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4 episodes with c677t
2 episodes with c677t
2 episodes with c677t
2 episodes with c677t
Let's talk about something that gets tossed around a lot in the world of women's health — MTHFR. You might have heard it mentioned in conversations about fatigue, fertility struggles, anxiety, or detox issues… but what is it really? And how do you know if it's affecting you? Let's break it down together.
In this episode, we dive into the critical process of methylation and its significance in detoxification, mood regulation, and overall cellular function. We explain the step-by-step conversion of dietary folate to its active form and how gene mutations can impair this process, leading to reduced SAMe levels, high homocysteine, and various health issues. Finally, we discuss practical strategies to support methylation through dietary choices and targeted supplementation. Topics: 1. Introduction - Overview of previous discussions on Lyme and its coinfections (Babesia and Bartonella) - Transition to the importance of supporting detoxification pathways 2. The Role of Methylation in Health - Definition and significance of methylation - Importance in detoxification, mood, energy, and gene activation 3. Methylation Process - Biochemical explanation of methylation - Key molecules involved: S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), methionine, ATP - Dietary sources and conversion process of folate (vitamin B9) 4. Synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) - Step-by-step process from dietary folate to SAMe - Enzymatic conversions: DHFR, MTHFR - Role of active folate (L-5-MTHF) in methylation 5. Gene Mutations and Their Impact - Common MTHFR gene mutations: C677T and A1298C - Effects of reduced MTHFR enzyme activity - Consequences: elevated homocysteine levels, reduced SAMe production 6. Consequences of Impaired Methylation - DNA methylation and gene expression - Neurotransmitter synthesis and mental health - Detoxification efficiency - Accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid 7. Supporting Methylation - Dietary strategies: - Emphasizing natural folate intake - Food sources: leafy greens, legumes, fruits - Supplementation strategies: - Ensuring adequate intake of vitamin B12 and B6 - Using L-5-MTHF instead of synthetic folic acid - Trimethylglycine (TMG) supplementation Thank you to our episode sponsor: GenuinePurity Use code CHLOE20 to get $20 off GenuinePurity NMN GenuinePurity NR GenuinePurity Spermidine GenuinePurity Trans-Resveratrol GenuinePurity Fisetin Thanks for tuning in! Get Chloe's Book Today! "75 Gut-Healing Strategies & Biohacks" If you liked this episode, please leave a rating and review or share it to your stories over on Instagram. If you tag @synthesisofwellness, Chloe would love to personally thank you for listening! Follow Chloe on Instagram @synthesisofwellness Follow Chloe on TikTok @chloe_c_porter Visit synthesisofwellness.com to purchase products, subscribe to our mailing list, and more! Or visit linktr.ee/synthesisofwellness to see all of Chloe's links, schedule a BioPhotonic Scanner consult with Chloe, or support the show! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chloe-porter6/support
Ricardo Miranda is the CEO of MTHFRdoctors.com. He is a clinician and one of the top researchers in the field of MTHFR genetic mutation. He developed a unique approach combining Functional Medicine, Genetics, Epigenetics, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Nutrition, and Integrative Medicine diagnostics. He has done extensive research in the MTHFR area and with the understanding of multiple disciplines he has coached doctors from all over the country on how to treat patients with MTHFR mutations and methylation issues. He believes that educating and empowering people to take control of their own health is one of the most important gifts he can give to his patients. “The more knowledge people have, the better are the decisions they make about their own health.” With a passion for helping people reverse their long-lasting illnesses, Ricardo founded MTHFRdoctors.com. Today MTHFRdoctors.com is one of the leading websites in the field of MTHFR with the biggest research database on MTHFR related studies available. MTHFRdoctors.com is an online resource for those searching for information about the MTHFR gene mutation and how it may affect their health. We have created a channel to help the consumer learn about the MTHFR gene mutation, order tests, vitamins and supplements, skin care products, health coaching, and extract genetic reports from raw data from ancestry.com and 23andme. Over 80% of the population has a MTHFR gene mutation in one of the two most important alleles (C677T or A1298C). These mutations may cause people to lose from 20% to 80% of their ability to metabolize folate (folic acid). Folate is the main fuel for methylation and without the proper amount of folate converted into methylfolate, a person may be more prone to develop inherited health conditions and may not properly detox.
A Parenting Resource for Children’s Behavior and Mental Health
MTHFR mutations are deemed to be relatively common but the strong link between MTHFR mutations and mental health has gained attention in recent years. This connection is often associated with an increased risk of various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. People with MTHFR gene mutations may be at an increased risk of other mental health issues which highlights the importance of personalized treatment and support. When we identify these MTHFR-related risks, we allow for early intervention and preventive measures. That's why it's necessary for us to talk about MTHFR and its impacts on mental health.What is MTHFR?I frequently get asked about MTHFR and its effects on mental health. MTHFR is a genetic mutation that significantly affects an individual's mental health. Although it is still important to note that MTHFR is just one factor that can contribute to mental health problems. Other factors, such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle, also play a role.There are several different mutations for MTHFR, but the most common ones are C677T and A1298C. C677T, which reduces the MTHFR activity, is more common in European descent whereas the A1298C is more common in Asian populations. People with these mutations have a decreased ability to convert folate into methyl folate which is why the MTHFR gene variants can influence physical and mental health misuses linked to folate metabolism, including mood disorders and cognitive impairments. Common difficulties associated with MTHFR.There are many toxins surrounding us in our daily environment which is why it is important for us to detoxify. These toxins can build up over time and cause various health problems such as neurological problems, mental health problems, and other health problems.Without nutrients from B6 and B12, your nervous system, particularly neurotransmitters, cannot work properly. With respect to the long-term effects of MTHFR, it can be associated with cardiac problems, stroke, autoimmune conditions, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression and others. In fact, I have never met anyone with bipolar disorder that didn't have MTHFR and so this establishes a strong link between MTHFR and mental health.MTHFR genetic mutation also impacts how psychiatric medication works and we've known this since 2000. That is why the Journal of American Psychiatry recommends that all psychiatrists do genetic testing prior to giving medication for better and more effective results. What do you do if you need a solution?I always emphasize the need to have a qualified, functional and reputable mental health professional. You can also ask your psychiatrist to run genetic testing which is common nowadays. It's really important to get proper support and find help from somebody who fully understands.Mental health care often involves a holistic approach which is why seeking help from mental health professionals who are well-trained and experienced in their field is crucial for effective diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals with mental health concerns. Monitoring nutrient deficiencies could be a game changer in your child's mental health insofar as nutrient deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems, including mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. That's why genetic testing is becoming more common nowadays, and it can be a helpful tool for understanding your mental health.For more information, you can check this blog post: https://drroseann.com/mthfr-and-adhd-ocd-anxiety-and-depression/
Which intracellular vitamin deficiencies do I see with fibromyalgia? Welcome to a deep dive into the Genetic Underpinnings of Fibromyalgia. In this episode, we break down the complex world of genetic SNPs—specifically, MTHFR, NAT2, and CBS—and explore their link to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Ever heard of Ceruloplasmin? It's a protein you won't forget after hearing how it crucially manages 95% of your body's copper and zinc! We'll also tackle the insidious role of Vitamin Deficiencies and how they can trace back to ancient genetic quirks handed down by your ancestors. Did you know that poor methylation could be worsening your fibromyalgia symptoms? We'll explain key MTHFR variants A1298C and C677T and why one is more problematic than the other. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of glutathione—your body's ultimate detox agent and a key player in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. We'll wrap things up with a personal Q&A with Denise, who has firsthand experience with fibromyalgia. She'll share her journey from crippling pain to manageable symptoms. Lastly, don't miss our "Top Ten Intracellular Vitamin Deficiencies" linked to fibromyalgia, and learn how a targeted vitamin regimen can make all the difference. Join us for an informative session that not only demystifies the genetic aspects of fibromyalgia but also offers actionable steps to manage it better. Because you're not just what you eat; you're also what you inherited!
DrBeen#58 MTHFR Gene Mutation and the Risk of Clotting In the United States, 20-40% of whites and hispanics have MTHFR gene mutation (C677T). This mutation leads to reduced function of MTHFR enzyme to 65% of normal. The second most common mutation leads to reduced function of MTHFR enzyme, to 30% of normal. The result of these performance issues is reduced methyl groups' availability for methylation functions. The likelihood of clotting in the cardiovascular system increases because of the endothelial impaired function, clotting factor abnormalities, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). DrBeen: Medical Education Onlinehttps://www.drbeen.com/ FLCCC | Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliancehttps://covid19criticalcare.com/ URL list from Tuesday, June 6, 2023 Homocysteine and MTHFR Mutations | Circulationhttps://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.114.013311 preprints202303.0418.v2.pdffile:///C:/Users/s_mob/Downloads/preprints202303.0418.v2.pdf Folate, MTHFR Gene and Heart Healthhttps://www.gbhealthwatch.com/GND-Cardiovascular-Diseases-MTHFR.php Folate Insufficiency Due to MTHFR Deficiency Is Bypassed by 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate - PMChttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7564482/ Frontiers | Prognostic Genetic Markers for Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients: A Focused Analysis on D-Dimer, Homocysteine and Thromboembolismhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.587451/full Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency - Medical Genetics Summaries - NCBI Bookshelfhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK66131/ Contribution of genotypes in Prothrombin and Factor V Leiden to COVID‐19 and disease severity in patients at high risk for hereditary thrombophilia - Kiraz - 2023 - Journal of Medical Virology - Wiley Online Libraryhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jmv.28457 Do MTHFR polymorphisms make you more susceptible to COVID-19? - MTHFR Support Australiahttps://mthfrsupport.com.au/2021/08/do-mthfr-polymorphisms-make-you-more-susceptible-to-covid-19/ Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy Associated With COVID-19 Infection: Is Double Heterozygous Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Mutation an Underlying Risk Factor? - PMChttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9968507/ Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylenetetrahydrofolate_reductase Disclaimer:This video is not intended to provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice; it also does not constitute provision of healthcare services. The content provided in this video is for informational and educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or healthcare professional regarding any medical or mental health related diagnosis or treatment. No information in this video should ever be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.
In episode #106 Troy shares his expertise as the founder of a pharmaceutical company and his personal story experiencing infertility with his wife. Troy has always been interested in health research, and he discovered the MTHFR mutation issue in 2010. He began a deep dive into this issue as it relates to fertility and pregnancy, and he was amazed by how many people are affected. With the right tests, it was discovered that his wife had the MTHFR mutation. Proper supplementation allowed her to get pregnant and they were able to have their second child. We discuss the difference between folic acid and folate, how the MTHFR mutation affects fertility and pregnancy, and how proper folate supplementation can make a big difference. References are listed below, and Troy is offering a discount code for your first bottle of prenatal vitamins from his company, Centurion Labs. Topics Discussed: infertility, folic acid, folate, MTHFR mutation, prenatal vitamins CONNECT WITH TROY - centurionlabs.com Use coupon code HOPE for 67% off your first bottle of prenatal vitamins! MISCARRIAGE HOPE DESK RESOURCES- Miscarriage Hope Desk aims to help women struggling miscarriage, pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriages (RPL), by providing the following resources- - Library of Articles, found here- https://miscarriagehopedesk.com/library/understanding-why/ - Instagram Community- https://instagram.com/miscarriagehopedesk - Facebook Community- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1617075958466247/ - Free Miscarriage Lab Checklist- https://miscarriagehopedesk.com/labs - Free Weekly Newsletter- http://miscarriagehopedesk.com/newsletter FREE MEAL PLANS Do you need help getting healthy, tasty meals on the table? Check out our sponsor Prep Dish, PrepDish.com/mhd to get 2 weeks FREE! SHOW NOTES- https://miscarriagehopedesk.com/podcast/ Get a FREE Miscarriage Lab Testing Checklist- MiscarriageHopeDesk.com/labs REFERENCES: Scaglione, F., Panzavolta, G., Folate, Folic Acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate are not the same thing, Xenobiotica. Feb. 2014 Servy, Edouard, et.al., MTHFR isoform carriers. 5-MTHF (5-methyl tetrahydrofolate) vs. folic acid: a key to pregnancy outcome: a case series. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1225-2 Greenberg, J. Multivitamin Supplementation During Pregnancy: Emphasis on Folic Acid and L-Methylfolate. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011, Vol. 4 pg 126-127. D'Elia, PQ., et.al., MTHFR polymorphisms C677T and A1298C and associations with IVF outcomes in Brazilian women. Reproductive Biomedicine Online 2014 Jun;28(6):733-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.02.005. Naqvi, H., et.al., Role of 677C® T polymorphisms a single substitution in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in North Indian infertile men. Molecular Biology Reports. Feb. 2014; 41(2):573-9. Mfady, DS, et. al., Associations of variants in MTHFR and MTRR genes with male infertility in the Jordanian population. Gene. 2014 Feb 15;536(1):40-4. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.12.001. Gava, MM, et.al., Polymorphisms in folate-related enzyme genes in idiopathic infertile Brazilian men. Reproductive Sciences 2011 Dec;18(12):1267-72. doi: 10.1177/1933719111411729. Shen, O., et.al., Association of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene A1298C Polymorphism with Male Infertility: A Meta-Analysis Updated Estimates of Neural Tube Defects Prevented by Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification, Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), January 16, 2015. McGowan, E., et.al., Association Between Folate Metabolites and the Development of Food Allergy in Children. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. January 2020; 8(1):132-140. McStay, Catrina, Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy and Childhood Allergic Disease Outcomes: A Question of Timing. Nutrients. 2017 February. Wang, T., et. al., Is Folate Status a Risk Factor for Asthma or Other Allergic Diseases?, Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 2015 November; 7(6): 538-546. Whitrow, Melissa, et. al., Effect of Supplementatl Folic Acid in Pregnancy on Childhood Asthma: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study. American Journal of Epidemiology. October 2009. Vol. 170, No. 12.
COVID-19 has been primarily characterised by respiratory symptoms. But, for some, the infection may also be accompanied by a cytokine storm. This causes the migration and activation of white blood cells and inflammatory proteins known as cytokines and can result in the destruction of lung tissue and surrounding blood vessels. Excessive and impaired blood clotting, known as coagulopathy, is another common complication and is related to poorer outcomes and mortality. What causes one person to be at risk of these outcomes and others not is still uncertain, but some interesting studies warrant our consideration to minimise these risks.One such study from July 2021 assessed the proposal that high homocysteine, associated with an MTHFR gene mutation might be a predictive biomarker for the severity of COVID-19 infection.We've heard a lot about MTHFR in recent years. We know that relatively common variations in the gene are associated with a range of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, migraines, and autoimmune diseases. We're not so familiar with the potential impacts MTHFR gene variations might have on someone with a COVID-19 infection.To help us better understand this study and the role MTHFR and homocysteine may be playing relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, we invited Dr Denise Furness to the podcast.Dr Furness is a functional geneticist and nutritionist. She is a pioneer in the field of nutrigenomics and personalised health with over 15 years of experience in the area. She began her career as a research scientist focusing on folate metabolism, methylation and DNA damage in relation to pregnancy health. Over the years her research expanded covering vitamin D, immune markers, and oxidative stress.Additional Info:In this episode, I make reference to two papers. The first is the focus of our discussion:Ponti, G., Pastorino, L., Manfredini, M., Ozben, T., Oliva, G., Kaleci, S., Iannella, R. and Tomasi, A. (2021), COVID-19 spreading across world correlates with C677T allele of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene prevalence. J Clin Lab Anal, 35: e23798. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.23798The second paper is mentioned at the end of the podcast:Raul H. Morales-Borges and Michael J. Gonzalez (2020) Covid-19 Pandemic and Possible Links with MTHFR Mutations, Homocysteinemia, and Metabolic Disturbances: Short Review. Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology Research, Vol. 2/Issue 3https://unisciencepub.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic-and-possible-links-with-mthfr-mutations-homocysteinemia-and-metabolic-disturbances-short-review/Connect with Dr Denise Furness:Website | https://drdenisefurness.com.au/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drdenisefurness/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=dr%20denise%20furness%20phdYou Tube | https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dr+Denise+FurnessConnect with Danny UrbinderEmail: https://imh.education/contact/Website: https://imh.education/Instagram: https://instagram.com/integrativemedicinehub?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/integrativemedicinehub
In good-ish news, Covid-19 has been around long enough for us to get some DNA-specific research into the mix. Not much research has been done yet on Covid-19 and MTHFR, but we do have some data. We'll talk about: The link between C677T mutation, Covid-19 and mortality rates How high homocysteine might be a predictor of Covid-19 outcomes Why MTHFR folks are more susceptible to acute viral-related high homocysteine How MTHFR folks can protect themselves from the worst Covid-19 outcomes Why avoiding folic acid is even more important than ever. Thanks for listening and come visit Genetic Rockstars, the MTHFR community at community.tohealthwiththat.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tohealthwiththat/message
This episode might surprise you! This week we'll go over: The bizarre and confusing array of names for the C677T mutation The gaps in current research How much you can trust the research regarding enzyme activity and level of compromise The two factors that actually matter about the mutation Which information reigns supreme, clinically speaking - your mutation or your basic over/undermethylation state. You can see the complete show notes and links to all of the research here. Don't forget to give me a thumbs up or a high-five or a bunch of stars or some kind of smiley face or four tomatoes or whatever it is I'm supposed to be getting. Help other mutants find some good info! :) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tohealthwiththat/message
This week, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. James Greenblatt, a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine for over 30 years. Dr. Greenblatt discusses why it’s critical to use genetic testing in the field of mental health and shares how understanding neurotransmitters and our genetic polymorphisms provides a path to help patients understand that their mental health struggle is not a character flaw, but possibly genetic vulnerabilities that can be supported with targeted nutrients and lifestyle changes. We also talk with Dr. Greenblatt about his Psychiatry Redefined educational program and give an update on the new Good Medicine practice development Key Takeaways: [1:32] The more we can understand ways to support our body, the more compassion and less shame we can have towards ourselves and others. Kara reflects upon her own journey of understanding that the effects of stress and depression she felt years ago had less to do with a flaw in her character, and more about her genetic vulnerabilities. [5:38] Dr. Greenblatt is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and has been in practice for over 30 years. He uses genetics to make decisions around what supplements may work best, and even what medications would be helpful. [6:22] Dr. Greenblatt has said that 44% of adults and less than 2% of kids are actually getting the mental health treatment they need. With this time of pervasive stress and a loss of structure, it is more critical than ever to help patients feel comfortable to explore mental health options through Functional Medicine and Nutritional Genomics. [7:12] The Functional Medicine community has a profound responsibility to provide education about biological vulnerabilities, and how mental illness is related to the genetic environment. [8:36] Even if we have a family history of depression, addiction, or suicide, it doesn’t mean that it’s our destiny. [9:40] Dr. Greenblatt discusses 4 important polymorphisms that practitioners should be looking at with their patients: SLC6A4, MTHFR (A1298C and C677T), TPH2, and COMT. [10:35] MTHFR SNPs are the simplest to understand and probably have the most profound implications in traditional psychiatry and functional medicine. The SLC6A4 serotonin transporter gene helps practitioners understand how the patient will respond to SSI treatment. [15:29] Dr. Greenblatt developed Psychiatry Redefined, which is an educational platform that provides clinicians with a new evidence-based treatment model for mental illness. He recommends beginning with the Depression course which includes guidance on using labs and Nutritional Genomics together. [19:37] The twin engines of change are self-motivation and self-efficacy, and when we optimize their biological access to dopamine and serotonin patients can feel like they want to change ‘self-motivation”, and equally as important feel like they can change ‘self-efficacy’. [24:04] We discuss the patient flow in the new Good Medicine model. It is our mission to structure our business so our entire system is truly in partnership with patients, and the process feels welcoming, manageable, and sustainable. Quotes: “An important place for us to begin in a functional medicine practice is to first help people feel well and prepared for the process.” Kara Ware “The earlier we can understand these genetic vulnerabilities, the concept of prevention really screams out and its profound implications.” Dr. Greenblatt “If we utilize this genetic foundation and integrate it into our treatment plan, particularly in mental health, it has really significant implications for recovery and remission.” Dr. Greenblatt Mentioned: Good Medicine Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics Free 30-minute consult. Schedule Here 23andMe Ancestry.com Kara Ware, LLC Psychiatry Refined - Depression Course
Question: A rant on why many people use “MTHFR” to slap a label on their health problems. I put MTHFR in quotes because I meant it the way that people mean when they say, "I have MTHFR." Everyone has MTHFR. What people mean by that is they have these MTHFR polymorphisms. What I meant by that title is that there's a very compelling—It's not totally airtight. It's not completely proven. There's a very compelling argument that the low activity of the C677T polymorphism in MTHFR is exclusively a result of mediocre riboflavin concentrations. That's what I meant by just your MTHFR in quotes means the polymorphism, the result of the polymorphism. Just riboflavin means that the enzyme activity is only lower as a result of that polymorphism because of the mediocre riboflavin concentrations. To them, MTHFR doesn't mean the rate of the MTHFR enzyme. It's a general label for all their health problems that they put Band-Aid solutions on like these tedious distinctions between these different forms of B vitamins and stuff like that that in a healthy well-balanced system don't matter. If people are hypersensitive to little distinctions in the type of B vitamins they’re taking like this, their problem is not just MTHFR. Their problem might be related to methylation. They probably have mineral deficiencies, or other genetic polymorphisms, or other health problems, thyroid-adrenal stuff that are causing that. The reason that MTHFR isn't simply about riboflavin for those people versus the well-controlled studies of showing that riboflavin supplementation specifically lowers homocysteine 40%, specifically in people with MTHFR C677T homozygous, specifically with poor riboflavin status. When you're out there saying that overmethylators can't tolerate methylcobalamin or they get terrible reactions to this, you're slapping overmethylator label on someone whose problem is that they just don't have a rational strategy for dealing with their MTHFR. Because no one is an overmethylator or an undermethylator, unless it's a collection of symptoms of a poorly managed methylation system. This Q&A can also be found as part of a much longer episode, here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/podcast/2019/09/06/ask-anything-nutrition-march-8-2019 If you would like to be part of the next live Ask Me Anything About Nutrition, sign up for the CMJ Masterpass, which includes access to these live Zoom sessions, premium features on all my content, and hundreds of dollars of exclusive discounts. You can sign up with a 10% lifetime discount here: https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/q&a
Gorilla Mode Nitric Pre-Workout is the most potent and comprehensive stimulant free pre-workout on the market in ALL aspects. All angles of saturating the muscle with blood and hydration have been addressed in this formula and are quite literally maxed out. https://youtu.be/iFlmwQXBs6U Gorilla Mode Nitric Supplement Facts Per Full Daily Dose: L-Citrulline – 10,000 mg Creatine Monohydrate – 5000 mg Betaine Anhydrous – 4000 mg GlycerPump™ (65% Glycerol Powder) – 4000 mg Malic Acid – 3000 mg Agmatine Sulfate – 1500 mg Nitrosigine® (inositol-stabilized arginine silicate) – 1500 mg Sodium Nitrate – 1500 mg VasoDrive-AP® (isoleucyl-prolyl-proline (IPP) and valyl-prolyl-proline (VPP) isolated from hydrolyzed milk casein) – 254 mg Gorilla Mode Nitric Vs. Other Pre-Workouts On The Market This is the most maxed out stimulant free pre-workout formula on the market in all aspects. It is also the most comprehensive formula that targets nitric oxide (NO), vasodilation and intracellular hyper-hydration from multiple angles, while maintaining top end dosages across all of those pathways. We completely saturate the traditional Arginine–eNOS–nitric oxide (NO) pathway with a massive 10 gram dose of L-Citrulline, 1.5 grams of Nitrosigine and 1.5 grams of Agmatine Sulfate. The often neglected nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide (NO) pathway is also topped out with a 1500 mg dose of Sodium Nitrate. A high level of intracellular hyper-hydration is achieved with 5 grams of Creatine Monohydrate, 4 grams of Glycerpump and 4 grams of Betaine Anhydrous. We also addressed the enzyme angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with VasoDrive-AP®, which acts as an ACE inhibitor and significantly increases vasodilation. Finally, we have 3 grams of Malic Acid added in on top of the 10 grams of pure L-Citrulline to act as a Krebs cycle intermediary and counter lactic acid buildup during training. Some of these pathways are so maxed out that we could have easily just chosen one of them and sold the product for $39.99 and still had one of the most potent pre-workouts in the industry. Instead, I packed it all into one absurd product that clocks in with over 30 grams of efficacious active ingredients per full dose. It was incredibly expensive to create, but I am very happy with how it turned out, and I am not exaggerating when I say that this pre-workout is absolutely unmatched. Basically, I just included exactly what I would want to see in a stimulant free pre-workout, even at the obvious detriment of our margins. This product is even more potent than Gorilla Mode when it comes to pure pump and performance. The full daily dose is 2 scoops. Even a half dose (1 scoop) is still far more potent than the majority of other pre-workouts out there at their max dosages. This is another product I wanted to be head and shoulders, clear as day, superior to everything else in the industry. Just like in my description of how Gorilla Mode stacks up to other products in this industry, we can actually back up why our product is better than the rest. When (insert fitness influencer name here) launches their own supplement line, they will regurgitate the same story about how their products are effectively dosed, only use the highest quality ingredients, blah blah blah. They don't even know what they're selling half the time, let alone what combinations of ingredients work synergistically, or how to dose a product properly. They employ others to manufacture their products, or use a pre-made formula their manufacturer uses for every company where they just slap a different label on it and sell it for a huge margin. At the end of the day, most fitness influencers have no idea what goes into making an effective product. They don't know how their products work, they probably wouldn’t even use them if they didn’t sell them, they didn't formulate them, and they have to pay the overhead involved with having a team under them who is responsible for all of that. As you’ve already experienced with Gorilla Mode and Gorilla Mind Nootropics, it is me formulating the products, and they work because I actually put in them what I would want in a product and buy myself if I didn’t have a company. The same applies with Gorilla Mode Nitric. If I didn’t have this product, for an effective stim-free pre-workout I would probably be mixing up 6000-10,000 mg of L-Citrulline for vasodilation (with 6000 mg being the bare minimum of pure L-Citrulline, not Citrulline Malate, and would be dependent on my budget at the time), a saturation dose of Creatine Monohydrate (5000 mg), 3000-4000 mg of Glycerpump to hyper-hydrate the muscle with water, and maybe a quarter teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt. The fact that a significant amount of supplement companies will skimp out on Creatine Monohydrate and either not include it at all, or only include a subpar dosage, really sheds light on how scammy this industry can be. That is the cheapest ingredient they could easily dose properly, and even that they won't shell out the money for in their formulas. It’s not hard to put 5 grams of Creatine in a pre-workout, and it is actually pretty cheap to put in there. The reason is, they want you to go buy their creatine product, and will intentionally manipulate their ingredient profile to be deficient in several areas to make you buy more stuff from them. With my products, everything is turnkey. You don’t need to go buy a separate Creatine product from us, you don’t need to stack extra stims on top of our stim-based products, you don’t need to go buy something else to get the max dose of a certain ingredient in any of our formulas, everything you need is in each product at an efficacious dosage. Flavor And Mixability The flavor we chose to start with for Nitric was Mango Peach as it is a more mainstream appealing flavor than Tiger's Blood. Tiger's Blood and a fruit punch flavor will probably be next in the pipeline of flavor releases. Mango Peach is easily a 9 or 10/10 flavor, even for the pickiest of tongues. As there’s such a high concentration of ingredients in this formula we were really happy with how the flavor systems turned out. We were expecting something this potent to be nearly impossible to avoid tasting like ass. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. It also mixes very well considering the concentration of L-Citrulline, GlycerPump, and all of the other ingredients in this product. There is some grittiness, but that just comes with the territory with putting out a 35 gram serving size product with 10 grams of L-Citrulline and 4 grams of Glycerpump. You will just have to use a bit more water than you would with your standard pre-workout because there are simply more active ingredients in this product that will require more liquid to mix well. How To Dose Gorilla Mode Nitric Mix 1-2 scoops of Gorilla Mode Nitric in 12-14 ounces of water and consume 30 minutes prior to training. Vary the amount of water to achieve your desired flavor level. First time users should begin use with 1/2-1 scoop or less to evaluate tolerance. DO NOT EXCEED 2 SCOOPS IN ANY 24 HOUR PERIOD. Gorilla Mode Nitric Ingredients Breakdown L-Citrulline – 10,000 mg L-Citrulline is the most effective supplement you can use to boost nitric oxide (NO) in the body. Why Nitric Oxide (NO) Is Important Nitric oxide (NO) is made naturally in our bodies and plays a significant role in cardiovascular health. It dilates blood vessels (vasodilation), which lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen in the blood. https://youtu.be/EoYhQIHmKoE Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a messenger to signal blood vessels to dilate, or contract and relax. Sufficient nitric oxide is needed to signal blood vessels to contract or relax to ensure blood is able to flow to and from the heart effectively. Nitric oxide production decreases with age, consequently reducing the elasticity of the cardiovascular system, and impairing the body's ability to ensure sufficient amounts of oxygenated blood are reaching vital organs. Eating enough nitrates and/or supplementing with nitric oxide precursors is very important to ensure that your cardiovascular system maintains optimized function as you get older. In addition, maintaining optimal nitric oxide levels will make you more vascular, allow you to get a much better pump, increase muscle volume, enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to working muscles, support recovery and improve overall physical performance. Increased Muscular Endurance Citrulline has also shown to significantly increase muscular endurance, with one study finding that compared to placebo, a single 8000 mg dose of Citrulline Malate increased the number of reps performed per set, on every set after set 2 [R]. The impact Citrulline had on performance increased the more sets were performed. During the last set performed, the group that took Citrulline had a 52.92% increase in the number of reps they could perform relative to placebo. It also decreased muscle soreness by 40% at 24 and 48 hours after the training session compared to placebo. Effect On Body Composition There isn’t much data on the direct effect Citrulline has on muscle growth and fat loss in humans. However, a rodent model assessed the effect Citrulline had on body composition and found that 20 month old rats that were given a diet that included the human equivalent dose of 160 mg/kg per day for 12 weeks had 13% less body fat and 9% more lean body mass relative to the rats fed a standard diet without Citrulline supplementation [R]. Visceral fat mass was also reduced by 32%. The mortality rate of the rats taking Citrulline was 0%, while the standard diet fed rats had a mortality rate of 20%. L-Citrulline is one of the most promising supplements on the market and has significantly more upside above and beyond its increase in vascularity and pumps in the gym. The Maximum Effective Dose Of L-Citrulline Citrulline is found in watermelons. You would need to eat 1.5 kg of watermelon every day to get 3 grams of L-Citrulline though, which is the minimum effective dose [R]. To get the maximum effective dose of L-Citrulline from your diet, you would need to eat 5.0 kg of watermelon per day to get 10 grams (10,000 mg) of L-Citrulline [R]. Obviously, nobody is going to eat that much watermelon, nor is it a good idea to begin with in my opinion when there are far better ways to allocate your macronutrient/micronutrient intake allotments. This is why L-Citrulline supplementation could actually be worthwhile. The Problem With Citrulline Malate In The Supplement Industry While L-Citrulline is a great supplement to have in your daily regimen, there is a red flag around L-Citrulline supplementation that you need to know about. I'm sure you've seen that some supplements have L-Citrulline in them, and some have Citrulline Malate. Some even say "L-Citrulline Malate". This is a cheap trick companies use to deceive customers. Citrulline Malate is composed of 50% Malic Acid, unless the ratio states otherwise. Authentic Citrulline Malate is produced by chemically bonding free-form L-Citrulline to DL-Malic Acid. When L-Citrulline is chemically bonded to DL-Malic Acid, the end result is Citrulline Malate, which has unique properties. But the problem with the Citrulline Malate in the supplement industry is that it doesn't have this chemical reaction. It's just Citrulline mixed with malic acid in a big mixing vat in the manufacturing facility. There is no chemical bond like there should be to create authentic Citrulline Malate. It's just the two ingredients being mixed together in a cheap blend, and it's sold as "Citrulline Malate", or "L-Citrulline Malate". The reality is that it's just Citrulline stirred up with malic acid. While this isn't a huge deal in itself, the problem lies in the labeling practices companies use to artificially inflate the perceived potency of their product. 6-8 grams is seen as the max clinically proven efficacious dosage in the supplement industry in general. At least, that's what companies will tell you in their marketing. First of all, we already know that the actual maximum efficacious dosage of L-Citrulline is 10 grams per day [R]. In addition, the main issue is that the "L-Citrulline" in their product is actually as low as half of the stated label claim. As mentioned, Citrulline Malate is just a mixture of Citrulline and malic acid. Somehow, companies are getting away with labeling their products with the chemically bonded form Citrulline Malate and claiming they have 6-8 grams per serving in their pre-workout, when they actually just have 3-4 grams of Citrulline and 3-4 grams of malic acid per serving. Instead of labeling the following: L-Citrulline - 3 grams Malic Acid - 3 grams These companies are labeling their products like this: Citrulline Malate - 6 grams Or like this: L-Citrulline Malate - 6 grams Making you think you are getting a high dose, when in reality you are getting the bare minimum efficacious dose per serving of 3 grams. Sometimes, companies will tweak the ratio to be a bit more in favor of a higher Citrulline content relative to malic acid, but this is rarely higher than a 2:1 ratio. So, if you see the following: Citrulline Malate (2:1) - 6 grams That just means that the company has 4 grams of L-Citrulline and 2 grams of malic acid per serving. This is the exact manufacturing process involved in producing the L-Citrulline and "Citrulline Malate" you get in pre-workouts in the supplement industry: As you can see, the Citrulline Malate manufacturing flowchart on the right literally just says, "mix". If this was authentic Citrulline Malate, you wouldn't need to mix L-Citrulline with malic acid, it would be chemically bonded together by the end of the manufacturing process. You're not really getting what you're paying for, and most don't realize this is a tactic in the industry to get better margins and artificially inflate a products perceived efficacy. Even if a pre-workout had what on paper appears to be a top end efficacious dose of 8 grams per serving, how much L-Citrulline are you actually getting out of that serving? 4-6 grams at most. I have yet to see a pre-workout formula actually hit a top end L-Citrulline dosage, and of the ones that get close, they use Citrulline Malate to inflate their label. In addition, even if you had the bonded version (which supplements don't), reacted Citrulline Malate will break apart into L-Citrulline and malic acid right away after its mixed in water. It's all just a trick to artificially inflate a products perceived potency on a label, as each ingredient should be listed separately. Most supplements have malic acid anyways in the "other ingredients" section, which is still an active ingredient that does have some potential performance benefits that you would get from the “Malate” portion of Citrulline Malate. L-Citrulline and malic acid work via a different mechanism of action. Citrulline bypasses the liver and gets converted to arginine, which increases NO levels in the body. Malic acid is a Krebs cycle intermediary that counters lactic acid buildup. How much do you need of each though? With Citrulline, we know where the top end data lies. Malic acid, we don't. There is research on Citrulline and Citrulline Malate, but not much data on supplementing with malic acid to replenish depleted levels as a Krebs cycle intermediary. I don't think we can make a generalized overview on how effective the malic acid component was in the Citrulline Malate research either because we can't determine if the results were derived from the malic acid, the L-Citrulline, or both. Considering this, I included an additional 3000 mg of malic acid separately in the Gorilla Mode Nitric formula as an active ingredient in the main ingredients panel. As mentioned, malic acid is most commonly used as a filler in supplements, and will be found in small amounts in many product "other ingredients" sections. The only other time it is used is by companies artificially inflating their perceived L-Citrulline dosage via Citrulline Malate. No companies are including a maxed out dose of pure L-Citrulline as well as malic acid separetely though. It is always a subpar amount of each. So, if there is some sort of performance enhancing benefit to having a high dose of malic acid, you are also getting it via Nitric on top of the maximum efficacious 10,000 mg dose of pure L-Citrulline. At the end of the day, for vasodilation you should concern yourself with is how much pure L-Citrulline is in your pre-workout supplement. I have yet to see a product with more than 6000 mg of PURE L-Citrulline. I have only seen a handful of products with 6 grams of L-Citrulline, and another handful of products with 8 grams of Citrulline Malate (which only yields 4-5 grams of actual L-Citrulline, with the remainder as malic acid). I put 10 grams of PURE L-Citrulline in Gorilla Mode Nitric, as well as 3 grams of malic acid separately, so you can get the full benefits of the max dosage of each ingredient and transparently see exactly what you are actually getting in the product. Even if you decide to only use a half dose of this product you will still get 5000 mg of pure L-Citrulline, and the formula is still top notch even when cut in half. Citrulline Vs Arginine One of the most well-known pump ingredients is Arginine. The problem with L-Arginine is that it is very ineffective at increasing Nitric Oxide synthesis. Logically, you would assume that taking Arginine would be the most effective way to increase Arginine levels in the body. However, this is not the case. Oral L-Arginine is taken up and metabolized by the liver so much that it does not actually effectively increase Arginine levels, and it may even be unsafe to use because of how much excessive urea it yields [R]. L-Citrulline bypasses the liver and passes freely to the kidneys where it is metabolized to Arginine [R]. The most effective supplement that can be used to increase Arginine levels in the body to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes is L-Citrulline [R]. L-Citrulline supplementation has shown to lower blood pressure and provide atherogenic-endothelial protection [R]. When it comes to NO precursors that significantly improve pumps, nothing beats an efficacious dose of pure L-Citrulline. Creatine Monohydrate – 5000 mg Creatine is the best studied and most effective performance enhancing supplement outside of exogenous hormones and drugs. Creatine’s Effect On Muscle Size And Strength Supplementing with creatine has shown time and time again to significantly improve strength, power output and muscle size [R]. Creatine’s effect on strength is facilitated by increasing the body’s stores of phosphocreatine, which is then used during high intensity exercise to produce ATP [R, R]. Creatine’s effect on muscle size is facilitated by drawing water into the muscle via osmosis, consequently increasing body weight and muscle size. In addition, with the increased strength creatine provides, heavier weights can be used in the gym which provide more stimulus for growth, consequently increasing muscle accrual in the long-term. Creatine supplementation also appears to increase the number of myonuclei that satellite cells will donate to damaged muscle fibers, which increases the potential for growth of those fibers [R]. A typical omnivorous diet provides about 1 gram of creatine per day, which isn’t enough to get the benefits you would from supplementation, and also isn’t nearly enough to support health status and methylation in those with genetic polymorphisms. Creatine’s Effect On Methylation And Health Status About 1 gram of creatine is endogenously produced in the body naturally in young healthy adults [R]. Most of the human body's total creatine and phosphocreatine stores are found in skeletal muscle, while the remainder is distributed in the blood, brain, and other tissues [R]. While there are a host of processes in the body that rely on creatine to be carried out optimally (and are often completely neglected), one of the most notable functions of creatine is neurological support [R]. In addition, the endogenous synthesis of creatine relies on a process called methylation. Arginine and Glycine are combined by an enzyme to form guanidinoacetate, which is then methylated into creatine. The problem is that this process is dependent on a mechanism of action that is commonly inhibited in the general population via endogenous Arginine deficiency, Glycine deficiency, or MTHFR polymorphisms. The MTHFR gene codes for an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or MTHFR. This enzyme is needed for the production of DNA and methylation pathways that are essential for all bodily functions. Genetic variations in this gene results in reduced activity of the enzyme and has been associated with cardiovascular disease, neurological defects, some forms of cancer, and a myriad of other diseases and disorders [R, R]. Personally, I am homozygous for C677T of MTHFR, which results in a 80-90% decrease in my efficiency in processing folic acid. The direct reflection of that in blood biomarkers can be high homocysteine and low B12 and folate levels. I determined this via a simple 23andMe genetics test. Upwards of 45% of your body’s methylation demands are used to synthesize creatine. For someone with a MTHFR polymorphism, you can put a significant amount of stress on your methylation pathway and deplete far more methyl groups than you should be just to create the 1 gram per day that you endogenously synthesize. We lose up to 2-3 grams of creatine per day because it converts to creatinine and is then passed out of the body via urine. As you can see, adequate replenishment of creatine is probably not being accomplished if you aren’t consistently eating a fair bit of meat or fish. And for those with impaired methylation pathways, supplementing with exogenous creatine is likely the only way creatine replenishment can be achieved. One study found that supplementing with 5 grams of creatine per day lowered plasma homocysteine levels by almost 50% in the subject who is homozygous for C677T of MTHFR [R]. Creatine supplementation can significantly lower the body’s demands for methylation and prevent the depletion of methyl groups. This is why I personally supplement with 5 grams of creatine per day. Do You Need To Cycle Off Of Creatine? No, you do not need to cycle off of creatine. Your body does not get used to it, and long-term use has shown to be safe in healthy adults [R]. Betaine Anhydrous – 4000 mg Betaine, also called Trimethylglycine, acts as a methyl donor and an osmolyte in the body. Earlier in the creatine breakdown, I briefly outlined the importance of having a sufficient amount of methyl donors available for methylation processes in the body, including the endogenous synthesis of creatine. For some individuals (depending on PEMT gene variations) Betaine can substitute for folate and B12 in the regeneration of methionine and can be choline sparing via this mechanism. It can also provide additional needed methyl donors when over-depletion occurs in genetically predisposed individuals that do not supplement with creatine, or have other deficiencies. As an osmolyte, Betaine helps balance fluid levels inside and outside of cells. The main reason I included Betaine in this formula is for its ability to induce intracellular hyper-hydration. By improving hydration status in cells, Betaine increases the pump you get in the gym, and can help prevent dehydration during exercise. Research has also shown that Betaine supplementation may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as improve digestion and liver function [R, R, R, R]. In a performance enhancing context, Betaine supplementation has also shown to increase power, endurance, muscle growth and fat loss [R, R, R]. How significant will this effect on body composition be in practical application? Negligible in my honest opinion, but the enhanced pump made this ingredient worthwhile to add into the formula. GlycerPump™ (65% Glycerol Powder) – 4000 mg Glycerol significantly enhances pumps and performance by hyper-hydrating the muscle with water. Glycerol’s Effect On Hydration, Pumps And Endurance If you drink a lot of water with nothing else in hopes of hyper-hydrating your muscles, the fall in osmolarity in your body stimulates the kidneys to remove most of the excess water within an hour. If you add glycerol to the water, this prevents the drop in osmolarity and can extend the hyper-hydration of your muscles by up to four hours. By adding Glycerol to your pre-workout, you can hold upwards of an extra liter of water via this hyper-hydrating effect. Hydration is one of the most critical factors when it comes to performance. Aside from massive pumps, Glycerol use has shown to increase endurance by as much as 24%, as well as improve aerobic and anaerobic power and performance [R, R]. Only a 2% loss in fluids can result in as much as a 20% decrease in exercise performance. GlycerPump™ Vs Other Forms Of Glycerol We chose the trademarked GlycerPump because it doesn’t clump up nearly as much as other forms of Glycerol powder and it’s more stable. Glycerol is normally a liquid at standard temperature and pressure, and many supplement companies have attempted to create a powder form of Glycerol that is stable. Glycerol products get clumpy, have horrible viscosity and have a short shelf life. Because of this, most companies avoid this ingredient entirely, as it can cause severe clumping within just a couple months of being manufactured. Regular glycerol containing products only yield as low as 10% glycerol, which makes them ineffective, and higher yielding glycerol products can be unstable within complex formulas like ours and result in a clumpy product, or complete product failure. GlycerPump™ is created using unique spray drying technology, yielding a stable powder form of glycerol standardized to 65%. It is MUCH better than other alternatives and won't result in the powder turning into a rock. Keep in mind, while it is manageable, this is not a clump-free product, and there’s nothing I could do about that if I wanted to include the high concentration of ingredients that I did in Gorilla Mode Nitric. Store Gorilla Mode Nitric in a cool dry place, and if it clumps, that’s just what comes with the territory with a product dosed like this. If it clumps, just get out a knife or spoon and chop it up, and it will still mix fine once it hits the water in your cup. Agmatine Sulfate – 1500 mg Agmatine has shown to induce NO production via the same processes as arginine, but does it far more effectively [R]. This results in even bigger pumps in the gym and improved overall performance. Agmatine has also shown to be neuroprotective against excitotoxicity and stroke, and also has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects that may enhance state of well-being and mood elevation with supplementation. Agmatine has also shown to manipulate pain receptors, which may result in an increased pain tolerance during intense training. Agmatine is a very misunderstood compound and is believed by some to antagonize other vasodilators. Agmatine works in a more selective way than other vasodilators, as it only increases one of the three Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms. It also decreases the other two NOS isoforms, which is where the hypothesis about it being vasoconstricting was raised as a legitimate concern. The three NOS isoforms include iNOS, nNOS and eNOS. They each play their own role in certain tissues to regulate vasodilation. iNOS (inducible) produces high concentrations of NO via an immune system response to kill harmful bacteria. In excess, iNOS can be inflammatory. nNOS (neuronal) regulates neurological health and facilitates communication in the brain across neurons. In excess, nNOS can inhibit the growth and repair of neurons. eNOS (endothelial) facilitates vasodilation in the lining of blood vessels to improve blood flow. eNOS is the main isoform that most are familiar with that increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. It is also the main isoform that facilitates massive pumps in the gym. While NO is great for the gym and vascular health, it can be inflammatory in excess. NO production by eNOS has shown to play a protective role in cerebral ischemia by maintaining vascular permeability, whereas NO derived from nNOS and iNOS is neurotoxic and can enhance the neuronal damage occurring in ischemia [R]. This is where the selective activity of Agmatine shines, as data suggests that Agmatine's mechanism of action is facilitated by inhibiting iNOS and nNOS and increasing eNOS [R, R]. Agmatine has shown to selectively increase eNOS levels while simultaneously decreasing iNOS and MMP-9 protein expression [R, R]. Anecdotally, Agmatine does not seem to inhibit any of the positive effects of L-Citrulline or other vasodilators. On the contrary, it seems to complement other "pump" compounds very effectively. On paper, Agmatine sounds like the perfect ancillary compound to add to a pre-workout as it increases expression of the NOS isoform we want, while simultaneously inhibiting the isoforms that can be more inflammatory in excess. Nitrosigine® (inositol-stabilized arginine silicate) – 1500 mg Nitrosigine got some hype behind it when independent researchers from the University of Arkansas presented data suggesting that 1500 mg of Nitrosigine was almost as effective as 8000 mg of Citrulline Malate 2:1 (5333.33 mg L-Citrulline and 2666.66 mg Malic Acid) at increasing flow mediated dilation (FMD) [R]. FMD refers to dilation of an artery when blood flow increases in that artery. Because the primary cause of FMD is release of nitric oxide by endothelial cells, we can use FMD as a proxy for NO levels. To circumvent the lackluster efficacy of plain oral Arginine, Nutrition 21 (the developers of Nitrosigine) created a complex of bonded arginine and silicon. The inositol acts as a stabilizer and increases the bioavailability of the complex, consequently resulting in a potent NO boosting compound. Remember that the main issue with Arginine is poor bioavailability. The inositol stabilizer helps circumvent that issue [R]. Unlike plain Arginine, Inositol-stabilized Arginine silicate (Nitrosigine) has shown to kick in within 15 minutes and elevate blood Arginine levels for up to six hours after ingestion [R, R]. Nitrosigine has some impressive data reinforcing its efficacy, and it is purported to be much more effective milligram for milligram than other common vasodilators at increasing NO levels. On top of the increase in vasodilation and pumps, the developers claim that after a single dose Nitrosigine can increase mental acuity and focus by 33% within 15 minutes, with a compounding effect over time. In addition, they claim that Nitrosigine supports enhanced recovery by reducing markers of muscle damage [R]. Nitrosigine Vs. L-Citrulline Vs. Agmatine Sulfate In Vitro An in vitro study was designed by Nutrition 21 to compare the cellular production of NO of several sports nutrition ingredients. These ingredients included Nitrosigine, L-Arginine, L-Arginine AKG, L-Citrulline, Citrulline Malate and Agmatine Sulfate. Nitrosigine was dosed at a concentration of 1.0 g/L. Cell culture concentrations of the other compounds were dosed relative to a 1500 mg dose of Nitrosigine using the following doses: L-Arginine - 1500 mg L-Arginine AKG - 4000 mg L-Citrulline - 3000 mg L-Citrulline Malate - 3000 mg Agmatine Sulfate - 1000 mg As NO is unstable and rapidly converts to nitrites or nitrates, nitrite levels were measured as a proxy for NO production. At the doses used in this study, Nitrosigine significantly increased NO production over each of the five other compounds tested. There was a greater than 5X increase in NO production with Nitrosigine compared to the other tested vasodilators. In addition, of the compounds tested, only Nitrosigine significantly increased NO production versus control. While this looks very impressive for Nitrosigine, you have to consider that this is an in vitro study conducted by Nutrition 21 themselves. The results basically indicate that every single clinically proven vasodilator that we know works is useless as it couldn't increase NO production above control, meanwhile Nitrosigine somehow cranked it through the roof over 5x higher than the rest. While the results are certainly interesting, I would take this data with a grain of salt. Nitrosigine Vs. Citrulline Malate - Vasodilation Study On Young Adults Unlike the in vitro study comparing Nitrosigine to Citrulline Malate, another study in 2019 was apparently conducted independently from the company without their knowledge whatsoever [R]. This study was conducted on young, healthy, physically active adults, and provides more acceptable parameters for us to take seriously when it comes to evaluating Nitrosigine's efficacy in humans relative to a decent dose of the most widely used vasodilator in the industry, Citrulline Malate (assuming that the study was actually unbiased as is implied) [R]. 16 healthy young men and 8 healthy young women participated in the study. Each subject either received 1500 mg of Nitrosigine, 8000 mg of Citrulline Malate 2:1, or dextrose placebo. Keep in mind, this is Citrulline Malate 2:1, so the subjects are only actually getting 5333.33 mg of L-Citrulline. The study was randomized, double-blind, within-subjects design where participants reported for three trials, each preceded by a 7-day washout period. Baseline flow mediated dilation (FMD) measurement was obtained for each visit, followed by consumption of one clinical dose Citrulline Malate (8 grams), Nitrosigine (1.5 grams), or dextrose placebo (8 g). Following a 60-min digestion period, FMD was repeated. Supplementation order was randomized controlling for potential order effects. Basically, the subjects would show up, get their FMD evaluated, take one of the three options, and then get their FMD checked again to see how well the random compound they ingested increased their NO production. They would then take a week off, and come back and repeat, where they would then receive one of the remaining two compounds, with the same measurement process. This would be followed by another week off, and then a third visit where the subjects would receive whatever the third ingredient was that they hadn't yet tried, and the same measurement process was conducted. Nobody knew what they were ingesting during each trip, but by the end of the experiment every single subject had tried each ingredient, and their vasodilation response was evaluated for comparisons. Expectedly, Citrulline Malate and Nitrosigine yielded a greater improvement in FMD response than placebo. Citrulline Malate increased FMD by 34%. Nitrosigine increased FMD by 31%. Placebo decreased FMD by 2%. Allometric scaling of the FMD values was required afterwards to adjust the results to account for the body size of males relative to females. After allometric scaling of the FMD values, Citrulline Malate was shown to increase FMD by 25%, Nitrosigine increased FMD by 23%, and placebo increased FMD by 0.6%. Clearly Citrulline Malate isn't as useless as the Nutrition 21 funded in vitro data would lead you to believe. The results from this study suggest that the clinically efficacious 1500 mg dose of Nitrosigine is almost equally effective to 5333.33 mg of L-Citrulline mixed with 2666.66 mg of Malic Acid. Clearly Nitrosigine has a lot of promise as a pre-workout ingredient, which is why I included it in our formula alongside the massive dosages of other potent vasodilators we already have. Every single effective vasodilator we felt was worthwhile is in here at topped out dosages. While it would be nice if there was data we could refer to evaluating if there is a synergy between Nitrosigine and Citrulline, or Nitrosigine and Agmatine, regardless if the end result is 1+1 = 2 or if it's 1+1 = 3, my goal was to make sure this formula was air tight and ensure you are getting the maximum possible performance enhancing benefit from each and every ingredient. Sodium Nitrate – 1500 mg Sodium is one of the most critical and overlooked components of a diet designed to optimize exercise performance. But, keep in mind, you’re not going to get enough sodium in a pre-workout without it tasting terrible. Other companies will put a tiny dose of sodium in their product and then claim you will get all of the benefits of it. Personally, I just toss and wash a quarter teaspoon of a high quality salt 30 minutes pre-workout with Gorilla Mode or Gorilla Mode Nitric, and I take another quarter teaspoon with my post-workout drink. The reason I included sodium nitrate in Gorilla Mode Nitric is not for the sodium, it is for the nitrates. The nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide (NO) pathway is a series of oxygen-independent and NO synthase–independent single-electron transfer reactions that ultimately facilitate vasodilation. The traditional Arginine–eNOS–nitric oxide (NO) pathway is what most NO precursors focus on. The nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide (NO) pathway often goes completely neglected though, and is another pathway we can leverage to amplify NO levels to an even greater level. Nitrates found in food can be converted into nitrites in the body, and then reduced to NO via nitrite reductase [R]. Several studies have shown that nitrate supplementation can increase plasma nitrite concentrations, and consequently Nitric Oxide, which then enhances pumps, endurance, and all of the other benefits we use NO precursors for [R]. Nitrate Dosage - Sodium Nitrate Vs. Beet Root Powder Pre-Workouts Beet root is a very popular ingredient that has started to get a lot of attention over the past few years. The reason why beet root works is because it is a densely concentrated source of nitrates. However, despite it being densely concentrated relative to other foods, beet root still only contains 1-2 percent of nitrates per gram of raw material. This would require you to ingest an absurdly high amount of beet root to get the same amount of nitrates that you can get from the 1500 mg of sodium nitrate in Gorilla Mode Nitric. To put it in perspective, your standard beet root powder pre-workout supplement has around 4.3 grams of Beet root juice powder in it. The amount of nitrates in that 4.3 grams is about 43 mg. That means that you would need to chug the entire tub at one time to get the same amount of nitrate as you would get out of a 1500 mg dose of sodium nitrate. There is no feasible way to get a high dose of nitrates from beet root powder without ingesting massive quantities far higher than what you would get in a dietary supplement. By weight, sodium nitrate is the most highly concentrated source of nitrates among any dietary ingredient. Nitrates comprise 73 percent of the total weight of sodium nitrate [R]. The optimal dosage of nitrate supplementation appears to be between 6.4-12.8 mg/kg [R]. That equates to the following dosage protocols: 440-870 mg for a 150 lb person 580-1,160 mg for a 200 lb person 730-1,450 mg for a 250 lb person For every gram of sodium nitrate, 730 mg is from nitrate. The 1.5 grams of sodium nitrate in Gorilla Mode Nitric yields 1095 mg of nitrate. There are other nitrate based supplements in the industry like Arginine Nitrate, Creatine Nitrate, Betaine Nitrate that operate via this same nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide (NO) pathway, however, none of them have as high of a nitrate composition gram for gram as Sodium Nitrate does. VasoDrive-AP® (isoleucyl-prolyl-proline (IPP) and valyl-prolyl-proline (VPP) isolated from hydrolyzed milk casein) – 254 mg VasoDrive-AP consists of 2 lactotripeptides: isoleucyl-prolyl-proline (IPP) and valyl-prolyl-proline (VPP) which are clinically proven to inhibit Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and significantly increases vasodilation. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) controls blood pressure by regulating the volume of fluids in the body. ACE facilitates this process by converting the hormone angiotensin I to the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) inhibit ACE, consequently reducing angiotensin II production. Reducing angiotensin II results in the dilation of blood vessels and a reduction of blood pressure. Bradykinin is also a vasodilator in the body that is degraded by ACE. Clinical data suggests that individuals who genetically have lower levels of ACE respond better to training and are at an advantage in endurance sporting events [R, R]. The more blood flow you have, presumably the more oxygen and nutrient carrying capacity you will have during exercise. VasoDrive-AP has shown in 30 clinical studies to date a potent effect on vasodilation and blood pressure reduction via this mechanism completely independent from the traditional Arginine–eNOS–nitric oxide (NO) pathway [R]. Ingredients I Didn’t Include In The Formula And Why Vitamin C Vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant and plays a crucial role in lowering blood pressure and regulating health blood flow. Supplementing a Vitamin C deficient diet can be very beneficial, except when you're dosing it pre-workout. Vitamin C is inexpensive and has tons of clinical data to back its efficacy, so it is often thrown in pre-workouts. The problem with this is that using Vitamin C pre-workout can blunt the hormetic response to the workout itself and hinder your results [R]. The point of working out is to damage the muscle, which then results in the body signaling repair processes to start that will help you recover and ultimately get bigger and stronger to adapt to the workload. If you manually decrease that hormetic response to exercise by ingesting Vitamin C pre-workout, you will reduce the damage done and ultimately prevent your body from stimulating as much growth. Personally, I don't take any vitamins, anti inflammatories, or powerful antioxidants for several hours before or after my workout to be safe. Antioxidants And Vitamins As mentioned, one of the worst things you can do is take antioxidants before your workout. The stress and damage induced by weightlifting or exercise is needed to facilitate muscular recovery and progress. The reactive oxygen species and inflammation produced during intense training assists with that process, and is also why drugs like Ibuprofen can inhibit muscle growth so severely. The inflammatory response to training is what we want in order to recover, and by inhibiting that with antioxidants, vitamins or anti-inflammatory drugs, you prevent your body from breaking down and recovering the way it needs to in order to grow [R, R]. A pre-workout formula with a bunch of vitamins and antioxidants in it is more likely to hinder your gains than help. Potassium I advise reaching your recommended daily intake of 4,700 mg through diet rather than through supplementation. It is not legal to sell Potassium in high amounts, and you will usually find that supplements have no more than 100 mg or so per serving because of this. For this same reason, supplementation isn't cost effective, and pre-workouts with potassium in them are including it solely to claim the benefits of potassium all the while knowing the dose in their product is next to useless. The amount of potassium in pre-workout supplements does next to nothing for you when it comes to helping you hit the RDA. S7™ S7™ is a blend of green coffee bean extract, green tea extract, turmeric extract, tart cherry, blueberry, broccoli and kale that has gotten some hype in pre-workouts recently. I was considering including it in our formula until I saw that the blend was comprised entirely of potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Turmeric is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory spices known to man, which is why it also shows such therapeutic promise via supplementation. However, the last thing you want to use pre-workout is a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Inflammation is what we are striving for during a workout, and using anything that significantly impairs this inflammatory response to training is something that should not be used pre-workout, and should be saved for taking far away from the peri-workout window. Beta Alanine Beta Alanine is the ingredient that makes your skin itchy and has you sitting there scratching your face between sets. I assume it is included in pre-workouts because you can blatantly feel something when you take it, so people associate feeling something with the product being potent. Personally, I can’t stand the itchy skin effect it has, and it can be bad enough that it ruins a pre-workout just based on that. In addition, it doesn’t have more than a negligible effect on performance at best. Acute sporadic bumps in Beta Alanine will do next to nothing if you are only getting your Beta Alanine dosage from your pre workout supplement a few times per week. If you were to take it correctly, dosing it multiple times per day, for weeks on end, at a high enough dosage, the impact on performance is notable, although still fairly insignificant at the end of the day. “The median effect of β-alanine supplementation is a 2.85% (-0.37 to 10.49%) improvement in the outcome of an exercise measure, when a median total of 179 g of β-alanine is supplemented” [R]. 179 grams (an amount nobody would end up getting in) for a 2.85% improvement in performance, and a ton of itchiness… “Although some laboratory-based studies show an ergogenic effect with beta-alanine supplementation, there is a lack of field-based research in training and competition settings.” “There was an unclear effect (0.4%; ± 0.8%, mean, ± 90% confidence limits) of beta-alanine on competition performance compared to placebo with no meaningful changes in blood chemistry. While there was a transient improvement on training performance after 4 weeks with beta-alanine (-1.3%; ± 1.0%), there was an unclear effect at ten weeks (-0.2%; ± 1.5%) and no meaningful changes in blood chemistry. Beta-alanine supplementation appears to have minimal effect on swimming performance in non-laboratory controlled real-world training and competition settings” [R]. Leucine Taking Leucine post-workout promotes muscle growth. However, taking Leucine in your pre-workout has shown to diminish muscular performance via the inhibition of glycogen to glucose conversion within muscle cells and insulin signaling. On top of that, Leucine can prevent the uptake of Tyrosine into the brain, consequently inhibiting dopamine production, which is the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish pre-workout. Should You Ever Cycle Off Of Gorilla Mode Nitric? Despite Nitric being stimulant free, I would still advise cycling your use of Gorilla Mode Nitric every once in a while. In general, I advise cycling your use of any supplement that isn't being used daily to replace a dietary deficiency. Interfering with balancing mechanisms in the body chronically long-term is almost always going to build up to some unintended negative side effect, and redlining your Nitric Oxide levels and vasodilation on a daily basis for long uninterrupted spans of time will probably be no different. How often you cycle it is ultimately up to your discretion as there is no tolerance build up with the ingredients in Nitric, and some of them actually have accumulative benefits. Personally, I use pre-workouts 4 days per week because I workout 4 times per week. Every month or two I will also take a full week off of everything except for my daily health supplements. How To Combine Gorilla Mode Nitric With Gorilla Mind Rush Gorilla Mode Nitric has no stimulants in it, so if you want the most potent combination of performance, energy, focus and drive pre-workout you can combine Nitric with Gorilla Mind Rush. Dose each product as you would normally dose them on their own, as there is no overlap between the two formulas. How To Combine Gorilla Mode Nitric With Gorilla Mode Gorilla Mode can be combined with Gorilla Mode Nitric to achieve a more middle road level of stimulants but with the maxed out vasodilation and hyper-hydration. The instance in which mixing the two would make the most sense is if you don't want to use a high dose of Gorilla Mode because the stimulant dosages are higher than you prefer or can tolerate, but still want to max out the benefits of the ingredients included for pump and performance. For example, if 2 scoops of Gorilla Mode contains too high of a dose of stimulants for you, you could use 1 scoop of Gorilla Mode with 1 scoop of Gorilla Mode Nitric. Or, a 1/2 scoop of Gorilla Mode with 1.5 scoops of Gorilla Mode Nitric. Alternatively, if you are using Nitric and want a little bump of stimulants but are too sensitive to the stimulant complex in Gorilla Mind Rush, then you might want to add a bit of Gorilla Mode to your Nitric dose as the blend of stimulants in Mode is a notch less aggressive than the stimulants in Rush. Mix and match at your own discretion based on your own stimulant tolerance and exactly what you are looking to get out of your pre-workout. Personally, I love combining Rush and Nitric pre-workout. Sometimes I will use Mode with Nitric instead though as the Kanna and N-Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate hits differently than the stimulants in Rush. It all depends on what I'm training, how well rested I am, and the effects I am shooting for. Conclusion - What To Expect From Gorilla Mode Nitric In general, you can expect a massive increase in nitric oxide (NO) levels, vasodilation, intracellular hydration and as significant of a boost in muscle strength and endurance as you can get from a legal non-hormonal pre-workout. This product is maxed out from all angles. The traditional Arginine–eNOS–nitric oxide (NO) pathway is completely saturated with an unheard of dose of L-Citrulline, as well as topped out doses of Nitrosigine and Agmatine Sulfate for good measure. Over a gram of nitrates also ensures that the nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide (NO) pathway is taken care of. Intracellular hyper-hydration is best-in-class too with a huge dose of Creatine Monohydrate, Glycerpump and Betaine Anhydrous to volumize the muscle and support performance and pumps. Inhibiting the enzyme angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with a clinical dose of VasoDrive-AP® also checks off another pathway to push the boundaries on supraphysiological levels of vasodilation. Finally, a high dose of Malic Acid was included for good measure to act as a Krebs cycle intermediary and support greater levels of muscular endurance. Try Gorilla Mode Nitric for yourself here and let me know what you think.
Gorilla Mind Smooth is the most potent and comprehensive stimulant-free Nootropic formula on the market. If you don't already know what Nootropics are, they are a category of compounds that can improve cognitive function. This can extend into many different specific benefits, but the main draw of Nootropics is their impact on productivity, concentration, creativity and information retention. Gorilla Mind Smooth is our stimulant-free version of Gorilla Mind that provides a smoother, much less extreme level of energy, but still maximizes mental clarity, memory, creativity and focus. Regardless if you're currently using stimulant-based products (coffee, energy drinks, pre-workouts, etc.), cycling off of stimulants, or just never use stimulants, Gorilla Mind Smooth is the most potent Nootropic formula you can add into your life to enhance cognitive function. https://youtu.be/Hcj8CinGG6s Reviews These are some of the reviews we've received from customers using Gorilla Mind Smooth: Gorilla Mind Smooth Supplement Facts Per Full Daily Dose: L-Tyrosine - 1000 mg Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium Erinaceus) (standardized to 25% β-glucans) - 1000 mg DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) - 750 mg Alpha GPC 50% (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) - 600 mg Kanna (Sceletium Tortuosum) - 500 mg Bacopa Monnieri (standardized to 45% Bacosides) - 400 mg L-Theanine - 200 mg Bioperine® (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) (standardized to 95% Piperine) - 10 mg Huperzine A (Huperzia serrata leaf standardized extract) - 400 mcg The original Gorilla Mind Smooth formula had PEA, Hordenine and Teacrine in it. Originally, I was trying to chase a stimulant-free energy boost in Smooth, which is why I had those ingredients in it. However, over the past year I've started to really lean towards reformulating Smooth to create an entirely Nootropic comprised formula that is 100% geared towards maxing out cognitive function, rather than chase a relatively weak level of energy that we already destroy with Gorilla Mind Rush. Anyone buying Gorilla Mind that is using it for the laser focus and massive boost in energy and productivity is buying RUSH anyways, not SMOOTH. Instead of wasting precious capsule space with things that achieve a subpar level of energy, I decided that space would be far better utilized with other Nootropics. This is what led to me creating the current Gorilla Mind Smooth formula, which now has 1000 mg of Lion's Mane mushroom and 500 mg of Kanna in it. These compounds are far more conducive to enhancing the SMOOTH formula by supporting actual brain health, creativity, mental clarity and memory formation. If you want ridiculous amounts of energy and drive, get RUSH. For those who want a true stimulant-free Nootropic formula, SMOOTH is even better now and I highly recommend you give it a try. Gorilla Mind Smooth Vs. Other Nootropics On The Market This is the most maxed out stim-free Nootropic formula on the market. The full daily dose is 6 capsules. Even a half dose (3 capsules) is still far more potent than the majority of other Nootropic formulas out there at their max dosages. I formulated Gorilla Mind Smooth the exact same way I formulate any other product. I put in exactly what I would buy myself if I were shopping for each Nootropic separately. If you thought the pre-workout market was bad for underdosed products, your jaw will drop when you see some of the top selling Nootropic formulas. This industry is even worse because it is so niche and new. Preying on unsuspecting customers with garbage formulas sprinkled with vitamins and completely useless dosages of Nootropics is even more common in this industry. Because Nootropics are relatively new and uncharted waters for many, the prices get pretty aggressive on these watered down formulas as well that promise the world, and deliver nothing more than placebo. What's baffling to me is how many people eat up the marketing and blindly buy products priced at $60, $70, even $100 that probably cost $4-5 max to make. When the cost of bottles, lids, and labels costs more than the Nootropics in your formula, there's a f*cking problem. Fortunately, my audience is comprised of intelligent individuals who actually know how to spot value. It would be so easy to make a formula with a couple hundred milligrams of cheap choline that doesn't even cross the blood brain barrier, 100-200 mg of Bacopa Monnieri, throw a bit of caffeine in there for a kick, put some exotic sounding ayurvedic herbs in there, maybe sprinkle a couple low dosed Adaptogens in there, add a useless pinch of vitamins to make my label look more impressive and confusing, and then slap a label on it like every other company and then aggressively smash people with ads and market a high priced subscription model to the masses, or put it up on Amazon to compete with all the other loss leader cheap and ineffective Nootropics on there. The fact that the hypothetical piece of sh*t formula I just made up as an example of what not to do is actually still better than most of the Nootropic formulas on the market just goes to show how much some companies are deceiving their customers. If the majority of a company's budget goes into ads and sponsorships instead of product formulation, or they have a high ranking product on amazon, you can almost guarantee without even looking at the product that it sucks. Unlike what most companies will lead you to believe, there is no Nootropic formula that will lock you in like Bradley Cooper from Limitless (great movie by the way). https://youtu.be/4TLppsfzQH8 Just like our other products, it is me making the formula, and I put in what I would want to use as a customer. I used to spend time every day in University measuring out all my different Nootropics that were in my "stack", and toss and washing random powders. Obviously it makes things much easier to just have it in ready to go capsules that are actually dosed properly. With my products, everything is turnkey. How To Dose Gorilla Mind Smooth Take 3-6 capsules in the morning, or spread throughout the day. Start with 3 capsules to evaluate your tolerance. While Gorilla Mind Rush requires more of a tolerance assessment and slow dosage titration over time due to the heavy hitting stimulants, you will more than likely be fine jumping head first into Gorilla Mind Smooth and tapering up to the maximum recommended dose relatively quickly. Gorilla Mind Smooth Vs. Gorilla Mind Rush While the foundation of Nootropics in both Gorilla Mind products are mostly the same, there are some key differences between the two formulas. The main difference is that RUSH has a handful of potent stimulants that completely change how the product feels. RUSH is best stimulant-based Nootropic formula on the market for really waking you up and giving you tunnel vision focus and productivity. The strong backbone of Nootropics in RUSH are the portion that can actually enhance information recall, creativity, etc. But, the stimulants in RUSH are the driving force of the product, and can really be a game changer in productivity. SMOOTH on the other hand is stimulant-free and has the same Nootropics as RUSH, but also has 1000 mg of Lion's Mane mushroom and 500 mg of Kanna. Lion's Mane is amazing for supporting cognitive health, memory formation and mental clarity, while Kanna is a potent mood booster and can also support improved focus and energy levels. Gorilla Mind Smooth is significantly toned down in the energy department, so if you have too high of a sensitivity to stimulants or simply want a smoother level of focus, this would be more ideal for you. How To Combine Gorilla Mind Rush And Gorilla Mind Smooth If you don’t want to pick between either having the giant burst of energy and laser focus that RUSH provides, or the cognitive enhancing benefits of the Lion's Mane and Kanna in SMOOTH, you can combine the products. By taking 6 capsules of either, you will be getting a top end dose of Nootropics. Even with 3 capsules of either product you will still get an effective dose of Nootropics, and with RUSH, many won't even be able to exceed 3 capsules because the stimulant blend is extremely strong. If you are not a stim junkie who needs 6 capsules of RUSH I would recommend getting both so you can strategically tweak how much energy you want to get from the Rush to not over-stimulate yourself, but also reach the maxed out mental benefit you would get out of the Nootropics in each respective version of the product. Rotating Gorilla Mind Smooth and Gorilla Mind Rush Use Gorilla Mind Rush on days that require the most focus, productivity and energy. By rotating RUSH and SMOOTH, you can keep yourself sensitive to the stimulants in Gorilla Mind Rush, and reap the maximum benefit from each product during each use. Do You Need To Cycle Off Of Gorilla Mind Smooth? While SMOOTH will not cause tolerance build up like RUSH, I would still advise cycling off of everything for a week every month or so. Alternatively, allocate a couple days each week to days you do not take anything, including RUSH. Gorilla Mind Smooth Ingredients Breakdown L-Tyrosine - 1000 mg L-Tyrosine is an amazing cognitive enhancing amino acid that acts by balancing neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Its primary role is as the direct precursor to thyroxine and to the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. L-Tyrosine shines in its ability to improve mental sharpness, focus, energy levels, and cause mood elevation [R, R]. L-Tyrosine Vs N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine L-Tyrosine is the most bioavailable form of Tyrosine. In short, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is very inefficiently converted by the body to Tyrosine [R]. Even IV’ing N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine can’t elevate plasma Tyrosine levels to a significant degree, let alone via oral ingestion. Claims of increased water solubility and bioavailability are all marketing hype and were disproved easily by showing just how poorly N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is at converting to Tyrosine in the body. The graph above depicts arterial concentrations of N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NAT) and Tyrosine (Tyr) during intravenous infusion of N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine. As you can see, Tyrosine levels barely even budge. This is the same kind of tactic used to try and market new and “improved” forms of creatine that at the end of the day do not yield any additional benefit, and just feature an inflated price tag. In our first batch of Gorilla Mind, we actually had N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine in the formulas based on these claims of improved water solubility and bioavailability by our manufacturer at the time. After delving into the data further, I realized the massive difference in bioavailability and swapped out the N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine for straight L-Tyrosine, found a better manufacturing facility, and all batches of Gorilla Mind products since then have featured L-Tyrosine instead. Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium Erinaceus) (standardized to 25% β-glucans) - 1000 mg Lion’s Mane is a Nootropic and cognitive-enhancing mushroom that has been used for thousands of years by Buddhist Monks who believed that it enhanced brain power and improved their focus. The main reason it is so promising as a Nootropic is the effect it has shown to have on the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurogenesis. By enhancing neurogenesis and potentially even attenuating the negative effects of cognitive decline, Lion’s Mane may significantly improve mental acuity, information retention, and decrease mental fatigue. Most products on the market contain 250 - 500 mg of Lion’s Mane. We have a full gram (1000 mg) in Gorilla Mind Smooth to ensure you are actually getting an efficacious dose of Lion’s Mane in when you use it. Effect On Cognitive Function A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 50-80 year old adults with mild cognitive impairment to evaluate the efficacy of Lion's Mane as a cognitive aid. The Lion's Mane treated group showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo group [R]. Enhanced Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Synthesis Results from animal studies support that Lion's Mane can enhance the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) [R, R]. NGF is required by neurons in order to survive and appears to play a major role in cognitive function. When NGF decreases in the brain, memory formation and information recall becomes greatly impaired. By maintaining optimal levels of NGF one may be able to support brain plasticity for improved information retention, memorization, as well as general cognitive health. Effect On Beta Amyloid Levels And Cognitive Decline In a rodent model, Lion's Mane was shown to attenuate the negative cognitive effects of beta amyloid in the brain (what is believed to be the main cause of Alzheimer's) [R]. It was also shown to ameliorate Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies in several other rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease [R, R]. Mood Elevation And Stress Reduction Lion’s Mane also contains erinacine and other bioactive compounds that may increase dopamine production and improve state of well-being. One study showed that Lion's Mane supplementation reduced depression and anxiety after 4 weeks of use [R]. DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) - 750 mg DMAE's mechanism of action isn't fully understood, but it appears to work primarily by stimulating cholinergic receptors and has shown to improve cognitive function, energy levels, focus, and act as a neuroprotectant [R]. DMAE users consistently report improved memory, attention to detail, focus and mental clarity. DMAE Vs. Ritalin Study One double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted on 74 children with learning problems compared the efficacy of DMAE to Ritalin for treating ADHD [R]. The children were either given 40 mg of Ritalin, 500 mg of DMAE, or a placebo every day for 3 months. Behavior rating forms, reaction time, and an array of other psychometric tests were given before and after treatment. DMAE showed improvements in these metrics of approximately the same magnitude as Ritalin. No major side effects were noted with either treatment with exception of 6 of the children on Ritalin noting appetite suppression. Alpha GPC 50% (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) - 600 mg Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) is the highest quality and most bioavailable form of Choline. Taking massive dosages of straight Choline has shown to have no cognitive effect in humans [R]. Alpha-GPC on the other hand has shown to cross the blood brain barrier and provide the brain with a rapidly absorbed form of choline. This then supports the synthesis and release of acetylcholine. The surge of quickly absorbed choline in conjunction with the release of acetylcholine helps support an array of cognitive functions including but not limited to memory, HGH production, physical performance, concentration, focus, and information absorption/recall [R, R, R]. Alpha-GPC has also shown to significantly increase strength and may be an effective ergogenic aid [R]. How Much Choline Do You Need Per Day? The Adequate Intake (AI), as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Institute of Medicine, for adults is 550 mg per day for men and 425 mg per day for women. We all know how brutally underestimated some of the AI's have proved to be in the past couple decades, and there is evidence suggesting that the AI for Choline is also far too low. One study showed that 2200 mg per day of Choline protected against the DNA damage that otherwise occurred in people consuming only 550 mg [R]. There are not enough studies on Choline, and it is a severely lacking area of research considering how important it is for brain health. I would shoot for at least 900-1200 mg of Choline per day. A big chunk of that can be achieved through regular liver and egg yolk consumption, but supplementation will help you hit that number with much greater ease. I eat 1 ounce of beef liver, 4 large eggs, and supplement with 600 mg of Alpha-GPC every day via Gorilla Mind. I also take extra precautions to support methylation, which I will delve into later in the methylation subsection. Alpha-GPC's Effect On Alzheimer's Dementia In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, patients with Alzheimer's dementia were treated with Alpha-GPC (400-mg capsules) or placebo capsules, 3 times daily, for 180 days [R]. In the Alpha-GPC group, assessed parameters consistently improved after 90 and 180 days versus baseline, whereas in the placebo group those same parameters remained unchanged or worsened. The results suggest that Alpha-GPC is a promising intervention for attenuating the cognitive decline that occurs from neurodegenerative disease. Alpha-GPC's Effect On Methylation And Health Status The MTHFR gene codes for an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, or MTHFR. This enzyme is needed for the production of DNA and supporting methylation pathways that are essential for all bodily functions. Genetic variations in this gene results in reduced activity of the enzyme and has been associated with cardiovascular disease, neurological defects, some forms of cancer, and a myriad of other diseases and disorders [R, R]. Personally, I am homozygous for C677T of MTHFR, which results in a 80-90% decrease in my efficiency in processing folic acid. The direct reflection of that in blood biomarkers can be high homocysteine and low B12 and folate levels. I determined this via a simple 23andMe genetics test. Normally your body creates methyl groups by recycling Homocysteine to Methionine, as well as by converting Choline to Betaine. When nutrient intake needs are sufficiently met, the body depends on these two mechanisms equally. However, if you are deprived of methyl groups or have poor MTHFR activity because of a polymorphism, you can change that and start to create a disproportional ratio of dependency on the Choline to Betaine pathway. If you can't create enough Methylfolate, your body will ramp up the use of Betaine and Choline for methyl groups. By ramping up Choline to Betaine conversion to support methylation, your body can become depleted of the Choline it needs to create Acetylcholine. Downstream, the depletion of Choline can eventually lead to impaired cognitive function, DNA damage, and can be deleterious to overall health. The prevalence of MTHFR polymorphisms and micronutrient deficient diets is so common nowadays that almost everyone could benefit from Alpha-GPC supplementation to maintain higher levels of Choline. I take 600 mg of Alpha-GPC every day on top of the Betaine and Creatine I get from Gorilla Mode (or Gorilla Mode Nitric when I am not taking stimulants) to support methylation, improve my health, and optimize my performance. Alpha-GPC Vs. CDP Choline Alpha-GPC raises choline blood levels much more than CDP-Choline. While there is some speculation around the fringe benefits that may come with the Cytidine component of CDP-Choline, in general, the main reason we would use either Alpha-GPC or CDP-Choline is to supplement our diet and raise our Choline levels. Alpha-GPC accomplishes this better than CDP-Choline. Our Alpha-GPC is 50% Choline by weight, whereas CDP-Choline is only about 18% Choline by weight. That means that you would need to use almost three times as much CDP-Choline to get the same amount of Choline as Alpha-GPC. Are any of the companies out there with CDP-Choline in their formulas putting 1600-1700 mg of CDP-Choline per daily dose in their products? Not even close. Many companies still use Citicoline (CDP Choline) in their Nootropic formulas, despite the fact that Alpha-GPC has shown time and time again to be more effective both anecdotally, as well as clinically [R]. From what I've seen, the most reputable anti-aging "biohackers" in the industry also prefer Alpha-GPC over CDP-Choline. I have personally tried CDP-Choline and never really noticed any enhancing effect like I seemed to with Alpha GPC. - Rhonda Patrick (Ph.D in biomedical science/expert on nutritional health, brain & aging) Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) - 500 mg Kanna supplementation has been found to effectively lower stress, elevate mood and increase focus. Personally, I notice a huge boost in my mood and I lock in a little bit more on whatever I am trying to concentrate on when I supplement with Kanna. Kanna was a huge success in our pre-workout formula because it also complements stimulants very well, which you have probably found out first hand if you have tried Gorilla Mode. Kanna works mainly via increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain, and is typically utilized for its anti-anxiety and mood elevating effects [R]. This is an ingredient you will really feel, and can be especially useful for those days you need something effective that isn’t stimulant based. Anecdotally, a dose between 200-500 mg of Kanna has shown to be ideal for oral ingestion. Higher dosages between 1-2 grams have been associated with unwanted side effects like dizziness. Kanna has no addictive properties, and it is not hallucinogenic [R, R]. One thing to keep in mind with Kanna use is that it has a high affinity for the serotonin transporter. Therefore, it is plausible that Kanna can interfere with SSRI pharmaceuticals. Bacopa Monnieri (standardized to 45% Bacosides) - 400 mg Bacopa Monnieri is typically used as a memory enhancing Nootropic. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that Bacopa Monnieri can protect neurons in the brain from accumulative damage, reduce β-amyloid levels in the brain, and improve cognitive performance by modulating neurotransmitters [R]. The efficacy of Bacopa Monnieri has been reinforced in six high-quality randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials. The results suggest that Bacopa Monnieri not only has the potential to attenuate neurodegenerative disease progression, but it may also be a potent memory enhancing agent in otherwise healthy individuals. Improved Verbal Recall - Bacopa Monnieri Vs. Modafinil Study In a meta-analysis, long-term Bacopa Monnieri supplementation produced more consistent and noticeable positive effects than Modafinil [R]. Primarily, Bacopa Monnieri was shown to be very effective at improving verbal recall. This suggests that Bacopa Monnieri would be especially useful for memorizing long speeches, business presentations, songs, scripts, etc. Apparently Bacopa Monnieri was used by ancient Vedic scholars to memorize lengthy hymns and scriptures, which would reinforce the clinical findings. Improved Information Retention And Memory Consolidation A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted on 46 healthy adults assessed the efficacy of supplementing 300 mg per day of Bacopa Monnieri for 12 weeks [R]. 23 subjects received Bacopa Monnieri, and 23 subjects received placebo. A battery of well-validated neuropsychological tests were used to assess Bacopa's efficacy as a Nootropic. The Bacopa Monnieri treated group had significantly improved speed of visual information processing, learning rate, memory consolidation, and state anxiety compared to placebo, with maximal effects evident after 12 weeks. In another study conducted on 76 healthy adults aged 40-65, Bacopa Monnieri showed significant improvements in information retention [R]. Another study conducted on 81 elderly Australians found that a Bacopa Monnieri extract produced significant improvements in verbal learning, memory acquisition and delayed recall [R]. L-Theanine - 200 mg L-Theanine is most commonly used for its calming and relaxing effects. I find that it also promotes a high level of mental clarity as well. L-Theanine primarily works by targeting the neurotransmitters GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine, Epinephrine and Norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for feelings of attention, stress, arousal, relaxation and pleasure. By mitigating the over-activity of excitable neurotransmitters and enhancing the calming neurotransmitters, L-Theanine seems to help calm down the brain, reduce stress, and curb anxiety. This is why L-Theanine complements stimulants like caffeine so tremendously too, as it takes the edge off of stimulants that can cause jitters and over-stimulation. Stacking Caffeine With L-Theanine To Help You Get To Sleep And Smooth Out The Jitters If you get jitters even with low doses of caffeine, the L-Theanine in Gorilla Mind Smooth will really help curb that. The caffeine + L-Theanine stack is one of the most basic and effective Nootropic stacks to date. This is one of the main reasons why Gorilla Mind Rush won't send you off the rails despite having a very potent combination of stimulants in it (it also has a big dose of L-Theanine in it). If you love your coffee, green tea, or energy drinks and don't want the aggressive stimulant blend in Gorilla Mind Rush, Gorilla Mind Smooth will stack with your caffeinated drink of choice exceptionally well. One notable rodent model even showed that L-Theanine can partially counteract caffeine-induced sleep disturbances [R]. Improved Memory And Attention In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted on 91 people with minor brain damage, a combination of L-Theanine and green tea extract improved memory, attention span, and alertness during a memory test [R]. Improved Verbal Fluency And Executive Function In another randomized controlled trial, 30 healthy adults were given 200 mg of L-Theanine per day, or placebo. Verbal fluency and executive function scores improved after L-Theanine administration [R]. Stress levels also went down, and sleep quality also increased after L-Theanine administration. Improved Reaction Time In another study conducted on 18 healthy University student volunteers, 200 mg of L-Theanine improved attention performance and reaction time response [R]. Neuroprotection In a study conducted on elderly volunteers with normal or minor cognitive dysfunction, volunteers who ingested powdered green tea containing 47.5 mg of theanine per day showed significantly lower decline in cognitive function compared with that of the placebo group [R]. BioPerine® (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) (standardized to 95% Piperine) - 10 mg Bioperine is a trademarked form of black pepper extract standardized to 95% Piperine. Black pepper extract is a very effective CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein inhibitor [R]. These enzymes break down molecules like epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body. By prolonging the breakdown of the cognitive enhancing ingredients in this formula, Bioperine extends how long they work for, and can also significantly increase their bioavailability. Huperzine A - 400 mcg Huperzine A works by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase in the brain, which is an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is not only a major regulator of cognitive performance, but it is also an important neurotransmitter needed for optimal muscular contractions during exercise. Huperzine A has shown to promote neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons in the brain) and act as a neuroprotective agent for existing neurons in the brain. In turn, Huperzine A has shown to enhance memory, focus and overall cognitive function [R, R]. Huperzine A is one of the most potent Nootropics that you can really “feel” and it complements the other Nootropics in this formula perfectly. Other Notable Compounds I Didn’t Include In The Formula And Why Noopept, Racetams, Other Synthetic Nootropics And Prodrugs Although they are effective Nootropics, Noopept, Racetams (class of drugs all named with the suffix "racetam"), prodrugs like Adrafinil, and other synthetic compounds that cannot be found in nature or in the food supply are not DSHEA compliant and cannot be legally sold as dietary supplements, so we did not include any. If this wasn't the case, I probably would have included 30 mg of Noopept in the formula. I also like Phenylpiracetam. Vitamins Vitamins are often included in Nootropic formulas to make a supplement facts panel look more impressive. If a company is willing to sacrifice room in their capsules to inflate their ingredient profile with stuff you very likely already get from diet or a multivitamin, that is a major red flag. More often than not, the dosages included are next to useless and are just there to make a product look more comprehensive. The main issue with this is that you only have so much room in a capsule. Most Nootropic products use a "00" capsule size in their bottles. Each "00" sized capsule can fit about 735 mg in it. That is precious space, and including a useful amount of vitamins in a product can easily take up several capsules of space. If a company is wasting space with vitamins and only has a serving size of around 6 capsules, they are probably just trying to hide the fact that the actual Nootropics portion of their formula is watered down garbage. Conclusion - What To Expect From Gorilla Mind Smooth In general, you can expect clear headed mental clarity, as well as improved information retention, creativity, productivity and concentration. Gorilla Mind Smooth is not designed to jack your brain into high gear, as that is a stimulant driven mechanism. Rather, it is purely meant to enhance cognitive function and overall mental performance. Try Gorilla Mind Smooth for yourself here.
MTHFR... Yep, it gets blamed for a variety of health and pregnancy concerns. But does the data actually confirm the presence of adverse pregnancy and adverse health issues with MTHFR variants? In this session, we will review the difference between the 2 most common variants (C677T, A1298C) and true MUTATIONS. We will also review statements from the ACOG, ACMG, SMFM, as well as the Canadian Guidelines regarding MTHFR screening.
Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend! I’m looking forward to sharing with you some of our community’s questions that have come in over the past few weeks… Let’s get started! Bryana: Hello Dr. Cabral,I wanted to ask about the MTHFR gene. I have 2 copies of the C677T mutation, my husband has two copies of the A1298C mutation and our kids have one copy of each. I know for the C mutation of the gene that we need to supplement with extra b vitamins, methylated folate, extra zinc, magnesium and vitamin C. My question for you is, what "protocol" should I follow for the A gene mutation? Thanks so much for enabling all of us with the power of knowledge! Bryana Kate: Hello. I have recently completed the 7 day detox. I have a question about the unusual symptoms I am now experiencing once completed. During the detox I felt fine, apart from the normal detox reactions - fatigued, headaches, racing heart etc. But towards the very end of the detox and especially on the day after I completed it, I have been experiencing tingling in my hands and feet as well as all over my face. I have stomach cramps as well and extreme anxiety. I feel as though I have adrenaline pumping through my veins. Would I possibly still be experiencing detox symptoms? Is this ‘normal’ as a reaction to completing the detox? I’m a little confused and I was feeling great but seem to have something else going on in my body/mind etc. thank you for your help. Lucy: Hi Dr. Cabral, I have a question about memory! I have an absolutely terrible memory, short term and long term. There are huge chunks of my life I can't recall and I'm only 30. My best friends will talk about people we knew and hung out with in high school and I can't remember any of them. My college friends nicknamed me "goldfish", and then I forgot why they gave me that nickname. I have to write notes for myself and set multiple reminder alarms just to get through the day...I've done the CBO Protocol twice now and the Dr. Cabral Detox. I'd love to know possible root causes, what tests would be best, or even protocols I can jump into to figure this out. Thanks so much, love the podcast! Jacquelyn: Hi, do you still have the sauna and are at the Berkeley st location? Thank you. Marie: Hi Dr Cabral. I was wondering whether you are familiar with the brand XXXXX and were able recommend their products (which include things like Ormus Gold, Shilajit, cbd etc.). They are quite an investment so I would love to hear your opinion before purchasing. Many thanks !! Be: Hey from South Australia! I wonder, how exactly did you test the foods on the ‘sensitive gut guide’ to determine, ‘yes, this doesn’t feed Candida/agitate the gut’. I understand if you don’t want to disclose this for business reasons. I listen to your podcast all the time! And it has really contributed to my experience throughout my Nutritional Medicine degree! So thank you! Nikki: Hi All Do blue light blocking glasses have to be tinted? There are so many brands that sell them now, How do you know that are legitimate? Reece: I am 55 years old in great shape, eat well, exercise cardo and weight bearing, follow you, and have read your book. I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and still can't believe it. What I'd like to ask is - can you speak to this on one of your podcasts? i tried to find a way to search on your podcast page, but didn't see a way to do that. I'd like to know what the root cause is or what can cause this and if I can reverse what I am being told?I did have some tests run and they want me in 6 months to have a Collagan cross-linked N-Teleopeptide test again (NT-x), U it was high at 51 and according to the bone specialist this is high, indicating there is bone loss and possible medication in my future? Which I do not want to do... EVER!Hoping there is something I can do now, to change it, if anything? Thank you! :-) Thank you for tuning into this weekend’s Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! - - - Show Notes & Resources: http://StephenCabral.com/1353 - - - Dr. Cabral's New Book, The Rain Barrel Effect https://amzn.to/2H0W7Ge - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: http://CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral’s Most Popular Supplements: > “The Dr. Cabral Daily Protocol” (This is what Dr. Cabral does every day!) - - - > Dr. Cabral Detox (The fastest way to get well, lose weight, and feel great!) - - - > Daily Nutritional Support Shake (#1 “All-in-One recommendation in my practice) - - - > Daily Fruit & Vegetables Blend (22 organic fruit & vegetables “greens powder”) - - - > CBD Oil (Full-spectrum, 3rd part-tested & organically grown) - - - > Candida/Bacterial Overgrowth, Leaky Gut, Parasite & Speciality Supplement Packages - - - > See All Supplements: https://equilibriumnutrition.com/collections/supplements - - - Dr. Cabral’s Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Organic Acids Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Thyroid + Adrenal + Hormone Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Adrenal + Hormone Test (Run your adrenal & hormone levels) - - - > Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Omega-3 Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - > Stool Test (Use this test to uncover any bacterial, h. Pylori, or parasite overgrowth) - - - > Genetic Test (Use the #1 lab test to unlocking your DNA and what it means in terms of wellness, weight loss & anti-aging) - - - > Dr. Cabral’s “Big 5” Lab Tests (This package includes the 5 labs Dr. Cabral recommends all people run in his private practice) - - - > View all Functional Medicine lab tests (View all Functional Medicine lab tests you can do right at home for you and your family)
Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows! This is where we answer our community's wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track! Check out today's questions: Karin: Hello Dr Cabral, I listen to your podcasts every day and never stop learning something new. I was diagnosed with candida overgrowth and I really want to know, is there any truth behind the dietary recommendation to avoid the consumption of yeasts and mushrooms (not medicinal)? And if so, why? As a biologist I'm really interested in the mechanism behind it.Thank you so much!Karin. Carolyn: How can I lower my LDL to below 50. Would my liver be producing too much LDL for some reason other than from my diet?? I am 64 year old female diagnosed with coronary heart disease which runs in my family. Father died at age 66 and one brother has had heart bypass surgery. My total cholesterol is 176, HDL 72, Triglycerides 69 and LDL 88. I am on statin 40 mg. for 1.5 years. I have always exercised and still do, 4 days a week. 3 cardio and one strength class per week for 60 minutes each. I eat fresh fruit and vegetables and lowfat yogurt, egg beaters, oats and grains, some dark chocolate and salmon or cod. Occasionally eat shrimp. I take vitamin supplements and also was diagnosed with osteopenia 10 yrs ago and took extra calcium as recommended by doctors for past 10 year which I am afraid contributed to my heart disease. Now I get my calcium from food sources and small amount in multi vitamin. Heart disease was diagnosed with chemical stress test which I requested because of family history as I have no symptoms of heart disease. My calcium score test 10 years ago was zero and now it is 56 - my diet and exercise has been the same other than I am older and started taking calcium supplements. Also have had a stressful life during that time frame but now I have gotten my stress under control. Never had high blood pressure ever. Jada: Hi Dr.Cabral, Thanks for all of the wonderful information you make available for people! I’m a 37 year old woman who isn’t overweight, pre-diabetic, smoker or drinker who has been experiencing heart disease symptoms. I get extremely short of breath by doing nothing to the point of feeling as if I’m suffocating and will prevent me from sleeping, chest pressure that can cause me to dry heave and will last for days/weeks at a time, heavy arms, weakness, being woken from sleep not breathing, sometimes SVT episodes, hair loss, tachycardia, fatigue, brain fog, inability to retain info and recall words, hormonal issues with possible endometriosis now, Hashimotos but thyroid is stable. These symptoms mildly started in 2012 after a stressful event but cardiac symptoms worsened in 2017 out of nowhere. My EKGs are now borderline and I’ve had one abnormal EKG after I was given Albuterol which showed Ischemia and mild T-wave depression. I’ve been to 9+ cardiologists, NDs and a couple functional medicine doctors that don’t know what is wrong and they all tell me my heart is fine. I’ve had stress test, Stress MRI, echos, holter monitors(showed PACs,PVC and occasional SVT) but everything looks “fine.” I’ve really lost my quality of life and while some days my symptoms calm down, I have many days where I can barely move because I’m so shortness of breath with such a tight chest! This is terrifying! I’ve had one doctor tell me this could be related to stealth infections or mycotoxins. Your expertise is much appreciated! Lauren: Dear Doctor Cabral, I’ve been listening to your podcasts for about 4 months, I love everything you do, its amazing how one person can be such a wealth of knowledge in so many different areas of expertise. I’m female, 31, 68kg, no children, BMI fine. I’ve been working with a local practitioner to help heal from a variety of dis-eases and more in discovered alone the way. I use to suffer with seasonal allergies (hay fever, pollen (Adelaide high pollen rate), animals, grass etc ever since I can remember). I now suffer constantly all year around from chronic itchy eyes (TRIED EVERYTHING), it’s very debilitating as I wake myself up from itchy my eyes in my sleep therefore I never feel well rested. I use to live in Dubai, where my allergies didn’t flare up but suffered regular ear infections as I was a flight attendant. My IGE is through the roof; 780 H and my eosinophils has been really high for a while now too. I have had asthma, eczema since I was a baby and suffered on and off with anxiety/depression since I was 16 (on/off meds). About 23, I was diagnosed with PCOS/celiac dis-ease and discovered had I H-pylori, which I took a millions AB’s for. I recently got tested for MTHFR, which I tested positive for homozygous C677T and tested positive parasites Blasto (AB’s didn’t kill). I discovered some mould (killed with vinegar) in my home and also have a hypoallergenic dog. My symptoms and trying to treat are: chronic itchy eyes (TRIED EVERYTHING), acne (since I can remember), headaches, emotional, eczema/dry skin, high eosinophils, candida, parasites, brain fog, parasites. Past conventional treatment for acne: 2 courses of Roaccutane, Doxycycline, steroid injections, hormone blockers, even got a job a skin clinic, hoping I would heal. Working with my local practitioner and bicom therapy; we are addressing the parasites, possible candida and healing of the gut, with hope all of the other symptom will decrease. I eat relatively healthy, gluten free, dairy free, exercise/sweat 4-5 times per week, drink plenty of water, fast minimum 12 hours per day. Have a good sleep hygiene however never get a good night sleep. I would say I’m pitta/vata dosha type. Due to supplements, I’ve got my homo from 10.1 down to 4.4, b12 has increased, folate has increased, vit d has increased. I have really dry flaky skin on scalp/face and dry eyes but acne! I have tried low histamine diet (all vary depending where you source it) however it conflicts with the MTHFR diet and Ayurveda diet. I use your daily nutritional shake, do I require the additional supplements on top? I have read your amazing book RBE, use your daily nutritional shake, currently doing your allergy protocol and about to start your 21 day detox and parasite protocol. I would love to do the big five, especially the OAT test but as you know all these supplements and labs are very expensive. I know you have done podcasts before on a variety of the above topics however as you know not one size fits all and I don’t think anyone out there has the exact health history as myself. I am doing everything I can within my financial means to help my recovery back to equilibrium. I’m really hoping you can help me, thanks for your time. Karyn: Hello, whenever I walk for exercise I find that my hands start to swell and feel uncomfortable and dry. I also get a little itchy on the inner parts of my thighs. I've read this could be a result of low sodium? I am otherwise fit (more so a lean vata bodytype), I eat whole foods and exercise often. I've noticed this happens mainly when I walk very faced paced and isn't affected by what I wear. Any suggestions on how I can stop this from happening as its quite uncomfortable. Thank you so much in advance! Reka: Hello Stephen, Can you please shed some light. Everyone is raving on about celery juice curing digestive disorders and disease because the of the medical medium. He also claims that eggs and butter (organic grass feed doesn’t matter)cause disease over time is there truth to this, if so can you please explain? Thank you for everything you do! Cameron: Hi Dr Cabral, I'm a huge fan of all that you do, and listen to your podcast religiously. I especially love your training Thursday episodes, as I also enjoy weight training. I'm a 5' 9", 71kg predominantly Vata body type, and I'd like to gain a little size, without harming my health otherwise. In recent years I have suffered the symptoms of Menieres disease, however between your fantastic podcast and my local naturopath's help, I feel like I can say I've finally got on top of it, touch wood. The only problem is, I sometimes feel increased symptoms, mainly ear fullness and slight hearing loss in my right ear, within a day or so after workouts with heavy compound lifts, especially squats and deadlifts. I'm concerned the heavy lifts may be too taxing on my CNS and that may be the cause. What do you think? I'd love to know your thoughts on the connection between the CNS and weightlifting. I know my diet and sleep have room for improvement if I'm honest. Obviously my health is more important than growing "beach muscles", but just when I feel progress, my body often seems to flare up.Thanks so much for all you do. If you were in Australia I'd shout you a beer (or mineral water!) to say thanks. All the best, Cameron Thank you for tuning into today's Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community’s questions! - - - Show Notes & Resources: http://StephenCabral.com/1352 - - - Get Your Question Answered: http://StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Dr. Cabral's New Book, The Rain Barrel Effect https://amzn.to/2H0W7Ge - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: http://CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral’s Most Popular Supplements: > “The Dr. Cabral Daily Protocol” (This is what Dr. Cabral does every day!) - - - > Dr. Cabral Detox (The fastest way to get well, lose weight, and feel great!) - - - > Daily Nutritional Support Shake (#1 “All-in-One recommendation in my practice) - - - > Daily Fruit & Vegetables Blend (22 organic fruit & vegetables “greens powder”) - - - > CBD Oil (Full-spectrum, 3rd part-tested & organically grown) - - - > Candida/Bacterial Overgrowth, Leaky Gut, Parasite & Speciality Supplement Packages - - - > See All Supplements: https://equilibriumnutrition.com/collections/supplements - - - Dr. Cabral’s Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Organic Acids Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Thyroid + Adrenal + Hormone Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Adrenal + Hormone Test (Run your adrenal & hormone levels) - - - > Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Omega-3 Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - > Stool Test (Use this test to uncover any bacterial, h. Pylori, or parasite overgrowth) - - - > Genetic Test (Use the #1 lab test to unlocking your DNA and what it means in terms of wellness, weight loss & anti-aging) - - - > Dr. Cabral’s “Big 5” Lab Tests (This package includes the 5 labs Dr. Cabral recommends all people run in his private practice) - - - > View all Functional Medicine lab tests (View all Functional Medicine lab tests you can do right at home for you and your family!)
On March 8, members of the CMJ Masterpass joined me in a live Zoom meeting to ask me anything about nutrition, and here’s the full recording! We talk about things like: What to do if zinc causes nausea? When on a ketogenic diet, it is a problem if ketones are going up to 5 to 6 millimoles per liter? What if I'm on a ketogenic diet, and I can't get my ketone levels up higher than 1 millimole per liter when my primary reason for being on the ketogenic diet is that I'm trying to control blood glucose better? Advice for what to do after suffering a transient ischemic attack. Nutrients important for neuroregeneration. What causes sinus congestion, and what can help? Nutrition for children with ADHD. Nutritional recommendations for MTR and MTRR polymorphisms. Why the main problem with hyperglycemia is not glucose but rather advanced glycation end products, and why the main determinant of advanced glycation end products is low insulin signaling. Does the difference between cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, and methylcobalamin matter, and does the difference between sublingual, oral, and intramuscular injection matter? Could fat malabsorption be driven by genetic polymorphisms that lower activity the PEMT enzyme? And could fat malabsorption in general be causing not only mineral deficiencies but also hyperabsorption of oxalate from foods? Why am I always sneezing first thing in the morning? What if I cannot get my ferritin up and supplementing iron actually raises my serum iron well above the normal range? A rant on why many people use “MTHFR” to slap a label on their health problems. All this and much more! If you’d like to participate in the next Q&A, consider joining the CMJ Masterpass. Use this link to get a 10% lifetime discount: https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/masterpass/masteringnutrition This episode is brought to you by Ample. Ample is a meal-in-a-bottle that takes a total of two minutes to prepare, consume, and clean up. It provides the right balance of nutrients needed for a single meal, all from a blend of natural ingredients. Ample is available in original, vegan, and keto versions, portioned as either 400 or 600 calories per meal. I'm an advisor to Ample, and I use it to save time when I'm working on major projects on a tight schedule. Head to https://amplemeal.com and enter the promo code “CHRIS15” at checkout for a 15% discount off your first order.” This episode is brought to you by Ancestral Supplements' "Living" Collagen. Our Native American ancestors believed that eating the organs from a healthy animal would support the health of the corresponding organ of the individual. Ancestral Supplements has a nose-to-tail product line of grass-fed liver, organs, "living" collagen, bone marrow and more... in the convenience of a capsule. For more information or to buy any of their products, go to https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/ancestral This episode is brought to you by Ample. Ample is a meal-in-a-bottle that takes a total of two minutes to prepare, consume, and clean up. It provides the right balance of nutrients needed for a single meal, all from a blend of natural ingredients. Ample is available in original, vegan, and keto versions, portioned as either 400 or 600 calories per meal. I'm an advisor to Ample, and I use it to save time when I'm working on major projects on a tight schedule. Head to https://amplemeal.com and enter the promo code “CHRIS15” at checkout for a 15% discount off your first order.” This episode is brought to you by Ancestral Supplements' "Living" Collagen. Our Native American ancestors believed that eating the organs from a healthy animal would support the health of the corresponding organ of the individual. Ancestral Supplements has a nose-to-tail product line of grass-fed liver, organs, "living" collagen, bone marrow and more... in the convenience of a capsule. For more information or to buy any of their products, go to https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/ancestral In this episode, you will find all of the following and more: 00:43 Cliff Notes 11:13 Introduction 13:23 Should blacks and whites have different normal ranges for their HDL cholesterol? And general principles we should keep in mind when thinking about interracial differences or differences between groups. 17:24 Are there any solutions to getting nauseated from zinc supplements even at low doses and even when the zinc comes as oysters? 22:35 When on a ketogenic diet, it is a problem if ketones are going up to 5 to 6 millimoles per liter? 26:17 Advice for what to do after suffering a transient ischemic attack 35:57 Nutrients important for neuroregeneration 39:26 What causes sinus congestion, and what can help? 42:36 Do MTHFR polymorphisms other than the famous C677T and A1298C matter at all? 44:54 Nutrition for children with ADHD 57:07 How to address orthostatic hypotension 58:53 Nutritional recommendations for MTR and MTRR polymorphisms 01:10:54 Do you know anything about the value of lithium for ADHD? 01:11:08 Information about my free Vitamins and Minerals 101 class 01:13:30 Why the main problem with hyperglycemia is not glucose but rather advanced glycation end products, and why the main determinant of advanced glycation end products is low insulin signaling. 01:24:19 Thoughts on nutrition and breast health 01:33:03 Is it useful to measure urine pH? 01:39:57 What would be a high dose of iodine? 01:41:29 Recommended dose of glycine 01:43:31 Does the difference between cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, and methylcobalamin matter, and does the difference between sublingual, oral, and intramuscular injection matter? 01:53:10 Are bilirubin and uric acid useful markers of antioxidant defense and oxidative stress? What are better markers? 01:58:25 Could an elevated BUN indicate protein malabsorption and low stomach acid? 02:03:31 What if I'm on a ketogenic diet, and I can't get my ketone levels up higher than 1 millimole per liter when my primary reason for being on the ketogenic diet is that I'm trying to control blood glucose better? 02:04:39 Could fat malabsorption be driven by genetic polymorphisms that lower activity the PEMT enzyme? And could fat malabsorption in general be causing not only mineral deficiencies but also hyperabsorption of oxalate from foods? 02:08:18 How to manage blood levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids 02:09:57 Why am I always sneezing first thing in the morning? 02:12:03 Follow-up to question about ketone levels 02:12:48 What if I cannot get my ferritin up and supplementing iron actually raises my serum iron well above the normal range? 02:19:25 What about pyroluria and measuring kryptopyrroles? 02:22:51 Are there safety concerns in supplementing cyanocobalamin rather methylcobalamin in those with MTHFR polymorphisms? And a rant on why many people use “MTHFR” to slap a label on their health problems. 02:34:14 Advice for patient with hypercholesterolemia, elevated fasting glucose and insulin, ferritin of 194, and iron saturation of 33% 02:45:31 What to do about high fasting glucose that only seems to improve with long sleep 02:48:00 What should the upper limit of fatty fish intake be?
In Episode 144 of Keto Talk, Jimmy and Dr. Will Cole dig into the subject of Functional Medicine and Dr. Cole explains to us exactly what tests every keto dieter should be running and what they mean to you. “It's rarely one thing that is the magic bullet. Normally it's a confluence of different factors. These labs allow us to find the pieces of the puzzle.” – Dr. Will Cole “You can take a shotgun approach with labs and do everything, or use them to really fine tune your health.” – Jimmy Moore The specific tests we talk about in this episode and the ranges you should be looking for: C-reactive protein Inflammation is one primary way disease genes get turned on, and it is generally destructive all over the body. C-reactive protein is an inflammatory protein that, while it is essential for cleaning up bad bacteria, in excess it can lead to accelerated aging, chronic disease, and damage to the telomeres. Optimal Range: < 0.5 mg/L Small dense LDL particles What you thought was “bad cholesterol” (LDL) isn’t all bad, and labelling it so is a simplistic and inaccurate view of cholesterol. LDL particles are proteins that carry cholesterol around in your body. Some of these particles are big and buoyant, while others are small and dense. It’s the small dense LDL particles that can cause damage, while the larger fluffier particles are essentially benign. Knowing your level of small dense LDL particles is much more instructive that simply knowing your total cholesterol, because it is the small dense LDLs – not the cholesterol itself – that indicate a riskfor heart attack and stroke (and thereby put you at risk for an earlier death). Optimal Range: < 200 nmol/L Homocysteine This protein in excess (especially when coupled with a B vitamin deficiency) has been linked to cognitive decline, which can drastically reduce quality as well as length of life. Optimal Range: < 7 Umol/L Hgb A1C This test tells you what your blood sugar has been, on average, for the past two to three months. When it is high, it can indicate pre-diabetes or diabetes, and an elevated A1C has been linked with higher rates of all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes. Optimal Range: < 5.3% Vitamin D This nutrient is responsible for hundreds of different genetic pathways in the body but because most people spend most of their day indoors and get little sun exposure, vitamin D deficiency is rampant. That’s too bad because this deficiency is linked to chronic disease, and optimal levels are linked to an actual preservation of telomeres, meaning you live longer and stay healthier! If that’s not a reason to get a little sunshine, I don’t know what is. Note that vitamin D should be paired with other fat soluble vitamins, like vitamin A and K2, for maximum absorption. Optimal Range: 50-60 ng/mL Fasting insulin When your body breaks down carbohydrates, and to a lesser extent, proteins into glucose, your blood sugar goes up. In response, your pancreas secretes insulin to send your blood sugar into your cells (for energy) and bring down the level in your blood. However, if insulin gets activated too often at too high levels, this has been linked to accelerated aging and telomere shortening. Optimal Range: < 3 ulU/mL C-peptide: Optimal Range: 0.8 to 3.1 ng/mL Fasting blood sugar: Optimal Range: 75 to 90 mg/dL Triglycerides: Optimal Range: < 100 mg/dL HDL: Optimal Range: 59 to 100 mg/dL Hormone testing: Urine and Saliva Other Nutrients: Selenium, Mg, Iron, MMA, Microbiome labs: We look to assess gut health, where around 80 percent of our immune system resides. Intestinal permeability lab: This blood test looks for antibodies against the proteins that govern your gut lining (occludin and zonulin), as well as bacterial toxins that can cause inflammation throughout the body, called lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Multiple autoimmune reactivity labs: This array shows us if your immune system is creating antibodies against many different parts of the body, such as the brain, thyroid, gut, and adrenal glands. The labs are not meant to diagnose an autoimmune disease, but to look for possible evidence of abnormal autoimmune-inflammation activity. Cross reactivity labs: Helpful for people who are gluten-sensitive and who have gone gluten-free and eat a clean diet, but still experience symptoms like digestive problems, fatigue, and neurological symptoms. In these cases, relatively healthy food proteins—such as gluten-free grains, eggs, dairy, chocolate, coffee, soy, and potatoes—may be mistaken by the immune system as gluten, triggering inflammation. To their immune system, it’s as if they have never gone gluten-free. 1. AHCY: This enzyme is responsible for breaking down the amino methionine by converting S-adenosylhomocysteinase into pro-inflammatory homocysteine. Mood disorders are common for those with a double mutation but typically do well with SAMe supplementation. 2. BHMT: The BHMT gene directs the enzyme responsible for the amino acid methionine, the building block in the choline oxidation process for optimal brain function. Changes in this gene are associated with ADHD. 3. CBS No, not the television network! It actually stands for the enzyme that makes the amino acid cystathionine. A mutation of this gene will lead a person to produce more sulfur end products and as a result will need to limit sulfur-rich foods such as legumes and dairy. These foods can increase ammonia levels and contribute to existing health problems. NOS and SUOX are two other genes that can increase sulfur and are linked to immune disorders like asthma. 4. COMT: This gene is responsible for creating a healthy balance of neurotransmitters and, in turn, a healthy brain. A double COMT gene change is associated with increased risk for anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. 5. MAO: The main role of the MAO gene is to clear out excess neurotransmitters like serotonin. When changes to this gene occur it can create an imbalance in neurotransmitters leading to increased rates of anxiety and depression. Those with an MAO mutation, as well as the MTHFR gene mutation, can have a higher rate of histamine intolerance. Because of this even healthy foods such as fermented foods, bone broth, and vinegar can increase inflammation. 6. MTHFR: This is not an acronym for a swear word guys, get your mind out of the gutter. The biggest thing I use DNA testing for is to assess methylation, a biochemical superhighway that help your gut, brain, hormones, and detox pathways function properly. This process happens a billion times every single second so if methylation isn’t functioning well, neither are you. Since I often deal with a variety of gut, brain, and hormonal problems in my clinic it is important to see if my patients methylation is working well. The MTHFR enzyme is responsible for converting folic acid into folate which acts as fuel to the methylation process. A1298C and C677T are the two main MTHFR mutation. When A1298C is altered it can lead to mood disorders due to its important role in neurotransmitter function. C677T changes can cause higher levels of inflammatory homocysteine. Both of these are linked to autism and autoimmune conditions like autoimmune thyroid issues. 7. MTR/MTRR: These are necessary for B12 production, another methyl donor. Those who have this mutation need higher intake of B12 because their body uses it faster than it produces it. Oftentimes people who have this genetic change can also be low in lithium which is needed for mood regulation. We can easily check lithium levels through testing blood and hair. 8. VDR VDR stands for vitamin D receptor. Every single cell in your body uses vitamin D. Other than your thyroid hormone, no other nutrient or hormone can claim that importance. It is responsible for over 200 different pathways in the body. Mutations in this gene make it really difficult to absorb vitamin D. It’s important to know if this is the case for you in order to supplement higher doses on a consistent basis to make sure you are getting enough of this vital nutrient. 9. Detox genes I also look for changes in your detox genes such as CYP1A2, also known as your caffeine gene. This can show just how well you can tolerate caffeine and whether or not it can be harmful or beneficial to your health.
What is the MTHFR test? The MTHFR test or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase test has become extremely popular due to a number of alternative medicine practitioners promoting it as the source of many chronic illnesses. But is it something you should worry about? This test is basically looking for two types of genetic mutations known as C677T and A1298C that affect the MTHFR enzyme involved in folate metabolism in your body. Proper MTHFR enzyme function ensures that homocysteine is properly metabolized to the amino acid methionine which then makes SAMe. SAMe is known as the “universal methyl donor” which is extremely important for serotonin, melatonin and your DNA. Folate is a B-vitamin and is important because it is at the heart of metabolism and the production of all your cells. Without it, nothing really works well so our list of symptoms and health problems would be extensive. The National Library of Medicine Genetics Reference states that MTHFR: "The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is important for a chemical reaction involving forms of the vitamin folate (also called vitamin B9). Specifically, this enzyme converts a molecule called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a molecule called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This reaction is required for the multistep process that converts the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins and other important compounds." How common is it? Approximately 5-14% of the US population has two copies of the MTHFR mutation. It is the most common in those of Mediterranean descent and lowest in those of African ancestry. In America, about 25% of people who are Hispanic, and 10-15% of people who are Caucasian have two copies of C677T. Should you worry about Homocysteine and MTHFR? Although controversial in its connection with cardiovascular disease, elevated homocysteine levels may damage blood vessel walls leading to plaque (atherosclerosis) development and thus the potential for a heart attack, stroke or blood clot. Homocysteine requires healthy levels of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to be metabolized properly. Recent data, however, shows that supplementation with these vitamins to lower homocysteine levels does not produce any benefit regarding cardiovascular risk reduction. This is most likely due to the complexity of cardiovascular disease which doesn't have a single cause such as elevated homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels, however, are rarely connected to a single genetic variant. Patients with elevated homocysteine should be thoroughly evaluated for the causes of elevated homocysteine such as: Hypothyroidism Obesity Diabetes Insulin resistance Inflammation High cholesterol High blood pressure Lack of physical activity Aging Smoking Medications (atorvastatin, fenofibrate, methotrexate, and nicotinic acid) Are there any disease connections to MTHFR? The only conditions with significant scientific support connected to MTHFR are the following: Spinda bifida Homocystinuria Age-related hearing loss Anencephaly (neural tube defect) Blood clots There are many claims on the internet that MTHFR is linked to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, glaucoma, certain cancers, and some psychiatric disorders. All of the studies related to these conditions with MTHFR have mixed results with some studies finding no association. So at this point, there is no clear scientific evidence that MTHFR alone has any connection to these disorders. This is a classic example of cherry picking by alternative practitioners extracting the information from the mixed studies that support their own agenda and ignoring the opposing evidence.
MTHFR is an enzyme that allows folate (vitamin B9) to support the cellular process of methylation, which is important for the synthesis of creatine and phosphatidylcholine, the regulation of gene expression, neurotransmitter metabolism, and dozens of other processes. There are two common polymorphisms that decrease its activity, A1298C and C677T, with C677T having the stronger effect. Genetic decreases in MTHFR activity are associated with cardiovascular disease, neurologic and psychiatric disorders, pregnancy complications and birth defects, and cancer. While discussions of these polymorphism tend to focus on repleting methyl-folate, this should only be a small piece of the puzzle. The bigger pieces of the puzzle are restoring choline, creatine, and glycine. In this episode, I describe how the methylation system works, how it's regulated, and how it's altered with MTHFR variations. I then use this to develop a detailed dietary strategy and an evaluative strategy to make sure the dietary strategy is working. Show notes coming soon! This episode is brought to you by Ample Meal. Ample is a meal-in-a-bottle that takes a total of two minutes to prepare, consume, and clean up. It provides a balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrate, plus all the vitamins and minerals you need in a single meal, all from a blend of natural ingredients. The protein is from whey and collagen. The fat is from coconut oil and macadamia nut oil. The carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals come exclusively from food sources like sweet potatoes, bananas, cocoa powder, wheat and barley grass, and chlorella. I use Ample on Mondays when I have 12 hours of appointments with breaks no longer than 15 minutes. It keeps my brain going while I power through the long day, never letting food prep make me late for an appointment. Head to amplemeal.com and enter the promo code “CHRIS15” at checkout for a 15% discount off your first order. This episode is brought to you by US Wellness Meats. I use their liverwurst as a convenient way to make a sustainable habit of eating a diversity of organ meats. They also have a milder braunschweiger and an even milder head cheese that gives you similar benefits, as well as a wide array of other meat products, all from animals raised on pasture. Head to grasslandbeef.com and enter promo code “Chris” at checkout to get a 15% discount on any order that is at least 7 pounds and is at least $75 after applying the discount but under 40 pounds (it can be 39.99 lbs, but not 40). You can use this discount code not once, but twice!
We're back with Episode 4 of “So You Wanna Go Pro” featuring elite triathlete Matt Bach. This episode takes an unexpected and somewhat ironic turn of events. Listen to Ep. 3 here. Matt discusses recent developments in his health & plans to heal: Diagnosis: Stress reaction in femur, osteoporosis, and double genetic mutation in MTHFR with C677T […] The post Ep. 4: So You Wanna Go Pro? A ‘Stick in the Spokes' and Changing Focus first appeared on Endurance Planet.
This episode is a recording of the 06/25/2016 Facebook Live event, "Ask Chris Masterjohn, PhD, Anything About Methylation." Among the questions answered and topics discussed in this episode are the following: An MTHFR mutation (e.g. C677T) even with normal homocysteine could mean that you are taxing your choline supply and wasting glycine into your urine. Boosting choline and glycine intake could help. What may surprise you is that so could supplementing with creatine! How to implement the above strategies with natural foods? Can targeted SAMe supplementation be useful for diagnosing methylation problems? Choline and fatty liver disease. Why is my serum B12 soaring through the roof when I haven't even been supplementing? COMT mutations regulating the balance between mental stability and mental flexibility via dopamine, and whether supplementing with 5-methylfolate could worsen mental problems in people with high COMT activity. Potential relations to obssessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How should you get choline if you're allergic to eggs? With an MTHFR mutation and high liver enzymes, choline would seem to be in order, but should you also rethink your high-fat diet? All this and more!
Medizinische Fakultät - Digitale Hochschulschriften der LMU - Teil 09/19
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100 https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/9611/ https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/9611/1/Poghosyan_Gayane.pdf Poghosya
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