Jason, I have done the shots to bring my level up. Sublinguals were what most of my doctors liked, but one doctor suggested the pills. Everyone is different. Just getting the level up is important.

Do you also eat meat?

Hi Sally,

Yes I do eat meat. But I think I don't absorb B12. I'm probably lacking intrinsic factor. The thing that I think did it was years of use of Prilosec OTC, which is a proton pump inhibitor, which can damage those cells. It's really the only thing I can think of, unless I have an autoimmune disease that kills the parietal cells, which I don't know. I had an upper endoscopy a couple weeks ago and from what I gather everything was normal. It's probably just a lack of IF, but as for the cause, I don't know! ;) I guess it almost doesn't even matter why anymore, since there is so much B12 out there and in mega high doses to take (and also shots, etc).

Good since many do not eat meat, makes it hard to get many things you need. I hope you can get the level up soon.:)

Thanks, Sally. :)

Jason, did you get my PM (private message)? In the upper right of the forum when you log in, a PM notice will appear there.
Please reply to it rather than discuss on the forums here.

Please read it. Although, it is a bit late for that now I guess? :confused:

Hi MrsD!

I got your message! I will reply to your private message in just a moment! Thank you for contacting me that way! ;)

Jason :)

Here is a blog written by a doctor who uses high dose methylB12 for autistic patients.

It explains the glutathione issue: His opinion:
http://www.generationrescue.org/dr-j...d-vitamin-b12/

Most people as they age develop LOW glutathione. So the emphasis is on keeping adequate glutathione levels for good health.

Here is a pretty good explanation from Dr. Mercola about glutathione:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...pplements.aspx

The amount of whey in a protein bar is quite low. Whey protein is a provider of amino acids just like a steak would be, only they are in a form that does not require digestion. Poor digestion of protein can come from using acid blocking drugs too much, or not eating animal sourced foods, which have the sulfur rich amino acids in them.

When whey is used by the scoop in smoothies, more is typically consumed that way.

I saw glutathione mentioned in Dr. Jay Cohen's website, in relation to reversing a PN that was caused by Levaquin in one patient. This is an anecdotal report, where the patient received IV glutathione and the PN improved. (PN from antibiotics like Levaquin is thought to be irreversible, but glutathione helped that one patient).

Here is a paper from a pain management seminar that discusses using glutathione (along with other supplements) to treat neuropathy:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...F891DwtcwaL3Aw

Some people don't like NAC, and it can cause itching or burning of the skin in some. Here is a good explanation of NAC and also some of the side effects reported:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...TYL%20CYSTEINE

I think the subject of B12 with glutathione is very complicated and perhaps too biochemical to really understand for most people except biochemists. But I have never seen comments about too much glutathione!

http://www.immune-health-solutions-f...e-effects.html

To illustrate how complicated it can be here is a pathway chart of how glutathione is metabolized and created:
http://www.genome.jp/kegg-bin/show_pathway?map00480

Each box with a number in it represents an enzyme involved.
And there are several pathways involving several amino acids too, glycine, proline, taurine, cysteine, methionine, etc.

Glutathione itself is not well absorbed orally. There are new products out that make a liposomal suspension of glutathione, so it will be absorbed orally, so IV is not necessary. This type of suspension is tiny spheres of glutathione with a phosolipid membrane in nano size dimensions, and this delivers the glutathione to the liver adequately.

Using NAC only provides the cysteine for the complicated pathway in the link I showed you. You can see it is a very small contribution compared to everything else that can happen. And just because you take it, doesn't mean it gets used where YOU want it. The body's chemistry and enzymes determine that.

This is very complex...so go slowly reading and you may have to read several times to get the gist of it all.

Swallowing a sublingual works as well as oral in studies for B12. But you have to do this on an empty stomach for best results.

Dear MrsD, You are a wealth of information. I am a newbie and can't thank you enough for distilling your knowledge of supplementation to all of us. This sticky has been tremendously helpful. I plan to begin using Vitamin B 12 (methylcobalamin) this week on an empty stomach as you suggest. My Armour Thyroid must be taken likewise (90mg). But I can't wait very long after awaking to take my first dose of Gabapentin (1500mg). Can all three of these be swallowed together without comprising their effects?

If you get up in the night? To use the bathroom? You could take the thyroid and B12 then. I am not sure about the gabapentin, except that you should avoid magnesium, calcium and iron with it.

Thank you for your comments. ;)

Thank you, mrsD, for the quick response!! Did you mean I should avoid taking the gabapentin at the same time as those minerals or should I not attempt to supplement with those minerals at all while I am on that anti convulsant?