Amino acids as a substitute for impaired ATP production

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salin

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According to the study by Fluge/Mella

Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome - PMC

Myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease of unknown etiology, with hallmark symptoms including postexertional malaise and poor recovery. Metabolic dysfunction is a plausible contributing factor. We ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

and as discussed here
alicec

Thread 'Amino acids and energy production'

I wasn’t sure where to put this. It is general background information about metabolism, but since it is directly relevant to energy production in PWME and hence fatigue, I put it here.

Recently I needed to refresh my memory about how some amino acids are broken down for energy.

I thought I would make a summary of this since several recent studies have shown that defects in other energy production pathways mean that PWME may increasingly rely on amino acids as an energy source - see for example the Fluge and Mella and Armstrong studies.

So for people who like to know how...
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it is possible that normal energy production is disturbed in ME/CFS.

As an alternative method of ATP production, I have therefore been taking amino acids directly as a supplement for almost 9 months.
In my experience, this helps me get through the day much better.

I also overcame my orthostatic intolerance during this time – but of course, I don't know if there is a direct connection.

Almost all of my tested amino acid levels were/are in the lower range, and some are still deficient despite supplementation.

Therefore, I take those that are low/deficient in me twice a day, as well as those listed in Fluge/Mellas' study.

Have you also had experience with amino acid supplements? (positive/negative)
 
Brief summary:

Fluge and Mella hypothesise that normal ATP production in the mitochondria is disrupted.

They suspect this because the patients had reduced serum levels of certain amino acids – in other words, instead of generating energy from sugar, the body appeared to increasingly resort to amino acids to produce ATP.

If I consume amino acids which are not affected by the presumed pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) blockade, I will (according to the theory) have more energy available.

These are in particular:

isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), phenylalanine, tryptophan (Trp), and tyrosine (Tyr) (lower in men and women)

methionine (Met), valine (Val), histidine (His), Gln, Glu, proline, asparagine (Asn) and aspartate (Asp) (lower only in women)

Histidine (His), glutamine (Gln), Glu and proline (Pro) are converted to α-ketoglutarate, so I simply take α-ketoglutarate directly.

So instead of just consuming more protein in general, I substitute it in a very targeted manner.

Since I started taking it, my OI has disappeared and my general condition has improved – of course, it hasn't cured me, as this is only an alternative way of generating energy, not a cure for the cause of the disease.

Another interesting point: in the Charité hand strength test, I did have lower hand strength, but I did not experience the typical drop in performance over two rounds.

It would be very exciting if more people with ME would try this to see if it really helps or if it's just another coincidence...
 
Took amino acids for two years. Worsened whilst taking it, so no positive effect here.

Think amino acids for MECFS was vogue in the 90s. There was a poorly conducted study looking at it which is why I tried it.

Never been shown to actually work.
 
Following a discussion on here sometime last year I started taking Xtend BCAA. I try not to take supplements as I’ve felt ripped off so many times over the years but this one appealed to me somehow.

And oddly, I did feel a bit better. Instead of being in an armchair or bed about 90% of the time, I cut it down to about 50% and started to be able to cook for myself, do a bit of light gardening etc. It tastes disgusting and is chock full of artificial everything: sweeteners, flavouring and alarming food colouring so I’ve been trying to whittle it down to whatever is having the effect. First of all I went for various formulations of electrolytes but I just got worse again. Then I tried Holland and Barrett’s essential amino acids – again no dice. And then malic acid, ditto.

At this point I pretty much gave up but shortly before Christmas decided to have one last go and ordered some citrulline malate.

I’ve spent the last three days in bed because I started tiling the bathroom floor at the weekend, so I’m very far from recovered but, nonetheless, can do more now than I used to. And it’s only affected me physically – my brain is still absolutely mashed – I still struggle with reading, writing and general comprehension, and my memory is shot.
 
I had a whole panel of amino acids tested and was below normal/low for many of them. The biochemist prepared a 'custom formula' that I took for 2 months with zero results.
 
Rick Sanchez said:
Took amino acids for two years. Worsened whilst taking it, so no positive effect here.

Think amino acids for MECFS was vogue in the 90s. There was a poorly conducted study looking at it which is why I tried it.

Never been shown to actually work.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that!
Do you remember which Aminos you took?
 
Mij said:
I had a whole panel of amino acids tested and was below normal/low for many of them. The biochemist prepared a 'custom formula' that I took for 2 months with zero results.
Click to expand...
I was tested too low for many, too.
Do you know which he prepared?
 
Frith said:
Following a discussion on here sometime last year I started taking Xtend BCAA. I try not to take supplements as I’ve felt ripped off so many times over the years but this one appealed to me somehow.

And oddly, I did feel a bit better. Instead of being in an armchair or bed about 90% of the time, I cut it down to about 50% and started to be able to cook for myself, do a bit of light gardening etc. It tastes disgusting and is chock full of artificial everything: sweeteners, flavouring and alarming food colouring so I’ve been trying to whittle it down to whatever is having the effect. First of all I went for various formulations of electrolytes but I just got worse again. Then I tried Holland and Barrett’s essential amino acids – again no dice. And then malic acid, ditto.

At this point I pretty much gave up but shortly before Christmas decided to have one last go and ordered some citrulline malate.

I’ve spent the last three days in bed because I started tiling the bathroom floor at the weekend, so I’m very far from recovered but, nonetheless, can do more now than I used to. And it’s only affected me physically – my brain is still absolutely mashed – I still struggle with reading, writing and general comprehension, and my memory is shot.
Click to expand...
It's good to hear that you're feeling stronger again! I also find it difficult not to overdo it at times like this... but tiling the bathroom?! Unbelievable!

About the ingredients:

Xtend contains leucine, isoleucine, valine and glutamine in amounts ranging from 1.8 g to 2.5 g.

It also contains citrulline – if I understand correctly, this is converted into arginine?

It appears to play a role in the urea cycle and nitric oxide metabolism.

In other words, some of the amino acids mentioned in the study above, some of which are highly concentrated.

Holland and Barrets seems a bit sparse to me in terms of:

L-Isoleucine 117mg / ** **
L-Methionine 99mg / ** **
L- Tryptophan 30mg /


I take three to five times that amount.

Perhaps that is the weak point of this Hollands and Barrets mixture?

It's interesting that citrulline alone helps you so much. Since my amino acid test, I've been taking arginine directly, as I had a deficiency there – similar effect?

Perhaps it would be helpful to have your amino acid levels in your blood tested – then you could supplement that as well?

Übersetzt mit DeepL (https://dee.pl/apps)
 
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