This is a compilation of different supplements that can be helpful while using Disulfiram. I will try to keep it separated into different categories based on what issues you may be having but I have also included my top six supplements at the bottom. I created an Amazon Shop that has all the supplements and the brands I recommend listed to create a quicker way to shop. I only used the brands that my doctor carries because I know they are superior and since this is an unregulated market, we need to be careful. I gave you options with the supplements offered in their pure version as listed on this page and some are combined. I combine where I can to keep the costs down. You may see some supplements listed in multiple categories, this can also be a more economical way to choose your supplements. My acupuncturist has mentioned that taking so many supplements is stressful on our digestive system, so I try to cut down and only use what I specifically feel is helping. This means I take a slower approach of trying a supplement out for about three to four days to see if I notice any difference, if I don't then I cut it out of the routine. If I do, then it stays and I try adding one more to the mix with the same process. It is definitely a slower approach but if you order 10 supplements and start taking them the day they arrive then you never know which ones are actually making a difference. For the supplements my doctor truly feels I need to take, I do follow his recommendations even if I don't feel the benefits. The shop is available at www.amazon.com/shop/flexibilityguru
Detox from Acetaldehyde Build Up
While using Disulfiram you will most likely still accumulate acetaldehyde in your body. This may be from food, cleaning products, or beauty products that may have ingredients that break down into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is also produced when candida, sugar, yeast, and fungus are broken down by Disulfiram. If you are getting frequent headaches from using this medication it is a sign that you are suffering from an acetaldehyde build up. In addition to eating cruciferous vegetables, these supplements can help the body eliminate acetaldehyde.
Dihydromyricetin
Liposomal Glutathione
Molybdenum
N- Acetyl Cysteine ( NAC )
Vitamin B6
Liver Function
Disulfiram is taxing on the liver so the following supplements can help support the liver. My doctor only recommended I take Milk Thistle and Ashwaganda but all of these can be helpful. The supplement called NanoMojo was sold to me by my doctor. It does have ethanol as an ingredient and he told me it shouldn't be an issue - and it hasn't been. It is a complex with many different beneficial ingredients so I only use that one.
Choline
Liposomal Glutathione
Milk Thistle
Taurine
Nano Mojo
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is an extremely common side effect during treatment with Disulfiram. This can result form a herxheimer reaction as the disease is killed off or as a result of an interaction in the stomach between copper and Disulfiram. A way to bypass this interaction in the stomach is to take your medicine in enteric capsules which means they digest in the intestines and bypass the stomach. This does increase the absorption of the medication so if you have been using the medicine and are switching to enteric capsules, you may have to lower the dose. As always, discuss with your doctor first. The other way to avoid neuropathy is by following a low copper diet. The following supplements can help keep copper to a minimum level in the body.
Zinc Gluconate taken 1 - 2 hours before meals
Sublingual Melatonin
Liposomal Glutathione
Acetyl l carnitine to help prevent lipid peroxidation
Molybdenum (also mentioned for acetaldehyde build up)
The following supplements can help minimize neuropathy symptoms:
Vitamin B1 and B12
Benfotiamine is a derivative of B1 and stronger for neuropathic symptoms
Co enzyme Q10
Curcumin
Liposomal Glutathione
Acetyl - L Carnitine
Lithium Orotate
Headaches
Headaches are fairly common for patients treating Lyme disease with Disulfiram but like I stated earlier, this is most commonly from an acetalydehyde build up. These following products have also been found to help in regards to headaches vs. acetaldehyde build up.
Most people get relief from using all of these supplements in combination. Yucca root can help headaches caused by ammonia build up and it can help with pressure headaches.
Dihydromyricetin (already mentioned for acetalydehyde build up)
L Ornithine
Taurine (already mentioned for liver function)
Yucca Root
Heavy Metals Detox
Disulfiram is a weak chelator of Heavy Metals including mercury which means that if you have high levels of heavy metals they could potentially cause problems. However, these supplements will help capture heavy metals in the gut and can minimize problems if heavy metals are an issue while on Disulfiram. These particular heavy metal binders stays in the gut so they have no systemic action. The heavy metals pass through the gut to safely eliminate them including mercury, lead, copper, aluminium and others. My doctor has had me on all of these supplements at one time or another in the past year. He switched me to PectaSol-C when starting Disulfiram because it is a gentle way to detox and my body is already struggling enough. I still take Spirulina based on another patients recommendation in the IV room one day. He said it was a game changer for him so I decided to add it to my protocol too. It has a wide array of benefits.
Intestinal Metals Detox by Quicksilver ( IMD )
Clearway Cofactors
Spirulina
PectaSol-C
Personally if I had to pick my top six supplements that have helped me from this list, these are the ones I would take:
Liposomal Glutathione (detoxes liver, decreases body aches, improves sleep quality, strengthens immune system, increases energy)
Nano Mojo (19 adaptogenic herbs to help our bodies respond to all this stress with vigor, not with fight, flight, or exhaustion, also helps protect liver)
Dihydromyricetin (addresses acetaldehyde build up and prevents headaches)
Zinc (prevents neuropathy, boosts immune system, regulates thyroid and hormones, anti-inflammatory)
B Complex (Definitely need B1, B6, and B12 to prevent neuropathy, detox acetaldehyde, and provide energy)
Spirulina (detoxes heavy metals, boosts immune system, increases energy, reduces inflammation, promotes good intestinal flora)
These would cover all the bases and give you the most bang for your buck - but that is purely based on my own experiences and is not medical advice! I also came across this supplement called Hang Zero that has a wonderful combination in it - B1, B6, B12, Magnesium, DHM, NAC, Tuarine, Milk Thistle, ALA, L Theanine, and Spirulina! It is $25 for 90 pills and a serving is 3 capsules - you can get it on Subscribe & Save to save a couple more dollars. I think the only drawback of this is you don't know the exact amounts of each ingredient aside from the vitamins but if you are short on funds then this would save you from buying about six different supplements. This is near the top of the list in the Amazon shop!
I am a big believer in following your own intuition. I don't trust my doctor because he is only human and can only give me advice based on what HE has learned so far. I consider it my own responsibility to research my options in addition to the advice and recommendations he gives me. This is a crazy, wild journey full of other people's opinions so make sure you tune in and follow your gut before you follow what somebody else tells you to do. If you find a supplement that works well for you and isn't on the list, please email me and I will add it on! I hope to help as many people as possible and the more input, the better. Best wishes, I hope this medicine works miracles for you!
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