התשובה של ויליס לנגפורד
Dear Raz: Hi Willis Several ASD kids from the Israeli support group got abnormal results for the B12 and Folic acid results. Their parents want to now why. My explanation was that the high results point to inability to process B12 and folic acid normally, and it might be beneficial to add mB12 shots and folinic acid to the kids protocol. Since you didn't say what the tests were, serum or red blood cell, it makes it a bit difficult to reply. You might get better results with Folapro. This form of folate bypasses the MTHFR block, and it is more likely to benefit without building those readings higher. I agree with the idea of using mB12. We are talking water soluble here, so spread the supplements through the day for best results. Do my guesses make sense here? is there further testing worth doing? further treatments worth perusing? Thanks a lot Raz Mandi's reply is probably on target. Since vitamin B12 is not toxic, even in overload, one might take added supplements and observe results. If any negative results are apparent, of course, one should discontinue. These thoughts apply: >>>Nevertheless, supplementation of the general public with large amounts of folic acid will potentially harm many who are undermethylated (more than 50% of ASD children) according to Dr. Wm. Walsh. These should beware of prepared breakfast cereal that gives as much as 400 mcg in a 1-cup serving. If there is a question about supplementing folate, ask the Lab for a "Neutrophilic Hypersegmentation Index". If they do not have such to offer, have them draw blood and send it to Meridian Valley Labs, www.meridianvalleylab.com . The cost is only $35.00 US. >>> >>>Dr. Walsh adds: ג€Most autistics are very undermethylated and have little ג€˜trafficג€™ in the SAM cycle, with generally low levels at each point along the way: Methionine, SAMe, SAH, Homocysteine, etc. These same persons also exhibit elevated levels of folates. There is little homocysteine available to convert back to methionine. Supplements of folic acid and B12 will rob the cystathionine pathway of needed chemicals for production of cysteine, glutathione, and sulfur chemistry in general. This is not a good way to help an undermethylated person. Far better would be to simply introduce additional methyl groups. My favorite way is supplements of methionine. On the other hand, if you give folic acid to a histadelic (undermethylated, high histamine) patient, severe worsening can be expected. I believe the obvious benefits exhibited by many autistics after methyl B12 (supplementation) derive from correction of severe B12 deficiency rather from helping methylation.ג€ Elsewhere, Dr. Walsh indicates that some few undermethylated do need folic acid. Use care in supplementing it in one who is undermethylated. >>> >>>ג€Folate trappingג€ occurs when hydroxycobalamin (B12) is deficient in the presence of adequate methyl-tetrahydrofolate. When this situation occurs, the methyl group on methyl-tetrahydrofolate is trapped because ג€it wants to leave (to become tetrahydrofolate) but canג€™t get awayג€. From then on, folate no longer is able to participate in its metabolic pathways, and megaloblastic anemia results. Large doses of supplemental folate can bypass the folate trap, and megaloblastic anemia will not occur. However, the neurologic/psychiatric abnormalities associated with B12 deficiency ensue progressively. In fact, folic acid administration may cause neuropathy in patients with latent or overt pernicious anemia if these patients are not receiving vitamin B12. So, it would seem that the undermethylated would definitely need vitamin B12 to alleviate this condition. >>> Avoid folate if the child is high histamine. Warmly, Willis