Just wanted to let you know that I was reading "The Lyme Disease Solution", written by an LLMD.
He states that the use of Co-Q10, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and Vitamen E in supplement doses should be avoided while on atovaquone. Mepron is atovaquone and malarone has atovaquone in it.
From the book "These should not be used while on atovaquone because they are all fat-soluble antioxidants that tend to neutralize the pro-oxidant effects of atovaquone against babesia."
I read that milk thistle has the potential to lower levels of mepron. Don't know if that applies to malarone. http://tinyurl.com/na4w4b
I took mepron for many months and didn't get rid of babesia. Now I'm on malarone. I knew about Co-Q10 and milk thistle but not about vit e and ALA. I was on both when I took mepron for about 7 months.
Worth considering since so many of us have trouble getting rid of babesia.
Terry
Posted by lymeberry (Member # 20102) on :
I think this is something everyone needs to discuss with their own LLMD. Mine told me to stay on my milk thistle when I told him I had read it interfered with Mepron and Malarone. He felt supporting my liver with milk thistle was important.
Maybe Mepron and Malarone are not enough to kill babesia without added help or babesia is a hard co to kill?
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
All LLMDs think differently about these things.
Mine doesn't think it's a big deal either. And he also wants me to stay on CoQ10 even though I'm on Mepron... but that's probably because I was also taking Red Yeast Rice which depletes CoQ10 in the body.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Frankly, with the cost of mepron and malarone coupled with the hassle and pain of treatment, I will go off anything that might remotely interfere. I spent thousands of dollars on mepron and my insurance company spent thousands and I still have babesia.
There are many other things that one can take to support the liver but of course it is always best to follow your LLMD's instructions.
Babesia is a hard organism to beat from what I've heard here. So many people have to treat over and over.
I am very tired of treating for babesia, bart and lyme. Hopefully this will be the last time for babesia.
I think many LLMD's recommend stopping Co-Q10. I read in Dr. B's supplement info that ALA facilitates entry of Co-Q10 into mitochondria so that may be why ALA is not a good idea. Don't know about Vit E but regardless, for me, it's not a big deal to be off ALA or vit e for awhile.
The only thing I really miss is Co-Q10. It basically got rid of my gum problems. I've been off Co-Q10 for over 2 years per my LLMD. The sooner I get rid of babesia, the sooner I can go back on.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
^ for those who haven't seen this yet.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Thanks for this thread TerryK, I think everyone should be aware of the above and speak with their LLMD's.
I would hate to waste precious $$ if a supplement was interfering with tx, not to mention continuing to be ill *despite* tx. Good info!
Sorry to ask an unrelated question, which is more expensive? Malarone or mepron?
Posted by mandy614 (Member # 16524) on :
This is a dumb question, but I've always eaten avocodo with my mepron for fat. Avocoda is supposed to be rich source of Vit E so does this apply to food sources or just supps with E?
Thxs! mandy
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
btm - my recollection is that mepron is 2.5 to 3X's more expensive than malarone but that was over a year ago and the prices may have changed. Also depends on your dosage of each drug for comparison purposes.
mandy, not a dumb question at all - in fact a very smart question. I eat avocado and didn't even think of it.
The book mentions that the concern is with supplement doses. I would assume that is at least 400 IU of vitamin e because that is the dose that you normally find when buying it in supplement form.
1 cup of cubed avocado has 3.7 mg of vitamin e.
To convert to IU - 1 mg of alpha-tocopherol is equivalent to 1.49 IU of the natural form. We are looking at under 5 IU's per 1 cup of cubed avocado.
The USDA National Nutrient database shows 4.16 mg vitamin e for a California or Florida whole avocado. I can't give you the results page of my search for avocado but here is thier general search page if you want to look. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
Terry
Posted by micul (Member # 6314) on :
Even though Avocado is considered a rich food source of Vit E, it only has 2% of the RDA per serving. That's a drop in the bucket compared to taking 400 units of Vit E in concentrated supplement form.
A serving size is about 1/4 avocado , which wouldn't be enough fat for good Mep absorption anyways. I think it's better to take a good saturated fat like real butter and MCT oil for absorption assurance.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
What's MCT oil? BTW micul - I like your signature!
Thx TerryK, I have a sneaking feeling I'll be doing one of those two meds veeery soon!!
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
btm - MCT oil as described by NOW foods brand:
-Weight Management -Thermogenic -Spares Lean Body Tissue
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are fats that are naturally found in coconut and palm kernel oil. MCT's are more easily digested and rapidly digested than other types of fats, as they require lower amounts of enzymes and bile acids for intestinal absorption.
MCTs are metabolized very quickly in the liver and are reported to encourage an increase in energy expenditure, while decreasing fat storage. Numerous studies suggest that substituting MCT Oil for other facts in a healthy diet may therefore help to support healthy weight and body composition.
Posted by Alv (Member # 15192) on :
terry !
Thanks for sharing this info! Actually I was told from A VERY reliable source to take VITAMIN C , VITAMIN E , and ALA.
I knew alredy about CO-Q10 and milk thisle.
But I went my way.I tested if I can take THE 3 above.To my surprise me and MY SON tested NEGATIVE for the ALA.
So I decided not to take it and did not give it to my son.BUT I TEST very HIGH on vitamin C and a few of VITAMIN e .I test HiGH fish oil though .
Now you made me curious to QUESTION the test diferently !
By asking if that interfiers with the efectivnees of the treatment!
Will see.But definitly HIGH VERY HIGH on VITAMIN C daily .I tried to replace it with FRESH lemon JUICE ( the whole glass in empty stomak first think in the morning ).
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)