The supplements

Eric supplements

chelation-supplementsNote, I have been taking many of the supplements you see here for a year or more. in most cases I started with smaller quantities and worked my way up. It’s especially important to do that with chelators and methylation supplements. Be careful! Never make decisions about dosing based on what’s easiest – either split capsules or tablets or order the right dose. You can get small increment doses of chelators from Livingnetwork.

I’m trying to reduce the number of supplements I take and anything I’m no longer taking you’ll see in strike-through format. As much as possible, my aim is to use food instead of supplements!

  1. Amino acids
  2. Antioxidants and fatty acids
  3. B vitamins
  4. Chelators, detox etc
  5. Hormonal and pharmaceutical
  6. Herbal & other
  7. Minerals and elements
  8. To try

Amino acids

  • Arginine – 6 g (added 5/24/13) – Arginine plays an important role in cell division, the healing of wounds, removing ammonia from the body, immune function, and the release of hormones. The benefits and functions attributed to oral supplementation of L-arginine include: 1) Precursor for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), 2) Reduces healing time of injuries by stimulating growth hormone release (particularly bone), 3) Quickens repair time of damaged tissue, and 4) Helps decrease blood pressure in clinical hypertensive subjects. Arginine is synthesized from citrulline by the sequential action of the cytosolic enzymes argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL). In terms of energy, this is costly, as the synthesis of each molecule of argininosuccinate requires hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine monophosphate (AMP), i.e., two ATP equivalents. In essence, taking an excess of arginine gives more energy by saving ATPs that can be used elsewhere.
  • Carnitine fumarate – 2 g (added 5/30/13, take 30 min before meals) – Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. In living cells, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the intermembraneous space in the mitochondria, into the mitochondrial matrix during the breakdown of lipids (fats) for the generation of metabolic energy. Your body makes it in the liver and kidneys and stores it in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, and sperm. Usually, your body can make all the carnitine it needs. Some people, however, may not have enough carnitine because their bodies cannot make enough or can’t transport it into tissues so it can be used. Carnitine has been proposed as a treatment for many conditions because it acts as an antioxidant.
  • L-Citrulline – restores nitric oxide production which declines normally with age.
  • Lysine – 2 g (added 5/25/13) – Lysine is important for proper growth, and it plays an essential role in the production of carnitine, a nutrient responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helping to lower cholesterol. Lysine appears to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendon, and cartilage. According to Dr. Cutler, lysine also improves concentration ability and helps stimulate growth hormone release in combination with arginine.
  • Taurine – 500 mg 1 x day – increases the action of insulin, improving glucose tolerance, and acts as an antioxidant, vital for the proper function of the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Taurine regulates heart rhythm, cardiac contraction, blood pressure, and platelet aggregation, and regulates the excitability of neurons. It detoxifies liver cells of various toxins. It helps form bile acids and maintains cell membrane stability. It reduces the synthesis of lipids and cholesterol that are associated with atherosclerosis. Protects against toxicity of various substances (such as lead and cadmium). Additionally, supplementation with taurine has been shown to prevent oxidative stress induced by exercise. In cells, taurine keeps potassium and magnesium inside the cell, while keeping excessive sodium out. In this sense, it works like a diuretic. Make sure you don’t have the CBS upregulation before taking taurine.

Antioxidants and fatty acids

  • Vitamin A, 10,000 IU 2 x day – made from beta-carotene in the liver. Dr. Cutler recommends supplementing on the basis that mercury may be interfering with production of the active form in the liver. Conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A is also inadequate if hypothyroid. May help with skin conditions including psoriasis. Most of the vitamin A varieties I found online come from large fish prone to mercury accumulation. I get one made from Atlantic cod which is lower on the mercury lists. Also listed on Freddd’s methylation protocol and the Pfeiffer treatment center copper detox protocol.
  • Raw Vitamin C – 500mg – gives me insomnia if I’m not careful – supports the adrenal glands and has for years been the one supplement that I can easily feel the benefit from within minutes of taking. I’ve also had intravenous vitamin C up to 50 g and generally believe the miracle-cure stories I’ve read about in The Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C by Dr. Klenner. Vitamin C is on Dr. Cutler’s essential list, companion nutrients for iodine and Freddd’s methylation protocol. Also on the Pfeiffer treatment center copper detox protocol. Many laboratory studies have been done to find out how high-dose vitamin C may cause the death of cancer cells. The anticancer effect of vitamin C in different types of cancer cells involves a chemical reaction that makes hydrogen peroxide, which may kill cancer cells. Vitamin C interacts with iron and other metals to create hydrogen peroxide. In high concentrations, hydrogen peroxide damages the DNA and mitochondria of cancer cells, shuts down their energy supply, and kills them outright. Best of all—and unlike virtually all conventional chemotherapy drugs that destroy cancer cells—it is selectively toxic. No matter how high the concentration, vitamin C does not harm healthy cells.
  • E Complex – 3 x day – According to Dr. Cutler, vitamin E protects the essential fatty acids and your cell membranes which are particularly vulnerable to mercury. Vitamin E is on Dr. Cutler’s essential list and Freddd’s methylation protocol. Also on the Pfeiffer treatment center copper detox protocol. At one point, the NOW variety I use was recommended by Freddd.
  • Evening primrose oil – 500 mg – a source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), and Omega six essential fatty acid, used in the production of prostaglandins for limiting and controlling inflammation allergic response etc (Cutler). Initially, I used Borage oil, but found it gave me an upset stomach, possibly because the gel caps were much larger. The NOW brand comes in small or 500 mg softgels. Evening Primrose oil is apparently good for eczema and detoxes .
  • Cod Liver Oil –  (used to give me insomnia at normal recommended amounts) – Dr. Cutler says Mercury destroys EFA’s and the brain is especially high in EFA’s so therefore especially affected. Low EFAs can affect your energy level – reading this was an epiphany for me. In AI, Cutler only recommends fish oil for the first month or two of supplementation and then says that you will start making EPA and DHA from flax oil after a month or two. Based on the numbers shown here you would be getting much less DHA using Flax than you typically would from fish oil… Omega 3 oil has been shown to improve lymphatic flow and that’s critical for people like me with multiple infections and toxicities! Fish oil is also listed as critical for basic healing on Freddd’s methylation protocol. CLO is a staple of The Root Cause Protocol which I follow as a source of Vitamin A. But I’m rather convinced by Brian Peskin and Dr. Robert Rowen’s take on the matter and have switched over to this EFA supplement.
  • Essential Fatty Acids – 2100 mg – recommended by by Brian Peskin and Dr. Robert Rowen
  • Sunflower Lecithin 1.2 g = 210 mg phosphatidylcholine – taken for its phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine content. I eat eggs for choline too. According to Dr. Cutler “phosphatidylcholine is used to make cell membranes which is the part of the body Mercury beats up the most and is used to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain . . . Phosphatidylserine helps make better brain cell membranes. It is a good antidepressant and brain tonic – much more effective than phosphatidylcholine and lecithin.” Also recommended by Rich Van K as part of his Simplified Methylation Protocol. From NIH: Humans ingest approximately 50 mmol of methyl groups per day; 60% of them are derived from choline. Transmethylation metabolic pathways closely interconnect choline, methionine, methyltetrahydrofolate (methyl-THF) and vitamins B-6 and B-12.

B vitamins

  • B-1 / thiamine – 150 mg benfotiamine – B-1 helps the liver process whatever doesn’t belong in your body. The brain requires a much greater amount of thiamine than in other cells of the body. Of special interest to me is Dr. Cutler’s statement “allows people […] who are very sensitive to choline precursors like DMAE to use more of them.” This has something to do with B-1’s ability to block the M1 acetylcholine receptor. Although I don’t understand what this is all about, my attention is drawn because I don’t tolerate phosphatidylcholine or omega-3 well and I have a touch of MCS. Omega-3 is known to boost acetylcholine levels, so my hypothesis is that it could be an increases in acetylcholine which cause my insomnia. Therefore, maybe vitamin B1 can help me tolerate more fish oil. In any case, in HTI, Dr. Cutler mentions that “arsenic interferes with the utilization of vitamin B1, with the production of acetylcholine and with the transfer of pyruvate into the mitochondria. Reduced thiamine utilization impairs the conversion of food into energy and leads to fatigue, poor healing and impaired thinking.” There’s also a chance that supplementing thiamine may aid cadmium chelation. So for all these reasons, I’m going to keep supplementing vitamin B1 and I’ve decided to switch over to the active form, Benfotiamine and have ordered this. Note, some people have found that high doses (1800 mg) of thiamine can reverse chronic fatigue. NOTE: thiamine is depleted by B-6 and ALA and antagonists include quercetin and rutin. The SLC19A1 gene encodes a transporter involved in folate and thiamine uptake, so anyone with flaws on this gene and potentially other similar genes who takes a lot of folate might find that the folate competes with thiamine causing a deficiency.
  • B-2 / riboflavin – 150 mg – plays a key role in energy metabolism and metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. According to Dr. Cutler, it is absorbed better in divided doses (he recommends 50 to 100 mg total). Seems to be very effective for migraines and is the vitamin that gives B complex preparations their yellow color, and makes your urine florescent yellow. The name “riboflavin” comes from “ribose” (the sugar whose reduced form, ribitol, forms part of its structure) – that caught my eye because I also use D-Ribose before and after exercising on Freddd’s recommendation. May accelerate methylation causing insatiable hypokalemia according to Freddd.
  • B-3 / niacin – 300 mg – reading about niacin is very confusing so you might want to start with something simplistic like the University of Maryland page before moving on to AI or Wikipedia. I take niacin because it is a companion supplement for iodine (says to avoid niacinimide) and I like the fact that it’s involved in DNA repair and adrenal function. It also quenches methylation by using up methyl groups (use regular niacin for this if you get overstimulated on methylation supports). It speeds up phase I metabolism and increases brain circulation. Lowers copper levels too.  It also acts as an antibiotic against Borrelia according to Dr. Klinghardt. Here’s some interesting info about the Niacin flush effect and it’s role in the sauna detox protocol.
  • B-5 / pantethenic acid – 500 mg x 2  – considered the more biologically active form of vitamin B5. Supports the liver and adrenal function. Also used in the synthesis of CoA which plays a role in the Krebs cycle and synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and acetylcholine. Also on the Pfeiffer treatment center copper detox protocol.
  • Pantethine – 450mg x3 – Recommended for anti retroviral support by Dr. Klinghardt.
    And for autoimmune problems, Dr. Atkins states, ” For all conditions that a doctor might prescribe prednisone — allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, and olther autoimmune diseases, pantethine can be safely, effectively substituted. I routinely use it for all of those conditions on hundreds of my patients, and it’s valuable in weaning them off steroidal drugs, or certainly in allowing a lower dose…. By upping body levels of a body enzyme, pantethine counteracts brain fog, certain allergic sensitivities, and some consequences of alcoholism. . . In people with candidiasis, the enzyme fights off a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde, which is thought to cause brain fog, often-suffered but rarely diagnosed…. Acetaldehyde also is suspected of being responsible for some symptoms of alcoholism, including alcoholic heart muscle disease. The pantethine-stimulated enzyme also detoxifies formaldehyde, an all too frequent offender for chemically sensitive individuals.” For Candida, Dr. Cooter and Dr. Schmtt suggest 300 micrograms of Molybdenum in three divided doses per day, and further suggests staying on it for at least 4 months.. Dr. Atkins suggests 450 to 900 miligrams daily of Pantethine with an equal amount of Pantethenic Acid.
  • B-6 – 100 mg (added when hair test showed essential element ratios indicate need for more B6) – According to Dr. Cutler, mercury causes chronic fatigue by interfering with brain uptake of vitamin B-6 and B12. It sits solidly on the methylation map: 1) amino acid metabolism – critical for trans-sulfuration (p5p is a coenzyme needed for the proper function of the enzymes cystathionine synthase and cystathionase which work to transform methionine into cysteine) and transamination including creating serotonin from tryptophan, GABA from glutamate and dopamine from dihyroxyphenylalanine, 2) gluconeogenesis – catalyzes reactions essential for providing amino acids used as substrates for gluconeogenesis, is a required coenzyme of glycogen phosphorylase, the enzyme necessary for breakdown of glycogen to glucose to occur in muscle and liver tissue and 3) lipid metabolism – an essential component of enzymes that facilitate synthesis of sphingolipids which have particular impact on neural tissue and 4) metabolic function – involved in histamine synthesis, hemoglobin synthesis and function and gene expression. Also on the Pfeiffer treatment center copper detox protocol.
  • B-7 / biotin – 10,000 mcg – In HTI, Dr. Cutler notes that biotin opposes the toxic effects of thallium and suggest taking 5 to 10 mg with meals and at bedtime. My urine challenge test showed moderate thallium. Oddly, my hair test showed none. Biotin is a co-enzyme for carboxylase enzymes involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and gluconeogenesis. From the Linus Pauling Institute: “Reductions in blood glucose levels were found in seven insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetics after one week of supplementation with 16,000 mcg of biotin daily (28). Several mechanisms could explain a possible blood glucose-lowering effect of biotin. As a cofactor of enzymes required for fatty acid synthesis, biotin may increase the utilization of glucose for fat synthesis. Biotin has been found to stimulate glucokinase, a liver enzyme that increases synthesis of glycogen, the storage form of glucose. Biotin has also been found to stimulate the secretion of insulin in the pancreas of rats, which also has the effect of lowering blood glucose (29).” It is also almost universally recommended supplement for Candida, but perhaps mistakenly so.
  • B-9 / folate – 7.5 mg – folate plays a significant role in the methylation cycle, and in AI, Dr. Cutler recommends 1.6 to 10 mg saying that “folate is generally safe and helpful and most people benefit from 3 mg per day”. I use the active form from NOW because some people don’t convert well from folic acid. As one FDC member put it “I wasted years of better health by not trying methylfolate sooner when I had the chance. When a doctor suggested I try Folapro several years ago, I dismissed it as a fad and erroneously thought that I was fine taking 2400 mcg of regular folate a day.” One of the functions of methylfolate is to increase absorption and retention in the body of both adb12 and mb12. Best if taken twice a day. Note, that many people are very sensitive to folate and can have strong start up reactions which may include anxiety, jitters, lightheadedness, fatigue, headache etc. May deplete vitamin B-1 (see B-1 above).
  • B-12 / methylcobalamin – 2.5 mg (when I reached 5 mg with 3.2 mg folate the first time around, I had a strong reaction, so I’m titrating up again from a much lower starting point) – also called cobalamin, plays a key role in the methylation cycle and normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and the formation of blood. It is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. B12 deficiency symptoms are wide ranging and serious enough to destroy your life but healing begins within minutes of supplementing. Best taken sublingually under the upper lip several times a day (brand matters with this one – I’m using Enzymatic Therapy and Jarrow is okay too).
  • B-12 / dibencozide – 2 mg – one of the active forms of vitamin B12, also known as cobamamide, adenosylcobalamin or adb12, it generally has much milder and fewer startup reactions. Said to populate the neural mitochondria, energizing the central nervous system in a very pleasant way, improving mood and clarity of thought. Forms part of the Krebs cycle for production of energy. Best taken once a day early in the morning to avoid interference with sleep.

Chelators, detox etc

  • IP6 – Phytic acid—also called inositol hexaphosphate, or IP6—is comprised of six phosphorus molecules and one molecule of inositol. In foods, phytic acid binds to iron and other minerals in the digestive tract and may interfere with mineral absorption. As a purified extract of rice bran, taken between meals so it will not bind to minerals in the digestive tract, phytic acid is readily absorbed into the bloodstream, where it acts as a potent mineral chelator. Phytic acid binds to any free iron or other minerals (even heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium) in the blood, which are then eliminated through the kidneys. Phytic acid removes only excess or unbound minerals, not mineral ions already attached to proteins. Phytic acid is such a potent—but safe—iron and mineral chelator that it may someday replace intravenous chelation therapy such as the mineral-chelator EDTA or iron-binding drugs such as desferrioxamine (Desferal). Because of its ability to bind to iron and block iron-driven hydroxyl radical generation (water-based) as well as suppress lipid peroxidation (fat-based), phytic acid has been used successfully as an antioxidant food preservative.
  • Kelp – from New Zealand as a substitute for Iodine – I sprinkle it on salads.
  • lactoferrin-reviewLactoferrin – Lactoferrin’s primary role is to sequester free iron, and in doing so remove essential substrate required for bacterial growth. Antibacterial action of lactoferrin is also explained by the presence of specific receptors on the cell surface of microorganisms. Lactoferrin binds to lipopolysaccharide of bacterial walls, and the oxidized iron part of the lactoferrin oxidizes bacteria via formation of peroxides. This affects the membrane permeability and results in the cell breakdown (lysis).An iron-binding protein analogous to the iron transporter transferrin; it binds and sequesters iron in areas outside of the bloodstream such as the mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive tissues (Jiang 2011). It is present at high concentrations in milk, and is secreted by immune cells (neutrophils) as an antibacterial compound at sites of infection or inflammation (Paesano 2009; Brock 2012).Each lactoferrin molecule can reversibly bind two ions of iron, zinc, copper or other metals. It is demonstrated that lactoferrin is involved not only in the transport of iron, zinc and copper, but also in the regulation of their intake. Presence of loose ions of zinc and copper does not affect the iron binding ability of lactoferrin, and might even increase it.
  • Rutin – 500 mg – Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid (Kono 1998), quercetin, rutin, chrysin (Guo 2007), punicalagins (from pomegranate) (Kulkarni 2007), and proanthocyanidins (from cranberry) have been shown to bind iron in vitro (Lin 2011). In an in vitro binding study of 26 flavonoids (a type of polyphenol) isolated from a variety of sources (including tea catechins, hesperidin, naringenin, and diosmin), several were nearly as effective as desferoxamine at chelating ferrous iron when supplied at a 10:1 flavonoid/iron ratio.
  • Rice Bran – a natural iron chelator to complement or substitute for IP6.
  • Charcoal – I use activated charcoal to diminish detox symptoms and during my peak Candida detox took 60 g a day for abougt two weeks. Activated charcoal has an advantage over other gut decontamination methods because it can “catch up” to substances that have moved beyond the pylorus into the small intestine. It can bind up to 60% of a toxin when given within 30 to 60 minutes after the ingestion. Even when certain toxins have been absorbed into the bloodstream, multiple doses of activated charcoal, sometimes called “gut dialysis,” can help increase their elimination. An adult may receive 12.5 grams/hour of activated charcoal until his drug levels reach nontoxic levels, typically within 24 hours. The drug is eliminated through a process of back diffusion from the mesenteric capillaries across the GI epithelium into the GI tract, where it’s adsorbed to the charcoal. Activated charcoal has the ability to attach (adsorb) cholesterol and bile acids present in the intestine, preventing their absorption. Many people use bentonite clay for this purpose, but I’ve always been hesitant to take clay because of its aluminum content and tendency to constipate.
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) – 1,500 mg – recommended by Dr. Cutler in the 500 to 4,000 mg range for raising blood glutathione. He says that people who are sensitive to paint fumes exhaust or the preservatives BHT, BHA, and TBHQ and other hydrocarbons are most likely to benefit. NAC is a slightly modified version of the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. When taken internally, NAC replenishes intracellular levels of the natural antioxidant glutathione (GSH, often deficient with advancing age and in chronic illness), helping to restore cells’ ability to fight damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS). NAC also regulates expression of scores of genes in the pathways that link oxidative stress to inflammation. These dual effects give NAC a unique role in the prevention and treatment of many common diseases, both acute and chronic. NAC can protect against avian influenza and more common seasonal flu symptoms. NAC protects tissues from the effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress, adding value and safety to your workout. NAC improves insulin sensitivity in people with some of the most difficult-to-treat metabolic disorders. NAC blocks cancer development at virtually every step in the process, and through multiple mechanisms, making it an important cancer chemopreventive agent. One of those mechanisms involves copper and may explain why NAC may help reduce copper toxicity.
  • S acetyl glutathione – 300 mg – this form is as effective or more so than liposomal glutathione – the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more, and necessary to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. Called the mother of all antioxidants. The good news is that your body produces its own glutathione. The bad news is that toxins from poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all deplete your glutathione. If you’re like me, you’ll need to work up to this amount slowly.
  • ALA (alpha lipoic acid) – binds mercury like DMSA but also has the advantage of crossing the blood brain barrier to chelate mercury from your brain (and internal organs). According to Dr. Cutler, the effectiveness of ALA with lead is unknown but may possibly remove it from the brain along with mercury. Increases liver secretion of bile, darkening and loosening stools. Like DMSA, it must be taken every 3 to 4 hours (including night doses ) for minimum of three days at a time. Also useful for chelating antimony, arsenic, palladium, platinum, thallium and possibly cadmium, tungsten, lead and silver. Apart from its properties as a chelator, Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is made by the body and is found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy (reactions involving two key enzyme complexes of the Krebs Cycle require ALA as a cofactor). Other antioxidants work only in water (such as vitamin C) or fatty tissues (such as vitamin E), but alpha-lipoic acid is both fat- and water-soluble. That means it can work throughout the body. You can expect Lipoic Acid to exacerbate the following symptoms: increased urine volume, obsessive thinking, emotional volatility, difficulty relating to people, and apathy. Your liver will excrete more inorganic mercury but less methylmercury, copper, zinc and cadmium. ALA is listed on Freddd’s methylation protocol as a possibly critical show-stopper cofactor. May deplete vitamin B-1 (see B-1 above).
  • DMPS – 3.125 mg x 3 – dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid is an extracellular chelating agent that cannot enter cells but binds with heavy metals in fluids surrounding cells and in the blood. It also can’t cross the blood brain barrier. Its primary use seems to be in mopping up the mercury that is freed by the use of ALA. Dr. Cutler says it suppresses symptoms very well and recommends using on an eight hour schedule which makes it much easier to use than DMSA. According to Dr. Cutler, orally administered DMPS relieves symptoms more promptly and completely than DMSA and is often tolerated better. He says too that DMPS increases the excretion of mercury in the urine but not in the feces. As for the metals DMPS will chelate, there is some disagreement between author David Hammond who recommends it for removing mercury, arsenic, lead, antimony and copper, and Dr. Cutler who calls it a chelator for mercury and arsenic.
  • DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) – binds lead and mercury to remove it from your body (but does not cross the blood brain barrier). With a half-life of 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours it should be taken at least every four hours (including night doses) for at least three days at a time. May aggravate or cause neutropenia according to Dr. Cutler. Causes heavy oxidative stress, so very important to take antioxidants while chelating. Also effective for chelating antimony, bismuth, cadmium, thallium, and possibly nickel, tungsten, palladium, platinum, silver, gold and arsenic.

Hormonal & Pharmaceutical

  • Hydrocortisone – I’m down to 10 mg from 30. Discovered this is a key risk factor for Candida infection as HC feeds it.
  • Fenbendazole – 150 mg – fenben is a broad spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used against gastrointestinal parasites including: giardia, roundworms,hookworms, whipworms, the Taenia genus of tapeworms(but not effective against Dipylidium caninum, a common dog tapeworm), pinworms, aelurostrongylus,paragonimiasis, strongyles and strongyloides and can be administered to sheep, cattle, horses, fish, dogs, cats,rabbits and seals. In theory, via FtsZ binding, may also disrupt ecoli, lyme, malaria, toxoplasmosis, fungi, virus, syphilis etc.
  • DHEA – 15 mg – the most common hormone precursor in the body, is intimately associated with youthful and healthy functioning across a range of physiological systems. Used for slowing or reversing aging, improving thinking skills in older people, and slowing the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Athletes and other people use DHEA to increase muscle mass, strength, and energy. But DHEA use is banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). DHEA is also used by men for erectile dysfunction (ED), and by healthy women and women who have low levels of certain hormones to improve well-being and sexuality. Some people try DHEA to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), weak bones (osteoporosis), multiple sclerosis (MS), low levels of steroid hormones (Addison’s disease), depression, schizophrenia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. It is also used for preventing heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
  • Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) – 4.5 mg – an opiate antagonist, Naltrexone was approved by the FDA (at a 50mg dosage) in 1984 for opiate addiction, and again in 1995 for alcohol abuse. At a much lower dose (1.75-4.5mg), it has been gaining popularity as a treatment for symptoms of auto-immune disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis. It is believed that LDN briefly obstructs the effects of brain endorphins (the brain’s natural painkillers). Sensing an endorphin deficit, the pituitary signals for increased production of endorphins, which re-balances the immune system, thus reducing the activity of the MS. The effect lasts around 18 hours.
  • Vitamin D – 6,000 IU – Vitamin D, also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, is a steroid hormone precursor. It was originally thought to play a role only in the mineralization of bones and teeth by maintaining the correct phosphorous/calcium ratio. But over time research has linked low vitamin D levels with obesity, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis and cancer. According to the CDC, in 2006 a whopping one fourth of the population was deficient in vitamin D. Gave me migraines for a long time – possibly due to intestinal die-off. Stopped taking it after reading Morley Robbins’ vit D warnings and eventually restarted after seeing that my ceruloplasmin did not drop. I also sunbathe.
  • Pregnenolone – 10 mg – improves energy, vision, memory, clarity of thinking, wellbeing.
  • T3 (cynomel/cytomel) – 6.25 mg

Herbal and other

  • Black cumin seed oil (read the reviews!) – 6.9 g – an antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, its extract Thymoquinone and other components of Nigella Sativa may be neuroprotective, have antioxidant effects and protect against heart, liver and kidney damage as well as having possible anti-cancer effects.
  • CoQ10 – 300 mg – The synthesis of CoQ10 in the body requires methylation (this also accounts for deficits in a variety of other important substances, including carnitine, choline, and creatine). This oil-soluble, vitamin-like substance is present in most eukaryotic cells, primarily in the mitochondria. It is a component of the electron transport chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, functioning in every cell of the body to synthesize energy in the form of ATP. Ninety-five percent of the human body’s energy is generated this way. Therefore, those organs with the highest energy requirements—such as the heart, liver and kidney—have the highest CoQ10 concentrations. Meat and fish are the richest source of dietary CoQ10 and levels over 50 mg/kg can be found in beef, pork, and chicken heart, and in chicken liver. Dairy products are much poorer sources of CoQ10 compared to animal tissues. Vegetable oils are also quite rich in CoQ10. Broccoli, grape, and cauliflower are modest sources of CoQ10. Most fruit and berries represent a poor to very poor source of CoQ10, with the exception of avocado, with a relatively high CoQ10 content. If you take either form of Q10, some of it is readily converted to the other form to maintain this condition of equilibrium. The reason I call the older form of this nutrient energy-Q10 is because it is the form of Q10 that is used in your mitochondria3 to make energy. Not surprisingly, this rather simple and important fact is omitted by those trying to push the more expensive version. Furthermore, this energy-Q10 is turning out to be a major cell communication regulation molecule, as it has been shown to significantly activate over 694 different genes4! This includes the reduction of the primary inflammatory gene signal, NF-kappaB 5. The energy-Q10 form also enables you to activate uncoupling proteins6 when you exercise, increasing the amount of fat you can burn off. Hardly an inferior substance.
  • Curcumin – 1000 mg – the primary agent in turmeric, the main spice in curry, is arguably the most powerful herb on the planet at fighting and potentially reversing disease. It has so many healing properties that currently there have been 6,235 peer-reviewed articles published proving the benefits of turmeric and one of its renowned healing compounds curcumin. This puts turmeric on top of the list as one of the most frequently mentioned medicinal herbs in all of science and the next most popular studied herbs include garlic, cinnamon, ginseng, ginger and milk thistle. Of the 6000+ studies referencing curcumin, the most interesting finding is that when turmeric is compared to conventional medicine its benefits equal that of many pharmaceutical medications. My doctor asked me to take it for its anti-inflammatory properties for 30 days prior to starting Cholestryamine. I’ve since read that it’s also helpful in reversing leaky gut. If you have mercury toxicity, you should know that it is a thiol and may stir up your mercury causing you to feel ill.
  • D-Ribose – 5 g – D-ribose is a simple sugar molecule with a wealth of functions in human and animal biology. Perhaps its most fundamental role is as a component of ATP, the universal energy carrier in the body’s cells. ATP molecules store energy as they are built up and release it as they are broken down—the more energy a cell requires, the more ATP it consumes. In fact, humans “burn” an amount of ATP equivalent to their own body weight every day! Every single process undergone by living cells requires energy—even at rest, we are continually breaking down ATP molecules. And that means that we have a constant need for the components of ATP molecules, including D-ribose. Cells can make new supplies of D-ribose, but the process is considerably slower than the breakdown of ATP—this can leave a substantial “deficit” in the amount of energy a cell can utilize. In fact, it has been shown that even an overnight rest period is not long enough for a person to recover their normal ATP levels after a bout of strenuous exercise. When cells don’t have enough D-ribose to restore ATP levels quickly back to normal, they turn to alternate energy-generating processes. These are less efficient and produce much higher levels of damaging waste products that cause muscle burning and cramping and that can also inflict long-term damage through the oxidant stress they induce in muscle and heart tissues, leading to further dysfunction, injury, and pain. Fortunately, research is demonstrating that ATP levels can be speedily brought back to normal if sufficient D-ribose is available. Starting dose for people with fibromyalgia – 15 to 30 g per day. According to Freddd, D-Ribose “enhances adenosylb12, l-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, improves exercise recovery and energy.”
  • Kidney cleansing herbs – I use Dr. Christopher’s and hydrangea once a year or less.
  • Milk thistle – 3 caps (for liver support)
  • Monolaurin (read the reviews!) – 5.4 g – first on Dr. Ettinger’s biofilm protocol for lyme and gut, monolaurin is a non-ionic surfactant¹, which possesses an even greater anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity than its precursor, lauric acid. Monolaurin, when given orally, at therapeutic doses between 2,500 – 4,500 mg/day is generally well tolerated, with loose bowels as the only negative concern. Monolaurin has been studied at medical research centers, including the Center for Disease Control (CDC), because of its high antimicrobial (anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-protozoal) activity. These studies have provided information about the anti-viral and anti-bacterial mechanisms of monolaurin. Monolaurin was found to be effective against certain Lipid Coated Bacteria (LCBs) and Lipid Coated Viruses (LCVs) – enveloped DNA and RNA viruses. Studies have shown that monolaurin is able to remove all measurable infectivity by directly disintegrating the protective bacterial and viral lipid envelop. Binding of monolaurin to the viral envelop also makes the virus more susceptible to degradation by host defenses, heat, or ultraviolet light.
  • Probiotics – sometimes as much as 100 billion CFUs or more – divided with meals – Saccharomyces Boulardi, Megaspore and others
  • Reishi – 1 capsule, immune support often recommended for Canidida infection
  • Tempol – 150 mg – a superoxide dismutase mimetic that belongs to a class of non-thiol-containing radiation protectors, and has the ability to permeate the membrane. Read more here, check out the patent or learn the chemistry.
  • Vitamin K complex – 1 mg (mk-7 for low calcium) – Your body needs vitamin K for two important reasons; to help wounds heal properly, by making sure your blood clots, and to keep your bones strong and healthy. There is also some research which shows that vitamin K may help to protect against developing conditions like heart disease, prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin K is important in making sure that the calcium you get from foods or supplements is used in your bones. Vitamin D and vitamin K work together to strengthen your bones and to help them develop properly. There are two main types of vitamin K: Vitamin K1, which comes from leafy green vegetables like kale, chard and spinach. Vitamin K2, which comes from meats (organ meats in particular, such as liver), eggs, insects and hard cheeses. This type of vitamin K2 is called MK-4. There is also a different kind of vitamin K2, called MK-7, which comes from natto.
  • PQQ – 20 mg – has been shown to induce mitochondrial biogenesis. While CoQ10 optimizes mitochondrial function, PQQ activates genes that govern mitochondrial reproduction, protection, and repair. PQQ also affords potent cardioprotection and defense against neuronal (brain) degeneration. Published studies show that 20 mg of PQQ plus 300 mg of CoQ10 may reverse age-related cognitive decline in aging humans.
  • Quercetin (bioflavinoid complex) – 1 cap – belongs to a group of plant pigments called flavonoids that give many fruits, flowers, and vegetables their color. Flavonoids, such as quercetin, are antioxidants. Quercetin acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, and may help protect against heart disease and cancer. Quercetin can also help stabilize the cells that release histamine in the body and thereby have an anti-inflammatory effect. Both animal and human data suggest quercetin stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis. In the most recent study, published in February 2010, the Boone group used quercetin alone, but not in athletes. Instead they conducted their trial with untrained individuals. Even without the addition of green tea and fish oil, they reported a distinct benefit. In this study, 26 adult males took quercetin (1,000 mg/day) or a placebo. They were given 12-minute time trials on treadmills. Those taking quercetin went almost 3% farther during their 2nd time trial, while those taking placebo actually went about 1% less than their initial distance on their 2nd attempt. Some of the studies about quercetin’s effect on exercise performance have paid particular attention to the effect on mitochondria and suggest a novel clinical use: increasing mitochondrial function within cells. If this proves true, then quercetin may not only be useful to increase performance, but also potentially to treat fatigue of mitochondrial origin.
  • Trimethyglycine (TMG) – 1,000 mg (methylation support, protects liver cells from toxins, may increase alertness and mood)
  • S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) – 800 mg- is a naturally occurring compound that is found in almost every tissue and fluid in the body. It is involved in many important processes. SAMe plays a role in the immune system, maintains cell membranes, and helps produce and break down brain chemicals, such as serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. It works with vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9). Being deficient in either vitamin B12 or folate may reduce levels of SAMe in your body. Numerous scientific studies have shown that SAMe helps relieve the pain of osteoarthritis, and other studies suggest that SAMe may help treat depression. Researchers have also examined SAMe’s use in the treatment of fibromyalgia and liver disease, with mixed results. SAMe has been on Life Extension’s TOP TEN list (for 15+ years) of the most important steps to take to ensure optimal longevity. SAMe has been recommended to aging individuals not to just feel better, but also to protect the brain, liver, joints, and other tissues of the body like no other substance.

Minerals and elements

  • Adrenal Cocktail – Capsules with Whole-Food Vitamin C, Potassium, and Redmon’s Real Salt.
  • Boron chelate – 6 mg – vitally involved in bone metabolism. Boron is distributed throughout the body with the highest concentration in the parathyroid glands, followed by bones and dental enamel. It is essential for healthy bone and joint function, regulating the absorption and metabolism of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus through its influence on the parathyroid glands. A borax supplement will reduce the daily loss of calcium by nearly 50%. Boron is for the parathyroids what iodine is for the thyroid. Enhances Vitamin D, inhibits enzymes that mediate the inflammatory cascade and are pertinent to therapies directed against inflammatory conditions, appears to play a significant role in human brain function and cognitive performance, and that it is an essential nutrient. Boron elevates circulation of serum concentrations of testosterone. Signs of possible deficiency include ADD/ADHD, osteoporosis, arthritis, fatigue, decreased motor function, decreased short-term memory, decreased brain function, and increased loss of calcium and magnesium in the urine. Reacts with Fluorine, Bromine and Chlorine as per Dr. Orlee. Non Toxic: Doses up to 18 mg of boron daily appear to be safe for adults even if taken for prolonged periods of time. An excellent fungicide it is being successfully used to treat Candida. With low to medium­ weight people use 1/8 teaspoon of borax powder and with heavier weight 1/4 teaspoon per litre of water. One drinks the water spaced out during the day, and does this 4 or 5 days a week as long as required. Listed peripherally on companion nutrients for iodine page.
  • Calcium – 65 mg (as calcium ascorbate, 55 mg per capsule) – In AI, Dr. Cutler says “mercury and other heavy metal toxins (including methylmercury) interfere with calcium metabolism.” and he recommends 500 mg per day.
  • Chromium polynicotinate – 1,200 mcg – in some studies chromium supplementation has been shown to improve some measure of glucose utilization. Blood sugar metabolism is often deranged by mercury and Dr. Cutler recommends 200 mcg with every meal plus some extra for 1000 mcg a day.
  • Iodine – 50 mg Iodoral (keep away from Vit C) – I was clearly deficient in iodine before titrating up as evidenced by the rise in my body temperature. The Weston Price Foundation discusses iodine with this preface: Iodine is critical to human health, forming the basis of thyroid hormones and playing many other roles in human biochemistry. While the thyroid gland contains the body’s highest concentration of iodine, the salivary glands, brain, cerebrospinal fluid, gastric mucosea, breasts, ovaries and a part of the eye also concentrate iodine. In the brain, iodine is found in the choroid plexus, the area on the ventricles of the brain where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced, and in the substantia nigra, an area associated with Parkinson’s disease.
  • Lithium orotate – 5 mg per week – lithium deficiency is commonly found with mercury toxicity and my hair test shows a good example. Small amounts of lithium have been found useful for improving mood, and lithium is known to function in iodine management and as a neuroprotective agent. Some find it causes a touch of brain fog and take it at bedtime for that reason (dosing discussion here).
  • Magnesium malate – 1200 mg (malate might chelate aluminum) – Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
  • Magnesium threonate – use just occasionally for headache – scientists have been challenged to find a way to raise magnesium levels in the brain. Even intravenous infusions cause only a modest elevation of magnesium levels in the central nervous system. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently found a way to surmount this obstacle. They formulated a new magnesium compound called magnesium-L-threonate or MgT that in lab tests allows for oral administration while maximizing magnesium “loading” into the brain. Based on prior research, they meticulously documented that increased levels of magnesium in the brain promote synaptic density and plasticity in the hippocampus. Up until now, however, no widely available forms of magnesium met the criteria needed for rapid absorption and efficient transfer into the central nervous system. By contrast, MgT yielded compelling results. MgT oral supplements increased magnesium levels in spinal fluid, an index of measurement in brain magnesium by about 15%, while none of the other magnesium compounds tested produced significant elevations.8 While a 15% increase may not sound like a lot, it induced a profound effect on neurological function. MGT has been shown to enhance memory and cognitive performance in multiple tests and anecdotally to improve sleep.
  • Manganese – about 100 mg (if I take less, my RBC Mn goes low in labwork, and if I take none, Mn becomes undetectable by the lab) – Manganese is a trace mineral that is present in tiny amounts in the body. Consuming more than 11 mg per day of manganese could cause serious and harmful side effects. It is found mostly in bones, the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessary for normal brain and nerve function. Manganese is a component of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps fight free radicals. Free radicals occur naturally in the body but can damage cell membranes and DNA. They may play a role in aging, as well as the development of a number of health conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants, such as SOD, can help neutralize free radicals and reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. Low levels of manganese in the body can contribute to infertility, bone malformation, weakness, and seizures. I have my RBC level checked monthly.
  • Molybdenum – 300 mcg – according to Dr. Cutler, molybdenum is a cofactor for three enzymes often impaired in mercury toxicity. The biological form of the molybdenum atom is an organic molecule known as the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) present in the active site of Moco-containing enzymes (molybdoenzymes). In humans, molybdenum is known to function as a cofactor for four enzymes: 1- Sulfite oxidase (known to be crucial for human health) catalyzes the transformation of sulfite to sulfate, a reaction that is necessary for the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine). 2- Xanthine oxidase catalyzes the breakdown of nucleotides (precursors to DNA and RNA) to form uric acid, which contributes to the plasma antioxidant capacity of the blood. 3- Aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase catalyze hydroxylation reactions that involve a number of different molecules with similar chemical structures. Xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase also play a role in the metabolism of drugs and toxins. 4- Mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC) was described only recently, and its precise function is under investigation. Initial studies showed that mARC forms a three-component enzyme system with cytochrome b5 and NADH cytochrome b5 reductase that catalyzes the detoxification of mutagenic N-hydroxylated bases. Dr. Cooter writes: Within days of taking 100 mcg of molybdenum three times a day, I could feel the poisons from candida garbage transforming themselves into heat and energy. Where I had experienced pain in my neck and shoulders, I felt warmth. A stiff back that felt like a wall of steel was transformed into copious sweat. My muscles relaxed and were pain free. At the same time, the person I was who found it difficult to get out of bed, became someone who needed 4 to 8 hours of sleep rather than 10 or 12. Where I had been confined within a prison of fatigue, the fatigue was translated into an open expanse of energy and possibility. An intellectual fog that had filled my head for years scattered itself the first day I took molybdenum. I had lived with an intellectual hangover for so long, I had no idea what it was like to experience full mental clarity. Dr. Cooter subsequently organized an informal study and found 2/3 of the participants had positive results (study measured chronic fatigue, weakness, joint pain, muscle pain, mental concentration, memory, depression and insomnia).
  • Potassium gluconate – 1000 mg – listed on Freddd’s methylation protocol as an absolutely critical supplement for basic healing to insure against hypokalemia (potentially fatal) triggered by sudden healing. I have taken as much is 5.3 g per day. Symptoms include weakness, lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, an irregular heartbeat, and an abnormal EKG. Hypokalemia is usually caused by the body losing too much potassium in the urine or intestines; it’s rarely caused by a lack of potassium in the diet. Potassium is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function. Many foods contain potassium, including all meats, some types of fish (such as salmon, cod, and flounder), and many fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Dairy products are also good sources of potassium. Side effects can include diarrhea, stomach irritation, and nausea. At higher doses, muscle weakness, slowed heart rate, and abnormal heart rhythm may occur. Contact your health care provider if you develop severe stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or other symptoms.
  • Selenium – 200 mcg x 2 – Dr. Cutler notes that selenium binds mercury tightly making less available for its other important roles. Toxicity can occur at fairly low doses so watch out for side effects like heart arrhythmias, insomnia and irritability. At the beginning of the 1990s it was discovered that the deiodinase enzymes which convert T4 (thyroxin, the thyroid prohormone) into T3 (triiodothyronine, the cellularly active hormone) are selenium enzymes (formed with the amino acid cysteine). This discovery has led to a lot of research studies on the effects of selenium, iodine, and their interactions revealing that selenium protects the thyroid from sustaining damage which can lead ultimately to cancer. Selenium also performs other important roles in the body – the most important of which is probably its role as the body’s best antioxidant (anti-peroxidant). It performs this role as part of glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx or GPX). As part of GPX, selenium prevents lipids and fats from being peroxidized (oxidized), which literally means that it prevents fats from going rancid (this can be seen on your skin as “age spots” or “liver spots” (autopsies show that skin “liver spots” are accompanied by similar spots of peroxidized fats in the liver.) Therefore selenium protects all of the cellular membranes, which are made up of fats, from peroxidation. Peroxidation of cellular membranes reduces the ability of the membrane to pass nutrients including minerals and vitamins, so selenium deficiency is the first step toward developing the many problems caused by nutrient deficiencies. Part of Dr. Klinghardt’s anti-retroviral recommendations.
  • Strontium citrate – 340 mg – for osteoporosis, on off-round days only – Strontium ranelate is registered as a prescription drug in more than 70 countries for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis to reduce the risk of vertebral and hip fractures. In the United States, Strontium Ranelate is not approved by the FDA. I use strontium citrate which does not have a Wikipedia page yet but if you search online you will find lots of testimonials from people who’ve used it successfully to restore their bone density.
  • Vanadium sulfate – 10 mg (at breakfast) – improves insulin sensitivity and benefits may endure after use of vanadium sulfate is discontinued.
  • Zinc – 30 mg – according to Dr. Cutler, zinc is competitive with mercury and copper thereby diminishing some of their toxic effects – another way of saying this is that mercury can bind zinc and selenium, making them useless in the body and preventing them from doing their jobs. He also notes that zinc should be reduced from 100 to 50 mg after you start chelation with Lipoic Acid. Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.

To try

  1. Dr.Shades Etheric EDTA/ R-ALA formula
  2. ClearWay Co-Factors
  3. Sulbutiamine
  4. glutamine – helps keep the brain functioning according to Cutler and used by the liver to make blood sugar. It’s one of the amino acids in glutathione and best used (Dr. Cutler again) by taking four parts NAC, to two parts glutamine, to one part glycine between meals. confusing because Fred says to avoid all the glutathione precursors. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid (building block of protein) in the body. The body can make enough glutamine for its regular needs, but under extreme stress (the kind you would experience after very heavy exercise or an injury), your body may need more glutamine than it can make. Most glutamine is stored in muscles followed by the lungs, where much of the glutamine is made. Glutamine is important for removing excess ammonia (a common waste product in the body). It also helps your immune system function and appears to be needed for normal brain function and digestion. Glutamine plays a role in a variety of biochemical functions: 1- protein synthesis, as any other of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids, 2- regulation of acid-base balance in the kidney by producing ammonium, 3- cellular energy, as a source, next to glucose, 4- nitrogen donation for many anabolic processes, including the synthesis of purines, 5- carbon donation, as a source, refilling the citric acid cycle, and 6- nontoxic transporter of ammonia in the blood circulation.
  5. glycine – Glycine is an amino acid and neurotransmitter that serves both stimulatory and depressant roles in the brain. Three grams 1 hour before bedtime may improve sleep quality. Tastes like sugar. Per Cutler: an amino acid that aids in healing the digestive tract and boosting glutathione.

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