Interesting article on PN discovery
 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0926112151.htm

Don't know if any of this usable info right now but thought I'd share it. Too late in the day to put any thought into it.

This was helpful. Thank you so much!

I too found this intriguing. Especially:

They tested the effect of boosting citric acid levels in the Lbk1 mutant Schwann cells. This enhanced lipid production and partially reversed myelin sheath formation defects in Lbk1 mutant Schwann cells.

So are they saying the citric acid cycle is not functioning properly and if you correct it, can help restore peripheral nerves? OR maybe boost this process in people with PN? Are they talking about mitochondrial disorders?

The krebs, citric acid cycle is tough to follow for me.

Back in 2007, John had an organic acids profile done so I went back to look at it. And, his citric acid was low. The interpretation on the report stated that "low citric acid may be due to impaired function of the Krebs cycle." I had no idea what to do with that info at the time. There were other suggestion on the report as well that were actionable since they involved nutritional supplements. Back then I tried to get my hands around the Krebs cycle but was not successful. Luckily, much of his overall health has improved but I may need to look into this again.

If anyone can simplify this process, it would be much appreciated.

The chemistry here is daunting.

There is a short explanation of the citric acid cycle in the video
The Bitter Truth, about fructose. Dr. Lustig addresses this in conjunction with alcohol metabolism about 1/2 thru the long YouTube.

This is the Kegg pathway for the citric acid cycle:
http://www.genome.jp/kegg/pathway/map/map00020.html

Each box is an enzyme. So you can see how complex it can get.

I don't really know how they will apply this to humans. But it is a good first step, I guess.

http://www.khanacademy.org/science/b...ric-acid-cycle

Just finished watching this on the Khan Academy. Helps when someone talks you through it. I will take a look at the link you shared too. Thanks.

Shortly after doing this test, John started a supplement for mitochondrial support as well as increased vitamin C and NAC. Made a difference in his strength.

Are tutu oh able to share what he took and the amounts?
Much appreciated.

I will have to go back see if I can pull that together. Probably on Monday though.

The report showed low B5, vitamin C and Glutathione. So he started 500 mg 2/day buffered ascorbic acid for sure. The rest, I'm not sure right now. R-lipoic, Vitamin C and NAC will boost glutathione levels. So he did that versus adding in glutathione as a supplement.

Article on PN Discovery?
 

Don't know if any of this usable info right now but thought I'd share it. Too late in the day to put any thought into it.[/QUOTE]

I have small fiber neuropathy and looked at the site you mentioned. Unfortunately, I really need some layman's explanation of what that all means (and I don't think I'm the only one). Could someone please tell us what this report can mean to those of us with neuropathy and if there is something we can do ourselves to feel better. Thanks. I'm really interested in this!

baba222,

I don't have the specifics on what John took back in 2008. I can tell you that he probably had a high need to boost anti-oxidants levels and work on improving mitochondrial functioning. That was somewhat confirmed by the Organic Acid Test that showed the same. Mrs D has posted a lot on this issue. So that is path we followed at the time.

John had severe iron overload and was on chelation medicine for it. This was going on for 5 years and really effected his health. So he took a vitamin E/mixed tocopherel from Life Extension for the excess iron; An anti-oxidant mix from Thorne Research;Mitochondrial Energy optimizer from Life Extension; CoQ10; Buffered Acsorbic Acid (Vitamin C). He was on other things too but these were the key nutrients he took to boost glutathione and hopefully improve the mitochondrial functioning. He also started on low dose bio-identical testosterone.

John had some very extreme issues that led to rapid nutrient depletion and nerve damage. Much has been reversed but he still has CNS and nerve damage. Through multiple approaches, he has been able to gain back much of what he lost. Good nutrition, exercise, sleep, supplements, herbs, chiropractic, acupuncture, body work, essential oils and the Re-builder unit.

Hope this helps

If you go on the internet and type in the Kreb cycle made easy there are some easier to understand articles. I say easier because the Kreb cycle is never easy to get.

I wish I still had my nursing school notes. I had an easy way of understanding it in then. I had a good professor.

I find this whole topic so interesting and haven't thought about it in a long time.
Thanks for bringing it up Marlene!

Watching the segment on Khan Academy was helpful for me. Don't ask me to explain it though :). It was just one part of a series on cellular respiration.

This is very helpful. I have been reading about mitocrondrial support being important for PN. Is there a thread that includes what to ask for regarding nutritional lab work? I have a new internal med doc I am seeing in Dec. & want to see what my levels are. I've had Ca/ionic Ca, B12, D, but don't know what my other levels are.

Another potential piece to the puzzle
 

I got my Life Extension Magazine yesterday and in it is an article about the benefits of restoring NAD+ as it relates to aging and mitochondrial functioning. I remember seeing references to NAD when I was reading about the Krebs cycle so I figured this may be pertinent to this thread. And those more schooled in this process may be able to make stronger connections on how/if can help nerves.

They state that NAD+ is essential for silencing genes for proteins that accelerate aging like those in inflammation, fat synthesis and storage, and blood sugar management.

LEF has been working to develop a stable supplement since 2001 to increase NAD+ and of course, now have one. It's a specific form of B3, nicotinamide riboside. The article in the magazine is not yet available online but the press release is and link is included here.

http://www.lef.org//News/LefDailyNew...search&key=nad

This supplement is available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NPX...3035228&sr=8-1