> Because of contaminants in supplements I seldom recommend the oral use of any of them, except [[aspirin]], which can be dissolved in warm water to remove most of the additives. In the winter I use [[vitamin D]], but only on my [[skin]] in an oil. Using a [[thyroid]] supplement temporarily might help to lower your estrogen. > Some of the B vitamins, especially B2, can be very allergenic. B6 doesn't affect the others very much; 10 mg per day is a big dose. > Its effects are usually visible immediately, or within a few days, if it's going to be helpful. It's best in general to get the B vitamins from regular foods, occasionally with liver, because supplements usually contain contaminants that can cause allergic reactions when they are used for a long time. Other B vitamins that are usually safe for occasional use are B1, niacinamide, and pantothenic acid. > If you are getting enough of the major nutrients, including [[protein]], [[calcium]], and [[sugar]], it's possible that you have a specific stress-related deficiency, for example of B6, niacinamide, or selenium. 10 mg of B6 can sometimes make a quick difference in [[prostate]] and libido, 100 mg of niacinamide can reduce some stress symptoms. Applying [[caffeine]] solution to the scalp locally helps to promote [[hair]] growth. Water and a little [[alcohol]] are convenient for applying it. [LOW LIBIDO, [[HAIR]] LOSS FOR A YOUNG MALE] > Because of individual sensitivities, each one should be tested carefully. Allergic reactions sometimes show up within a few minutes of contacting your mouth, other times it takes a couple of days to see a bad reaction. The worst one is B2, folic acid is next for allergies. B1, pantothenic acid, niacinamide and B6 are pretty safe. > [PUFAs IN VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS] As long as you use the vitamin topically it would not do any harm but be careful to not expose your [[skin]] to direct sunlight. > Most supplements contain enough impurities to eventually cause problems. [[Thyroid]] and [[aspirin]] are among the safest, and the most likely to be valuable indefinitely. It depends on where you live, but vitamin D3, [[vitamin K]], and selenium deficiencies are extremely widespread. --- > [On creatine] It does seem to have good effects, but I haven't had any experience with it, and it's important to know the purity of any supplement. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-228780) > [!summary]- This exchange included references to studies on creatine and its potential neuroprotective and bioenergetic benefits. Click to expand. > > > [!note] Genius J, Geiger J, Bender A, Möller HJ, Klopstock T, Rujescu D. *Creatine protects against excitotoxicity in an in vitro model of neurodegeneration. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e30554.* > > > [!info] Creatine enhanced cellular energy charge and provided neuroprotection in embryonal brain cell cultures. It reduced glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and preserved ATP levels without acting as an antioxidant. > > > [!note] Klopstock T, Elstner M, Bender A. *Creatine in mouse models of neurodegeneration and aging. Amino Acids. 2011 May;40(5):1297–1303.* > > > [!info] Creatine improved lifespan and neurobehavior in aging mice, reducing oxidative stress. However, human trials have not consistently reproduced these neuroprotective effects. > > > [!note] Bender A, Samtleben W, Elstner M, Klopstock T. *Long-term creatine supplementation is safe in aged patients with Parkinson disease. Nutr Res. 2008 Mar;28(3):172–178.* > > > [!info] A 2-year trial showed creatine was well tolerated in older Parkinson’s patients, with no harmful effects on [[kidney]] function, aside from mild GI issues and expected serum creatinine rise. > > > [!note] Pan JW, Takahashi K. *Cerebral energetic effects of creatine supplementation in humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Apr;292(4):R1745–R1750.* > > > [!info] Creatine altered phosphocreatine and ATP balance in the brain after 7 days, improving mitochondrial function especially in regions with low baseline energy status. > > > [!note] Zhu S, Li M, Figueroa BE, et al. *Prophylactic creatine administration mediates neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia in mice. J Neurosci. 2004 Jun 30;24(26):5909–5912.* > > > [!info] In a stroke model, creatine reduced brain infarct size and suppressed caspase-3 activation and cytochrome c release, preserving ATP and suggesting mitochondrial stabilization. --- [If I react badly to glycine and gelatin, but I can tolerate taurine just fine, can the taurine be taken with muscle meat to reduce the muscle meat anti-thyroid effects instead of glycine/gelatin?] I don’t think it will have a similar effect, but it might provide its own unique benefit. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-231812) > [On transdermal bioavailability: is 20% availability of vitamin d in MCT about right?] It depends greatly on the person’s skin, and how well it’s rubbed in and how long it’s left on; sometimes it’s a lot less. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-233959) > [Any dangers on taking magnesium when prolactin is high?] Correcting a magnesium deficiency can help to correct excessive prolactin, but I haven’t heard warnings related to prolactin. When an excess of magnesium is taken up very quickly it can cause profound anesthesia, but the kidneys soon excrete enough to correct it. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-246234) > [What do you think about applying fat soluble vitamins or hormones such as pregnenolone in oil bases to the testicles?] With pure [[vitamin E]] as a solvent it might be o.k., but I think it’s risky to alter the lipids in the environment of the gonads. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-246668) > [On using isopropyl alcohol in place of ethanol for topical preparations] It’s o.k. on the skin if it’s allowed to evaporate quickly. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-261461) > [What do you think about applying 2.5 mg of each DHEA, pregnenolone, and progesterone at the same time on the testicles? They are dissolved in DMSO but DMSO concentration is very small. I was thinking the progesterone and pregnenolone would prevent any aromatization happening to [[DHEA]].] Those steroids can be absorbed through any skin, and I think the arms or legs would be better. I don’t think it’s a good idea to put anything odd into the proximity of testes or ovaries, and since I think even the purest DMSO will hold only about 3 or 4% of a steroid like DMSO in solution, the effect of the solvent might be greater than that of the [[DMSO]] (maybe he meant the steroid here). Taking the DMSO powder orally is very effective, too. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-262275)