Patient N = 1 reporting on a farm market fiasco. The peaches looked so good; I ate a quarter of one before suddenly thinking "Sweet Potato Chips! No!" and stopped eating.
In reviewing anything I could find on the topic, it may have started as a fetal alcohol sperm leading to me having a bunch of gene alleles which may include the overactive Retinoic Acid enzyme. I was a rashy, congested kid but my gene differences explain some of that. Later I did get significantly worse after having mononucleosis in high school and had Chronic Fatigue type symptoms after that. I believe mono and Epstein Barr virus are similar or the same type of infection. Yes - it is a very common virus that doesn't normally lead to illness, (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mononucleosis/expert-answers/mononucleosis/faq-20058444), so maybe I already was predisposed towards the excess Retinoic Acid and that just kicked it into overdrive. New area of research, not a lot on the topic other than as a Retinoid medication side effect.
Sunlight is needed because we form water soluble forms of vitamin D and A with sunshine.
These are some of the factors that I have considered and included.
Revised Check List
(#1) Yes - Low vitamin D (can also be
(#1 & #6/Trace mineral imbalance) Yes - Low magnesium or
(#25 & #1) Yes - Excess Glyphosate - helped to cut it out, thoroughly, or
Yes -Gene differences in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). (47) also seen in bipolar disorder (48) toxoplasmosis risk (76)
(#20 & #1) Yes - Excess Retinoic Acid might affect Vit D Receptor & other receptor’s transcription of proteins. (114) Either deficiency of retinoids (Vitamin A and beta and some other carotenoids) or excess Retinoic acid can be a causal factor in symptoms of schizophrenia. (114, 116) See post #20.
(#3) Yes - or zinc deficiency later in life. (69, 70, 71, 72, 73)(114) Pyroluria seems a genetic cause for me.
(#4) Yes - Excess copper in relation to a low zinc level - may be dietary
(#4) Unknown - gene issues in copper transport - or genetic - the copper/zinc transport protein dysbindin would be needed as a treatment if that was an underlying factor. (Dysbindin:56, 57, 58, 81),
(#5) Unkown - Low manganese and iron were found along with elevated copper. (80, 57)
(#6) Yes - (low selenium and zinc, probably elevated copper, marginal to okay iron) - Low trace minerals or excess, or imbalance - it is complex - (83)
(#7) Unknown - Low Cesium is also seen in Alzheimer’s. The research team speculate that it may chelate misfolded proteins. (83) [Regarding the #s - there are lots of trace minerals, this is still an initial look at the size of the problem.]
(#8) Yes - low folate/B12 methyl B vitamins, dietary – or
(#8) Yes - gene methylation difference and/or - Yes - pyroluria may be factors in chronic deficiency. Low methyl folate and methyl B12; possibly methylation gene differences. (55)
(#9) Unknown but seems likely elevated Crp level - Low B6, folate and methyl B12 can lead to increased C-reactive protein levels which is associated with schizophrenia. (46, 55)
(#10) Yes - low B6 - the pyroluria causes this for me. - Low B6, (82)
(#11) Yes - low Inositol -supplements help and are needed at least every other day or so or symptoms start returning. - B6, B8 (Inositol), and B12 supplementation helped. (85)
Yes - (#23) B1 deficiency, most likely seen with severe malnutrition.
(#12) Yes - Low niacin (B3) – or need for more than average for an unknown reason. (45) The reason might be that it preserves tryptophan to be used for other things, like our microbiome and serotonin. “Dietary components including tryptophan, glutamate and complex carbohydrates serve as a substrate for many bacterial metabolites. Amino acids, including tryptophan and glutamate, serve as precursors in synthesizing many neuroactive substances, including kynurenine, serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and epinephrine (12, 13). Enterochromaffin cells within the intestinal epithelium are the primary producer of gut-derived 5-HT. Tryptophan metabolites are vital precursors in the synthesis of kynurenine and 5HT within the gut.” (2)
(#27) Out here on the limb - I’m adding tryptophan - adequate protein!
(#13) Yes - Vit C too low can cause easy bruising - Vitamin C supplementation helped, (88)
( #14) Yes - ALA I added that early in my Get Better Journey and have stuck with it - Cofactors: Alpha lipoic acid helped, “(100 mg/d) for 4 months”(86)
(#15) Yes - CoQ10 - I do find CoQ10 helpful too and have it used it for many years - CoQ10 supplementation found no difference – adherence may have dropped off. (87)
(#16) Adequate protein diet will provide enough cysteine for most people - N-acetylcysteine – an amino acid, used to form glutathione, along with glycine and glutamate. Doses of 600-1000 mg once or twice a day were used. (91) Also see NAC – N-acetylcysteine.
(#17) Yes - Low DHA/EPA, omega 3 fatty acid: (43)
(#18) Yes - externally induced- high THC marijuana with no CBD for too long for my medical use - too much THC alone can worsen rationality or genetic…
(#18) No - my gene difference causes low levels of both 2-AG and anandamide. Gene difference leading to - Low 2-AG (CBD equivalent) in relation to anandamide (THC equiv.). (49) (50) (75) (51, 77) (52)
(#19) Unknown - Glutathione levels were found to vary, (88) Nrf2 promoting phytonutrient foods or supplements would be helpful.
(#21) Yes - Psych med history, use and withdrawal - See post #21.) -
(#22) Yes - Psychosomatic symptom history and childhood ACEs or other trauma history. See post #22. I discussed my history and recovery strategies in that post. This post, part 3 of a series on Moderation includes child trauma and ACEs information.
(#24) Yes/& likely prenatally. (My mother had lifelong symptoms too and now has Alzheimer’s but has improved on a low histamine diet with methyl folate supplements and some herbal and medication antihistamines and pomegranate juice! and CBD drops.) - Histamine intolerance prenatally during fetal development, and/or currently as a child or adult.
Yes - (#26) Poor gut health - Microbiome. Digestive issues have been a problem for me, including occasional SIBO like symptoms - overgrowth, or years of leaky bowel like problems and more food sensitivities, migraine triggers, and autoimmune molecular mimicry issues. (Molecular mimicry - Gut protein that is undigested and similar to a body protein is allowed through a poorly defended gut wall whole, and white blood cells set up antibodies that attack it and the similar self-proteins.)
The Unfolded Protein Response by the Endoplasmic reticulum can be a way that an infected cell will self destruct. Pathogens prevent that sometimes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5583660/ protozoan infection can lead to the Unfolded Protein Response. Otherwise prions and protozoa are different.
Has your liver always over-converted vitamin A? Or did something happen to cause it?
In reviewing anything I could find on the topic, it may have started as a fetal alcohol sperm leading to me having a bunch of gene alleles which may include the overactive Retinoic Acid enzyme. I was a rashy, congested kid but my gene differences explain some of that. Later I did get significantly worse after having mononucleosis in high school and had Chronic Fatigue type symptoms after that. I believe mono and Epstein Barr virus are similar or the same type of infection. Yes - it is a very common virus that doesn't normally lead to illness, (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mononucleosis/expert-answers/mononucleosis/faq-20058444), so maybe I already was predisposed towards the excess Retinoic Acid and that just kicked it into overdrive. New area of research, not a lot on the topic other than as a Retinoid medication side effect.
Thanks that's fascinating.
I'm the same Mrs S who followed you on Twitter btw.
Cool, I thought so, maybe. Glad to see you here!
All the best people have shifted to substack :-)
Sunlight is needed because we form water soluble forms of vitamin D and A with sunshine.
These are some of the factors that I have considered and included.
Revised Check List
(#1) Yes - Low vitamin D (can also be
(#1 & #6/Trace mineral imbalance) Yes - Low magnesium or
(#25 & #1) Yes - Excess Glyphosate - helped to cut it out, thoroughly, or
Yes -Gene differences in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). (47) also seen in bipolar disorder (48) toxoplasmosis risk (76)
(#20 & #1) Yes - Excess Retinoic Acid might affect Vit D Receptor & other receptor’s transcription of proteins. (114) Either deficiency of retinoids (Vitamin A and beta and some other carotenoids) or excess Retinoic acid can be a causal factor in symptoms of schizophrenia. (114, 116) See post #20.
(#2) Yes - Low iodine/hypothyroidism / excess fluoride, bromide and perchlorates. (55)
(#2 & #20) Yes - thyroid & Retinoic acid link - Excess Retinoic Acid might affect Thyroid Receptor function. (114)
(#3) Yes - Zinc deficiency prenatally
(#3) Yes - or zinc deficiency later in life. (69, 70, 71, 72, 73)(114) Pyroluria seems a genetic cause for me.
(#4) Yes - Excess copper in relation to a low zinc level - may be dietary
(#4) Unknown - gene issues in copper transport - or genetic - the copper/zinc transport protein dysbindin would be needed as a treatment if that was an underlying factor. (Dysbindin:56, 57, 58, 81),
(#5) Unkown - Low manganese and iron were found along with elevated copper. (80, 57)
(#6) Yes - (low selenium and zinc, probably elevated copper, marginal to okay iron) - Low trace minerals or excess, or imbalance - it is complex - (83)
(#7) Unknown - Low Cesium is also seen in Alzheimer’s. The research team speculate that it may chelate misfolded proteins. (83) [Regarding the #s - there are lots of trace minerals, this is still an initial look at the size of the problem.]
(#8) Yes - low folate/B12 methyl B vitamins, dietary – or
(#8) Yes - gene methylation difference and/or - Yes - pyroluria may be factors in chronic deficiency. Low methyl folate and methyl B12; possibly methylation gene differences. (55)
(#9) Unknown but seems likely elevated Crp level - Low B6, folate and methyl B12 can lead to increased C-reactive protein levels which is associated with schizophrenia. (46, 55)
(#10) Yes - low B6 - the pyroluria causes this for me. - Low B6, (82)
(#11) Yes - low Inositol -supplements help and are needed at least every other day or so or symptoms start returning. - B6, B8 (Inositol), and B12 supplementation helped. (85)
Yes - (#23) B1 deficiency, most likely seen with severe malnutrition.
(#12) Yes - Low niacin (B3) – or need for more than average for an unknown reason. (45) The reason might be that it preserves tryptophan to be used for other things, like our microbiome and serotonin. “Dietary components including tryptophan, glutamate and complex carbohydrates serve as a substrate for many bacterial metabolites. Amino acids, including tryptophan and glutamate, serve as precursors in synthesizing many neuroactive substances, including kynurenine, serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and epinephrine (12, 13). Enterochromaffin cells within the intestinal epithelium are the primary producer of gut-derived 5-HT. Tryptophan metabolites are vital precursors in the synthesis of kynurenine and 5HT within the gut.” (2)
(#27) Out here on the limb - I’m adding tryptophan - adequate protein!
(#13) Yes - Vit C too low can cause easy bruising - Vitamin C supplementation helped, (88)
( #14) Yes - ALA I added that early in my Get Better Journey and have stuck with it - Cofactors: Alpha lipoic acid helped, “(100 mg/d) for 4 months”(86)
(#15) Yes - CoQ10 - I do find CoQ10 helpful too and have it used it for many years - CoQ10 supplementation found no difference – adherence may have dropped off. (87)
(#16) Adequate protein diet will provide enough cysteine for most people - N-acetylcysteine – an amino acid, used to form glutathione, along with glycine and glutamate. Doses of 600-1000 mg once or twice a day were used. (91) Also see NAC – N-acetylcysteine.
(#17) Yes - Low DHA/EPA, omega 3 fatty acid: (43)
(#18) Yes - externally induced- high THC marijuana with no CBD for too long for my medical use - too much THC alone can worsen rationality or genetic…
(#18) No - my gene difference causes low levels of both 2-AG and anandamide. Gene difference leading to - Low 2-AG (CBD equivalent) in relation to anandamide (THC equiv.). (49) (50) (75) (51, 77) (52)
(#19) Unknown - Glutathione levels were found to vary, (88) Nrf2 promoting phytonutrient foods or supplements would be helpful.
(#21) Yes - Psych med history, use and withdrawal - See post #21.) -
(#22) Yes - Psychosomatic symptom history and childhood ACEs or other trauma history. See post #22. I discussed my history and recovery strategies in that post. This post, part 3 of a series on Moderation includes child trauma and ACEs information.
(#24) Yes/& likely prenatally. (My mother had lifelong symptoms too and now has Alzheimer’s but has improved on a low histamine diet with methyl folate supplements and some herbal and medication antihistamines and pomegranate juice! and CBD drops.) - Histamine intolerance prenatally during fetal development, and/or currently as a child or adult.
Yes - (#26) Poor gut health - Microbiome. Digestive issues have been a problem for me, including occasional SIBO like symptoms - overgrowth, or years of leaky bowel like problems and more food sensitivities, migraine triggers, and autoimmune molecular mimicry issues. (Molecular mimicry - Gut protein that is undigested and similar to a body protein is allowed through a poorly defended gut wall whole, and white blood cells set up antibodies that attack it and the similar self-proteins.)
The Unfolded Protein Response by the Endoplasmic reticulum can be a way that an infected cell will self destruct. Pathogens prevent that sometimes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5583660/ protozoan infection can lead to the Unfolded Protein Response. Otherwise prions and protozoa are different.
Yes, autoimmune disease is complex.