^^I'm doing all this already.

Note: My biotin comes from my multi-vitamin. It offers 600 mcg. Is that a good dosage?

Thanks, mrsD.

This is the one I take. I started at two, and now take one mostly, always at night.
http://www.puritan.com/biotin-421/su...000-mcg-029634

This is because I take the R-lipoic acid stabilized during the day.

When these are gone, I'll be doing the 7,500mcg one at night.

I feel better this high dose. There is no upper limit on biotin.(like B12 shares this trait).

I think I posted about this not too long ago.

Mrs. D,
Do you know anyone who has had glutatione transfusion? I'm thinking of looking into it. I believe my mitochondria will improve with my current regimen, but the idea of speeding up the process is intriguing; why not skip 2 years of pain and tingling; if you can.
Regards,
Steven

I knew two people a while back at home here who had IV
cocktails, including glutathione with other vits and minerals.

Both said they felt better.

But since then more and more compounding pharmacy problems are surfacing...so those mixtures which are custom made carry risks like the thing going on today-the contaminated steroid intrathecal injections. You can stimulate glutathione by assuring good zinc intake and trying to use the precursor orally, which is N-A-C --n-acetyl cysteine.

Yes, I use NAC, selenium and zinc. Bringing the level up. Also Liposomal Glutathione.

Oh, Sally, thank you. I forgot about the liposomal Glutathione.

Still not sure it will be absorbed, but probably at least some.

Yes, liposomal gives you a good chance of absorption, not perfect. I just like to cover all bases. Glutathione is SO important for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and everything else.:)

Just wondering about doses for the zinc and the N-A-C. Also, any risks with N-A-C?

Thanks!

Most people have adequate zinc. It might be a good idea to get
a blood test. Some drugs however, deplete zinc, and the ACE inhibitors are the mostly commonly used. Acid blocking drugs also are thought to affect zinc absorption. Vegans may become low in zinc over time, because of the phytate content of vegetables hinders absorption. If you are low in zinc the typical dose would be one OptiZinc a day or every other day.
Zinc is sometimes used to treat hair loss, especially in patients taking anti-seizure drugs.

NAC's most common side effect is a rash that some people get, but not all.

This monograph gives dosing for NAC:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...TYL%20CYSTEINE

As always, thanks for this! It's so great to have a place to discuss this.
Steven

Where do you get the Liposomal Glutathione? I just did a search and found MaxHealth Labs; very expensive; but possibly worth it, if it works. What brand do you recommend?
Thanks,
Steven

I just did some searching. Thorne has a form of sustained release Glutathione which they claim bypasses the gastric destruction. Does this sound plausible?
Here is a quote from their site:

A common mistaken belief is that glutathione is not well absorbed when it's taken orally, but significant data confirms it is efficiently absorbed across the intestinal epithelium by a specific uptake system.*

Glutathione-SR from Thorne Research represents an important breakthrough in glutathione supplementation. Absorption of oral glutathione can be affected by stomach acid or enzymes in the duodenum, which can break glutathione into its amino acid components. However, the sustained-release properties of Thorne Research's Glutathione-SR protect it from stomach acid and digestive enzymes, allowing slower release and a more steady level in the blood of this essential nutrient.*

Like I alluded to .... even with liposomal types, there is no guarantee how much is absorbed. The LongVida Curcumin which is liposomal does not claim 100% absorption either.
Here is the LongVida site-- they use this product in some of the newer studies on curcumin.
http://www.longvida.com/Curcumin-Selected-Data.html

I just found a GABA product that really does work, orally, because of a difference in absorption. It is called PharmaGaba.
It is sort of like a weak Valium. I started using it when our kitten Houdini was lost last May... I was just so upset .... and it really helped me. I could feel when it wore off. I find it helpful for
uncontrollable anxiety.

So you will just have to try one or more to see what you think.
Glutathione has always been difficult orally. (like GABA products).

My doctor wants me to use Livon Labs for Glutathione and Vit C. I use the Vit C if ill.
http://www.livonlabs.com/

Thanks, Sally. I went to their site, and they're evidently re-formulating their GSH product, so it's unavailable for the next few months. I'm going to try Thorne Labs' version in the meantime. Even if I get only a fraction of the glutathione, I feel like I have to do what I can.

Should NAC and biotin be taken on a full or empty stomach? The labels on my newly purchased bottles are vague about this.

Thanks.

There is some thought that NAC should be taken on an empty stomach or avoid protein soon after taking, because there may be a problem absorbing it with amino acids from protein.
I don't know how accurate this is however.

I can't find restrictions about Biotin. This source usually has
details, but not about food etc.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-h-000342.htm

You should space out Biotin and lipoic acid however, because they share a transporter in the body. Take one in the morning
and the other at night. This is not set in stone but I've seen a paper on that sharing transporter information, so if you want your money's worth and good results, space them out.

A Thread of Hope
 

Thanks so very much to everyone contributing to this amazing thread!:D

Some of this was review for me, yet much needed review.
Some of this information is also new and warrants consideration on my part.

I am preparing to go on a brief trip with my spouse. I have not known how I would find the energy to do so. I barely have the energy to get up and walk through my home, etc. I have not known how I would even get the packing for the trip completed. This isn't depression. I wish is was, it would feel more hopeful to me, in some way.

The pain, the flexor and extensor spasticity, the SFN, the inflammatory processes of CNS and PNS, the exhaustion, the .... you name it. (I am told I have overlapping conditions that are autoimmune, inflammatory, including in my CNS and PNS. I am almost 30 years into this now and am truly dragging. I am often needing a crutch or crutches. Yet, I am also sure that many meds prescribed over the years took an additional toll and have added to mitochondrial damage.)

My doctor had just prescribed methylphenidate, yet again, hoping it would help me to get through this trip and would also help me to get some additional medical testing done upon my return; yet, it really doesn't help me. It's never helped me. I keep telling him this, yet he is at a loss of how to truly help. I, too, often reach that point of feeling at a loss, so I tried the methylphenidate once again. No help. Glad I had him only prescribe a few tabs, as they are useless to me.

I really need to work on the mitochondrial energy and intensively so.

I had lost most of my research info on mitochondrial supplementation (also lost all of my supplements) when we'd lost our home in a huge flood approx two years ago. Life became so stressful since, I have not had the extra time and/or energy to look it all up again.

I feel a bit more hopeful about the potential of feeling better, of having some energy, of having a bit more control over my daily life while reading this thread and all of the links, etc.

I had re-started some major supplements today and will adjust and/or add when I return from a trip in 10 days or so. I have done a lot of supplementation for many years. (Had started ubiquinone 25 years ago. Most doctors would not believe me when I'd told them that, at that time in my life, CoQ10 was more helpful to me than anything they had ever prescribed, even though I was seeing Harvard researchers then. They now know better.:winky: I had gradually added supplements and was constantly changing my daily regimen whenever new info came out. I had done this so intensely, for so long, I had kind of burnt out on supplementation it for awhile. It can happen.)

Today, re-started ubiquinol, acetyl-l-carnitine, D-Ribose, N-A-C, DMG and ionic magnesium citrate, methyl B-12. Also added back in fish oils. I have always found DMG very helpful in the heat and also on long flights (jet lag), etc. I need the ionic magnesium right now due to the severity of spams. (I am trying to avoid restarting zanaflex and some other meds. I am chronically on MS Contin for pain and dilaudid for breakthrough pain.)

This updated info is very helpful! Even a thread of hope is important to me right now. I cannot thank each of you enough for the work you have done to put all of this together in a thread! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

If I fail to respond here for 10-12 days, its only because I am away on a trip.

As always, my eternal gratitude to you, MrsD, for all you do to assist others with healing and with helping people to reach their potentials for a high quality of life.:hug:

Thanks again, to each and every participant here, as well.:grouphug:

WIth Sincere Gratitude,
DejaVu

Wishing you a great and pain-free trip!

The MaxHealth Labs Liposomal is top of the line and tastes really good. the Glutathione is a bit tad sulphury... but shoot it with an orange juice.

The B12 is so good i cant even think of stopping to take it...

You need to try it Livon is a bit rough and they stopped the glutathione, thats when i switched, glad i did..

thanks
Jen

Jen, what do you mean, they stopped the Glutathione? I can see it online, it is on backorder. I hope they restock soon.

I think it was on back order in october already.. i use the glutathione and the b12*edit*. The Glut is orange flavored and the b12 is cherry. They both are superior products. If you take B12.. try thier B12 also. Really good stuff. thanks Jen

I see, I will have to call them.

Use a Liposomal GLutathione. *edit*

It does not break down in the digestive system. Actually all vitamins will convert to this system in the next few years.

What about using Pyruvate? Came across this on wiki I think.

Can Mitochondrial damage be tested? What would a person ask for?