Thanks for the update, Brooks.
It sounds like to me that we are in the same boat (pardon that
) on improvement in many ways. Endurance is my biggest concern at this point too. I now take a couple of 30 minute naps per day and will be experimenting to see what is the optimal amount of time for each -- maybe 15 minutes will do for each? I know that over 30 minutes appears to be diminishing returns (if any improvement at all over 30 minutes). It makes an amazing difference though. My vision is always near perfect afterwards and lasts for several hours usually before getting a bit fuzzy again, and I feel better. Right after a nap (or in the early morning) my vision is probably measurably better than 20/20. I think that closing my eyes for a time in near complete darkness (which may be a factor) helps replenish neural APT levels. Vision takes a massive amount of processing power compared to other senses, and hence the ATP drain. Anyway, that's my current theory -- that at least seems to "match the facts" with me. My hope (and belief) is that mitochondria will replicate enough over time that supplies will start keeping up with demand much better. I suspect I have already seen some of that type improvement, but its hard to say as the picture has been (pleasantly) "complicated" in recent weeks. Read on.
I will check into your EDTA idea next. Thanks for mentioning it. "Your method" sounds a lot less "invasive" and more convenient such that I will likely go ahead and try it out. Shots/IVs and involving a doctor (or equivalent) etc., sounds like enough of a hassle to continue to discourage me at this point. Talking a pill, I can do. I will also do some more research on the whole idea while I'm at it, when I get a chance. The idea makes sense to me -- I remember doing reading on celation therapy years ago (in the 70's in a Penthouse article, believe it or not -- which years later I found referenced in another more main stream publication). The fact that western medicine shunned it so badly is now even more appealing to me as an advertisement for it!
I have recently been more interested in reading here than writing for some reason and have some catching up to do in that regard before long maybe. Vinpocetine will be on the menu. Scratch that, I'll do it now. Other (maybe lesser, as this one's good) things will be on the menu later on:
This following post section is intended for several posters' notice too including bucho and Carbuffmom and several others. I hope everyone will see it.
Like you, Brooks, I very much understand "publishing too soon" concerns, but I am convinced Vinpocetine works for me. It is my current favorite supplement. It seems to improve my vision fairly reliably and perhaps sharpen my mental focus. If it is a placebo effect, no problem. I'll take it. If it improves my vision, a placebo is fine with me!
My first few tries made me feel kind of anxious, so I gave it up. When I tried it months later, that was gone. Why? I have no explanation, but I did find the following quote in some of my online readings:
"The Gedeon Richter company of Hungary
markets Vinpocetine as Cavinton in Europe.
They have funded more than one hundred
studies on Vinpocetine, often comparing its
effects to other smart drugs. The incidence
of side effects in humans using the drug
orally is usually less than one percent, with
the rare unwanted effects usually disappearing
with continued use."
Here is what's on the label of the stuff I take:
"Directions: Take one capsule three times
daily or as directed by your health care
professional.
"Description: Clinical research shows that
Vinpocetine may increase cerebral ATP
levels and enhance oxygen and glucose
utilization. It also increases blood flow
and is especially beneficial to brain and
retinal arteries.
"Caution: Do not use this product if pregnant
or lactating.
Dr. Graveline recommends trying it, and now I do too, from experience. Also it's dirt cheap. I have a hunch I will always have it around. It does not noticeably improve physical energy levels for me, but the vision and "mental energy" thing appears to be real. Note that it absorbs better with a meal.
Here is where I buy mine:
*http://vrp.com/ProductPage.aspx?ProdID=7141
Here is some reading linked from the site:
*http://vrp.com/articles.aspx?page=LIST&ProdID=1734&zType=2
*http://vrp.com/articles.aspx?page=LIST&ProdID=558&zType=2
Here is an interesting site. I wondering whether to include it or not. Why not? Here it is. Take it for what it's worth, if you can figure that out:
*http://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Vinpocetine.shtml
PS. Brian, I seem to be sleeping much better these days. Thanks for the L-Tryptophan idea. I'm sold. I now buy in bulk. I take it in combination with Melatonin. Again, if it's a placebo, so be it. I like it. It is also good for other things too such as a general serotonin enhancer. And again, since the pharmceutical companies were so up in arms against it several years ago, that's all the more of an endorsement for it. And bucho, the pharmaceutical you recommended is also on my list to have on hand in the future when needed. I have not been back to see my doctor (to get for a prescription) in months. My existing prescription at the pharmacy for Ambien will likely "time out" before I ever decide to fill it. I do not ever plan to use that again, even though I liked the feeling it gave before bed time better than a couple of beers after a long day (which I no longer do either, but am recently experimenting with a beer or two every now and then). It's effects were more direct and immediate than the tryptophan, but the health costs and expense were not worth it.
Today's factoid: Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL (the pure powdered form I now use) tastes pretty good in water (it's capsulated partner, Alpha Lipoic Acid, does not). In fact, I like it. It goes into solution completely and faster than powered sugar -- reminds me of lab day in chemistry class in days of old. Opening a capsule of the other stuff (even high quality Acetyl L-Carnitine capsules from Jarrow) and pouring it into a glass of water is a little less impressive, while it does eventually all dissolve. It has a slightly different taste too (probably due to necessary additives for high speed machine "packaging") than the pure stuff I get from Lidtke Technologies. The bulk powder is a little less convenient maybe, but it is cheaper, and again, more pure (for whatever that may be worth).
Biologist
- but then he hasn't been statinised like us.