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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Batman55 on August 25, 2009, at 4:35:03
I'm treating a "possible B12 deficiency/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/neurological issues of unknown cause." I have been told in other forums that taking an "assortment" of supplemental vitamins and minerals can cause an imbalance. For instance I've read that taking calcium and/or magnesium can lower Zinc levels.
The B12 deficiency forum stresses taking "the whole thing" in terms of supplementation, in other words don't just supplement B12, B complex, and methylfolate... you also MUST take A, C, E, D, Zinc, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and some others like carnitine. In other words the more supplements you take, the more you need, because the chance of an imbalance occurring gets pretty high with multiple supplements in your system.
First of all, is this true? And second of all, what to do about the Zinc problem? I haven't had any Zinc supplements in a while other than the tiny amount in my daily Centrum Multivitamin. Theoretically I could be quite deficient in Zinc now. I've tried covering calcium, magnesium, and zinc with a Cal-Mag-Zinc combo-pill but those pills make me nauseous. I've tried taking a 20mg Zinc Picolinate tablet but it caused "manic energy and anxiety." What gives with that? Zinc is touted as an anxiety reliever and yet it makes mine worse.
My anxiety has always been there, so I'm glad to find any supplements that reduce it, and quick to stop any that make it worse. But that's not really why I'm here. I don't want advice on anxiety so much as I want a solution to the fatigue and especially the INTENSE brain fog I've been dealing with, on a daily basis, for a few years now. The B12 deficiency program is the same as *some* popular CFS programs so even if my problem is not B12, it would help the Chronic Fatigue anyway (and it has to some extent, but the brain fog continues, and it REALLY sucks.)
Any thoughts on this?
Posted by Batman55 on August 26, 2009, at 1:26:38
In reply to Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by Batman55 on August 25, 2009, at 4:35:03
Anyone?
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 26, 2009, at 2:59:42
In reply to Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by Batman55 on August 25, 2009, at 4:35:03
i'm busy following that same program for what i suspect might be a B12 deficiency. how long have you been on the supplements? i don't think my case was as severe as some listed, but for me, the brain fog started to clear a bit once i added in AdenosylB12. bear in mind though that most of the symptoms seem to get dramatically worse before plateauing, and then vanishing.
everything exists in balance, so what they advise makes sense - for example, i tested low for copper recently, and zinc and Vitamin C deplete copper, so i'll have to start supplementing with it soon.
personally, i wouldn't fret too much. i couldn't afford to laundry list of supplements they advise, so am just implementing the essentials (ADb12, methylb12, b complex, methylfolate, Vit C, D, Zinc). i try to get cal & mag and vit E from diet, but will probably add them in once i can afford it.
Posted by Batman55 on August 26, 2009, at 22:52:17
In reply to Re: Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 26, 2009, at 2:59:42
> i'm busy following that same program for what i suspect might be a B12 deficiency. how long have you been on the supplements? i don't think my case was as severe as some listed, but for me, the brain fog started to clear a bit once i added in AdenosylB12. bear in mind though that most of the symptoms seem to get dramatically worse before plateauing, and then vanishing.
>
> everything exists in balance, so what they advise makes sense - for example, i tested low for copper recently, and zinc and Vitamin C deplete copper, so i'll have to start supplementing with it soon.
>
> personally, i wouldn't fret too much. i couldn't afford to laundry list of supplements they advise, so am just implementing the essentials (ADb12, methylb12, b complex, methylfolate, Vit C, D, Zinc). i try to get cal & mag and vit E from diet, but will probably add them in once i can afford it.
>Thanks for the reply.
Any ideas for treating adrenal fatigue?
Posted by nolvas on August 27, 2009, at 3:17:30
In reply to Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by Batman55 on August 25, 2009, at 4:35:03
Are you following this plan to combat CFS? I've read that Rich van Konynenburg has done a lot of research in to ineffective methylation as the cause of CFS.
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=407
"The following symptoms of CFS have been reported to have been corrected by various PWCs on this treatment. Note that these are gathered from reports from many PWCs, so that not all have been reported by a single person."
"Lifting of brain fog, increase in cognitive ability, return of memory."
Posted by Batman55 on August 28, 2009, at 0:02:21
In reply to Re: Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by nolvas on August 27, 2009, at 3:17:30
> Are you following this plan to combat CFS? I've read that Rich van Konynenburg has done a lot of research in to ineffective methylation as the cause of CFS.
>
> http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=407
>
> "The following symptoms of CFS have been reported to have been corrected by various PWCs on this treatment. Note that these are gathered from reports from many PWCs, so that not all have been reported by a single person."
>
> "Lifting of brain fog, increase in cognitive ability, return of memory."
------------------------------------------------I have been more-or-less following this program. I actually follow a modified version of that program as "suggested" on a popular thread in WrongDiagnosis forums. As another poster has mentioned before, initially the AdenosylB12 (sublingual held in mouth for at least 30 minutes) made such a big difference in terms of lifting fatigue and reducing brainfog, I was ecstatic. But the effects faded over time.
I even tried adding in more of the recommended supplements, such as Omega3 (Flaxseed Oil), but my brainfog is no longer budging and fatigue is still pretty bad. Either I'm missing something my body needs, something has gotten "imbalanced" due to all the supps, or perhaps my problem is not really B12 in the first place and that's why I haven't improved.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 28, 2009, at 22:15:25
In reply to Re: Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by Batman55 on August 28, 2009, at 0:02:21
this may sound stupid, but is it possible to have chronic fatigue w/out feeling especially physically fatigued?
i mean, my 'brain fog' etc. started after a period of intense stress, after which i have never really felt the same. my concentration problems just seem to be getting worse to the point where i find reading difficult; i can't remember anything i read either .. it's like i have full-blown ADD. but what's strange is that i don't really feel intensely depressed in other ways - i am constantly pushing to find work, i have no desire to stay in bed, i get no thoughts of self-loathing. most of my depression stems from not being able to function the way i used to. socially, i am about as entertaining as driftwood - it's like my mind's just functioning too slowly to hold up a real conversation.
i find that anything which requires physical exertion - like swimming or running - difficult because i have lost a lot of muscle strength, and i can spend a couple days recovering after a bout of exercise. another strange thing is that i don't respond to 'stimulants' like coffee or alcohol at all - they just make me more tired.
i see the start-up symptoms from the regime - mood swings, worsening of pain - as a good sign, but i am also really impatient, and losing hope. like you the ADb12 helped the physical feeling of 'brain fog', i.e. the head stuffiness, but it does nothing for my ADD symptoms.
i know i should get a real diagnosis, and might seen an integrative MD once i can afford it, since supplementing etc. costs a lot. i am seeing a psych next week, and am almost happy to just go on a med and try and get on with my life, since this has been going on for over a year now, but i wonder if i'm going down the wrong path.
Posted by Netch on September 6, 2009, at 10:52:34
In reply to Supplements cause vitamin/mineral imbalance!?!?, posted by Batman55 on August 25, 2009, at 4:35:03
brain fog treatment:
Magnesium sulphate, Ethyl-EPA and vitamin D3.
This is the end of the thread.
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