Carnitine and CoQ10 Supplementation for Hyperemesis Gravidarum Prevention

Here's another interesting nugget:

"Hyperemesis Gravidarum – Severe Morning Sickness: Are Mitochondria Involved?"

It's a fascinating article, and the take-away is the suggestion of pre-conception supplementation with L-carnitine and CoQ10. The suggested dosage can be found at another article from the same site on mitochondrial dysfunction and cyclical vomiting syndrome:

• Co-enzyme Q10: Participants were treated with co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) in liquid or gel capsule form (from a variety of brands) at a starting dose of 10 mg/kg/day, or 200 mg, divided twice a day, whichever is smaller. 

• L-carnitine: Participants were treated with Carnitor brand or generics at a starting dose of 100 mg/kg/day divided BID, or 2 grams twice a day, whichever is smaller.

I think that this is a fascinating line of thought, and I am planning on adding both supplements to my regimen as of next month to see if there is a difference in our next pregnancy experience. (I will use this brand of L-carnitine (2 grams twice a day, for a daily total of 4 grams) and this brand of CoQ10 (100 mg twice a day, for a daily total of 200 mg).

Thoughts, anyone?

Happy Monday!

***

Later edited to add: I began dosing with L-carnitine and CoQ10 on April 18, 2018. For the present, I am using half the dosage mentioned above, for the unfortunate reason that supplements are just so expensive. Hoping for good things!

Low-Fat Diet for Hyperemesis Gravidarum Prevention

Every year or so, I search "How to Prevent Hyperemesis Gravidarum" to see what pops up. Every so often, I happen upon a gem, and this was one of them:

Preventing Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Janette Rallison)

In this post, author Janette Rallison tells her HG story (it's brutal), and then tells what finally helped her:

"Before my fourth pregnancy, I researched on the internet and bingo, I found some useful information... I found a website that midwives used to discuss pregnancy issues and one talked about a diet that helped prevent hyperemesis gravidarum. Basically, for three months before pregnancy women were put on a diet where they ate no meat, fat, sugar, preservatives or additives of any kind. (I can’t remember whether dairy was allowed. I had a little  skim milk for calcium but didn’t eat cheese.) If I remember right, the idea behind this diet was that it improved your liver’s ability to function."

And it worked:

"The diet worked. I wish I could say that for that fourth pregnancy I had absolutely no morning sickness, but I still did. It just wasn’t nearly as extreme. I didn’t get sick until later in the pregnancy and it wasn’t as bad. I didn’t have to be hospitalized once. I was well enough that I could eat in the morning. As the day progressed I got sicker and sicker. Around noon I had to take to my bed and stay there, hoping that resting would help me keep down my food. But I was still able to eat a little . This probably sounds bad as far as normal pregnancies go, but it was a huge improvement. The pain was much much less and throwing up actually relieved the nausea, whereas before it wouldn’t. 

"I always tried to go to sleep at nine because I knew if I was up later the nausea would get bad. But I didn’t want to die. And with the other pregnancies, I really did. I remember my husband leaving in the morning and he would ask me if I needed anything. I would tell him, “Yeah, get me some arsenic.” I was only half joking."

Hop on over to the original link to read the whole story!

I am not personally planning to try this diet. As the author herself mentions, it is a very difficult option, and I'd rather stick with the very low carb or Trim Healthy Mama approach. But firstly, this does highlight the importance of liver cleansing in HG prevention. (I am currently using this supplement for that very purpose.) Also, if anyone wants to give this a try, go for it! (I wouldn't recommend any extreme diet for long-term use, but in the short-term, it could be great!)

Enjoy!