I just took my very first dose of ALA, only a real small dose of about 20mg, but am gonna be extra extra cautious. I'm only really doing this cause I've been feeling good lately with the other things I have been taking but still have some very annoying and sometimes extremely frustrating symptoms that I think may be related or caused by heavy metals or other toxins in my system. I've also been taking other sulfur supplements like methoinine for a while that are meant to mobilize mercury but seem to have not effect on me, so maybe this is a good sign and a green light to take ALA. I'm gonna take algin at the same time but don't know whether this will help or not..

I'm using cutlers protocol of taking every 3 hours for 3 days on and off, but if I start to get symptoms too bad then I will stop. Anyone else have any ALA expereinces they wanna share, I've heard all the bad expereinces, anyone got any good ones?

Hi, I've had a terrible experience, but that was because I used it after a mercury redistribution.

I have also had an AMAZING experience. I'll tell you about that. I used it ages back, and obviously I still used it a bit too early and at too high a dose and I paid for it, but the effects it had on me were incredible. I had the experience of feeling joyful, almost to the point of euphoria and my intelligence came back, I felt actually like I could do anything! The world looked a better place and I was very very happy.

It didn't last too long though because I got the kick back from taking it at too high a dose, but it definitely moved some mercury at that time from my brain and I can tell you, that it was just amazing. It is far better taken with DMSA for many people though, it's more stable and safer. Though of course you can use ALA on it's own.

The fact you are feeling ok in other areas and not really getting much symptoms from other detox methods, does seem to indicate you are ready to use ALA. Methionine is bad to use for mercury by the way. it mobilises it into worse areas and does not really detox it. (that's according to Andy Cutler). I don't touch the stuff, nor would I go near cysteine either. Both of them are bad for mercury poisoning apparently.

ok been about an hour since I took it, I kno this is not very long but I am already experiencing something, dunno whether its good or bad. The left side of my head seems to be doing something, feel like something is going on with my nerves like a very slight pulling feeling making it feel a bit numb, very interesting.All fairly subtle tho. Duno whether this is a sign I shouldn't take it or what but will keep going and c what happens. I'm not feeling any mental symptoms like anxiety or depression or anything else as of yet, still feel good, its a nice day outside!

I've heard of that sensation before. Someone said that it was an indicator of mercury being literally pulled out. Certainly, it'll be doing something for sure. I had symptoms also (even when i had the good experience) and it got so bad I had to stop (i only took it for oneday), but the good effects still happened afterwards anyway. They didn't last too long, but showed it had temporarily given me an idea of how it must feel to really be normal.

I had used it that time with DMSA though and I think that helped.

I'd say keep it up Joey! Just make sure you are taking it contiously and for 3 or so days then off 3. Alot of people with copper or metal metabolism problems also have mercury problems. Alot of metals build in the intoxication process. I think it is good that you addressed some of your probs first.

In addition the ALA symptoms I had were mostly when going off like insomnia and irratability. Did'nt have anything when on.

thanks Jason, taken 3 doses now and still feeling good, I kno its very soon to tell but I just thought I'd post my progress. I'm pretty bored today! I have actually noticed mentally I feel really good, better than usual, I dunno whether this might be the ALA or something else. My concentration is better and feel better about my world in general. I may be crazy but my eyes seem better too! As you said prolly feel worse when goin off but see how i go..

Anyone taken algin with alpha lipoic acid with good results?

ok something is definately going on, good I mean. Concentration up, depression down, things seem clearer to me, taste more crisp, reactions faster, themperature affecting me less, just some things I have noticed, or it may be just the mercury making me crazy enough to notice these small changes.. lol.

I'd say it's more along the lines that you were more than ready for the lipoic acid and it's working pretty fast and you're noticing things very acutely because it's amazing how mercury can block and fog things over, even things you don't realise are not right until they begin to get switched back on.

Lipoic acid is obviously already removing mercury from those areas. Don't be alarmed if you feel worse again at times or blah, because many people get the let downs between rounds, or some during them. Just the way it goes when removing mercury.

Good going though, keep us posted. I enjoy hearing about it. I think I might be ready to start lipoic acid soon because DMSA is just not doing much for me anymore. But I will try a few more rounds of it at a higher dose when my viral infection has gone.

Hi Joey

I've just finished my second round of ALA. I've previously posted about my copper problems and anxiety problems and other stuff here. I was terrified of trying ALA as I've read it's very powerful, also I've had some bad experiences with it too. I have spent some time detoxing with cilantro, so my levels have probably lowered slightly since the last ALA test.

Anyway, I've been taking 10 mg every 3 hours for 2,5 days together with cilantro. I am pleased to say that this time I have tolerated ALA fairly well. I did however suffer with one issue and that is my candida flared up big time. It's been many years since I last experienced such a huge candida problem, so I cut out sweets and did a little anti-fungals. Also the day after my ALA round was over, the candida symptoms immediately reduced by themselves, which has never happened before. Usually I need lots AF's and a very strict diet.

The reason I started ALA, was that my increased concentration, memory and intelligence which I had gained from taking cilantro, seemed to fade away again. I, like you, have felt ALA improved the above qualities again. My foggy brain is much better. This I noticed AFTER the round. When on the round I was alert, but at the same time tired (perhaps because of the dreaded night doses........).

I'm going to continue taking 10 mg every 3 hours for 2,5 days and then 5 day break. The long break because I need to fix the candida flare-ups inbetween rounds, or else the mercury will just be trapped inside candida and inside my body <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

M.A.

thanx for the reply bex. I must say I am still doing real well on the ALA, moved up to taking about 40mg every three hours now and still feeling good. No real ill effects as of yet! Improvements I have seen have included:

- Better eye sight
- Fingernails look better
- Hair and skin better, less redness and irritation
- Mentally I feel a lot more clear and connected to what is going on around me, I was actually happy in a social situation today!
- Slept so much better last night and woke up less depressed and easier to get outta bed.
- I may be mistaken but mentally things seem to be going back to the way I was when I was little, as in a view things differently but in a positive way, thought processes more positive.
- concentration better, but still can't concentrate when anxiety is present.
-pounding heart seems to have gotten better, don't notice it as much.

Still trying not to get excited cause I know these things can come and go, will keep you posted..

It sounds very very promising what is happening to you. Mercury is definitely being removed from your brain and other areas, even if you do get "relapses" (I wouldn't call them replapses, because mainly it's just more mercury being moved or coming forward, which can cloud things over again for a time). But the fact is, you're getting an idea of what feeling normal might be like. Imagine being completely well?

I know what you mean about that feeling you had as a kid, I have almost forgotten what it was like, only occassionally does it ever occur and you realise how ill you really are the rest of the time. That's how we're meant to feel, just like we did as kids inside. That feeling of joy for no real reason.

I can be in great situations, no matter how sunny the day is, or what is around me, and I am depressed the entire time, even when I'm smiling or laughing, inside I want to die.

I sure hope that the lipoic acid cures you and thanks for posting, it gives us some hope.

How long have you been taking rounds of it so far? You're up to 40 mg? Wow, that's great going.

this is still my first round so its a bit weird that I feel this much different straight away. I think mayb also my progress may be partly due to the fact that the ALA is getting rid of other toxins in my body, not just the mercury.. mayb other heavy metals I dunno. Wow my concentration is real good today, plus I have motivation to do things, really foreign expereince for me... lol.

I'm stunned that you are getting these positive effects this early on, I mean it's happened almost immediately. That is downright amazing. Keep posting, it's almost got me bouncing in my seat with what might happen when I start taking it (but I'm scared at the sametime of getting my hopes up...so I'm confused right now).

(yeah the postiive effects could also be due to it chelating other metals too and/or it's health effects on the liver and the found its a good powerful antioxidant, but there is no way you'd be getting those effects from that alone, it's gotta be chelating toxic metals out).

I think its helped taking algin at the same time, I mean I haven't taken that much algin, only like 4 caps a day but still I think this is helping.

I only ever had 2 fairly small fillings that I lost when I got my adult teeth about 7 years ago. I may have also been exposed to mercury thru a thermometer that broke, which I think made me sick, but that was ages ago too. So i've probably just had this stubborn small amount of mercury or other heavy metals in my system that has been enough to cause symptoms and make me sick, and the ALA so far has been enough to get it moving. I do have a fair way to go tho...

JJJ, this is great news.
I might try it once i have done DMSA a couple of months.

Thanks for sharing this with us, I had 12 fillings plus 4 or 5 crowns, so it will be quite awhile before I attempt ALA, I think I have alot to get out of my tissues first. You are so lucky you only had 2 little ones.

Glad it is working so well for you, keep up the good progress!!!

Sandi

Hey,

How's it going now?

hey missy, still really well still thanx. I just finished my first round, I think I ended up taking about 50mg every three hours by the end, but can;t really measure it tho. Still feel really good however I went out last night and drank some alcohol so feelin it today but actually better than I usually am, I noticed that the alcohol had less of an effect on me too, like usually it makes me all foggy and irritable, but last night it was real clean and good, the way its sposed to be. Good stuff. Other things I have noticed if I can remember, are

- an even more positive outlook
- cleaner thinking, spatial thinking much better, feel likes my head is less clouded and more clear.
- I have notied tho that bowel movements have become more scarce/less frequent, which is a bit worrying because its so important to maintain them while on ALA (bad topic I kno..)
- skin continuing to improve, complexion so much better, less sick looking.
- face and eyes less puffy and swollen, looking much better in general
- fingernails look so much better.

Thats all I can really think of at the moment, I will start my next round in 2 days..

Bex,

Your post about methionine and cysteine got me to researching as there are several things such as sulfer items that people (Huggins, Cuttler and others) seem to diagree on whether they are good or bad for mercury toxic people.

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Murray and Pizzorno has the best explaination of the detox phase 1 and 2 that I have seen so far. It shows that methionine, cystenine, and taurine are inducers of phase 2 as they are in the "sufation" group.

That made it clear to me why some people can't handle sulfur containing foods, aminos etc. and why some people say they do better on them. I am one who does well with sulfur, but I didn't know why till now. I also had problems with chemical synsitivity (sorry about all the goofy spelling, but they have been spraying the cotton fields with defoliate-from the same family as agent orange! let me get on another soap box) and discovered that my phase 1 was faster than phase 2. Sulfur helps with phase 2 so it helps me.

Hi Missy, yep, I too have hard it helps speed up liver pathway II also. Problem with this is. You might get helped in that way, and harmed in another as both cysteine and methionine simply mobilise mercury, they do not chelate it. mercury can be moved anywhere and most often into worse areas because there is no control over where it goes.

Some might do ok as you said, but some of us get into deep trouble by doing it. And for myself? I am fast phase I and slow phase II, so I should do ok, yet it's dangerous to me to use anything like that (including garlic supplements).

I still cannot recover from a garlic supplement I used a long long time ago. IT's done that much damage to me.

Also, people with cavitations (jawbone infections) take a great risk in using cysteine and methionine and other sulfur compounds. I happen to have cavitations and maybe this is why I have such a problem. The anaerobic bacteria from cavitations desulferate the sulfur amino acids (like cysteine and methionine) and combine with mercury to form far more lethal toxic compounds which then do great damage to the body. They form Methyl mercapton and another toxic compound. Can be very dangerous.

I think this might be why I get such severe reactions from these things now, when I never used to have reactions like that to them before and I have had mercury toxicity for years. I did certainly have symptoms of mobilisation though, but not the terrible symptoms I get now from them. The damage for me is long term and possibly permanent.

Oddly enough, I do ok when eating sulfur foods, which naturally contain cysteine and methionine, so obviously its the supplements forms that do the most damage, due to their potency I guess.

P.S. I think there are safer ways of helping to speed up phase II. By including foods with those sulfur amino acids, not so much the supplement forms which are potent and may harm someone. Things that might help with phase II would be things like antioxidants - vitamin C, vitamin E, Zinc, B6, selenium etc, plus purified fish oil and perhaps also taking things to help slow phase I down a bit like grapefruit, onions, niacinimide (another form of B3, NOT the niacin form, that will speed it up more). Plus general support and help for the liver like milk thistle and of course the candida diet to help lessen the load on the liver from the candida toxic overload.

But I'd be wary of the supplements of garlic and other sulfur compounds for many of us with the possible risks.

ok so another couple of days and more good things to report, however I have been noticing somethings with my experiments with ALA. With what ALA has done for me so far I have come to question whether its chelating heavy metals out of my body or whether its simply providing my body the other benefits it provides such as increasing the effectiveness of other antioxidants, improving liver function or raising my body's levels of glutathione. I have noticed with andy cutlers protocol that soon after taking every dose of it I feel really good and some symptoms seem to reduce dramatically. It really makes me wonder whether I still have any significant levels of heavy metals in my body at all. I have been taking methionine and taurine with it and still seems to have little effect, which is suprising as the taurine + methionine + ALA should be stiring up mercury in my body like bees in a bee's nest

I only took 2 days break from the first cycle because I wanted to get the ALA back into me as soon as possible, and sure enough once I started taking it again I got good results again. I have been missing doses here and there, particularly at night and still had not ill effects, whereas according to andy I should be getting sick. Mayb my body just really likes the nutrient boost I giv it from the ALA. Mayb I am chelating mercury out of my brain and nerves? Who knows, but what I am thinking is that mayb I should be on ALA indefinately!

Yeah, you must wonder what exactly is going on. The ALA for sure is helping you though, and it's unusual you don't notice problems with missed doses, but it's possible you're actually less poisoned and not as sensitive to the effects of missed doses.

So it's very probable, that you are well on the way to healing, but ALA is probably at the point of keeping you well, so yes, you would need to take it for a long while yet. Possibly another year to be sure.

If it should turn out that you're not poisoned anymore, you may be able to take ALA simply as a supplement like anything else and not have to do the every 3-4 hour routine.

Might be wise to ask Andy himself about it via email. He'll be interested to hear this.

hmm interesting. I now have a new symptom which has been annoying me over the past two days. I'm getting this irritating eye twitching, spasms, which happen in the same eye. This, I would have thought is a definate mercury like symptom. It comes and goes, and nothing much seems to help it. I have been taking more algin which seems to help> I also noticed that my moods are up and down a bit, but not sure whether I can attribute this to the ALA or not. Makes me think I should be a bit more careful with this protocol than I first thought.

Hi yeah, obviously you have definitely got mercury and perhaps the times you've not stuck to the protocol as strictly has redistributed some of it a bit, hence the twitching in the eye and some of the moods.

But again, that can happen even when you do stick to the protocol due to ALA either making things feel better while you chelate or causing symptoms.

Hard to say if the ALA are causing some of thsoe symptoms, but definitely stick with the protocol. Not worth risking unnecessary mercury redistribution. Sometimes it can hit you later on too when you've been missing doses, or taking too much. The side effects do not always happen right away.

Good to hear the updates though, it's interesting to find out what's happening and the symptoms.

I think you're on the right track though, well and truly.

Glad to hear that it is working so well for you Joey, I was rather apprehensive when you started the ALA...but you are young and have a much less burden than some of us old folks..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Keep up the good work!!!

Sandi
xoxo

I had the same feelings with ALA, exactly, even with the eye twitch and constipation. It is metals moving - I have been chelating for 6 months and the ALA experience was just a sneak preview of the improvements to be had. If you're anything like me the symptoms will come back, maybe even worse, but don't get discouraged.

thanx guys, promagma good to hear you went thru the same that I have, thats promising for both our situations. Got some questions for you tho. Do you take algin? Or do you take any other binding agent with the ALA? Do you use Andy's protocol? I've been using his protocol but have been a bit slack about it lately, mayb thats why I'm running into problems.

Overall I have been feeling better lately tho, but I have been taking other supplements that I haven't taken in a while, some for mood including theanine which has helped a lot. Magnesium taurate as always has been very helpful, I still take methionine which is soo helpful for histamine issues but I think its not mixing very well with the ALA, and possibly making mercury situation worse. I still wanna take the methionine, makes my skin so clear and good and greatly lowers other histamine issues. b6 and zinc also very helpful for most of my issues, as well as systemic and digestive enzymes. All very very good for me. I also have been going for jogs every day which has kept me fit and done wonders for how i feel mentally and physically.

I think that its obvious that mercury causes brain neurotransmitter imbalances, so I'm thinking about supplementing with some amino acids, herbs and other nutrients to help my brain get back into shape while I get mercury out of it. Definately will try SAMe as it helps histamine overload and methylation immensely, is a good antidepressant, and generally will not interfere with mercury like methionine does (methionine is the precursor for SAMe) expensive stuff tho. I use to take picamilon (Gaba bonded with b3) with good results and may try it again, which prolly works well with theanine. Also thinking tryptophan for serotonin, mayb st johns wort (use to take it with good results), rhodiola rosea I'm also interested in, as well as straigh GABA by itself to take with the picamilon and theanine. Anyone have much experience on the natural antidepressant or antianxiety supplements I have mentioned?

just finished another round of ALA, and dam I have felt really good so far during this break. All the positive things I have expereinced so far from taking the ALA have come back, including positive outlook, I having starting to realize things that I haven't been able to before chelation. One major thing I have noticed is that life is actually good! lol, sounds pretty stupid but this depression I have been suffering from all my life has prevented me from seeing what life is all about, has dulled my emotions. My thinking is clearer and vision is clearer! Among manner other positive things. One thing is for sure, Andy's protocol really works!

I know exactly what you mean about being that depressed, that you actually think the entire world is sh*t and dark. I have had a moment of having that lifted and I was stunned to realise, the world was actually not such a bad place, in fact, I enjoyed being alive and life was exciting to me. Pity it didn't last, but I got a small taste of what it must be like.

I'm really happy to hear of the changes taking place within you. You may be at that point where the lipoic acid is keeping you well and if you went off it, you might find you start regressing. So keep chelating, even when you think you're finally cured (for another 6 months to a year to make sure).

This is really exciting to hear this. I hope and pray you continue on this road of improvement and you will be a success story.

Keep us posted.

Hey Joey, could you let me know exactly what dose of ALA you are on lately? And are you taking it with DMSA? IF so, how much DMSA are you on?

ARe you on every 4 hours or every 3 hours? And how many days?

Are you aware that you can chelate non stop up to 2 weeks if you want? Just thought I'd let you know. That is pretty much the limit though. Most do about 3 days every week.

thanx bex! Ok, my last cycle went for about a week, and I found that some things were positive when I was on a cycle, but its been three days since I stopped it and I feel great! Better than I have in ages. So I think I will do the normal protocol of 3 days on and 3 days off, and sit back and observe the positive effects in between each cycles! Um as for dose its really hard to measure but I've worked out that Im taking about 40mg, every three hours. So i take doses at 9:00am 12pm 3pm 6pm 9pm 1am 5am and then back to 9am again. I find this interupts sleep less, but I do still find it real hard to get up and take those night doses!

I don't take dmsa or anything like that, just the ALA, and I take algin and other fibre with it, but I'm not sure if this helps or not. I think that even with my progress so far I have proven to myself that I still have mercury and other metals in me, and hopefully I will continue to prove that it is very possible to get mercury out of your brain and nervous system, bringing you closer to full recovery!

Hi Joey, thanks for letting me know. Wow, you were on ALA for an entire week!!! When you do it for that long, do you have to take a week off? Or can you just take a few days off?

3 days and 3 days off is probably a good idea, a bit easier I should imagine. I can't quite imagine trying to do it for a week. But I guess if it helps, one puts up with the annoyances of waking every few hours to take a dose.

So, basically, on it's own, it would seem ALA is very effective and Andy did say that many do it by itself and cure themselves just fine. But of course, it's gotta be used only when blood/tissue mercury levels are much reduced beforehand with DMSA or simply from the body doing it naturally and gradually over a few months.

So glad to hear you're still doing better! Keep it up. And hope if you get cured, you'll keep coming back online on the forum sometimes to encourage others and tell them about how you did it.

So many never come back, they just leave and get on with their lives (can't blame them). But I think it's good if people get well, that they make a visit on occassion. If I ever get well, I sure hope i'll do that. But how does one predict how they'll feel or react if they get well?

My ALA capsules contain 300mg. Did you find capsules of that small amount or are you opening them and taking the powder with water? I'm thinking of giving it a try, but I'm still a bit hesitant as I had 11 amalgams and I was 41 years old when I had them removed. It has been 20 months since my revision.

I've been contacted by a few people lately who've been getting ALA from their doctor, but the doses are 400mg and higher. In case anyone is interested, we have ALA capsules in 250mg, with added turmeric root which is very beneficial for its antioxidant effects.

Just wanted to scroll this back to the top to see if JJJJ has a response.

yea sorry haven't posted in a while. Yer my caps are 200mg so I have to open up the caps and put powder in water.

Just to update I feel really good with the current regime I'm on however I still have other issues which I need to sort out, I think they are due to candida or some are parasitic problem...

I know Solgar makes Alpha lipoic acid in 60 mg capsules. This might be a bit easier to divide in the beginning when low dosing.

Yeah they do,i think they even have lower doses also,i just saw it in my health food store.
I take alot of solgar brand supplements,but do you think there ala is up to par.
Just need to know my choices when i'm ready to take the plunge,so to speak.

I use alot of solgar supplements, i would say they are one of the best.

Hi Joey, glad to hear you are still going ok, aside from the obvoius problems along the way (yeast/parasites etc). No surprise, lipoic acid will do it.

It's really hard to keep yeast down PLUS chelate at the sametime with either DMSA or Lipoic acid and it's a balancing act, so I guess all you can do is concentrate hard on the diet and not provide any foods for these things in that area, plus possibly using a probiotic if you feel you need one.

But not much you can do when you're chelating with something that can feed yeast. It maybe something you will have to tolerate to a certain extent. You might also need to extend your days off from the chelator, to give your body a chance to reduce yeast levels more before starting another round.

You can take some form of natural antifungal if you want, but I'm sure yo'uve heard the risks to this. If you have yeast that has absorbed mercury, antifungals can be highly risky because they kill yeast on contact by splitting the cell walls open and thereby, releasing not only the contents of the dead yeast, but also any heavy metals contained within, which can then go into your blood stream and poison you.

I have heard it can be downright dangerous in some cases. But again, yeast is also bad too. Some do use something like oregano oil for candida, which can help, but again, the risk with any antifungal is the release of mercury.

However, if a person has a very bad yeast problem, they may not have much choice but to get onto some form of antifungal to kill the yeast and to keep levels down.

If you do take antifungals and happen to release a lot of heavy metal, you would be wise to stop the ALA and use DMSA instead for a while to bring the blood levels of mercury back down again for a while.

yea bex, I have struggled with candida for a long time, as most of you will have too, if not all. I knid of have been paying more attention to mercury lately not realising that my candida was out of control again. I guess I used to have it much worse with constant brainfog and nausea, so I forgot about it. I think being sick and feeling toxic in the morning is a sure sign of candida.

Anti-fungals do help and the diet obviously. But the one thing, or two things, that I take to really get candida down are threelac and oxygen elements believe it or not. I know they are advertised all over the internet and people think they are a gimic but let me tell you that they're not! People should just giv them a chance and see for their selves.

I'm also looking into parasites at teh moment, and this parasite cleanse at curezone. It seems that I have a lot of the symptoms of parasites. I also remember as a kid that I got worms a lot and was always taking those orange favoured capsules (tasted good). Anybody here know much about parasites? I'm wondering whether threelac or oxygen elements will take care of them or will I havta do this black walnut/wormwood/cloves mix...

I think just doing the diet and a good colon cleanse will go a long way to getting rid of parasites. Whole Approach has a great psyllium/bentonite colon cleansing, but they don't like to talk too much about metal toxicity...they closed my threads down...they said it took up too much forum space. So I am not promoting their ethics, but they really do have a great colon cleanse, great recipes and food lists too.

If after all is said and done, you still think there may be some parasite issues, you may want to address them at some point, but oil of oregano and olive leaf extract might help eradicate any critters that you have left, they are pretty powerful. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I also think if there is no impacted fecal matter in the colon, the critters have nothing left to live on.

Just my 2 cents. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Best luck,
Sandi