If you have a question for Bart, please ask below! Consider that more of a good thing is not necessarily better. When it comes to supplementation, some helpful practices include cycling, pulsing, taking a lower dose, only using the dose and frequency that maintains the positive effect, etc. A big issue with supplements is they can be the cause for one’s progressive issues. Then, we typically add more to address the new/ increasing symptoms. Also, many supplements continue to kick the can down the road and lead to a cyclical need - e.g., the “natural antibacterials,” etc. see all of the “failed” Lyme, etc. protocols. Coming off supplements can be a huge mental challenge as so many continue to argue we need more, shiny object syndrome, etc. I do not recommend coming off quickly and I recommend coming off one at a time - be very careful. You might find you are not able to completely come off a supplement, but a decrease in dose and/ or frequency is huge! How many are getting 100+% the theoretical RDAs from food (use the NCCDB database for the most complete listing)? Also, check your sleep, sunlight, lymph work, movement practice, psychoemotional stress, etc. People claim they are being consistent in these, but quickly realize they are not as soon as they work with a coach - but, there is no way this simple answer could be the reason right? Right…
Kathleen asked me to share my “supplement journey.” I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage others to reconsider their approach to supplementation by presenting another perspective.
I first encountered supplements in my late teens when I began weightlifting. Initially, I used protein shakes, which seemed harmless. Later, I added creatine and other products to my regimen, believing that supplements were benign—that my body would absorb what it needed and excrete the rest. If I experienced an adverse reaction, it was immediate, prompting me to discontinue use. For instance, after taking a pre-workout supplement containing citrulline, I immediately noticed palpitations.
Many fitness supplements contain additional vitamins. People often assume, as I did, that there’s no harm in that. Years ago, before I became ill, I had trouble sleeping due to job-related stress. Working long hours at a computer in a high-pressure environment took its toll, though I didn’t recognize the connection at the time. To combat insomnia, I purchased a supplement containing L-tryptophan and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride). Initially, my sleep improved significantly—a common experience with new supplements, which now makes me question whether it was genuine or a placebo effect. Soon after, I began experiencing anxiety, a pins-and-needles sensation, and muscle twitching—symptoms I’d never had before. Concerned, I consulted a doctor, and we discovered that my B6 levels were excessively high. I stopped all supplements, and the symptoms quickly subsided. However, even now, taking multivitamins or products containing B6 triggers the pins-and-needles sensation again.
This experience prompted me to research other vitamins. I didn’t delve deeply but quickly concluded that most other B vitamins are excreted through urine.
Later, I was diagnosed with hemochromatosis and underwent phlebotomy. The excess iron and associated oxidative stress, along with bloodletting, likely led to deficiencies in certain vitamins. I began taking more vitamins and minerals but faced increasing fatigue. Assuming my thyroid needed support, I started taking iodine—one drop equated to approximately 1,200% of the recommended daily allowance. This led to feelings of adrenaline surges and a lump in my throat. I discontinued use promptly. Years later, blood tests revealed thyroid antibodies, which I learned could result from high-dose iodine intake.
As my health declined, I became desperate for relief. I researched extensively and discovered Dr. Peat’s work, which resonated with me and offered hope for recovery even in dire situations. I joined a forum where people discussed his theories and their health challenges, with many conversations revolving around supplements. Today, social media amplifies this, with studies claiming that megadosing supplement “X” cured cancer in three weeksor that high doses of supplement “Y” reverse neurodegenerative diseases. It often felt like a sales pitch—and sometimes it was. In my desperation for a quick fix, I tried high doses of aspirin, thyroid supplements, and pregnenolone together. Unbeknownst to me, aspirin isn’t beneficial for those with fatty acid oxidation issues; in fact, it can be detrimental. The combination of thyroid, aspirin, and pregnenolone had severe side effects. I likely experienced a rhabdomyolysis episode, as I suddenly lost 10 kg in a single day, only to regain it all as water weight the following week. My hips became extremely flexible, my skin turned noticeably thin and stretchy, and I developed difficulty walking due to a sudden buffalo hump and a sense of instability. Additionally, I started experiencing severe bloating and could no longer tolerate most starches. I suspected that I had triggered a Cushing’s like issue by taking these hormones, but the doctors disagreed and were unwilling to conduct extensive testing. Routine hormone blood tests didn’t reveal any significant abnormalities, and my weight remained relatively stable. After much insistence, I finally got them to perform an MRI, but since it didn’t show any “major” issues, they dismissed my concerns and refused to investigate further.
I continued experimenting and searching for answers. Someone suggested that Lyme disease and mold toxicity might be the culprits. Desperate and exploring new avenues, I embarked on a Lyme protocol based on Buhner’s work, involving numerous herbal tinctures. My symptoms worsened; immediately after taking the tinctures, I felt increased flexibility, and my gut issues intensified. I started getting craniocervical instability (CCI) symptoms.
I was told these were die-off symptoms, indicating effectiveness. However, I began experiencing mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) flares, reacting to everything, and my diet became severely restricted. After this I stopped the Lyme protocol.
In my quest for relief, I heard about thiamine’s crucial role in energy metabolism. To address severe conditions, supraphysiological doses were often recommended. I started with TTFD (a thiamine derivative) but didn’t feel well. I read that this could be a paradoxical reaction, suggesting it was working. As I felt progressively worse and my muscle wasting accelerated, I became convinced I needed very high doses of thiamine and sought to address these reactions by identifying other potential nutrient deficiencies. I tried TTFD in dosages up to 400mg and later on replaced it with benfotiamine up to a gram. I also started to high-dose nearly all other B vitamins, both together and individually. My flares increased, and my condition deteriorated. My CCI symptoms became worse and worse. I could not sit in most couches and chairs due to get nauseous and vertigo like episodes. After approximately two years of high-dose thiamine and various other supplements, I found Kathleen, who shared her story and expertise with me. She empathized with my situation, and given her experience and extensive knowledge partnered with me to address it. Together, we worked to gradually reduce my supplement intake. This was challenging initially, as I firmly believed these supplements were essential. So many people today recommend supplements while only highlighting the benefits. It seems like everyone has become a biohacker, convinced they can hack their way to perfect health. It’s very tempting to fall for the idea that you can quickly reverse your situation with a couple of supplements. With Kathleen’s guidance and my body’s signals, I slowly (stubbornly) recognized the need to discontinue them. Having a trustworthy partner was invaluable. Kathleen helped me regain control, slowly disentangling me from the myriad supplements. I had to lower them one by one. Lowering them took many months, I sometimes reacted bad initially but slowly lowering the dosage helped my flares become less. Another factor was my diet, which was severely lacking in both macro and micronutrients. I was actually undereating. My belief in a thiamin deficiency made me question a high-carb diet, and before I knew it, my carb intake had dropped significantly—especially compared to what I used to eat. So, we began a reverse diet, gradually increasing calories and adjusting my macronutrient balance, giving carbohydrates the place they rightfully deserve.
Our bodies constantly strive to maintain homeostasis. Supplements can disrupt this balance, akin to throwing a stone into a pond, creating ripples. Beyond immediate responses, there are secondary and tertiary order effects over time, which are the most challenging to manage. This raises critical questions: Is the remedy more detrimental than the ailment? Which symptoms stem from the underlying condition, and which are induced by my supplementation regimen? In my case, excess iron undoubtedly caused bodily harm, but I believe certain supplements exacerbated the situation.
If I could start anew, I would prioritize adjusting my diet and lifestyle habits. Establishing a solid foundation is essential, though it requires time and patience. For instance, I once couldn’t tolerate oats—a staple in my diet before falling ill. I had to reintroduce them gradually, increasing the amount by just a few grams each week, and now I can enjoy them again. I’m now trying to re-introduce bread, bite by bite. I’m also working on the physical side. I’m slowly increasing my steps. This has been very difficult because life sometimes gets in the way. I’m lucky enough to have gotten a beautiful daughter during my illness. She gives me so much inspiration to keep pushing forward! It also requires a lot of energy. I had to learn to listen to my body and don’t push beyond my limits. So sometimes I have to literally take a few steps back. Whether you overweight or seriously ill, getting back to health takes time, many years I would say, depending on your own situation. Supplements seem like an easy way to shorten this process but I think for the majority of people this is not the case.
This experience taught me that while I’m not opposed to supplements, they are not without risks. They can be beneficial and have a place in recovery, but it’s crucial to collaborate with someone who comprehends the complexities involved. Monitoring and being acutely aware of how you feel when taking a particular supplement should be paramount.
As for me, I’m still following the reverse diet, gradually expanding my food options and increasing my physical activity. Right now, I’m doing 5K steps a day along with home exercises, and I plan to start working out at a gym this summer. I haven’t felt this optimistic about my future in a long time, and with patience and determination, I believe I can make a full recovery! I want to thank Kathleen for her incredible patience, vast knowledge, and for simply being such an inspiring and kind person.
Thank you for sharing Bart!
This was nice to read. I also have a drawer of supplements going out of date because gradually the information about the prevalence of under-eating gave me permission to eat traditional things at traditional times and frequencies. Am I 100% better? No, but I’m a lot better than 1-2 years ago. And warmer.
This is incredible! Let's go Bart