (which requires tetrahydrofolate) and limits the extent of amino acid metabolism. These mechanisms that seem to downregulate the immune response seems to be paired to mechanisms that protect our cells. For example the primary cysteine synthesizing enzymes are directly linked to the creation of short chain fatty acids, butyrate and propionate. In other words, biochemically, there is a diversion of methionine metabolites to products that almost exclusively protect us from oxidative stress. Enhancement of the sulfur amino acid metabolism does not do this.

In terms of the immune response, the effects of providing methylfolate to those with ME/CFS may relate to the creation of immune cells and the effects these create in the inflammatory cascade. I think this could be a deliberate regulatory mechanism that happens to inhibit the mobilization of endotoxins, because a robust immune response is what allows for cell wall destruction and the massive inflammatory response that would ensue if there was existing intestinal epithelial dysfunction. I also suspect that limiting cell turnover by suppressing tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis may also inhibit the exchange of the mucosal lining in other ways; I speculate that it basically preserves status quo so that the endotoxin is less accessible (physically) to stimulate an immune response.
 
Last edited:

Vegas

Senior Member
Messages
577
Location
Virginia
However something happened which I want to relate in case it is useful to someone else.
Two weeks ago someone offered me fresh broad beans (vicia faba) from his garden. This is a delicacy that I used to love. I must have eaten at least 5 kilos of fresh broad beans in the course of my life, so I have no allergy to them.
So I made a salad, cooking them only for 3 minutes in boiling water, then taking the skin off and making my salad with a spring onion, fresh radishes, coriander leaves, a small chilli, cumin seeds and a tomato + olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
The next day I had a huge lymphatic reaction, swollen nodes, headache, inability to open the eyes, and a big swollen stiff neck with big pimples coming out under the jaws and on the sides.
It took one week to feel normal again.
.

Raw fava beans possess a very potent ability to stimulate innate immunity. Perhaps you have heard of favism? While I doubt you have G6PD, otherwise you would have symptoms of hemolysis, but those with ME/CFS have to be very careful with these because of the fact that these can act as a very powerful oxidant. I think they can cause hemolysis secondary to acquired Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenation deficiency, which is a part of ME/CFS. G6PD participates in the recycling of oxidized glutathione (via NADPH) that is produced by the pentose phosphate shunt. This is necessary to provide protection to our red blood cells, which don't have mitochondria and therefore lack other means of recycling this antioxidant and protecting our red blood cells from oxidation.

But what you dealt with clearly involved an amplified immune response. Lectins are intricately involved in the immune response, and they are not going to be well-tolerated by many.

You can get a general idea about what pathogens may be involved and what parts of the immune system were mobilized simply based upon the fact that the mannose-binding lectics in the fava bean have been correlated to specific toll-like receptors, which are activated by specific pathogens. They are in fact correlated to gram-positive organisms (like staph), fungal organisms, and mycoplasma. So while there are other compounds in the fava bean that stimulate an immune response, they seem to have particular specificity not to the gram-negative pathogens in the gut that I talk abou, but some of the organisms more likely to reside in places, like the sinus cavity.

Of course essential oils like what is found in corriander and some of these other spices like the capsaicin cause me great pain as well. Some lectins put me in a stupor. Blood type may be significant as well. I don't think I could survive this recipe. :)
 

Asklipia

Senior Member
Messages
999
@Vegas,
I am so sorry you cannot enjoy my recipe!:( Of course this was not a recommendation for anyone to try, just something I wanted to share in case it would be somehow useful.
Many many thanks for the beautiful post you just provided about the relationship between folates and immunity. This is on my mind and has been for a very long time. You have helped me a lot, as usual :hug:

Yes, it is true that we may indirectly find out what kind of organisms are creating trouble by trying various recipes.
For the moment, all that we have been trying is helping. However, this morning we decided to go back to a little Riboflavin (12.5 mg) and manganese (10 mg) a day for the next week. 16 hours after having taken that, we both feel a little bit better (not feeling bad in the first place, but we felt we needed this little help).

Tonight sauerkraut is on the menu! Ten years ago it would make us very sick, last week we tried a plate and there was not enough. Maybe the fava beans had prepared the way!
Be well always :)
 

Lou

Senior Member
Messages
582
Location
southeast US
Hi @Ripley

I ordered Chaga extract from amazon. If it's your opinion that a tea is better will you please supply the brand name of the chaga you're using? Thanks.
 

Ripley

Senior Member
Messages
402
Hi @Ripley

I ordered Chaga extract from amazon. If it's your opinion that a tea is better will you please supply the brand name of the chaga you're using? Thanks.

Lou. A dual chaga (alcohol and water) extract is the strongest and most effective way to obtain all the nutrients from chaga — particularly if it's Siberian chaga (the colder the temperature it was found in, the stronger it is). Most people just make a tea, which is technically a weak form of chaga, in terms of its full potential. Though, I think a weak tea is more than strong enough for most people. I suppose it's the people with cancer and HIV that really need the full dual extract.

I don't use a brand. I got my chaga from a friend who finds it in the woods. Chaga can be quite expensive — and it's a very limited resource — so you have to learn to use it sparingly. I make my tea by grinding up the chunks into grounds and I treat it like loose tea (steep and strain). I keep re-using the grounds over and over again until the color is no longer showing in the tea. By re-using the grounds, 1 teaspoon of ground chaga can yield me 4 cups of tea (and I only drink 1 cup per day). So, I probably only go through 1.5 tsp per week.

When you are done with the grounds, you dry them and throw them in some vodka for a few weeks to get the alcohol fractions. And then you can eat the grounds when you are done (sprinkle them on food for instance). Nothing gets wasted.

The high cost of chaga and the fact that it's such a limited resource makes other more accessible mushrooms (Resihi, PSP-50/Turkey Tail, for instance) worth considering if you have specific issues you are targeting:

14m5sgk.png

I will likely try Reishi next. Very easy to find Reishi from local mushroom growers — they can literally grow them easily on special sawdust bags in a grow-room.

Chaga isn't something I would go around telling everyone in the world about. If everyone used it, there wouldn't be any left, and there are plenty of other mushrooms that do a good job.
 
Last edited:

South

Senior Member
Messages
466
Location
Southeastern United States
quote="Vegas, post: 465394, member: 1661"] "I am familiar with some of the various b-Glucans, and I am in fact using an insoluble fiber combination of chitin-glucan, which has been shown to stimulate the expansion of Roseburia Intestinalis."

@Vegas, chitin also stimulates many other types of bacteria, for example bifidobacteria (link at end of my post). I have never seen a way to encourage one type of bacteria while avoiding feeding the others who eat that same substance - lab scientists using sterile gut rats may be able to "prove" something, but in a real human gut? How would you attempt to stimulate only your favorite kind of bacteria simply by eating chitin?

And B-glucan has always worried me due to it's role in building yet more biofilm in the gut.

So, I'm not as brave as you, or some people here, I guess.

Links:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7221561

http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002848
 

South

Senior Member
Messages
466
Location
Southeastern United States
While we are talking about different fibers, there is a product called PGX (PolyGlycopleX). It is a patented "super fiber complex". (Notice how big business is getting involved in pro/prebiotics now?)

I was surprised to find an article in PubMed [here] where it was tested along with FOS and cellulose in a computer-control system in the lab that mimics the human intestine. ...

Don't be surprised that PGX was in a study. The company that makes PGX paid for the study. I work in a health food store that sells it. Lots of "patented, our blend is unmatched by anything in the world" supplements will pay for a study on their own product.

My guess is that it's a useful fiber blend (I haven't tried it), but the company is charging a fortune for what is simply a certain ratio of about 3 kinds of fibers, in my opinion. Highway robbery, also in my opinion.
 

Lou

Senior Member
Messages
582
Location
southeast US
@Lou, which chaga extract did you order?

@Violeta Chaga extract, 90 vegi caps, by Mushroom Science. Ordered from Amazon, delivered today. If helpful, it'll be a first for mushrooms and me.

Think I'd try anything to lift this Lyme brain fog, and it was Ripley's comment about its effect on his brain fog that prompted my interest. The me/cfs, Lyme moment of this is that friggin brain fog has always been what mushrooms do for me.:)

Haven't tried the chaga before, or any mushrooms since taking ps, hopefully I'll get a different result.
 
Last edited:

Vegas

Senior Member
Messages
577
Location
Virginia
quote="Vegas, post: 465394, member: 1661"] "I am familiar with some of the various b-Glucans, and I am in fact using an insoluble fiber combination of chitin-glucan, which has been shown to stimulate the expansion of Roseburia Intestinalis."

@Vegas, chitin also stimulates many other types of bacteria, for example bifidobacteria (link at end of my post). I have never seen a way to encourage one type of bacteria while avoiding feeding the others who eat that same substance - lab scientists using sterile gut rats may be able to "prove" something, but in a real human gut? How would you attempt to stimulate only your favorite kind of bacteria simply by eating chitin?

And B-glucan has always worried me due to it's role in building yet more biofilm in the gut.

So, I'm not as brave as you, or some people here, I guess.

Links:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7221561

http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002848


While you are correct that some bifidiobacterial species are also able to ferment this substrate, this is about preferential access, and a particular species' superior enzymatic capabilities. True, some bifidobacteria can access the chitin but not as well as specific commensal clostridial species. The converse is true for beta glucan (with qualifications). This is presumably the way it is supposed to be because there is such a strong mutualistic relationship. These polysaccharides escape digestion from human digestive enzymes, and most bacterial organisms, with only a select number of organisms able to take advantage of these compounds.

Of course, there is no practical way to microengineer a solution, I am simply trying to steer the microbiome in a particular direction. It is evident to me that this is practicable. I have a growing number of reasons to believe what specific organisms are most likely to provide benefits, and this particular species of acetate utilizing butyrate synthesizing organism is very high on my list of priorities for stimulating expansion. The in vivo effects in this human have proven to be very encouraging. I also have renewed interest in some soil based organisms as I overlooked a particular capacity. This is a work in progress.

But let's be honest, there is tremendous speculation that is taking place. I know many are completely dismissive of anecdote, but I believe, without any semblance of hyperbole, that personal observations largely led to my own survival. I think that perhaps the only redeeming thing about ME/CFS is that it affords one the ability to experience "symptoms" that most humans will never experience. This leaves the question about whether or not we can interpret the significance of these symptoms and act on this information. I feel increasingly confident that these observations are reliable, but I don't expect anyone else to share this optimism.

I will let each draw their own conclusions about the ability of prebiotics to effectuate changes in their condition and the risk taking these presents. I certainly don't fault anyone for not wanting to try these compounds. My latest foray has paid dividends, but it has been yet another bitter pill to swallow. I am finally and stubbornly learning to heed my own warnings. I've learned to stop taking things that no longer provide benefit, and to avoid the compulsion of sticking to a strict schedule of "administration." I think the benefits of the prebiotics can be disguised by the symptomatic features of endotoxins and associated immune response, and one needs to become familiar with this, or if they don't believe the endotoxin/inflammatory hypothesis, try to otherwise establish explanations for these symptoms. If you can't discriminate the good and bad, the psychological impact itself can be defeating.

The biochemical basis for why I am captivated with micro-organisms which can synthesize SCFA's like acetate and butyrate, metabolize acetylated glucosamine and galactose, assimilate protein, reduce lactate concentrations, etc. probably extends beyond most people's interest levels, but I should say that chitin and b-glucan are not just ordinary compounds that are left for Bifidobacteria and Clostridial species to use. Chitin is a polymer of n-acetylglucosamine, and it comprises a large percentage of the mucusoal layer which lines the intestinal tract. Specific bifidobacterial strains possess the unique enzymatic capacity to synthesize other chemicals that are combined to manufacturer this lining as well as to provide chemical/immunological defenses against pathogens, and a host of other interdependent relationships. The exopolysaccharidic enzymes of bifidobacterial species dominate the intestinal environment: these chemicals that our bacterial organisms secrete are likely more important than our own, but they are of no particular value without their closest microbiomic partners. N-acetylglucosamine also happens to be necessary for the synthesis for lipopolysaccharide, but this is another story.

Sorry, I don't recall your condition or experience. Have you had any luck with any of the prebiotics?
 

Vegas

Senior Member
Messages
577
Location
Virginia
@Violeta Chaga extract, 90 vegi caps, by Mushroom Science. Ordered from Amazon, delivered today. If helpful, it'll be a first for mushrooms and me.

Think I'd try anything to lift this Lyme brain fog, and it was Ripley's comment about its effect on his brain fog that prompted my interest. The me/cfs, Lyme moment of this is that friggin brain fog has always been what mushrooms do for me.:)

Haven't tried the chaga before, or any mushrooms since taking ps, hopefully I'll get a different result.

Definitely be careful with the mushrooms. Consider this a longer-term investment in the resolution of brain fog. In other words, you may have to take tiny doses, and it may get worse before it gets better. I feel like I am drunk today, without the pleasurable part. While I am using something a bit different, there are similarities in compounds and the effects it would produce, I think.

I am going to be very interested to see how these compounds affect airborne allergies, histamine, and even sympathetic nervous response.
 

Lou

Senior Member
Messages
582
Location
southeast US
Definitely be careful with the mushrooms. Consider this a longer-term investment in the resolution of brain fog. In other words, you may have to take tiny doses, and it may get worse before it gets better. I feel like I am drunk today, without the pleasurable part. While I am using something a bit different, there are similarities in compounds and the effects it would produce, I think.

I am going to be very interested to see how these compounds affect airborne allergies, histamine, and even sympathetic nervous response.


Thanks, Vegas, I've already taken 1 capsule (suggested dose is 1-3 twice daily) and I'll heed your timely advice. The fog seems to be rolling in as we speak, so to speak.

We'll see if tiny doses over the long haul help, that would be wonderful.
 

Vegas

Senior Member
Messages
577
Location
Virginia
@Vegas,
I am so sorry you cannot enjoy my recipe!:( Of course this was not a recommendation for anyone to try, just something I wanted to share in case it would be somehow useful.
:hug:

Yes, it is true that we may indirectly find out what kind of organisms are creating trouble by trying various recipes.
For the moment, all that we have been trying is helping. However, this morning we decided to go back to a little Riboflavin (12.5 mg) and manganese (10 mg) a day for the next week. 16 hours after having taken that, we both feel a little bit better (not feeling bad in the first place, but we felt we needed this little help).

:)

Yes, I know you were not advocating general use. Traditional recipes are interesting, but this one has unbelievable "potential" to influence the innate immunity, which makes me wonder from what part of the world this originated. I'm curious if it comes from a high malarial risk region.

I still take riboflavin, with the only apparent effect today relating to its prophylactic ability to prevent aphthous ulcers. ...along with a little MTHF, but I'm guessing this is not a problem for you and your husband.

I nearly memorized the principal managanese enzymes a few years back and suspect that it can be rate limiting in the creation of uridine diphosphate by way of its role as a cofactor in galactosylgalactosylxylosylprotein 3-beta-glucuronosyltransferase. Say that one real fast 10 times. There are lots of tie-ins with liver detoxification, maintaining the intestinal epithelium, and joints. The big problem that I see in ME/CFS is 1. uridine is necessary (combined with omega 3 fatty acids and choline) to form phospholipids, but we are damaging these faster than the special lipids can be synthesized and purine synthesis is already inhibited. I'm never quite sure if Mn supplementation represents a good or a bad idea, but in your case, having improved so much, it is probably fine. 2.
Humans also have an inability to break down galactose directly, it has to be converted to glucose, and this burdens an already impaired process of glycolysis in ME/CFS. To me this strongly suggests that a microbial capacity to directly metabolize galactose is of great importance. I really like the larch arabinogalactan, and I suspect you might want to try this, if you haven't.

The idea is to provide the substrate that supports the organisms and you will gain the enzymatic capacity that they possess, and in doing so you may bolster your own microbially supplemented energy metabolism and make Mn supplementation irrelevant. I apologize in advance, as I am still "drunk" from the prebiotic intoxication.
 

Vegas

Senior Member
Messages
577
Location
Virginia
Thanks, Vegas, I've already taken 1 capsule (suggested dose is 1-3 twice daily) and I'll heed your timely advice. The fog seems to be rolling in as we speak, so to speak.

We'll see if tiny doses over the long haul help, that would be wonderful.

Yes, you may be cool with that, or it may catch up with you very fast. There's no way I can predict your response, just throwing it out there that these compounds are as "potent" prebiotics as you can find.
 

Ripley

Senior Member
Messages
402
Wow... Came across this fantastic thread, from December, on Dr. Grace's blog with Kieth Bell:

Keith Bell said:
Has anyone considered resistant starch as antibiofilm? I've been wondering how fungi would react to RS in SIFO. Apparently, fungi would produce amylase as would some bacteria. Amylase busts biofilm. But would RS feed fungi? Or would amylase production be enough to keep populations in check?
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12010-011-9526-2
http://benthamscience.com/open/openaccess.php?tomicroj/articles/V005/21TOMICROJ.htm
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2013/150653/
http://synapse.koreamed.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/0184MB/mb-34-128.pdf
http://pelagiaresearchlibrary.com/e...tal-biology/vol3-iss4/EJEB-2013-3-4-26-34.pdf

Fungi also produce lactic acid and ethanol from potato starch:
http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/handle/2440/47204
http://aem.asm.org/content/52/5/1055.full.pdf
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00449-005-0398-0#page-1

So, the basic hypothesis is that RS may be forcing microbes to produce enzymes, acids and alcohols which serve to clean up shop in the small intestine, right where they live in their slimy biofilm matrix communities. Of course, you can also take amylase supplement (also thought to degrade histamine), but the results may not be as well-targeted as with RS. [LINK]

Keith Bell said:
General article on the health benefits of amylase includes possibly lowering autoimmune response:
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/the-health-benefits-of-amylase/ [LINK]

Keith Bell said:
The first link may help explain synergy espoused by Dr. B G in combining SBOs with RS:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12010-011-9526-2

Here's more about amylase production by bacillus subtilis:
http://www.pacificjournals.com/ajbor/pdf/06-2010/short_communication/23-28.pdf
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00449-004-0391-z#page-1

nice vintage review here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1243542/

Bacillus subtilis also produce lactic acid, but how interesting it's also used to manufacture hyaluronic acid which is very healing in little known gut application:
http://www.biopharma.novozymes.com/en/hyaluronic-acid/Frequently-asked-questions/Pages/default.aspx [LINK]

Keith Bell said:
Fulvic acid is another product of SBOs who produce it from mucopolysaccharides of plants, basically the same as starch.
http://www.grjournals.com/portals/grjournals/JASA/Vol2 Issue8/JASA-2012-28-188-711-721.pdf

http://www.supremefulvic.com/documents/html/fulvic_acid.php#Humic_Deposits

I believe hyaluronic acid (HA) is a type of mucopolysaccharide. Here's an informative/funny piece about the sticky potato diet of a long-lived, healthy Japanese community attributed to HA in their soil:

Merriest, happiest, healthiest, all. [LINK]

Tim Steele said:
Keith - here's a present for you:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC92288/

Concerning biofilms, RS from raw starch granules may not only bust biofilms as you suggest, but create their own to protect themselves. And there's a picture of it in the study I linked! [LINK]

Keith Bell said:
Tim, thanks for the lovely gift, first of the day other than waking up this morning.

Did you know you can have too much of a good thing in butyric acid, actually damaging the intestinal lining? We're not yet hearing about resistant starch overdose and I hope we don't . . . I haven't used it yet, but plan on experimenting as I believe everyone needs an improved small intestine. And I believe in being proactive as treatment and prevention are one and the same.

paradoxical butyrate causes damage: http://www.nature.com/pr/journal/v61/n1/full/pr20079a.html

butyric acid causes damage including histamine excess: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8906631

http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/content/20/4/539.abstract

Grace, I'm far from expert in heavy metal detox, but have been reading about fulvic acid for this purpose and impressed, even including mercury. I wonder just how good it really is . . .[LINK]

Tim Steele said:
Keith - interesting studies on excess butyrate damaging colon cells and causing other problems. Looks like it's mostly cause for concern in babies and the ill, and a good reason not to take butyrate supplements, especially in enema form.

I think the problem with most people, though, is quite the opposite--an extreme lack of buytrate.

It will be great when really smart people figure out exactly how much we need and where it should come from.[LINK]

Kieth Bell said:
Thanks for considering, Tim. Did you know autistic children are high in clostridium? Perhaps the types they're high in, however, aren't the butyrate producers, i.e, cluster IV.

But it still makes me wonder if RS would be contraindicated in autism as butyric acid is known elevated.
http://www.esciencecentral.org/jour...utside-the-box-of-neuroscience-JCDSHA.101.pdf

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10620-012-2167-7#page-2

But that doesn't negate the value of RS if the main mechanism of success is cleansing the small intestine. I'm informally monitoring a few epileptics who have just begun testing RS and so far, so good, though one report of seizure in the beginning of use, not surprising. Then things improved and she said after over 20 years of trying to heal her gut, RS has been the best thing so far. If RS can cure seizure of gut origin, I'd say that's a pretty massive win. [LINK]

Kieth Bell said:
Gillian, I'm just beginning to learn about fulvic acid. It is a product of SBOs and there are several supplements on the market. I'm not sure if it's made in the gut. It's normally associated with peat/humus soils. It increases nutrient absorption in plants and has a long list of attributes. After a few minutes of researching it yourself, I'm sure you can teach me about it . . . it is known to bust biofilm:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3849008/?report=classic [LINK]
 

Asklipia

Senior Member
Messages
999
Traditional recipes are interesting, but this one has unbelievable "potential" to influence the innate immunity, which makes me wonder from what part of the world this originated. I'm curious if it comes from a high malarial risk region.
I am not sure it comes from a high malarial risk region but it could well be. It is a recipe used all around the Mediterranean, which was a very malarial region until recently, not only malaria but different types of dengue fever too. Do you think my salad could be useful against malaria and dengue? The recipe I gave is from Tunisia, in Egypt they do not use coriander leaves, but instead flat parsley and mint, and there is no cumin, in Lebanon there is mint and coriander, no cumin.
I think the one that you could not possibly survive is from Morocco : raw garlic cloves crushed instead of spring onion, lemon peels and olives, the rest is like the Tunisian recipe.
Everyone recommends though that you pick your fava beans in the morning for making a salad during the day, so something must be disappearing as time goes on. Or it could mean that as time passes it becomes more and more difficult to peel the beans.
As for favism I thought it was only for boys and girls never have the problem. :)

manganese... The big problem that I see in ME/CFS is 1. uridine is necessary (combined with omega 3 fatty acids and choline) to form phospholipids, but we are damaging these faster than the special lipids can be synthesized and purine synthesis is already inhibited. I'm never quite sure if Mn supplementation represents a good or a bad idea, but in your case, having improved so much, it is probably fine.
Maybe eating lamb brains twice a week for breakfast is helping with this phospholipids problem?

a microbial capacity to directly metabolize galactose is of great importance. I really like the larch arabinogalactan, and I suspect you might want to try this, if you haven't.
We are trying this at the moment, by small amounts (about 3 g every few days). Don't want to go too fast. We feel the immune system waking up with whatever we do!!!!

I apologize in advance, as I am still "drunk" from the prebiotic intoxication.
Please don't apologize, otherwise I shall apologize too :). You are helping me so much. May all this help come back to you a thousand times every day and every night. And in the twilights dawn and evening when the truth is visible may you find the solutions to all of this. I believe that only in these twilights, on the edges of the known, where you may go armed with the knowledge you have acquired, you will catch the glimpses of what is real and hiding.
Good luck @Vegas! :)
May I offer a traditional chitin recipe, actually what is on my fire today?
Monkfish a l'Armoricaine.
For 2 : 2 lbs monkfish in thick slices.
In a hot pan with butter, turn around the slices to get the water out of the fish. Throw away that water. Keep the fish on the side.
Prepare the sauce in the same pan (saving on washing-up) and fry in half butter/half olive oil : 1 big onion, 2 small shallots, 2 bay leaves, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 sprig of thyme, 3 big handfuls of small shrimps in their shells with their heads still on, 2 small chillies, a few turns of the mill of nice white pepper (Vietnamese is best), a glass of white wine or a shot of cognac/whisky/bourbon whatever. Then add 2 big tomatoes in chunks. When this is cooked, fish out the bay leaves and you can grind it all.
Back on the fire. Taste for salt, add a little sugar if needed (all depends on how ripe the tomatoes were). Then you can finish cooking the fish in the sauce. You may need to add water at some point, but careful not to make it too watery.
Serve with arepas.
I hope you can survive this. Maybe just the thought will bolster the will to live of many, hence helping with their healing.:hug:
 

MeSci

ME/CFS since 1995; activity level 6?
Messages
8,231
Location
Cornwall, UK
I wonder whether taking something to dampen down the immune system would help to mitigate some of the adverse symptoms of taking resistant starch? I have been taking 5-HTP to improve my mood, but it also raises cortisol levels, which would dampen down some immune activity.

I used to have swollen neck glands almost every day when I woke up, but this has decreased greatly in the past few weeks, which I am guessing is due to the cortisol-raising effects of the 5-HTP. I think I forgot to take it last night, and my glands are swollen for the first time in weeks.

I can't be sure that this is the reason, but it will be interesting to see if the gland problem disappears/decreases again, assuming that I remember to take my 5-HTP!

Some sources say that melatonin also boosts cortisol, but it may be only in some people and not others. I have posted details of this on another thread (no time to search but you may be able to find it through a search for 'melatonin' and my username).
 

adreno

PR activist
Messages
4,841
Some sources say that melatonin also boosts cortisol, but it may be only in some people and not others. I have posted details of this on another thread (no time to search but you may be able to find it through a search for 'melatonin' and my username).
According to studies I have seen, lower doses of melatonin (0.5mg) raises cortisol, whereas higher dose (5mg) lowers it.