Tex, this article appears to correlate with your findings

[Deb]

of Metanx. http://www.drbriffa.com/2013/05/23/b-vi ... ight-loss/

In summary, the research shows:
•B12, B6 and folic acid found to reduce brain atrophy in those with elevated levels of homocysteine
•In these people, B12, B6 and folic acid supplementation was found to improve brain function
•In these people, B12, B6 and folic acid supplementation was found to dramatically reduce brain shrinkage in the part of the brain most affected in Alzheimer’s disease

Have you done any research on B3 Niacinamide? I had previously read that it helped with alzheimer's and just recently read it can be beneficial for essential tremors. I just recently added it. Deb

[tex]

Hi Deb,

Yes, I believe that plenty of dietary animal fat, cholesterol, and B vitamins are the keys to avoiding/minimizing the type of damage associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. I have no idea what my brain status was prior to my first TIA, but the MRI scans afterward showed signs of shrinkage in the cerebral cortex. The neurologist pointed out that such shrinkage is common with ageing, but of course it's also associated with stroke, and Alzheimer's and other dementia-related diseases. That's when I started taking the B vitamins. This was almost 4 years ago.

An MRI scan done a year later (after a second TIA), showed no significant changes. I don't plan to ever stop taking them.

I have to plead ignorance about Niacinamide. I've never researched it.

Thanks for posting this.

Tex

[dfpowell]

Tex,

What kind and how much of the B vitamins do you take. I have been thinking about taking a B vitamin supplement, as my diet consists of mostly meat and vegetables.

Thanks,

[Deb]

Donna here's a link to Brandy's replicating Tex's Metanx prescription with over-the-counter supplements http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... sc&start=0

[Zizzle]

Here's the ingredients of Metanx pills. Their website sure makes it look like a fancy pharmaceutical product!

http://www.metanx.com/healthcare-profes ... ge-insert/

Each Metanx® capsule contains:

L-methylfolate Calcium (as Metafolin®) 3mg
Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate 35mg
Methylcobalamin 2mg

*CAS#151533-22-1

Dietary Ingredients:
Silicified Microcrystalline Cellulose, Algae-S Powder (Schizochytrium Algal Oil [Vegetable source], Glucose Syrup Solids, Mannitol, Sodium Caseinate (milk), Soy Protein, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, 2% or less Sodium Ascorbate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Tetrasodium Diphosphate, Natural Flavors, Soy Lecithin, and Mixed Natural Tocopherols and Ascorbyl Palmitate [as antioxidants]), Hypromellose, Pyridoxal 5’ Phosphate, L-methylfolate Calcium, Methylcobalamin, Titanium Dioxide (color), Magnesium Stearate (Vegetable Source), Caramel (color), Shellac, Propylene Glycol USP, Carmine (color).
Contains Milk, Soy and Carmine.

Metanx® capsules do not contain lactose, yeast or gluten.

Of course you should make your own instead. The reason it works so well, I reckon, is one simple thing. They use the most bioavailable forms of folate and B-12. Methyl-folate and Methyl-cobalamin. Many of us probably have a MTHFR gene mutation which makes it diffucult for us to use regular folic acid. If you have 2 mutations, folic acid might be downright toxic to you. This mutation is often found in kids with autism, neural tube defects, adults with high homocysteine levels despite supplementation and fortified foods. A prominent food allergy doc at Johns Hopkins suspects folic acid supplementation in food and in pregnant women may have something to do with the rise of childhood food allergies!

I have not been tested for the mutation, but I take methylated forms of these vitamins anyway. You can order them online for only a slight bit more than the standard formulas.

Kirkman sells them both in one hypoallergenic capsule: Folinic acid is another name for methyl folate.

http://kirkmanlabs.com/ProductKirkman/2 ... in%20B-12/

[tex]

Donna,

Metanx was developed to treat peripheral neuropathy, which is a somewhat common complication of diabetes mellitus. I apparently developed it as a result of too many years of untreated gluten sensitivity (I may be an undiagnosed celiac). The label says 1 or 2 tablets daily. I've always taken 1 per day.

I agree with Zizzle that the "secret" of why it works is that the vitamins are all in the active form, so they are available regardless of whether or not the body is capable of converting an inactive form to the active form needed by the body.

As you can see from the listing that she provided, Metanx uses a mix of vitamins B-9, B-6, and B-12.

Tex