Active B supplements - and a graph!

In basic terms, because I have the Heterozygous C667T type gene defect, this is the version where only half of this gene is mutated so I received this defective gene from only one of my parents instead of both. People who have the Homozygous gene defect will need different doses of these supplements to me as this type of defect means that they heal at a far lower rate compared to normal people’s cells, whereas my gene defect means that I heal at a rate of approx 60% - 70% of a normal person.

The first supplements I started off with last week were the 3 Active B’s and a probiotic and I have just started the remaining supplements last night.

As I'm now living in quite a small town in the North Island of New Zealand I have emailed all the local ND’s and unfortunately they are either not aware of the MTHFR gene mutations or do not know how to treat them, so due to not actually having received any medical guidance with these supplements it is going to be a bit of trial and error for me. I have done ALOT of research and I feel like I have always been pretty good at knowing my body and when something is going on that is not quite right, so fingers crossed that I’ll be able to pick up on any negative effects quickly. Please visit this link that explains some of the side effects that may occur from over-methylation from using these supplements http://stoppingtopicalsteroids.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/side-effects-from-mthfr-supplements.html

I would strongly urge anyone to seek medical advice in regards to their own required dosage amounts.

L-5-MTHF

Brand I’m taking - Designs For Health, L-5-MTHF, 120 Veggie Caps

• Folic acid is Vitamin B9 
• L-5-MTHF is the activated form of Folic Acid. This gene mutation does not allow folic acid to be converted into the active form which is necessary for your body to repair cells. 
• Active form of folate = L-5-MTHF = Methylfolate = 5-methyltetrahydrofolate reductase 

Active B12

Brand I’m taking - Solgar, Sublingual Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12), 1000 mcg, 60 Nuggets

• Active B12 and L-5-MTHF go hand in hand to bridge that genetic gap 
• Active B12 = Methylcobalamin. If it says Active B12 (Cyanocobalamin) you’ve got the wrong stuff 

While methyl-B12 is a great form to use, some individuals will need to use more Hydroxy-B12 than methyl-B12. This is due to another genetic mutation, known as COMT. COMT is the enzyme that breaks down dopamine, other catecholamines, and estrogen. If an individual has this mutation, too much methyl-B12 may be overly-stimulating and can cause side effects, such as mood swings. 
http://functionmedicine.com/blog/?p=63

Active B6

Brand I’m taking - Country Life, Gluten Free, Active B6 Caps, P5P/PAK, 30 Veggie Caps

• The B6 methyl version is called P-5-P. The synthetic version is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride 

Probiotics

Brand I’m taking - MicroGenics Probiotic 8 - Dairy Free

• Personally I think this is a necessity for me as I have previously had problems with candida and I just feel like my original eczema stemmed from a leaky gut and crappy eating when I was much younger 

Day 1 - 3

• Active B’s - Starting with the recommended dosage on the packet of 1 capsule per day for each of the 3 B’s (1000 mcg = 1 mg). 
• Probiotic - 1 in the morning before breakfast. This dosage will remain the same.

I felt fine these first 3 days, not anything noticeably different although I did feel like my brain is a lot clearer… Im not really to sure how to describe this feeling and Im also not to sure if it is just a placebo effect as I am really thinking that these supps are going to do me good. I also noticed a slight increase in energy in the mornings (tired in the evenings though as I have stopped taking Licorice Root for adrenal support). Have also noticed that my legs were a bit achey.. but this could be due to helping out in the garden and being slightly unfit haha.

Day 4 - 6

• Upping my dosage to 2 capsules per day of each (2000 mcg = 2 mg). 

Not much to report after these next 3 days. Skin still holding steady. Still not really any increase in itching or much more dryness. Yeah…..


Days 7 onwards I am starting on the NAC, TMG, MSM and Glutathione, will report back later on how I go adding these to the active B’s.

Future predictions.. Or possibly hopes

What I really hope DOESN’T happen:
Because my skin has been so stable in this initial part of the withdrawal, I really really REALLY hope that I am not going to be one who gets the big flares later on down the track. I have planned this so carefully and done as much research as I possibly can to prepare for this. I feel like I’m doing everything that I can possibly do to help myself recover (apart from maybe eating a few to many chickpea brownies).

If I have the big flares later, I can quite honestly say that I will be extremely and absolutely gutted. I had fully prepared myself mentally for going straight into a flare in the first couple of weeks and the way my skin is going at the moment I really don’t see that first big flare coming anytime soon.

Im not to sure how I am going to deal with it if I do have big flares later. I suppose I will just have to wait and see.

What I really hope DOES happen:
From a lot of reports of people who have been in the midst of TSW and have started these supps, a lot have seen significant healing (50 - 60%) in the first few weeks/months following the start of these supplements.

What I am hoping this means for me is that I’m not going to have the big flares, ANY big flares and that what I have done by starting the supps before any big flares is I have caught my skin at that 50 - 60% healed mark (not sure if that makes sense… see graph)… and then I will gradually make the climb back up to good skin the same as every one else is while using the supplements. Fingers crossed.

It will be interesting to refer back to this graph over the coming year.

I know that my skin is not going to magically be amazing what ever happens, but… I JUST WISH I KNEW!!!