Methylation Cycle and The P450 Systems

[mariovitali]

@Jonson

what do you think about methylation regimen + pregnenolone and maybe progesterone.
that could be interesting.

I tried pregnenolone for just one day. I did not have any side effects from it but then i thought that this should be a last resort. I’d prefer to find a way for my body to create the PREG it needs. In researching PREG i also came across PROG. I don’t remember now to be honest the reason, but progesterone did not seem like a good option.

[dannyfc]

@mariovitali

Guys, here is my update.

I am still waiting for my Free T results. E2 is somewhat high but within normal levels. Recall that i switched from HCG to Clomid (25mg each day in the morning) and so i am waiting to see if Clomid keeps Free T levels within normal range.

In terms of how i feel, i feel great. Most of the time i am completely symptom-free and it appears that as time passes by, weather changes affect me much less than before. I don’t remember when is the last time that i had Brain Fog. One thing that worries me is the slow response in order to have an erection. I do not know if this issue will improve. Nevertheless i can have a normal sex life.

My regimen is as follows :

-I dropped completely Zinc and other DHT Inhibitors (Astaxanthin sources such as Red Peppers, Salmon. White Button Mushrooms)

• For Methylation : B12 (now once a week), Daily : Metafolin, Magnesium, TMG
  -Mitochondrial Support : CoQ10, D-Ribose, ENADA NADH, Selenium
  -Combined T3/T4 (i am hypothyroid)
  -I still stay away from anything that inhibits P450

Vitamin B6 is a big mystery. I’ve read entries about it being a DHT inhibitor whereas other entries describe B6 as important vitamin for T production. Whenever i take it i feel great so perhaps i will add it to my daily regimen and see how it goes.

I had to drop 1000mg of C daily since i experienced a huge spike of Iron in my blood (Vit C enhances Iron absorption).

I’m on a similar regimen and feel good mentally - just not sexually:

200mcg Selenium
25mcg T3
50mg Co-Q10
Adrenal Cortex
2000mg Calcium D-Glucurate
300mg x3 St. John’s Wort
1000mg Vit C
5000mg Vit D

[elijah]

Hi guys,
I just had my 23andMe raw genetic data analyzed by geneticgenie.org. According to my genome, the recommended protocol is similar to what is advised here in this thread, both in the supplements to take and those avoid (e.g. curcumin, grapefruit, folate). With some differences, hydroxocobalamin b12 instead of methylcobalamin b12, use rosemary, sage, and… (because of MAO-A mutation) progesterone!
Overall I feel slightly better, nocturnals and morning wood are getting back, although I’m very far from feeling great, still suffering from secondary hypogonadism.

[xptriado]

Where can i get hydroxycobalamin? I havent foubd it anywhere…just adenosylcobalamin

[droit]

@xptriado

Where can i get hydroxycobalamin? I havent foubd it anywhere…just adenosylcobalamin

Hydroxocobalamin is the form that is preferred by Rich Van Konynenburg’s ‘simple methylation protocol.’

He argued that Methyl-B12 will over drive the methylation cycle while preventing the trans-sulfuration pathway, which is important for glutathione production.

Perque is the brand that was used in his Methylation study with CFS patients.

amazon.com/Perque-PERQUE-Act … B0045IXMYE

Dr. Amy Yasko’s site sells a brand in drops.

holisticheal.com/hydroxy-b12-mega-drops.html

[xptriado]

The folks over at phoenixrising disagree afaiu because they say its poorly absorbed wheb compared to mb12,adb12

Anyone haa experience with either hydroxo alone or mb12+adb12?

[spstriken]

@elijah

Hi guys,
I just had my 23andMe raw genetic data analyzed by geneticgenie.org. According to my genome, the recommended protocol is similar to what is advised here in this thread, both in the supplements to take and those avoid (e.g. curcumin, grapefruit, folate). With some differences, hydroxocobalamin b12 instead of methylcobalamin b12, use rosemary, sage, and… (because of MAO-A mutation) progesterone!
Overall I feel slightly better, nocturnals and morning wood are getting back, although I’m very far from feeling great, still suffering from secondary hypogonadism.

So what is the result? what kind of mutation you have got? can you give more detail please. Looks like many have MTHFR gene mutation.

[droit]

@xptriado

The folks over at phoenixrising disagree afaiu because they say its poorly absorbed wheb compared to mb12,adb12

Anyone haa experience with either hydroxo alone or mb12+adb12?

I’ve gotten no sense of that in all of my reading I’ve never heard that. Sublingual hydroxo-b12 in the upper lip for 45 minutes is how it is recommended on Phoenix rising for those sensitive to the methyl form given their genetics.

[mariovitali]

I felt terrible when i took hydroxocobalamin. OTOH The form of B12 “dibencozide” does not give me any problems.

@Elijah

It would be great if you can have an FLDP (Functional Liver Detox Profile) test to see how both detox phases work. In fact, i would say that to everyone in this forum to have this test if they can. Also please research Tocotrienol. It is great for oxidative stress but there are some studies where it shows it actually reduces testosterone (in rats). OTOH There are supplements that contain tocotrienol which are T Boosters.

EDIT : It appears quite difficult to find an FLDP test in United States which seems suspicious. I can find it only in Australia and UK.

[spstriken]

@mariovitali

I felt terrible when i took hydroxocobalamin. OTOH The form of B12 “dibencozide” does not give me any problems.

@Elijah

It would be great if you can have an FLDP (Functional Liver Detox Profile) test to see how both detox phases work. In fact, i would say that to everyone in this forum to have this test if they can. Also please research Tocotrienol. It is great for oxidative stress but there are some studies where it shows it actually reduces testosterone (in rats). OTOH There are supplements that contain tocotrienol which are T Boosters.

EDIT : It appears quite difficult to find an FLDP test in United States which seems suspicious. I can find it only in Australia and UK.

few guys have done liver detox phase tested and found impaired liver function
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1398&p=10242&hilit=liver#p10242

[mariovitali]

Update : I had another crash because i was not careful. I took DIM (wanting to boost Phase I and Phase II detox) which is a DHT inhibitor. The crash had the usual side effects : Low Libido, no erections,negative thoughts and not good sleep quality.

I believe that i am close in finding the final remaining culprit which -in my case- is Cortisol production. It might also be the case that i have high 11-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase activity which changes the effect that cortisol has to your body (even though if Cortisol level is normal) and also makes you fat. I have pronounced fat specifically on the waist line.

I’ve also read that Barometric pressure changes raise/lower Cortisol production. Believe it or not, upon waking i know exactly what happened during the night in terms of Barometric pressure. My girlfriend believes me now after numerous trials : If upon waking i do not have oily skin then that means that Barometric pressure had a downward trend during the night. If OTOH i have oily skin then i know that during the night baro pressure was either steady or rising. So I am beginning a regimen to lower Cortisol ASAP (Induction of Growth Hormone, Holy Basil Extract, Polymethoxylated Flavonoids, Sugar Elimination and Shed fat from waist line).

[mariovitali]

It seems that DHT inhibitors are everywhere. I researched Holy Basil (which contains Ursolic Acid). I then found the following entry at PubMed

Ursolic acid reduces prostate size and dihydrotestosterone level in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia

BPH-induced animals displayed an increase in prostate weight with increased testosterone and DHT levels in both the serum and prostate. However, ursolic acid treatment resulted in significant reductions in prostate weight and testosterone and DHT levels in both the serum and prostate, compared with BPH-induced animals. Histopathological examination also showed that ursolic acid treatment suppressed TP-induced prostatic hyperplasia. These findings indicate that ursolic acid may effectively inhibit the development of BPH and it may be a useful agent in BPH treatment.

So Holy Basil should be also added to the list of DHT Inhibitors.

[DerProfessor]

Mario, I apologise if I’m asking something you have already outlined in this thread.

But just how severe was your erectile dysfunction BEFORE the methylation protocol?

Can you give a % for before and after? And also for where you are now? That would be very useful. I am about to embark on the methylation protocol myself.

[spstriken]

I put a study here long ago that DIM is not good also broccoli is not good.I don’t remember the exact mechanism but the study said Broccoli or DIM first reduce your estrogen but then some how you end up with more Estrogen. I used to drink broccoli juice but I felt the exactly the way the study described so I stopped it. The study suggested using TMG instead.

thinksteroids.com/community/thr … 134236632/

ok here I found my own post
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3295&p=19087&hilit=TMG#p19087

[mariovitali]

@DerProfessor

Mario, I apologise if I’m asking something you have already outlined in this thread.

But just how severe was your erectile dysfunction BEFORE the methylation protocol?

Can you give a % for before and after? And also for where you are now? That would be very useful. I am about to embark on the methylation protocol myself.

I would have days with very good erections and some days i couldn’t have an erection at all. The Methylation protocol gave me a minor boost but mainly it significantly attenuated Brain Fog and Insomnia and my Emotional well-being.

Actually this is the reason that i felt that something is missing with the plain methylation Theory. What drastically changed my erections quality is when i boosted P450 through diet and avoidance of specific substances that inhibit these enzymes.

[depressedguy]

@mariovitali

Hey Guys,

For those who haven’t seen this : ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4064044/

The Dark Side of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors’ Therapy: Sexual Dysfunction, High Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer and Depression
We wish to point out from the outset that 5α-RI therapy was FDA-approved for treatment for LUTS related to BPH. Treatment of symptomatic men with finasteride or dutasteride results in approximately 17%-19% reduction in prostate volume, thus alleviating urinary tract symptoms [8,13,14,53]. Furthermore, 5α-RI therapy reduces urinary tract infection and minimizes the risk of potential acute urinary retention and the need for surgical intervention related to BPH. These positive effects of finasteride and dutasteride contribute to improvement in the quality of life in men suffering from BPH symptoms [8,53]. However, a substantial body of evidence exists which points to serious and potentially ill-health effects of 5α-RIs’ therapy. These include loss or reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, orgasmic and ejaculatory dysfunction (Table 2) [99], development of high grade PCa tumors (Fig. 4), potential negative cardiovascular events, and depression. The side effects are potentially harmful in some individuals and in young men may be persistent or irreversible [100].

We also know that 5-AR has neuroprotective effects :

Neuroactive steroids elicit important neuroprotective effects during trauma and injury to the central nervous system [75]. AP is shown to be beneficial in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, attenuating edema, trauma, stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and reducing oxidative stress [76,77,78]. AP is not only a protective agent in ischemia, but also in maintaining blood brain barrier integrity, and in memory and learning [78,79,80,81]. Studies on CNS injury in which asphyxiation was induced in fetal sheep to stimulate neurological stressors, in the presence or absence of finasteride, showed an increase in apoptotic cell death in the cerebellum and hippocampus in the animals treated with finasteride (Fig. 5) [82]. Furthermore, treatment with an AP analogue, alfaxalone, prevented cell death as assessed by the increase in activity of caspace-3 and expression of ki-67 protein. This observation suggests that AP exerts a neuroprotective role in the brain, which is inhibited by finasteride.

So we have to keep in mind that we should also look at possible peripheral neuropathy due to less Pregnenolone production. Since i am one of the oldest users of Finasteride here (took it back to 1998 for the first time) i can definitely say that there has been neuronal damage. Although MRI did not show anything on my spinal cord, i believe that damage has been made.

What worries me is the fact that whenever i take a GABA Agonist (Taurine, Phospahtidylserine) and GABA itself, i got anorgasmia. Searching for answers i came up with this study :

Anorgasmia with gabapentin may be common in older patients.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21602106

Notice that older patients are involved. I did search for more entries for anorgasmia+GABA in young patients and found some entries. Recall also that it takes me quite some time to have an erection which is typically seen in older people.

I am sure that some damage has been made and i do not know if this is reversible. What protects neuronal health :

-Estradiol
-Creatine
-Phosphatidylserine (GABA Agonist)
-Taurine (GABA Agonist)
-GABA
-Progesterone
-Retinoic Acid
-Acetyl-L-Carnitine
-Lion’s Mane
-Forskolin

I will add to my regimen Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Lion’s Mane. It will take at least one month and up to 3 months for some results to be seen. There is a possibility that i will get anorgasmia from this regimen but i am willing to try. My girlfriend is supporting me through all this, which is great. In case that there is a reversal of problems i will know and -as always- will report back.

Do you think harvard study will show if there is a neuropathy?

[mariovitali]

@depressedguy

@mariovitali

Hey Guys,

For those who haven’t seen this : ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4064044/

The Dark Side of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors’ Therapy: Sexual Dysfunction, High Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer and Depression
We wish to point out from the outset that 5α-RI therapy was FDA-approved for treatment for LUTS related to BPH. Treatment of symptomatic men with finasteride or dutasteride results in approximately 17%-19% reduction in prostate volume, thus alleviating urinary tract symptoms [8,13,14,53]. Furthermore, 5α-RI therapy reduces urinary tract infection and minimizes the risk of potential acute urinary retention and the need for surgical intervention related to BPH. These positive effects of finasteride and dutasteride contribute to improvement in the quality of life in men suffering from BPH symptoms [8,53]. However, a substantial body of evidence exists which points to serious and potentially ill-health effects of 5α-RIs’ therapy. These include loss or reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, orgasmic and ejaculatory dysfunction (Table 2) [99], development of high grade PCa tumors (Fig. 4), potential negative cardiovascular events, and depression. The side effects are potentially harmful in some individuals and in young men may be persistent or irreversible [100].

We also know that 5-AR has neuroprotective effects :

Neuroactive steroids elicit important neuroprotective effects during trauma and injury to the central nervous system [75]. AP is shown to be beneficial in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, attenuating edema, trauma, stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and reducing oxidative stress [76,77,78]. AP is not only a protective agent in ischemia, but also in maintaining blood brain barrier integrity, and in memory and learning [78,79,80,81]. Studies on CNS injury in which asphyxiation was induced in fetal sheep to stimulate neurological stressors, in the presence or absence of finasteride, showed an increase in apoptotic cell death in the cerebellum and hippocampus in the animals treated with finasteride (Fig. 5) [82]. Furthermore, treatment with an AP analogue, alfaxalone, prevented cell death as assessed by the increase in activity of caspace-3 and expression of ki-67 protein. This observation suggests that AP exerts a neuroprotective role in the brain, which is inhibited by finasteride.

So we have to keep in mind that we should also look at possible peripheral neuropathy due to less Pregnenolone production. Since i am one of the oldest users of Finasteride here (took it back to 1998 for the first time) i can definitely say that there has been neuronal damage. Although MRI did not show anything on my spinal cord, i believe that damage has been made.

What worries me is the fact that whenever i take a GABA Agonist (Taurine, Phospahtidylserine) and GABA itself, i got anorgasmia. Searching for answers i came up with this study :

Anorgasmia with gabapentin may be common in older patients.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21602106

Notice that older patients are involved. I did search for more entries for anorgasmia+GABA in young patients and found some entries. Recall also that it takes me quite some time to have an erection which is typically seen in older people.

I am sure that some damage has been made and i do not know if this is reversible. What protects neuronal health :

-Estradiol
-Creatine
-Phosphatidylserine (GABA Agonist)
-Taurine (GABA Agonist)
-GABA
-Progesterone
-Retinoic Acid
-Acetyl-L-Carnitine
-Lion’s Mane
-Forskolin

I will add to my regimen Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Lion’s Mane. It will take at least one month and up to 3 months for some results to be seen. There is a possibility that i will get anorgasmia from this regimen but i am willing to try. My girlfriend is supporting me through all this, which is great. In case that there is a reversal of problems i will know and -as always- will report back.

Do you think harvard study will show if there is a neuropathy?

Probably this will sound arrogant but i do not care what any study will show. I am certain that there has been neuronal degeneration and/or excitotoxicity involved due to impaired neurosteroid production :

1. When i hit my funny bone, the “electric shock” sensation is 50% of what it used to be.
2. Need for increased stimulation to achieve an erection
3. I could feel the signal sent by my brain to initiate an erection (i know it sounds crazy but trust me) and this signal slowly kept becoming less and less intense (within about 1.5 year). Now it is completely gone. Nothing there. Search my posts about this.

So when i say that i will know if Lions Mane / ALCAR works, hopefully there will be improvement to all the above. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

PS : When i discussed the 3 points shown above to my neurologist, he just smiled. Bottom Line : I know how i feel because i know my body more than anyone else.

[spstriken]

"Although MRI did not show anything on my spinal cord, i believe that damage has been made. "
was it simple MRI? I have seen pictures of brain damage caused by Accutane but not simple MRI but through PET Scan. have you done pat scan?
propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … f=9&t=7435

also I read GingKo Biloba is very good at brain reparing brain damage. what is your opinion/experience about it?

[mariovitali]

@spstriken

"Although MRI did not show anything on my spinal cord, i believe that damage has been made. "
was it simple MRI? I have seen pictures of brain damage caused by Accutane but not simple MRI but through PET Scan. have you done pat scan?
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7435

also I read GingKo Biloba is very good at brain reparing brain damage. what is your opinion/experience about it?

Hmm Good Point, it was simple MRI. Will try to see if i can have a PET Scan where i am located.

Ginkgo Biloba appears to be good but i see conflicting reports of being a CYP3A4 inhibitor.I’ve never used it. It is a potent PXR inducer which is good in our case. So i’d say that it might be a good candidate to test.

Basically, before buying a supplement one should research if :

-it inhibits P450
-Causes excitotoxicity
-It Is an Anti-androgen/DHT inhibitor
-it Raises Cortisol

I am preparing a rather large mind-map with all the research i have done which includes pros and cons for many supplements . I will post it soon.

[depressedguy]

@mariovitali

@spstriken

"Although MRI did not show anything on my spinal cord, i believe that damage has been made. "
was it simple MRI? I have seen pictures of brain damage caused by Accutane but not simple MRI but through PET Scan. have you done pat scan?
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7435

also I read GingKo Biloba is very good at brain reparing brain damage. what is your opinion/experience about it?

Hmm Good Point, it was simple MRI. Will try to see if i can have a PET Scan where i am located.

Ginkgo Biloba appears to be good but i see conflicting reports of being a CYP3A4 inhibitor.I’ve never used it. It is a potent PXR inducer which is good in our case. So i’d say that it might be a good candidate to test.

Basically, before buying a supplement one should research if :

-it inhibits P450
-Causes excitotoxicity
-It Is an Anti-androgen/DHT inhibitor
-it Raises Cortisol

I am preparing a rather large mind-map with all the research i have done which includes pros and cons for many supplements . I will post it soon.

Mario, if i remember correctly, you mentioned you have demyelination on your somewhere or do i remember wrong?