Correcting Mitochondrial Dysfunction - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

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Correcting Mitochondrial Dysfunction

JayPwP profile image
93 Replies

There are two interesting studies:

1. Melatonin 50mg per day corrects mitochondrial dysfunction and brings mitochondrial activity back to healthy control level in 3 months.

2. GlyNAC ( Glycine and NAC each at 100mg per kg per day ) corrects mitochondrial dysfunction and brings mitochondrial activity back to healthy control level in 6 months.

This post is open to discussion. Pros and Cons? Which is better and why? What if both are used in lower than the quantities used in the study? Any synergistic effect expected? Any other molecules to add? Any supporting research...

Just post anything that comes to your mind.

Your opinion matters! 🙏

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93 Replies
Zardoz profile image
Zardoz

Are there links for these two "important studies?"

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toZardoz

Melatonin

hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toZardoz

GlyNAC

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Smittybear7 profile image
Smittybear7

How do you know how much to take?

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toSmittybear7

Study materials and methods

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51

Unhealthy mitochondria is probably the main reason cells die or go dormient.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

So if appropriate action is taken immediately upon diagnosis, progression can be delayed...

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toJayPwP

If early enough - cured. I choose to believe and Pray 🙏, the cells are dormient an early enough is now. It's never too late 🙏.

Esperanto profile image
Esperanto

Perhaps you could try first a more holistic way without supplements? For example with gardening, a wonderful blend of physical activity, nutritious food, sunlight, stress management, and even improved sleep. By nurturing plants and tending to the garden, you engage in a form of exercise that not only keeps you fit but also strengthens your connection with nature. As you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you embrace a healthier diet filled with fresh and nutrient-rich produce. Spending time outdoors in the garden exposes you to natural sunlight, which helps regulate your biological clock and enhances the quality of your sleep. The act of gardening itself can be therapeutic, offering a sense of tranquility and a way to alleviate stress. In essence, gardening is a delightful pursuit that nourishes both body and soul, providing a multitude of health benefits and all you need to correct your mitochondrial dysfunction. Okay, perhaps a 1mg melatonin pill for better sleep…

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toEsperanto

True, but in our overcrowded city, we are confined to a bedroom and living room. No place for our own gardens.

Esperanto profile image
Esperanto in reply toJayPwP

It was just an example. There are surely other activities that can have similar effects, even in your overcrowded city!

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51

There's two pricey over-hyped supplements promising benefits for mitochondria. I would love to see some results on them for PD. (Fatty15 and Mitopure's Urolithin).

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

Alpha lipoic acid seems to be another Mitochondrial nutrient...

Natajo profile image
Natajo

Hi

Thank you for sharing.

The melatonin study gives biochemical results but no symptomatic results on the patients… It’s a shame they don’t…

Nathalie

Gisel profile image
Gisel in reply toNatajo

Hi Nathalie, I had the same criticism, but then I opened the website of pubmed and when you type in Parkinson and Melatonin you can read a lot of publications from the year 2023 about the effect of melatonin. one very interesting publication (review):

Neuroprotective Potential of Melatonin: Evaluating Therapeutic Efficacy in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.

Talbot NC, Luther PM, Spillers NJ, Ragland AR, Kidder EJ, Kelkar RA, Varrassi G, Ahmadzadeh S, Shekoohi S, Kaye AD. Cureus. 2023 Dec 22;15(12):e50948. doi: 10.7759/cureus.50948. eCollection 2023 Dec. PMID: 38259379 Free PMC article. Review.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

chartist park_bear Bolt_Upright SilentEchoes LAJ12345 Gymsack MBAnderson kaypeeoh Bear1927 and other members...

Please share your thoughts...

park_bear profile image
park_bear in reply toJayPwP

I took a look at the glycine NAC study in healthy older adults. It would take some study to properly understand the various biomarkers they used. That said, they did appear to get significant improvements in various measures. I personally do take NAC, and glycine in the form of magnesium glycinate.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply topark_bear

I feel the GlyNAC takes much larger doses and longer time but they have also measured in vivo human improvements like gait speed etc.The problem is that it is not a PD specific study like the Melatonin one.

chartist profile image
chartist in reply toJayPwP

Jay,

I'm not 100% clear on what you are asking, but will try and answer what I think you are asking?

I feel that many supplements are beneficial as pro mitochondrial supplements to varying degrees and supporting or maintaining proper mitochondrial function should be beneficial for PD and health in general. Berberine is a mitochondrial function enhancer and is a supplement I use and recommend to friends and family for its multitude of pro health effects and I feel similarly about the following . Magnesium glycinate would also be in this category as would vitamin D, EGCG, Vitamin K2, NAC, ALA, curcumin, hesperidin, selenium, multiple B vitamins, astaxanthin, infrared light exposure (melatonin), etc..

While many find CBD beneficial for various aspects of health, at higher dosing, it can have a negative impact on mitochondrial health, so it is always worth understanding the effects of what you are intaking on their effects on homeostasis of the mitochondria.

I use many of the above for overall health and am more inclined to place preference toward those that are native to the body such as melatonin which is produced directly in the mitochondria, gut and brain to mention just a few locations of importance. Melatonin indirectly promotes the bodies own antioxidant system to increase its effects while melatonin's own metabolites significantly multiply the antioxidant capacity of the base molecule making melatonin a rather extraordinary and highly potent antioxidant that is very protective of the body as a whole. Again, vitamin D would also be very important as humans have evolved with the ready availability of vitamin D and melatonin from the sun. Both of these two significantly decline as we age and I think that overall, studies suggest that there is good reason to maintain the levels of these two as we age. I maintain it is a mistake to allow ourselves to spend less and less time outdoors as we age or for any other reasons. Proper sun exposure is health promoting and seems like an absolute must for PwP.

The B vitamins, as some of these are produced in the gut under proper gut homeostasis. Proper gut homeostasis is absent in PD and many other health issues, so monitoring and maintaining these levels as we age will positively contribute to are overall health and comfortable aging.

Alpha lipoic acid, vitamin K2, EGCG, selenium and magnesium are often gotten from foods we consume, but if we know that are consumption of these nutrients is low or minimal, then supplementing makes plenty of sense to optimize these levels for the purpose of optimizing our health.

There are many other supplements in this category, but I consider the above to be at least a good starting point for improving our health and allowing us to age in a more comfortable and healthful manner and they are also beneficial for a myriad of other health issues that may come with aging.

Art

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Hi Art,

Please suggest which form, potency and dose of Berberine is recommended? Any brand you prefer?

chartist profile image
chartist in reply toJayPwP

Hi Jay,

Berberine capsules taken at 1500 mg/day in three divided doses of 500 mg each is the dose I use and is the same dose used for diabetes. It is better to take with food initially until your body and gut microbiome adjusts to the berberine. You can start at 500 mg a day and work your way up as your body adjusts to berberine. No brand preference.

A very worthwhile exercise for people with PD to do is to Google, "Parkinson's disease comorbidities". Once you have a good sized list of PD comorbidities, Google each comorbidity + Berberine and you will just start to understand the value of Berberine in human health and particularly for use in PD.

The above search will be in addition to the known benefits of berberine for PD itself and that list will not be a complete list of all health benefits that Berberine offers.

Art

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Thank you Art. Is this Berberine HCL?

chartist profile image
chartist in reply toJayPwP

Yes.

Art

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Thank you...

Just one more, how to take powder form?

chartist profile image
chartist in reply toJayPwP

I advise against the use of the powder form due to the powder is a rather bright yellow that stains similarly to curcumin and is harder to work with for that reason.

Art

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Just found out that Berberine is known as Daruharidra in Ayurveda, which led me to this:

pharmeasy.in/blog/ayurveda-...

chartist profile image
chartist in reply toJayPwP

Add to that that berberine is often used in many many TCM formulations. Berberine is quite healthful for most people.

Art

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Have ordered. Hoping for a good quality product

NutriJa Berberine HCL 500MG Capsules - 98% Highly Purified and Bioavailable Supplement - 82:1 Concentrated Formula - 60 Capsules (60 Capsules) amzn.in/d/gmTQJG8

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Just found out that Berberine Phytosome is 10x more bioavailable than Berberine HCL 🫣🫣🫣😭

CaseyInsights profile image
CaseyInsights in reply toJayPwP

Jay, the bioavailability of Berberine is not an issue.

I remember getting excited about this. But it’s not about whether the supplement is better absorbed, but how it interacts with the microbiome.

Bioavailability is a red herring - a marketing slant in this instant.

Don’t have the research on hand, but take a look at this.

chartist profile image
chartist in reply toJayPwP

Yes, it is reported to have improved bioavailability in the literature, but you have to keep in mind that berberine works by modulating the gut microbiome in a positive way and it has little if any problem reaching the gut microbiome. I think, if you look, you will find that too much berberine in the blood circulation may not be that healthful for us.

Art

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tochartist

Started Berberine HCL 500mg

Mob0 profile image
Mob0 in reply toJayPwP

Hi JayPwP ,

Could you share the result of your personal experience with berberine , glynac, and melatonin?

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toMob0

Please don't look forward to my experience. I am a stupid fool. I don't have the patience to see things through.

I tried Melatonin and stopped within 3 days for being drowsy and suspecting the quality of the product. The bottle said 'no fillers, binders, additives' yet the 10mg Melatonin tablet was double in size than my 125mg C/L.

Started and stopped Berberine within 2 days after this comment healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

I tried TMG NAC and stopped in 2 days

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

Mob0 profile image
Mob0 in reply toJayPwP

Sorry they did not work for you. But even in this, there was a learning opportunityl

I for one have been taking 5mg melatonin before bed time for over a year (Costco sells one). It helped increase my sleep from 2-3 hour to 5 hours a night...

I doubled it to 10mg, 2 months ago, when I saw some studies that implied 10mg or more/day may slow down progres of PD or help with motor symptoms. I don't feel much different, but hope it is helping!

Mob0 profile image
Mob0 in reply toJayPwP

Sorry they did not work for you. But even in this, there was a learning opportunityl

I for one have been taking 5mg melatonin before bed time for over a year (Costco sells one). It helped increase my sleep from 2-3 hour to 5 hours a night...

I doubled it to 10mg, 2 months ago, when I saw some studies that implied 10mg or more/day may slow down progres of PD or help with motor symptoms. I don't feel much different, but hope it is helping!

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply toJayPwP

I took Glycine off of my stack about 2 years ago. I am kind of foggy on this (I need to do a clear write up) but I read that elevated levels of Homocysteine could not do very much damage to your brain UNLESS you also had elevated levels of Glycine. That took glycine off my stack.

Like I said, I never wrote up a simplified explanation. If you look at these 2 posts and the comments you will find a lot of opinions (including me being on both sides of the issue):

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toBolt_Upright

I just purchased glycine to take with NAC

😭

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply toJayPwP

Well, if it helps, I am probably in the minority with my fear of Glycine.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toBolt_Upright

So glycine is an issue only if MTHFR mutation exists and Homocysteine is elevated?

park_bear PDCyclist 38yroldmale and other glycine users, please share your thoughts...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toJayPwP

Bolt_Upright ???

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply toJayPwP

I think there are a number of reasons Homocysteine could be elevated.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toBolt_Upright

Right, but Homocysteine would not impact brain health if Glycine is low.,. Conversely the same if Glycine is high and Homocysteine is low???

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply toJayPwP

Sorry, I just don't know. I have a high school degree. I just read that elevated glycine enabled elevated homocysteine to damage brain cells. All of this stuff is pretty speculative. I don't think I am in the majority with my fear of glycine (but I am not on an island by myself).

If you join one of the Zoom calls Marc hosts we could discuss it and get a lot of opinions.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toBolt_Upright

He says supplement with Glycine to reduce Homocysteine

youtu.be/OL0G21Gkh0I?si=ZP3...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toJayPwP

sciencedirect.com/science/a....

Seems to be a contradiction between highlights and the below statement

"Taken together, l-serine and glycine cause homocysteine-induced endothelial cell damage by reducing the level of intracellular homocysteine. l-Serine acts by competitively inhibiting homocysteine uptake in the cells. However, the mechanism(s) by which glycine lowers homocysteine levels are unclear."

CRMACK1948 profile image
CRMACK1948

melatonin acts also as a blood thinner and needs to be stopped 2 weeks before any medical procedure including dental extractions,so possibly none blood thinner alternatives a bit safer?

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo in reply toCRMACK1948

Why before extractions?

CRMACK1948 profile image
CRMACK1948 in reply togomelgo

Our dentist said that it was a precautionary measure to insure quick clotting after an extraction,sorry,I should have made clear that it’s not advice for fillings!!

Caa11 profile image
Caa11 in reply toCRMACK1948

This maybe your specific dentist preference. I am a surgical nurse. We have people continue melatonin up until the day before the OR. Have never had issues.

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes

I'm combining TMG and NAC. Had my homocysteine checked a few years ago and it was normal. I also bought Urolithin A for mitochondria support.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo in reply toSilentEchoes

Never heard of it. What is it?

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes in reply togomelgo

I was sleeping, made my comment in the middle of the night. Life as an insomniac 🤣See my reply to JayPwP below.

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toSilentEchoes

How long have you used Urolithin A ? Is it the mitopure brand? Are you on B1 Therapy? How is it working for you?

I am on Day 6 of using mitopre's and it seems to be doing some good (could be placebo). On day 4, I had return of symptoms (most concerning could not walk a straight line). I am on day 2 of a B1 break and the break has reduced the problem. Hopefully, more time will solve the problem 🙏.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

Are you saying B1 caused your imbalance?

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toJayPwP

I am taking a B1 break because of Major return of imbalance.

More on Urolithin A healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes in reply toGcf51

I bought my Urolithin A from Amazon. The two main things I look for are potency and clean ingredients. This brand doesn't have any additives and is third party tested. I also bought Spermidine.Neurogan High-Potency Urolithin A Capsules - 700mg, 60 Count - Premium Health Support Supplement* - 42,000mg Total Urolithin A - Lab Tested, Made in USA a.co/d/bhfCtcR

My areas of focus are gut/brain health and mitochondria support. Not really separate things. I think if you can improve functioning here the rest takes care of itself.

A lot of my efforts have been to understand how the poisoning caused my ALS. I ask questions and keep what I know to myself when I have encounters with doctors I don't know. My respiratory function has taken a dive recently. I was hospitalized a couple weeks ago and asked for venous blood gas. I'm trying to manage my acid/base (CO2/bicarbonate) balance. What I learned from this test is that the oxygen is available (pulse ox looks normal) but the cells can't use it. Oxygen toxicity. I don't know what to do about this except use the supplements we're discussing. Maybe this is the problem we all have.

I shared my test results and research with my very supportive primary and she prescribed hydroxychloroquine (chloroquine is a derivative of methylene blue). This is to address systemic inflammation, my markers are very elevated.

I'm not saying anyone should do what I'm doing, but we can all learn from each other.

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toSilentEchoes

You are probably right Urolithin A is Urolithin A. I may order Neurogan the next time. Neurogan's serving is 700mg and miropure's is 500. I may have put too much weight on the trail I read saying mitopure.

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toGcf51

I forgot one of the reasons I went with mitopure; My conclusion from what I have read is; UA is the product produced by bacteria that may be present in your gut; a lot of products say contains UA, but they only have the ingredients for certain gut bacteria to produce, whereas Mitopure’s UA is the product that the correct has bacteria produced.

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

I guess I will try the Neurogan which is more economical. It's ordered.

Maybe I am one of the 12% of subjects are capable of converting pomegranate juice to UA

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toSilentEchoes

1) How long have you been taking Urolithin A?

2) Are you on Dap1948 's B1 Therapy?

3) My suppler is sold out on TMG, what do you purchase?

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes in reply toGcf51

Edit: My TMG is from PURE Supplements. You can buy through Amazon. Pure Original Ingredients Trimethylglycine (1lb) TMG Powder, Vegan, Gluten-Free a.co/d/bLER9ZT

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toSilentEchoes

I like that Bulk's is from Beets. Should be easier on kidneys than the synthetic I have been taking.

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes in reply toGcf51

🤔

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toSilentEchoes

I wrote Mitopure, summary of their response: Mitopure is high quality Urolithin A and is just food for bacteria in your gut – I see no reason not to purchase Neurogan's Ultra Micronized - Lab Verified Urolithin A. It appears the 700 mg is no longer available.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toSilentEchoes

Why TMG and not plain glycine?

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes in reply toJayPwP

TMG= trimethylglycine. I have a theory that a high percentage of people with neurodegenerative disease have MTHFR gene mutations.

gomelgo profile image
gomelgo in reply toSilentEchoes

What does that mean?

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toSilentEchoes

How much Glycine in 1000mg TMG capsule?

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toJayPwP

Per Molar Weights 81.1% Glycine

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toGcf51

HU crashes every time I try to attach picture of calculation.

tmg glycine
Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toGcf51

TMG(Betaine) provides glycine AND 3 methyl donors and is much cheaper than glycine.

Methyl donors and cheaper than glycine, Sounds like a win-win and a winner.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

But there must be a downside to too much methylation as well? Or maybe it is detrimental to people who don't have MTHFR mutation or who have low Homocysteine?

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toJayPwP

Overmethylation methyl-life.com/blogs/mthfr...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

I will get tested for Homocysteine blood levels and then decide whether to test for MTHFR mutation.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

Also I am taking Glycine along with NAC on approx. ratio of 1:1, and I am assuming that most of the Glycine and NAC will be used to make Glutathione, leaving very little Glycine alongwith Homocysteine available, to mess with the brain.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

HomocysteineResults 28.04 µmol/L

Ref. range 5.46-16.2

So my Homocysteine is elevated 😭

Now to start methylcobalamin? Test for MTHFR mutation? Replace Glycine with TMG? How about DMG instead of TMG?

Currently I am taking 1 capsule Glycine 1000mg with 2 capsule NAC 600mg, should I just add 1000mg TMG capsule and 1 NAC? Then the quantities would be 1800mg Glycine and 1800mg NAC.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toJayPwP

Please share your views

Miduty Palak Notes Vitamin B12 Supplement with Methylcobalamin - Folate - Vitamins B6 - Energy - Chewable Tablets - 60 Chews -Organic Vit B 12 Vitamin Tablets for Optimal Health Men Women

amzn.in/d/ijeiZL4

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toJayPwP

MTHFR mutation test results

MTHFR C677T Not Detected

MTHFR A1298C Detected – Heterozygous

Any suggestions appreciated 🙏

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

Therapeutic Cocktail Approach for Treatment of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Alzheimer’s Disease

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toSilentEchoes

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes in reply toJayPwP

I take hydroxocobalamin drops. This is the preferred type of B12 for cyanide poisoning. Not promoting this brand, just noting the description: Methyl-Free B12 supports Methylation and Homocysteine Levels.

a.co/d/f6TcZAl

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51

JayPwP I am also Day 56 of taking Fatty15 which I was considering stopping, now thinking maybe the combination is working healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51

If you are hesitate to answer the question Chat (private message me)

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply toGcf51

Is this for me?

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51 in reply toJayPwP

Oops, was intended for   SilentEchoes , but also for anybody that hesitates to go public.

Eryl profile image
Eryl

Whatever you add isn't likely to undo the damage done by unhealthy foods like refined sugar and starch and the lack of vitamins and minerals over a long period.

Gcf51 profile image
Gcf51

I try to eat healthy, I have cut way back on sugar.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

Growing Evidence of a Proven Mechanism Shows Vitamin K2 Can Impact Health Conditions Beyond Bone and Cardiovascular

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

As per chartist oral Melatonin absorption is 3%

This raises doubts in my mind about the 50mg study.

In this case, I would rather stick with GlyNAC.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

Interesting presentation

youtu.be/dLn9js145m8

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

50 mg melatonin daily for 3 months seemed to work but how long does the effect last?

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply tokaypeeoh

Seems the treatment has to be continued indefinitely

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