This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I am thinking about switching to BG-12. I was hoping someone else might have some insight. Any side effects?

Hi leggo,
Have you read through the posts on the Tecfidera forum?

tecfidera-bg-12-dimethyl-fumarate-f52/

BG-12 or Tecfidera is a Nrf2 activator. It is expected to offer protection against brain lesions, and to work with the immune system in a different way than existing MS DMTs. It may be the best of what's available by prescription.

Tecfidera has been tested for those with RRMS, but it is being prescribed for some with other forms of MS, too. The company has a patient assistance program and a minimal copay if one has insurance.

However, there are many natural Nrf2 activators such as broccoli. Most exciting is a supplement called Protandim. In tests, it performed better than Tecfidera as a Nrf2 activator. It contains 5 ingredients. The 3 Nrf2 activators are curcumin, milk thistle and green tea extract. It also contains ashwaganda and bacopa. Some are trying it and others are buying the ingredients separately.

I started BG-12 today (switched from Rebif). About 90 minutes after I took the first pill, I got a very strong flush on my face, neck and chest. I looked like I had a terrible sunburn, it was almost funny. It finally started to ease up about 90 minutes later, then I was fine. Fortunately I have not had any of the intestinal symptoms (knock wood). I will keep you posted.

sounds like a pharmaceutical way to get a niacin flush. it appears simple niacin is also an nrf2 activator.

Niacin Inhibits Vascular Inflammation via the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/125/1/150.full
"Induction of HO-1 by Niacin Involves Activation of Nrf2 and the p38-MAPK Signaling Pathway"

foods high in niacin (just not high enough for the transient flush response) chicken really looks to be the highest mg per serving, among healthy choices anyway..
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... nt&dbid=83

back to BG-12 of itself.. thinking out loud here.. this is the process I typically go through when evaluating pharma products. basically, what is it, what does it do, how does the body do that when functioning properly, how can we provide support for that function.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_fumarate
The American company Biogen Idec developed DMF as a capsule containing microtablets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (BG-12).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumaric_acid
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is the methyl ester of fumaric acid. ... industrial synthesis of fumaric acid is mostly based on catalytic isomerisation of maleic acid in aqueous solutions at low pH.

http://www.bartek.ca/fumaric_acid.html
Fumaric acid is an organic acid widely found in nature. In humans and other mammals, Fumaric acid is a key intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle for organic acid biosynthesis (the KREBS cycle).

http://www.whatislife.com/reader2/Metab ... oacid.html
Tyrosine degradation is a liver resident process... [yadda yadda yadda, better make sure your liver is topped up with the required nutrients to build the various enzymes that come into play here] ... ring structure of homogentisate is subsequently broken and the linear C8 unit degraded in two reaction steps to fumarate and acetoacetate, one citric acid cycle intermediate and one ketone body

foods high in tyrosine include egg, salmon, turkey, shrimp, game meat, beef, etc.
eg
1 large egg has 279mg
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dai ... ucts/120/2
3oz wild atlantic salmon has 730mg
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fin ... cts/4231/2

not to mention, your body can make tyrosine from phenylalanine. food sources (atlantic Pollock, game meat, chicken, turkey):
http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000 ... 000-3.html

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com