All about me

[lil_miss_understood]

Okay, I'm just throwing this up so I can quote stuff I find in other threads and comment on it here.

Right now I'm thinking low GABA, low seratonin, possible decreased need for vitamin K (due to family history of strokes), vitamin A conversion problem (maybe? would explain the lack of "buffering" for vitamin D's effect on calcium), need sulfur supplementation in some form, need iodine (no real food sources)...
That's all I've got right now.

[Theloose]

-hypothyroid causes issues with beta carotene->vit A conversion
-why vitamin K and not homocysteine for strokes?

I'm finding that all my 'decreased need' for nutrients is mostly due to other messed up systems... correct the system, and suddenly the nutrient need is high again.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by whoMe

-hypothyroid causes issues with beta carotene->vit A conversion
-why vitamin K and not homocysteine for strokes?

I'm finding that all my 'decreased need' for nutrients is mostly due to other messed up systems... correct the system, and suddenly the nutrient need is high again.

That, combined with it's buffering effect on D, is what makes me think there is a conversion issue.
I can't remember why... I think it had to do with glutamate and my dad being on Warfarin? It could be high homocysteine (is that right? High not low?), I guess.
I probably have an increased need for vitamin C, partly due to the demands on my system for glutathione.
I have a feeling that my BH4 is messed up (low) as well- part of the reason for the low seratonin, but I can't remember what we'd figured out there.
And there was something about dopamine that I'm forgetting and will have to go look at later- probably had to do with BH4 again.

[lil_miss_understood]

I'm wondering... When I started the fish oil, I started with one which was high in ALA (which I now know is used for chelating). I got more lax with what was in my fish oil as the years progressed (just like I weaned off most of my supplements- I was down to just vitamin C, a multi and fish oil when I went to see my ND for the first time last year). I wonder if the original fish oil chelated "just enough" out of my system to help with my bipolar symptoms?

ETA: My first amalgam was placed when I was 6.

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

I have a feeling that my BH4 is messed up (low) as well- part of the reason for the low seratonin, but I can't remember what we'd figured out there.
And there was something about dopamine that I'm forgetting and will have to go look at later- probably had to do with BH4 again.

Yeah, BH4 for dopamine, serotonin, thyroid hormones and melanin... Sounds like a likely suspect for you - which would point towards folate (to maximize generation) and not overdoing protein (to minimize consumption via ammonia).

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

I'm wondering... When I started the fish oil, I started with one which was high in ALA (which I now know is used for chelating). I got more lax with what was in my fish oil as the years progressed (just like I weaned off most of my supplements- I was down to just vitamin C, a multi and fish oil when I went to see my ND for the first time last year). I wonder if the original fish oil chelated "just enough" out of my system to help with my bipolar symptoms?

ETA: My first amalgam was placed when I was 6.

Okay, my blonde roots are showing. It's two different things. Alpha linoleic acid and alpha lipoic acid (spelling is probably off for those). All this time I was thinking, "You take omega 3s to chelate?"

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

Okay, my blonde roots are showing. It's two different things. Alpha linoleic acid and alpha lipoic acid (spelling is probably off for those). All this time I was thinking, "You take omega 3s to chelate?"

I get so confused by all the ALA's too. I think there's also an alpha linolenic acid? That's part of why I stay out of the chelating discussions :

[tanyalynn]

Are you giving your oldest son an omega-3 supp? It doesn't seem to be a big one for us (and it contributes to our vitK issue) but some folks find quite high doses to be very helpful, and I've read of it specifically for ADHD. The highest dosages are really high, I was surprised, but it seems to be helpful. Part as CLO and part as a tastier omega-3 supp is one possibility.

Totally off the topic of Jacqueline, sorry.

One way to bypass the whole detoxification pathway thing, and yet still help, would be modifilan, a dried seaweed product. Safe while pregnant and nursing, it doesn't mobilize at all.

And I'd consider a K2 supp, I too would be suspicious of a low need for a nutrient being more likely to be a low tolerance for it now, til something else is straightened out, but it's helpful to balance the other fat solubles and it's great to help balance DHA (at least for us, with our nosebleed issues).

And selenium for your glutathione, as well as zinc (how were you, again, on the HCl discussion?).

Need to go, kiddo is sleeping badly tonight!!

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Are you giving your oldest son an omega-3 supp? It doesn't seem to be a big one for us (and it contributes to our vitK issue) but some folks find quite high doses to be very helpful, and I've read of it specifically for ADHD. The highest dosages are really high, I was surprised, but it seems to be helpful. Part as CLO and part as a tastier omega-3 supp is one possibility.
Yes, he gets a fairly high dose omega-3 supp (in the form of fish oil, though I'm trying to get him to start CLO). We started it at the same time, years ago, when I was researching the ADHD/bipolar connection.
Totally off the topic of Jacqueline, sorry.
I don't mind. I'm always happy to discuss things which will help my kidlets too (and anyone else I know, for that matter).
One way to bypass the whole detoxification pathway thing, and yet still help, would be modifilan, a dried seaweed product. Safe while pregnant and nursing, it doesn't mobilize at all.
I'll mention that to my ND.
And I'd consider a K2 supp, I too would be suspicious of a low need for a nutrient being more likely to be a low tolerance for it now, til something else is straightened out, but it's helpful to balance the other fat solubles and it's great to help balance DHA (at least for us, with our nosebleed issues).
I've been considering it and still haven't decided which way to go on it.. I've read things both for and against it with my and my family's history.
And selenium for your glutathione, as well as zinc (how were you, again, on the HCl discussion?).

Need to go, kiddo is sleeping badly tonight!!

My ND has me on both zinc and selenium for thyroid issues. I haven't done the beet test recently, but I'm pretty sure I'd fail miserably right now.
Thanks for your suggestions, Tanya. I hope your LO settles quickly.

Oh, and I forgot to tell you, whoMe, wrt high protein, 2 things: 1) too much protein used to make me ill when I was younger (a problem I have when I'm pregnant as well, but no other time any longer) and 2) the plantpoisons site (I think it was) was saying something about a ketogenic (high protein) diet actually being beneficial for bipolar, so it's another thing I'm kind of curious/iffy about... I'm wondering if I'm not supposed to be on a ketogenic diet (like my Native American ancestors) but am lacking the proper gut flora for it (in particular E. Coli) and have too low of HCl to support it properly at this time.

Also a suspicion of mine: probably have candida issues which are protecting me from mercury and also would likely prevent me from colonizing with e. coli at present.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

2) the plantpoisons site (I think it was) was saying something about a ketogenic (high protein) diet actually being beneficial for bipolar, so it's another thing I'm kind of curious/iffy about...

The Feingold Diet mentions that too, making the food chemical connection to neurological issues (interference with neurotransmitters). Of course maybe a higher sulfur diet is helpful too.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/bipolar.html

I am so overwhelmed with the food chemical connection to behavior (just read Jane Hersey's book "Why Can't My Child Behave?" which is a collection of Feingold stories and information.) Surely children are not the only ones whose neurotransmitters are affected.

http://www.feingold.org/book.html

I've since been recalling behavior of one of my best friends and also my dad when I've seen them completely blow up after eating a special holiday dinner with artificial colors, preservatives, benzoates and salicylates galore.

I have no idea what you are eating now! And I know I just mentioned this info in the other thread about your DS too! : But as I said my head is swimming with connections right now.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by JaneS

The Feingold Diet mentions that too, making the food chemical connection to neurological issues (interference with neurotransmitters). Of course maybe a higher sulfur diet is helpful too.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/bipolar.html
Interesting thing I found in this article was the mention of vitamin C- which is one of the other supps I have DS1 on (as well as being on myself- well, will be coming back in here again soon). this article, Jane, it totally backs up what I've been arguing with DS1's teachers, counselors and doctors about for so many years.
I am so overwhelmed with the food chemical connection to behavior (just read Jane Hersey's book "Why Can't My Child Behave?" which is a collection of Feingold stories and information.) Surely children are not the only ones whose neurotransmitters are affected.

http://www.feingold.org/book.html
I did a sort of modified Feingold with DS1 back when I was just starting out on this. It's how I figured out the food coloring connection. I couldn't find the book in my library and had no money to buy it and my doctors were all telling me to put him on antipsychotics and/or other drugs saying there was no proof that diet had anything to do with it blah blah blah blah blah. I found what I could online about it and took those things out for a month then added them back in one at a time ("food challenged" them). The only things to which he obviously reacted at the time were food colorings and whey protein powder. It's possible that that list would be different now that his IgE allergen and his 2 IgG reactions are out of his diet though.
I've since been recalling behavior of one of my best friends and also my dad when I've seen them completely blow up after eating a special holiday dinner with artificial colors, preservatives, benzoates and salicylates galore.

I have no idea what you are eating now! And I know I just mentioned this info in the other thread about your DS too! : But as I said my head is swimming with connections right now.

As a general rule, we don't eat food coloring. There are rare exceptions to that rule (except for the DSs... they're not allowed food coloring and we don't eat it around them... yes, I am a hypocrite . Our rare exceptions are getting more and more rare as I notice it making me feel more and more ill the longer we're off of it. I don't think there are many preservatives in our food- point being we don't usually eat much in the way of packaged food, though again it is something we can definitely improve upon and I intend to do as I get things more organized again here (I have a HUGE to do list ).
I should probably throw some MSM into DS1's supplement schedule. He'd likely benefit from it as well.

[kjbrown92]

I think we should each have one of these me threads and then we'd get to know each person and their healing protocols, etc.

[farmerjess]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

Okay, my blonde roots are showing. It's two different things. Alpha linoleic acid and alpha lipoic acid (spelling is probably off for those). All this time I was thinking, "You take omega 3s to chelate?"

you just scared the bejesus out of me. i am taking tons of fish oil right now and def don't want to chelate

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

Oh, and I forgot to tell you, whoMe, wrt high protein, 2 things: 1) too much protein used to make me ill when I was younger (a problem I have when I'm pregnant as well, but no other time any longer) and 2) the plantpoisons site (I think it was) was saying something about a ketogenic (high protein) diet actually being beneficial for bipolar, so it's another thing I'm kind of curious/iffy about... I'm wondering if I'm not supposed to be on a ketogenic diet (like my Native American ancestors) but am lacking the proper gut flora for it (in particular E. Coli) and have too low of HCl to support it properly at this time.

I don't think a ketogenic diet is necessarily high in protein, just low in carbs. Don't the inuit eat only something like 20% protein and the rest is fat? I wonder how that relates to the RDA of protein...

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

I think we should each have one of these me threads and then we'd get to know each person and their healing protocols, etc.

I think that's a wonderful idea.

Originally Posted by farmerjess

you just scared the bejesus out of me. i am taking tons of fish oil right now and def don't want to chelate

I completely understand. Sorry for the confusion.

Originally Posted by whoMe

I don't think a ketogenic diet is necessarily high in protein, just low in carbs. Don't the inuit eat only something like 20% protein and the rest is fat? I wonder how that relates to the RDA of protein...

Good question.

Okay, from the one link Tanya provided this morning in the chat thread (re iodine deficiency). Magnesium to "buffer" calcium (magnesium has been mentioned so many times it's a given to me, but I'll put it here anyway). Selenium is because it helps to break down hydrogen peroxide produced by the thyroid during production of thyroid hormone. Glutathione is also used in detoxing hydrogen peroxide.
Increasing iodine, therefor, increases the need for selenium also.
Just some notes to myself.

[lil_miss_understood]

And here's really basic family history:
mental health: schizophrenia, bipolar, suicide (no dx), "nervous breakdown", ADHD, addictions
physical: strokes, heart attacks/heart failure, one unknown clotting disorder (aunt has to have nosebleeds cauterized), Parkinson's disease (possibly Wilson's?), diabetes, hypothyroidism, food and environmental allergies/intolerances

[neveryoumindthere]

wow. are we long lost relatives? :

[lil_miss_understood]

From CP's KP thread:

Originally Posted by whoMe

When I looked into it (check out the KP thread if you haven't already), it seemed like blood calcium levels combined with cysteine levels make a big difference. Maybe the exercise is taking the calcium from your blood and putting it back to your bones? Weight bearing exercise is supposed to help build bone mass.

Perhaps another clue for me.
I've been much less active than normal recently and used to (years ago when I first went off meds) do speed walking (5x's a week), yoga (15 minutes daily) and weight lifting (about half an hour daily; specifically the "Bottoms Up!" workout- seriously it). Lack of exercise may be contributing to higher blood calcium levels throwing other things out of whack...
But...
What is contributing to my blood calcium levels being so high to begin with? Too much PTH being produced causing resorption of bone mass? Why? Too much vitamin D being converted? Can you remember how that works, whoMe?

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

From CP's KP thread:

Perhaps another clue for me.
I've been much less active than normal recently and used to (years ago when I first went off meds) do speed walking (5x's a week), yoga (15 minutes daily) and weight lifting (about half an hour daily; specifically the "Bottoms Up!" workout- seriously it). Lack of exercise may be contributing to higher blood calcium levels throwing other things out of whack...
But...
What is contributing to my blood calcium levels being so high to begin with? Too much PTH being produced causing resorption of bone mass? Why? Too much vitamin D being converted? Can you remember how that works, whoMe?

I haven't learned about vitamin D conversion yet, so I'm no help there...

Sugar is supposed to affect blood calcium, per Melvin Page, but I haven't been able to track down any studies confirming that. Umm... vit K puts calcium into bones, maybe a deficiency would leave it in the blood? the vitaminK yahoo group has a bunch of people dealing with high blood calcium levels...

The other reasons that like to pop up (cause they're easy) are hormone secreting tumors, but it seems like that would be more of an acute issue?

[lil_miss_understood]

I wonder if the fact that I ate more fruits and vegetables when I was younger is the reason why I've developed Hashimoto's whereas my brothers (carnivorous lot) did not. (Due to bromide toxicity..)