Cautions With Other Medicines
It’s generally safe to take thiamine while you’re taking other medicines.
However, check with a doctor before starting on thiamine if you’re on fluorouracil, a medicine used to treat some types of cancer.
Fluorouracil can interfere with the way thiamine works. The doctor may need to adjust your dose of thiamine.
How Much Will I Take
The dose will vary depending on why you need thiamine and whether it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Mild thiamine deficiency the usual dose for adults is between 25mg and 100mg, taken once a day.
Severe thiamine deficiency the usual dose for adults is 100mg, taken 2 or 3 times a day.
If your child is prescribed thiamine, the doctor will use your childs weight to work out the right dose.
Vitamin B12 Protective Against Parkinson’s Disease
Pauline Anderson
A high baseline intake of vitamin B12 is linked to lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease , new research suggests.
“The results leave the door open for the possibility that vitamin B12 may have a beneficial effect in protecting against PD,” lead author Mario H. Flores, PhD, a research fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News.
The findings were presented at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders 2022.
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Why Should High Dose Thiamine Therapy For Parkinsons Disease Reverse Symptoms
The problem has nothing to do with the actual quantity of B1 vitamin in their body. Rather, the body is not converting B vitamins to the enzymes that are essential for the body function well. In more formal terms, this is known as a breakdown in the methylation cycle.
Persons diagnosed with Parkinsonâs disease are very likely to have a breakdown in their methylation cycle. I learned this from conducting a series of interviews with BioAcoustic Pioneer Sharry Edwards who has done a series of diagnostics for persons diagnosed with Parkinsonâs. Sharry has identified a series of factors that cause neurological imbalances. One of the factors that jumps to the top of the list is a breakdown in the methylation cycle. In simple terms, a person has a sufficient quantity of the B vitamins such as B1, but their body is not converting them to the enzymes that are essential for a body to function normally.
Once the B vitamins have been thoroughly processed by the methylation cycle, the body uses various methyl-groups to make healthy cells. These cells facilitate the production of neurotransmitters such as â you guessed it â dopamine. A fully functioning cycle makes it possible to remove toxins in the liver and elsewhere in addition to fighting infections successfully. In other words, B vitamins play an indirect, but essential role in promoting healthy neurons.
Who Can And Can’t Take Thiamine
Most adults and children aged 12 years or older can take thiamine.
Only give thiamine to a child under the age of 12 years if a specialist recommends it.
Thiamine may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor before starting thiamine if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to thiamine or any other medicine in the past
- are due to have any blood tests or scans thiamine can affect the results of certain tests
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Vitamin B1 For Parkinsons
First published on Earth Clinic in 2017 by Art Solbrig, one of Earth Clinics top contributors, high dose vitamin B1 has gone on to make waves throughout the world as a promising vitamin therapy to slow the progression of Parkinsons Disease.
Art had already spent 5 years extensively researching alternative treatments for several friends and acquaintances with Parkinsons Disease when he came across two groups using high-dose Vitamin B1 for patients with Parkinsons Disease.
Below are Arts posts from various sections on Earth Clinic, weaved together here for our readers.
Sadly, like our brilliant contributor Ted from Bangkok, the doctor in Italy that Art had corresponded with similarly suffered a serious stroke in February, 2019 . He passed in spring, 2020 from COVID-19 complications.
On August 1, 2018 Art Solbrig writes Earth Clinic:
Previously I discussed an Italian neurologist that has made a rather remarkable discovery about using a vitamin to very good effect in treating Parkinsons Disease patients. With the passage of time it is becoming very clear that the treatment is very helpful for alleviating many PD symptoms beyond what the meds alone can do.
On July 7, 2017, Art mentions the Thiamine protocol for Parkinsons in a reply to an Earth Clinic reader asking for potential remedies for her brother with Parkinsons.
Art writes, In reply to Mary M. : Hi Mary,
B1 – Thiamine
Thank you.
In reply to Mary M. ,
Hi Mary,
B1 – Thiamine
Possible Neuroprotective Mechanisms Of Vitamin C In Pd
There is evidence that ascorbic acid can protect against both levodopa toxicity and the MPTP neurotoxicity . Vitamin C can increase the production of dihydroxyphenylalanine . Seitz et al. noted overproduction of DOPA in a dose-dependent manner after incubation of the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH with ascorbic acid for 2 hours. Additionally, the gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase increased threefold after incubation with ascorbic acid for 5days. The scholars speculated that ascorbic acid may be effective in the treatment of early-stage PD .
Vitamin C can improve the absorption of levodopa in elderly PD patients with a poor levodopa bioavailability . Previous studies showed that ascorbic acid can reduce the levodopa dosage under the premise of equal efficacy . Combination of anti-PD drugs and vitamin C may be more effective for alleviating the symptoms of PD.
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Two Solutions To Improve The Function Of The Methylation Cycle
Robert Rodgers PhD
What Is The Best Way To Integrate Vitamin B1
Currently in Italy Vitamin B1 can be acquired either over the counter or with prescription and it comes in three different types :
- Benerva in tablets of 300 mgs
- Benerva in vials of 100 mgs / 1 ml
- Biovea B1 in tablets of 500 mgs
Considering that a person with PD must maintain, for all her/his life, optimum levels of B1, it would be naïve to think of using vials, if not just for an initial phase.
The taking of medication by I.M. injections will prove to be quicker and more effective as compared to the ones taken by mouth.
We have found that on average four tablets of Benerva 300 mg would be equivalent to one intramuscular injection.
The Biovea B1 received the most positive feedback, not only for the dose titration of Thiamine .
Normally the medication regimen consists of one tablet per day for the first month at the end of which it is worthwhile to repeat blood tests to ascertain le level of Thiamine.
It is recommended to alternate with a similar period where there is no intake of Thiamine .
It is highly recommended to consult with a nutritionist who has had extensive experience in advising patients with PD.
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Results Of A Fully Functional Methylation Cycle
To summarize: The methylation cycle affects:
- Neurotransmitter levels. This is why so many individuals diagnosed with Parkinsonâs have persistent anxiety and a deep depression that never seems to lift.
- The immune function. This is why so many persons with Parkinsonâs symptoms get some relief from taking Low Dose Naltrexone which tricks the immune system into becoming stronger.
- This is why so many individuals have pursued one detox regime after another with limited success. The problem does not reside with the detox protocols per se, but a breakdown in the methylation cycle.
- Production of glutathione . This is why so many persons diagnosed with Parkinsonâs are known to have dangerously low levels of glutathione.
Hdt + Vitamin Supplements L
Even though in our experience thiamine is well effective alone, it is possible to add other group B vitamins, including folic acid.
However, we do not begin the therapy with high dose thiamine in addition to multivitamin compounds, especially if these contain vitamin B6. This because vitamin B6 is a facilitator of the peripheral decarboxylase and in PwP may interfere with the amount of L-dopa that reaches the brain and thus worsen the symptoms.
Usually the L-dopa compounds contain inhibitors of such action however since this interference may occur even in presence of inhibitors, we would not be able to detect whether the effectiveness of the high dose thiamine is maximized or if it could be further fostered.
It could also be useful to take a tablet of extended-release magnesium twice a week only. Some thiamine supplements on the market also contain high shares of magnesium and/or other elements. These should be avoided because the patients who do the high-dose thiamine therapy do not benefit from the relatively high doses of other supplements that are inadvertently taken at the same time as the thiamine.
For instance, some thiamine tablets contain 500 mg of thiamine HCL and 100 mg of magnesium. Given the high number of such tablets a patient would take for the thiamine dose throughout the day and the week, and lifelong for that matter, the risk of hyper-concentration of magnesium would be high.
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The Pathogenesis Of Oxidative Stress In Pd
Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the oxidation system and antioxidant system, resulting in excessive accumulation of oxidative substances, such as reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species . ROS include superoxide anion radical , hydroxyl radical , and hydrogen peroxide RNS include nitric oxide , nitrogen dioxide , and peroxynitrite . The antioxidant system mainly consists of two subtypes: enzymatic antioxidant system, including superoxide dismutase , catalase , and glutathione peroxidase , and nonenzymatic antioxidant system, including vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, melatonin, alpha-lipoic acid, carotenoids, and trace elements copper, zinc, and selenium.
Oxidative stress plays an important physiological role in the organism. For example, phagocytic cells kill pathogenic microorganisms, participate in detoxification and enzymatic reactions, and synthesize some essential biologically active substances. Meanwhile, it can as well cause damage to the body, such as cell membrane destruction, protein denaturation, and nucleic acid changes.
Effect Of Suspending Thiamine Treatment
When the high dose thiamine is suspended after a cycle of treatments of three months, the beneficial effects do not cease right away but start to diminish within the next two months. We believe that this happens because the mechanisms of action of the disease have a certain buffer effect which in turn requires a couple of months before getting back to the status of the symptoms before the use of high dose thiamine.
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In Which Cases It Is Desirable To Integrate Vitamin B1
Just like all the other vitamins it is desirable to integrate B1 when its physiological levels are low and they cannot be restored to normal levels, even by adjusting and/or improving the daily nutritional diet, .Hence, to ascertain if the level of Thiamine is normal, it will suffice to do a specific blood test that would provide the actual value of Thiamine, whose acceptable levels range from 2-5 micrograms for deciliter.We have found that people with PD seldom have optimal values of vitamin B1, particularly in people who are over the age of fifty.
Obviously the lower it is the value of B1 when the trial begins the higher will be the benefits gained by taking it.
Possible Neuroprotective Mechanisms Of Vitamin B3 In Pd
Firstly, numerous studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular energy failure are pathophysiological features of PD. Nicotinamide participates in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide via various metabolic pathways . NADH is an essential cofactor assisting the tetrahydrobiopterin functioning in tyrosine hydroxylase, which can hydroxylate tyrosine and produce dopamine NADH deficiency is common in PD .
Secondly, NADH is indispensable for the physiological function of mitochondrial complex I in ATP synthesis, and the corresponding dysfunction is involved in PD patients and animal models . Nicotinamide mononucleotide constitutes one of the key precursors of NAD+. In previous in vitro studies, the scholars have established a cellular model of PD using rotenone-treated PC12 cells, and they found the NMN treatment was associated with a significantly higher survival rate in the rotenone-treated PC12 cells. NMN is assumed to enhance the intracellular levels of NAD+ and ATP in the cellular model of PD .
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Vitamin B12 And Folate
Vitamin B12 is an antioxidant. It helps keep red blood cells and nerve cells healthy and helps produce DNA. Sources of vitamin B12 are typically red meat, chicken, sardines, eggs, fortified cereals and bread, and nutritional yeast.
Researchers discovered that patients with early-onset Parkinson’s disease had lower vitamin B12 levels, which reduced motor and cognitive functions. In some cases, taking a multivitamin that included vitamin B12 slowed the loss of those functions.
Folate is found in organ meats , yeast, and leafy green vegetables. Folate plays several roles in the body and brain.
Both B12 and folate are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid. High levels of homocysteine are seen in various cognitive disorders. Studies show that Parkinson’s disease patients taking levodopa for the condition are also more likely to have elevated homocysteine.
In one meta-data analysis, researchers investigated the correlations between cognitive function , homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease. They discovered that patients with cognitive dysfunction had high levels of homocysteine and lower levels of folate and vitamin B12.
Finding The Correct Dose
The correct dose varies on the basis of:
- Duration of the disease (the longer is the duration of the disease, the higher will be in general the doses
- Severity of the symptoms and rate of progression of the disease
- Weight and physical characteristics of the patient
- Sensitivity/responsiveness to the treatment.
In order to determine the right dose, we usually stick to the following protocol.
In case of recent onset of the disease in patients whose weight is between 50 to 65 kg , we begin the therapy with two grams of thiamine per day, before and after lunch.
In case the patient weighs more, the dose can be three grams per day, always divided into two administrations.
Oral thiamine should not be taken with juices or any sour beverage, water only.
The equivalent Intramuscular administration of thiamine would be:
- For 2 grams/day orally = 1 x 100mg injectable solution per week
- For 3 grams/day orally = 2 x 75mg injectable solution per week
- For 4 grams/day orally = 2 x 100 mg injectable solution per week.
NOTE: When it is administrated through intramuscular injections treatment could lead to allergic reactions . Mainly there are dermatological rushes and allergic phenomena.
NOTE: It is not suggested to use IM high dose thiamine for patients under treatment with anticoagulants since the injection may cause a hematoma in the location of the shot.
The correct dose of high-dose thiamine therapy reduces greatly the symptoms. What remains responds readily to the use of l-dopa.
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How Should Vitamin B1 Be Integrated With Prescription Drugs Therapy
Often the importance of a proper diet combined with the intake of Vitamins is often underestimated or taken too lightly both from the patients and from the clinicians .
Probably it is easier to increase the dosage of the medication to allay the discomfort perceived by the patient instead of undertaking more complex and perhaps beneficial alternatives that a trained or specialized nutritionist, if consulted, could provide.
The dismal conditions that characterize the current state of the Italian National Sanitary Service certainly dont help. In many cities there are no medical centers that specialize in the treatment of PD. Neurologists are overwhelmed by their workload or stuck in red tape or trying to navigate in a petrified bureaucracy.
Besides, the exceedingly specialist-oriented approach of recent years doesnt allow for the treatment of a pathology that by its nature requires a multi-disciplinary intervention
Seldom will Neurologists exhort patients to monitor the level of the Thiamine prior to the integration of the Vitamin .
The mere fact that vitamin B1 can be purchased just like an over the counter medicine directly by the patient it would imply that it is not covered by the Mutua but luckily it has a reasonable cost of roughly 8 /month .
Recent reports tend to suggest that, from a drug-interaction standpoint, Vitamin B1 could alter or interfere with conventional prescription drug therapy.
Clinical Studies Regarding Vitamin C In Pd
Although vitamin C has many potential positive effects on PD, the serum level of vitamin C in patients with PD remains controversial . Noteworthily, the vitamin C level in lymphocytes has been found significantly lower in patients with severe PD . Theoretically, vitamin C supplementation may be beneficial for the treatment of PD. A cohort study involving 1036 patients with PD supported this hypothesis, which found that dietary vitamin C intake significantly reduced the risk of PD, but this effect is invalid for a 4-year-lag analysis . Controversially, many studies did not support that vitamin C supplementation can reduce the risk of PD . We speculate this contradiction may be related to the timing of vitamin application.
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