Anxiety, Cystic Acne, Acne Scars
★★★★★
Also tried spirolactone for1 year no help. No acne topical, no oral or topical antibiotics worked, gluten free 1 year no worked. Dermatologist two visits in 5 years only shame you. So I have used oral niacin 2x 500mg per day and it has prevented cysts. it did not help healing the existing one sore I had but did prevent new ones.
As a scientist, I am trying to figure out how niacin works for my skin. I am in great health otherwise_ athletic and real food. Are the sores a result of pellagra? Any thoughts?
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★★★★★
Niacin and Plavix
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I'm just thing now of trying out niacin because I just read about how good it is in Mercola's newsletter.
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Contraindications
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Also, CQ10 (coenzyme q10) will lower your blood pressure better than anything a Dr can give you without unnecessary side effects at all. 150mg 3 times daily.
And it could be your B3 levels (Niacin. niacinamide) are at full saturation. And other people just can't tolerate it at all. And B3 should also be taken with a full vit b complex as they all work in synergy (together)
And always take Niacin with food, This will take all if most of the flush symptoms away at out stopping it from doing its full job.
And always take any B vitamins with food as their water soluble and you'll pee most or all of it out. But any your body doesn't need, will come out anyway and turn your wee yellow
Please everyone, before you take anything, check for drug/food/supplement interactions between them all. And whether you should take them with, before, or after food. And go at your own pace and ALWAYS start at the lowest dose.
Its not 'follow my leader'' and getting it wrong could have a serious outcome. And never start out on a ''slow release' if it doesn't suit you, then it's not leaving your system in a short time Therefore you are going to end up in big trouble as once it takes effect, you can't stop it.
And some people can't metabolize certain things quickly, or not at all. I am mixed race, and different races can't break down certain things in their livers, this is also problematic with Medication.
Their 'Race specific' which means what one race is ok with will hurt or kill another? Don't swallow nothing until you ask a Pharmacist about this. And if they don't know, then find someone that does and know's all the scientific data to back it all up.
Love Andrea C xxxx
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For Kidney Support I take either Cranberry softgels or D Mannose, followed 1 hr later w/ Dr. Christopher's Kidney/Bladder herbal complex.
The Liver protectors are Milk thistle Seeds, Turmeric, and Artichoke Leaves. To increase bile flow, these herbs are recommended: Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Yellow dock Root, Beet. Chaparral is good liver & kidney cleanser. You might find any number of these formulated together and labeled something like "Milk Thistle Complex". Removing gallstones & kidney stones, and toning up the Liver & Kidneys, should allow for a more free blood flow thus lower blood pressure.
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Taurine made me have occasional rushes of what I can only describe as panic.
It was like my fight or flight mechanism was altered somehow. I would get vertigo-like symptoms where it felt like the room was spinning. During the episodes, I would also get a rush of heat similar to a hot flash. Ugh. It was dreadful. It works well for countless others, though. I just wasn't one of them.
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Yes, there are flush-free forms of Niacin. Niacinamide is what most would recommend, but I saw a recent post (I believe it was from Bill, whose expertise I certainly trust) recommending a different flush-free version called Inositol Hexanicotinate.
I actually ordered some myself and am awaiting its shipment as I've tried Niacinamide in the past and didn't experience any significant results.
While my BP has improved with the latest addition of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine/Alpha Lipoic Acid combo, I am with you on this journey! :)
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Okay I will look for that kind although have never heard of it.. I know you can't post names of companies on here. Anyway; I too am now using the LCarnitine, ALA and upped my COQ10 to 400 mgs... plus other things I am trying as I am slowly weaning off the medication.. very slowly LOL .. I am also trying that water cure with sea salt and the eggplant water.. geezzz Louise something has to work LOL Oh; I am going to invest in the Nattokinase.. are you? Being I am almost 60 it might be a good idea.. Thank You
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It should appear as the second result of the search (white bottle w/ yellow cap). It's very inexpensive, which is always a plus. :)
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What else are you trying? I did up my COQ10 and I am using the LCarnitine and Taurine and ACV among other things..Hopefully something will work but weaning off these meds are a challenge..
I know that when I had lost a lot of weight and walked 2 miles a day my bp was fine.. Now I have gained some weight back .. still walking but not as much. It must take awhile to figure it all out.... how are you doing?? thank you
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I currently take 100mg's of CoQ10 twice a day, 1 capsule twice a day of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine 800/Alpha Lipoic Acid 400 combo and a big clove of chopped garlic each day. I also sip on potassium broth or potassium-rich coconut water all day.
I am down to only 1/4 tablet of my BP medicine (Metoprolol) and hope to get off of it entirely, soon. I'm not quite there yet, though.
I eat very clean and also try to keep my blood sugar from spiking by eating more frequently. I don't have blood sugar issues, but I've found that keeping things steady has helped my BP some.
Like you, I've tried many, many natural treatments, including all of the ones I've seen you mention. It truly is a trial and error process and there's really no way around it since what works for one person might not for another.
There was a time when ACV worked well for me, but for whatever reason, it ceased to work about a year ago and I've spent the past year trying different combinations. At this point, there's not much I haven't tried.
I'm happy to be down to 1/4 of my BP medicine, though. I'm getting there! You will, too. :)
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thanks for the information and great job.
Yes I am trying your remedy of the COQ10 and Carnitine and ALA... I also use Vit.D and E and yes apple cidar vinegar on most days.......and some other things.. I think I get enough potassium from raw veggies and things..
Yes my diet is pretty good.. I don't eat red meat because I don't like it.. I eat fish and veggies and limited fruits.. Eggs and no cheese and very limited dairy but I have been this way for a very long time so I think I am used to it... everything in moderation... The woman in health food store told me to juice and I will but I know I wont get in habit of it though.
oh; So I am down to 50mgs. of the medication and am doing it very slowly as suggested.....Okay keep up good work and thank you
Oh; I also do EFT and listen to binaural beats on utube for hypertension ..It puts me to sleep at night and calms the nerves. Oh; do you think you would ever take natokinase or serrapeptase..?? thanks again
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After reading hundreds of reviews posted by people who have tried one or the other, I found that the most common complaint was dizziness that was so severe, they had to stop taking it. Since I am very prone to dizziness (if I even turn my head too fast, my head will spin for a few seconds), I thought; "Noooo thank you! " :)
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I am wondering are you splitting your pills into quarters? how are you doing that? I find it even tough to split the pills in half.. I have a pill cutter too. Well I did find the no flush Niacin in regular health food store but haven't gotten it yet .. but at least they have it.
Its good to know you don't have to use too many things to lower your bp. doesn't sound like a lot.. good for you
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Thank You
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I was taking 50mg's of extended-release Metoprolol per day and am now down to 12.5mg's per day. I went very slowly, staying about two months on a dose before lowering it again.
I had more side-effects when I was on the higher dose than I've had on the lower. I used to get hand, leg and foot cramping on the higher dose. Back then, I tried Magnesium for the cramping with little success. I've found that with the lower dose of Metoprolol, the Magnesium all but eliminates the cramping. (Or perhaps just the lower dose itself eliminated the cramping? Either way, I'll take it! ) :)
I settled on the Magnesium spray after trying every form of Magnesium imaginable (oxide, chloride, citrate, glycinate) - all of which, had a laxative effect with me, even in smaller doses. The spray doesn't have that effect and as a bonus, since I am on my feet most of each day, I find that the spray magnesium helps soothe my end-of-the-day achy calves/feet as well.
My only complaint with the lower dose of Metoprolol, is that I get lightheaded at times. Sometimes, it's only once a day - others, it's 2-3 times a day. Every once in a while, I'll go a day without feeling lightheaded at all, but those days are few by comparison.
I would love to resolve that issue as it often hits me when I'm not at home, which can be unsettling. I hoped it would resolve itself as I adjusted to the lower dose, but I've been on the lower dose for months now, so it's not looking promising that it will self-resolve.
At this point, it's probably safe to assume that it is unrelated to the Metoprolol, so I have been looking into other natural ways to resolve it. Hope I find one, soon!
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I am wondering if the extended release has less side effects.. I was first on 100 mgs. on the regular Metropolol and went down to 75 and was okay... I did that for about 6 weeks or so... Thinking that is too fast. The doctor said two weeks to lower and She was wrong ... Then when I went to 50 after a few weeks and I started having headaches and palpitations and feeling all around aweful.Probably did that too fast.... It def. felt like a detox.. I am doing it slower now but I am going to stay at 50 for awhile and yes most likely two months because of side effects. I read a dozen things online about it and some people have dozens of issues, some have none and I am somewhere in the middle.. I don't like the feeling.. I also get the jitters and all when it comes close to taking half at night again..I read online if you feel okay some days wait l5 minutes more to take the medication than your regular time. I have been trying that..
Oh; I probably went down to 50mgs. too fast so going to wait a bit longer for the next lower dosage.. As I read online no rush :)
thanks for helping me in this journey.
take care
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Thanks so much for your input. I appreciate it. I actually do epsom salts foot baths occasionally, and you're right - they certainly are soothing.
The magnesium spray comes in handy for those occasions when, for practical reasons (i.e. I'm at work), I am unable to soak. And to be honest, there are a lot of evenings, after a very long day, that come bedtime, I'm just too sore and tired to soak, so I use the spray and hit the hay! :)
I am going to make a concerted effort to soak more frequently, though. Thanks, again!
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Yes, it sounds like the side-effects you experienced were a result of lowering the dose too quickly. Slow is always best - the slower, the better. I would stay with the 50mgs for a few months. In fact, I would stay there for 6 months if that's how long it took for me to feel better. As you wrote; "There's no rush." :)
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Well I am still having side effects at 50mgs.....I don't feel like seeing another doctor because I don't trust them much anymore.. was wondering and I realize you are not a doctor but I was thinking maybe going back to 75mgs. for awhile and then back to 50 again..
would that be too crazy and going backwards..I would def. get confused but these side effects are aweful....
If I stay at 50 are you saying stay there for six months?
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For H.B.P. I have consistently improved by supporting and/or cleansing the Liver and Kidneys.
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Yes, I would return to the 75mgs. In fact, I almost suggested that in my previous post. I would stay at that dose for a minimum of 2-3 months. I mentioned the 6 month time frame figuratively to indicate that there is no set time frame - that 'if it takes 6 months, then it takes 6 months'.
Take as long as you need to feel stable and well. Then, once you notice that things have leveled off and you do feel well, wait a few months before going any lower.
Slow and steady wins the race. :)
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And for kidney/liver support - Milk Thistle? That's something I haven't tried, though I've read many good things about it. Some, whose opinions I respect, suggest taking it every day, whether you're ailing or not.
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Oh; I did try the Niacin and got the flush and felt ill.....So I stopped that but now I have the B vitamins all together in one pill...I tried that and felt okay.. The mgs. of Niacin in there was like just 50mgs... Yes my pee was yellow..................I thought I needed B vitamins as I am mostly vegetarian but my diet is really good so I wont take them everyday... Maybe three times a week or so.. See how I feel and how it goes..
Since people were raving about B vitamins I thought I would try them.. I do eat a lot of veggies and raw and quinoa and fish, eggs and grains and some fruits...My diet is not the SA Diet. Mostly organic and pretty clean.....Not a whole lot of sugar either..
so now I am confused about the B vitamins
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Wow It would be so frustrating to go backwards .... well I take 25mgs. at about 10 a.m. and then try and wait to 9:30 PM but sometimes that is way too long and start getting the aweful side effects but I read to wait 12 hours a piece.. sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't..
Last night I was having aweful side effects about 7 pm already and thinking its way too early to take a pill so I waited but I could barely stand up and walk and the side effects started....So I only last until about 8:30 pm and that was okay... I lasted all night until the morning but that doesn't happen everyday....and I slept pretty well but I drank some magnesium and I also use some herbs but they don't seem to work all that well. I think apple cidar vinegar helps with palpitations for me.. but its not always available.
Okay maybe I should just take a half pill when needed but don't exceed 75mgs.. until I feel okay. Its just that I don't have the release pill but I notice that doesn't really matter so much.. Like if I am feeling horrible at 7 pm but it isn't time for a pill maybe I should just take it anyway and then hope I can last through the night.
What do you think?
Thank you so much.. wish we lived near each other and could support each other on this LOL
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Re: Your side effects - I saw you mention that you also take herbs. Did you introduce them (and/or any other supplements you're taking) one at a time, allowing 2-4 weeks to make sure they agree with you before adding another supplement?
I'm asking because it's possible that something else could be causing your side-effects, particularly if you started more than one supplement at a time. If you introduced each supplement one at a time and stayed on them for a month or so without problems, then it's probably not the supplements/herbs.
However, if you didn't introduce them one at a time, it's entirely possible that the effects you're feeling have nothing to do with the lower BP med dose, but rather, one of the supplements or a combination of supplements that don't go well together.
I had a some funky effects from Taurine and had to stop taking it. I knew it was the Taurine though, because it was the only thing I'd newly introduced. I never start more than one supplement at a time so that I can easily determine not only whether or not it helps, but also, whether or not it's causing any undesirable side-effects. If I started two different supplements together, I wouldn't know which one caused the benefits or the side-effects.
Anyway! Returning to your BP dose - if you felt well at 75mgs, then despite the disappointment of going backwards, I would go back if it were me. I think it might be a good idea to regroup - go back to where you felt well, and after having a few months of feeling well under your belt, you can give the lower dose another try.
It will also aid in determining whether or not it is the lower dose that's causing your side-effects. If, when you return to 75mgs, you still don't feel well after a couple of weeks, then you'll know that it's something else is causing you to feel that way, not the BP dosage.
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I just think like everyone else all doctors want to find something wrong with us. Hey; what did your doctor say about the weaning or how did that go? did they help or did you do this on your own?? Hoping I find some Chinese medicine doctor or something to help me...or maybe a Chiropractor but I know they cant prescribe meds right??
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Well let me start at the beginning.. When I was first put on this drug after doctors first trying 5 other meds on me first. None of them worked and then was put on the M..Now that didn't even work that well so they gave me Lisinopril.. but after I read a lot and lost weight and figured out these drugs don't even work I went on the journey of finding other things... But that took me a year and half because I was still believing in what the doctors were telling me.. well fast forward and decided to find the natural cures if possible so I first started with Olive Leaf, Beet juice and Taurine and Magnesium which were all working pretty well but that was also with the 100 mgs. of Metropolol... but then I wanted to get rid of the lisinopril so I stopped that and started on apple cidar vinegar which worked.. So with the M and the other things the pressure was steady most of the time ...
Some of the herbs I was taking were motherwort but I had been using that here and there for awhile but not all the time...I tried Cayenne but it made my pressure go up and not even sure I could even put that on my food now but I sprinkle some here and there for taste .. I do use lemon essential oils but not sure that would make a difference.
Right now I have added COQ10, LCarnitine, ALA, Vit.D and eggplant water along with the ACV and Taurine, Magnesium, Olive Leaf, Beet juice and I drink lemons with cinnamon which I believe work too........It just seems like a lot to take and do .. and hard to remember it all.
So I don't think I was mixing too much at one time but who knows?? I only just introduced the COQ10, LCarnitine and ALA a few weeks ago..but they don't seem to be bothersome.. I want to try some other herbs but not sure now
Thank you
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I've been lowering my dose for about a year now, and I started off at 50mgs compared to your 100mgs. As I've said, it's a process - the slower, the better.
I personally practice the same (slower is better) when adding a supplement as well. I cut the tablet in half, or if it is in capsule form, I empty out half the capsule and start myself on half of the recommended dose. You really can't go wrong that way.
But, returning to BP meds, I lowered my dose only 12.5 mgs at a time, and I stayed on the lower dose for several months before lowering it again. So, it's taken me a year to go from 50mgs to the 12.5 that I currently take.
If you only started two months ago, then I think it's likely that the side-effects you're experiencing are from dropping the dose too quickly, since you went from 100mgs to 50 in such a short period of time.
Since you've been feeling poorly for a while now, I would really consider a re-boot, returning to the dose you felt good on (which I believe was the 75mgs) then after a few months of feeling better at 75mgs, return to ever-so-slowly lowering it, but allowing yourself 2-3 months to adjust to the lower dose before lowering it again.
I mean, this is what I would do, but I am certainly far from an expert. I consider myself at novice level here at EC, among its many erudite contributors. But the one thing I can say with certainty, is that slower is always better.
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I will do my homework on the items you mentioned for optimal kidney/liver function, and go from there.
Thank you, again!
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I agree with you... I did go from 100 to 75 in about 6 weeks and then I cut to 50 . So I assumed that was a long time but It def. was not enough time... The doctor told me to cut each dose for only two weeks each.. My body and brain thought different but can you imagine? So I am going back to the 75 for awhile like you said.....I have read a bunch of things online how difficult it could be to get off this drug. Some people do it easily, some do not and some are in middle of the road.. It kind of scares me a bit because of the aweful side effects and hoping I can do this.. Going to use my intuition and thank you and also keep learning, reading, investigating..
Oh; So do you think you are done with Western Medicine?? So what has your doctor said about this? any feedback.??
thank you so much
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Anyone know?? I am assuming its more rigorous exercise but thinking what about the bike riding? thank you
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Hope to hear good news from you soon.
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I'm glad that you included the information about using the Borax and BS together, as I am very sodium-sensitive. I am definitely going to give the mineral baths a try, though.
Thank you, again.
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I tried your email but it came back with failure notice. can you post again.mine is mjones0422 at gmail dot com
Anyway; well I went back to 75mgs of Meds but I took 50 in morning and then only lasted to about 9:15 pm for 25 mgs. didn't last through the night. bad night and woke up jittery and all of that.. One day I tried 25mgs. morning, 25 afternoon and 25 at night which is okay but then that might make my body too used to the afternoon dose. how could I go down to 50mgs . on that schedule but I cant seem to make it through the night on the 25 mgs. alone till morning but I guess I have to tough this out or give up.. Its controlling my life and its aweful.
thank you
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I haven't abandoned Western medicine completely. It certainly has its place.
I just don't take their word for everything - particularly when it comes to medications. I do my own research (I am something of a research junkie) and draw my own conclusions based on what the doctor says and what research says.
Like most doctors, my doctor doesn't support going off of BP med's. I found that a bit surprising, since 14 years ago, when I went through early menopause, she recommended Black Cohosh. This was long before my interest in alternative medicine, so I'd never even heard of Black Cohosh back then.
Looking back, I think she was ahead of her time as MD's go, so when she balked about going off of BP med's in favor of a more holistic approach, it surprised me.
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When you were taking the 100mgs per day, was it 50mgs twice a day or 100mgs once a day?
I'm asking so that I can better understand your current division of doses, as I'm having difficulty figuring out why you feel the need to "wait" until a certain time to take them.
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some times trying a natural remedy may make you feel rough for a while. And it can go on for a long time. But you your self must decided when to draw a line under it and all your post seem like your really going through it.
Maybe it's time for a rethink, there's nothing to stop you trying something else and withdrawal off drug's if thats what your doing, should be done in small doses where you taper down at your down comfortable rate.
I had to put mine back to where I felt ok, start again and do it at my rate, others find it easier and some of us got to ease into anything a lot slower than another person.
There are not set rules and if you have to go back up and then taper down slowly, so be it, people taking their self of the same drug as me did it a lot faster.
But I have other issues to consider not just the stopping of the drug and it was too much to cope with both together too fast.
There is no 'one size fit's' all, thats the big problem with the Medical fraternity mob. Give everyone the same drug, the same dose, and tell them they all got the same thing?
You got to work it out by yourself and for your self, whats the right way for yourself. Its your body and your personal health to consider, and two people in 2 different area's given the same diagnoses?
How do you know one or both of you haven't been misdiagnosed? Love Andrea C xxxxx
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thanks for the info..
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That is interesting but looking at my diet and supplements I would be shocked if there was any MSG in anything? My diet is clean and I am very careful to get my supplements at the natural health food stores and I read all the ingredients and investigate but I wouldn't rule this out for sure.. So I will check things.
What I did just find out was the COQ10 I was taking had soy in it so I stopped taking that.. and changed to a COQ10 without soy... I wonder why I forgot to read that label.. I don't even like Dr.Mercola's Ubiquinal because he uses Tilapia fish oil in them. I believe Tilapia Is the worst contaminated fish or that is what I read..
So far the vitamins I take and things are not bothering me except the Niacin . I had that flush thing ..So now I just take a B complex with 50mgs. of Niacin.. See how that goes.
thank you and will check my products.
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Love Andrea C xxxx
Over-methylation
Many persons who suffer from anxiety along with depression are over-methylated. Methyl is an important chemical group consisting of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms (CH3). Over-methylation (too many added methyl groups) results in excessive levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Typical symptoms include chemical and food sensitivities, underachievement, upper body pain, and an adverse reaction to serotonin-enhancing substances such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, St. John's Wort, and SAMe6. They have a physical tendency to be very depressed in folates (a form of folic acid), niacin and Vitamin B-12, and biochemical treatment focuses on supplementation of these nutrients. These persons are also overloaded in copper and methionine (a sulfur-containing amino acid) and supplements of these nutrients must be strictly avoided.
Under-methylation
Many patients with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, "oppositional-defiant disorder7, " or seasonal depression are under-methylated, which is associated with low serotonin levels. They generally exhibit seasonal allergies and other distinctive symptoms and traits. They have a tendency to be very depressed in calcium, magnesium, methionine, and vitamin B-6 with excessive levels of folic acid. These under-methylated persons can have a positive effect from Paxil, Zoloft, and other serotonin-enhancing medications, although nasty side effects are common. A more natural approach is to directly correct the underlying problem using methionine, calcium, magnesium, and B-6. SAMe, St. John's Wort, Kava Kava, and inositol (a natural sugar alcohol) are also very useful in treating these individuals.
From: http://alternativementalhealth.com/articles/pfeiffer.htm
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