Hi all! Haven't been around much lately, so much going on here!
I've been experiencing severe insomnia lately and was wondering about an herbal sleep aid I used to take for insomnia. Does anybody have experience taking Kava Kava? I can't find anything with MG and this herb. Any info will be much appreciated! Thank you
Jessica

I did a web search on kava kava and come up with two interesting pieces of info:

1) risk of serious liver damage: kava kava effects the liver enzymes in such a way that the potency of both it and other drugs already in the body are elevated. While not a lot of tests have been done, one must presume that it will interact with any drug.

2) it has an effect on the central nervous system and it expressly warns for those with Parkinsons.

So while nothing on MG specifically, it may not be a good idea. And if you decide to use it, I would make sure hubby knows and is watching you closely for any negative impact.

I think that the first thing to do is get a B12 test.

When people cannot convert B12 to methyl form in the body, or are not absorbing it properly and it is low for that reason, then you cannot make melatonin from serotonin to help with sleep.

Methylcobalamin is the cofactor for this conversion, and the result would be insomnia.

When tested you want to be at 400 or above (US units) as lab ranges still report lows in the 200-300's as "normal" and they are not.

Taking methyl form if low bypasses the methylation process which may be a DNA mutation in about 10% of people currently.
(some studies are suggesting a higher %, but that is not really proven yet).

So making sure this system is working properly should be the first thing done, as it is correctable and very inexpensive and non-toxic.

I don't know much about what you are asking about, but Meletonin (mostly in the herbal part of the drug stores) helps a lot of people that doesn't have any help issues. I use it... I don't sleep longer but seem to sleep sounder.

good luck

randy

If you are not making your own melatonin, that would signal an error somewhere along the line.

Many people are low in B12 for various reasons. Some of the members here take B12 in fact.

I offer this as a first step to fixing your problem. Taking extra melatonin does not fix low B12 which also impacts the nervous system in many ways.

What you take may not be working as your own melatonin would.

It is up to you. A B12 test is easy to get from doctors.

I should have read this a little closer,... I agree with the B12 check... not sure about anywhere else, but it is not part of a routine blood work and needs to be a "special" request,
low vitamin B12 can also lead to depression. I was on the low side of normal and was able to bring the levels up with just sub-q tabs.

randy

Thanks everyone! I'll be getting myself tested!

In support of what was said above about vitamin B12, I sleep amazingly well since I starting taking Methyl B-12 regularly. Amazing vitamin! Helps me have more energy during the day and sleep better at night.

It is important to understand that doctors will tell you "normal" when you are in the dangerous lower ranges. The labs have not updated their tests. So get the actual numerical result.

Also high readings while taking supplements are not dangerous and will be out of range that way too. Doctors tend to react to anything out of range, but in this case having high B12 actually helps.

More information on my B12 thread. It has a medical link, from 2003 explaining oral supplements and the new cut off of 400. The link there is from the American Association of Family Physicians. It is written for doctors, but is easily understandable for others too.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html

B12 levels need to be high in the blood so that the B12 can move into the spinal cord and brain. Higher levels push this factor. Some studies have been done on MS and fibro patients, and found both have very low B12 in the cerebrospinal fluid.
However, not many studies have been done in total on this aspect. Methylcobalamin has to be in the brain in order for you to make melatonin.

You can use oral (sublinguals as oral) successfully. Just remember to take them on an empty stomach. iherb.com, Swanson's, and Puritan's pride online all have methylcobalamin at very affordable prices.

I started taking Methylcobalamin about a month ago and it seems to be helping my energy levals. I asked my doctor to include B12 in my next bloodwork but I will not be getting the tested until just before my next visit in 2 months.

I started drinking Chamomile Tea to see if it helps me sleep. Have not seen any differance yet (maybe because I forget to drink it regularly) but I am going to be more dligent. It's been reported that the longer you take it the less effective it is. That is if works at all.

Tony