folic acid and magnesium supplements

[Shadowlight]

Hello, all!

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia in 2018 after being hospitalised with severe nerve damage. I had extreme anxiety, was in a dissociative state, panicked, and could walk only with great difficulty. I had little to no feeling below the waist, and from my shoulders to fingertips.

After initially getting great treatment, I was dropped down to 1 shot IM monthly by my doctors, which was nowhere near enough to keep my symptoms at bay. I am now SI 2 ml depot hevert anywhere from eod to once weekly, depending on my symptoms. I have been able to regulate my potassium with coconut water (for the most part).

Lately I have been feeling increased numbness/tingling in my hands and feet, cramping in my hands/legs, and heightened anxiety. My research tells me that I ought supplement with folic acid and magnesium. Despite being hospitalized in dire shape in 2018, finding a doctor to treat PA has proved fruitless (in NYC, of all places!). Is this true, and if so, advice on dosages?

I would like to thank you all here. Were it not for the advice I received here all those years ago, I believe I would be crippled and pretty far gone in dementia, if not dead.

Thanks,

~ shadowlight

[wedgewood]

We are often short on magnesium .There are many different types of magnesium . Some are easier to absorb than others . Make sure you get a combination tablet of the best . I know that Magnesium citrate and makati are two of them . Google and find out .

As for folate . Leafy green vegetables and lentils are good food suppliers . Then there are 2 types of tablet . There are folic acid tablets that are advised during pregnancy 400mg. daily

There is a methylated folic acid tablet which suits some people better , called L-Methylfolate. This is nearer in composition to natural folate.

You can overdose on folic acid which can give nasty symptoms . You cannot overdose on folate taken in food .

So pleased to hear of your progress ! Such great news . Very best wishes .

[Bellabab in reply to wedgewood]

You cannot overdose on folic acid and the only symptom is anal wind. Its time this anti folic acid campaign stopped. It comes from the USA where Christian fundamentalists object to cereals being supplemented with folate to the extent they swear it causes cancer. There is no scientific evidence for it being dangerous or cause cancer. It is always best to eat natural sources of vitamins yet it can be hard work for some of us to do to get enough folate. I take a 5mg tablet of folic acid every other day & have no problems from that at all. When I was growing my own French beans, runner beans, sprouts etc. it was easier and I took half a 5mg tablet every other day as prescribed by my GP. If you do this then the halved tablets must be wrapped in aluminium foil so they are not damaged by light exposure.

[helvella in reply to Bellabab]

The USA's Office of Dietary Supplements gives an upper limit for folic acid supplementation of a maximum of 1,000 micrograms (and less for some groups). Though they then say:

The ULs do not apply to individuals taking high doses of supplemental folate under medical supervision .

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/F...

There is quite a bit of research which finds issues with high folic acid intakes ranging from periodontal issues through effects on embryo development. (Too many papers are behind paywalls.)

In particular, some studies appear to highlight concerns about high folate levels (however they come about) in conjunction with inadequate B12.

While it is obvious that members here are well aware of B12, even they might go through periods of low B12 - especially before PA diagnosis, and through inadequate B12 treatment thereafter.

Your opening sentence: You cannot overdose on folic acid and the only symptom is anal wind.

I feel this needs to be questioned because you have made it absolute. Thus applying to everyone - regardless B12 levels, regardless pregnancy status, etc.

[Bellabab in reply to helvella]

The concerns about folic acid supplementation are because it may mask B12 deficiency. Once a PA diagnosis has been made it does not matter & as the B12 works hand in hand with folate its essential to have sufficient.

[helvella in reply to Bellabab]

There are plenty on this forum who:

▪️ Have not been diagnosed with PA - possibly not yet, possibly never will be

▪️ Are not adequately treated with B12 - possibly not yet, possibly never will be

While reading here and understanding do help, there are numerous issues which can preclude some people ending up with certainty about their B12 adequacy.

If you are not certain of your B12 repletion, then large doses of folic acid can be an issue.

The specific concerns I mentioned - periodontal disease and embryo development - were not solely related to inadequate B12.

And all I am saying is that "You cannot overdose..." is an overstatement which needs qualification and deeper consideration. I wouldn't want someone to read your statement and supplement with large doses without further ado.

[Nackapan]

I go by blood tests. I was thinking of supplementing magnesium a few yesrs ago .

But my blood test showed me well in range .

I choose to take a multivit which contains rda as so costly buying seperate ones and in low doses I was prepared to take.

The NHS here recommend all women of child bearing age take folic acid daily uo to 400mcg .

As often pregnancies unplanned so best to have good levels anyway and definitely before pregnant.

Again I went by a blood test.

I'm older and don't need that amount.

Folate rich foods I seem to be able to absorb unlike b12 foods!!

I was very ill in 2018 .

Also relied on this forum to push for what i needed .

I'm left with pattern glare and a vestibular disorder.

Fatigue of varying degrees.

I've made great progress too.

Have to pace ( hate that new word In my vocabulary)

We all get blips.

It's maintenence now and the hope of more healing .

Hope you work out what's best for your body and you get back 'on track'

[Oneash]

Hi Shadowlight,

I self inject B12 every other day, daily if I'm feeling rough.

I moved from taking folic acid erratically to taking B9 l-methylfolate 400ug on a daily basis. It's making a difference.

I also take a methyl B vitamin complex by Igennus Healthcare Nutrition, and B6 100mg daily. As B6 works with B12 & B9 in the liver to clear and recycle proteins - homocysteine. Since starting this, a recent development, I've noticed improvements in my long term psoriasis.

I take 25ug vitamin D with every meal, since learning we all are deficient if we aren't running round semi naked in the sunshine.

For Magnesium I use a lotion and eat nuts. But if you are definitely deficient maybe take a pill, but they upset my tummy.

I try and eat plenty of oily fish as it's the easiest way to get the right fat for rebuilding nerve and brain myelin. Nuts, extra virgin olive oil and grass fed meat good too.

Try and get your fruit and greens from organic sources if possible.

Modern heath care finds medication more profitable than nutrition unfortunately.

Big hugs, keep moving gently and keep smiling. 🍀🍀🍀

[Casurvior]

be careful that you are taking Folate and not Folic Acid, they are different. Folate will help with heavy metal elimination from your body where Folic Acid actually compounds the issue, creating new issues to deal with. There are numerous studies just coming out on this. I use mercola.com as a viable resource for health studies but others are available.

[EiCa in reply to Casurvior]

My understanding, and I think and important distinction, is that folate is the natural form of B9 and is found in foods naturally high in it, , and folic acid is a synthetic form of B. Some people do better with folic acid than other. I actually use folinic acid tablets, sublingual, as methylfolate gave me stomach pain, consistently. I have several genetic methylation problems which is why the folinic acid may work better for me. That said, with malabsorption syndrome (SIBO, etc) I am likely going to be injecting whatever form of folate I can get soon.

[Casurvior]

Also there are different Magnesium’s, Most common used is Magnesium Citrate but this causes diarrhea and cramping. You want to take Magnesium L-Threonate to avoid digestive issues and see benefits. I recommend always doing research on supplements both the type of supplements but also the quality of the products. There are many companies that use cheap products like citrate rather than the more health proving L-Threanate. Good health to you!

[Shadowlight]

Just a quick note to thank you all for the comments. I have been reading them and will respond to each when I have a little more time.