Random, interesting studies
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I was looking into the effects and overlaps between gut bacteria and steroids (there are many overlaps) and I found one very interesting strain called Turicibacter.
Researchers found that:"A decrease in the abundance of Turicibacter is closely related to autism."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9659915/
the same bacteria can lower serotonin by acting like the serotonin transporter SERT.
"Turicibacter sanguinis was capable of serotonin uptake and, further, that this effect was inhibited by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine2."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6930332/This could be helpful colon cancer since serotonin makes it grow.
And in this study Turicibacter, together with the medicinal fungus Antrodia camphorata was able to inhibit TPH, 5HT1A+B+C+D !"...inhibiting serotonin signaling-related genes, including Tph1, Htr1d, Htr2a, Htr2b, and Htr2c (p < 0.05)"
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1203087/full
Turicibacter also lowers weight gain on a HFD.
https://healthcare.utah.edu/newsroom/news/2025/12/gut-bacteria-put-brakes-weight-gain-mice
If you're wondering how one can increase turicibacter, there is currently no probiotic or supplement that contains it.
But, the medicinal fungus, Antrodia camphorata, I mentioned above, significantly increases Turicibacter even at low dosages.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10650666/
Another find the same thing.
"In high-fat diet-fed mice, Antrodia cinnamomea alcohol extract increased the relative abundance of 12 bacterial taxa, including Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, Muribaculaceae, Gordonibacter, and Turicibacter (Figure 8, Table S5)."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12193264/#ijms-26-05856-f008
In this study Berberine could increase Turicibacter.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.00223/ -
"that the abundance of Turicibacter is negatively and positively correlated with T and estradiol..."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9659915/Kinda sounds like low Testosterone and high estrogen are implicated in autism. Peat right again.
The quote describes the very opposite of what you made of it:
The authors describe much Turicibacter = low T, high E, less autism.
The direction of action seems unclear or perhaps even reciprocal, as they suggest the higher autism prevalence in males than females as a link by naturally higher T (male) = low Turicibacter, more autism. -
@CrumblingCookie Oh yeah, youre right. Thanks for pointing that out.
I still find it interesting. Antrodia camphorata The fungus I mentioned, is available as a supplement .
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@Mauritio I am looking into taking this (chaste berry--vitex) since progesterone can be hard to get quality access to for a reasonable price. I am a woman though, so I may be insulated from the negative effects described for men. I plan on trying it as I have done everything to fix hair loss and have found little that consistently works or that I can do long-term. I take t3/t4 now, and aspirin every night. I told progesterone via skin for a while and noticed little (maybe some resilience), but I think high does progesterone via a pill would probably help--though I'd need a prescription for that.
I looked up things that increased progesterone indirectly and AI suggested this.
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@secondkelping b5 excesd compared to other b vits may cause hairlos. Check b1,2,3 6 12 for adiquette intake .
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@lobotomize I've run through all of the b vitamins. I get some mild improvement if I take them, but it normally helps with initial growth but does not lengthen life of the follicles for me. My issue is keeping follicles in the anagen phase longer which I'm implementing many changes to address.
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I've run through all of the b vitamins. I get some mild improvement if I take them, but it normally helps with initial growth but does not lengthen life of the follicles for me.
Hi,
Well seen for B5 supplement because I only get 50 % of the RDA with my usual food, which is rather varied.
Coenzyme A (via vitamin B5) is essential for synthesizing the lipids that make up the skin barrier. A sudden, massive influx of Coenzyme A can alter the composition of sebum and the lipids found on the skin's surface. If the skin is already sensitive—or under stress due to hepatic excretion—this localized biochemical change can trigger an inflammatory skin reaction (such as eczema).
Taking high-dose vitamin B5 reactivates the acetylation pathway (involving Coenzyme A). Think of high-dose B5 as bringing a team of heavy-duty cleaners into a house; they clear out the cupboards at lightning speed. However, if the hallway is narrow and cluttered (implying poor motility or irregular transit), and the outdoor trash bin is already overflowing with histamine, the debris will pile up in the middle of the living room—eventually spilling out through the window (manifesting as eczema).
Well, not everyone struggles with sluggish digestion or skin prone to breakouts. However, in cases of stress or low-grade inflammation (such as osteoarthritis), the interactions between B-group vitamins must be taken into account.- Potential bottleneck with high-dose vitamin B5: In the intestines, vitamin B5 utilizes the same transporter as biotin. A functional biotin deficiency—triggered by high doses of B5—typically manifests as skin issues, most notably dermatitis and eczema.
In cases of repeated stress, chronic elevation of cortisol partly hinders the entry of vitamin B3 into cells by altering their membrane transporters. In the short term, this is not an issue: the cell relies on the B3 already present intracellularly, which functions in the form of NAD+ (NAD+
NADH). In fact, approximately 95% of the NAD+ converted into NADH is continuously recycled within the cell itself.
However NAD+ is consumed faster than the cell can resynthesize it.
Moreover stress and chronic inflammation rapidly deplete vitamin B6 reserves. This deficiency impairs hepatic glycogenosis (the liver struggles to release glucose stored as glycogen—a process dependent on B6). At night, this inability to maintain blood sugar levels leads to reactive hypoglycemia; the body then secretes adrenaline to compensate, which triggers repeated nighttime awakenings. Simultaneously, this lack of vitamin B6 blocks the recycling of amino acids, resulting in an increase in toxic homocysteine within the bloodstream.
NB1: In the Krebs cycle, the cell requires NAD (B3) and FAD (B2). There is an interaction between B3 and B6. There is also an increased need for sulfur and methyl donors. Sulfur often helps manage salicylate overload, while methyl groups help manage histamine load.
NB2: If you "press the accelerator pedal" (i.e., ramp up metabolic activity), you must account for the interplay between vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B8, as well as magnesium—which is frequently in short supply (350–420 mg required). I increase magnesium intake during periods of stress, but never by anticipating a stressful event. Always afterwards. J.P. Curtay recommends three 300 mg doses of elemental magnesium. I would personally use magnesium bisglycinate powder: 1.25 g per dose.
Figure: Krebs cycle
- Potential bottleneck with high-dose vitamin B5: In the intestines, vitamin B5 utilizes the same transporter as biotin. A functional biotin deficiency—triggered by high doses of B5—typically manifests as skin issues, most notably dermatitis and eczema.
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@secondkelping Peat talked about that part of the cycle on the Herb Doctor show in 2011. He said people losing hair, men and women, tend to show excess prolactin and cortisol, and that "prolactin tends to cause it to fall out. In chickens and other birds, it's known as the molting hormone." A bit later: "It has that analogous function of terminating the growth cycle of the hair shaft."
The host brought up vitex on that same show as a prolactin blocker, so that might be a more useful way to think about it than as a progesterone booster. He also said thyroid is a pretty reliable way to keep prolactin down in most women, and you're already on T3/T4. Ever had prolactin tested?
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@thebiooracle I've not had anything tested. I go by bodily response usually within 1 month experiments for most supplements unless I know up front that it would take longer to see a difference. Longer than 1 month needed is the case with thyroid (which I still take), progesterone (took for a year before choosing to ween off), and now Vitex.
I read up on Vitex and the prolactin issue which is one reason why I chose it. I just didn't mention it. I'm thinking prolactin is mostly my issue as I've done numerous things to get cortisol down and feel very successful in it, but none of those things would have directly addressed a prolactin issue. Also, Danny Roddy recommended progesterone which it increases over time. Vitex hits 2 birds with 1 stone.
I'm on day 3 supplementing it, so it will take 8 to 12 weeks before I can assess anything hair follicle-wise. I've also switched to all-natural haircare using water, herbs, natural soaps, and cold-pressed organic oils--I've had worse results with saturated fat heavy oils. I implemented scalp massage and dermarolling a few weeks ago. Shedding has calmed down significantly already, and breakage is radically slowing down. So, adding Vitex to the mix should, in theory, synergize with these steps.
In the past, I explored nutrients deficiencies, but they don't seem to be the root cause though I get some mild improvement from b vitamins and minerals.
I'm thinking my scalp stayed inflamed while the rest of me significantly healed with whole foods and peaty Sups because of the hair care products. I think they are the root cause. When I experienced the least shedding, I was using a shampoo and conditioner with minimal, natural ingredients. Or commercial hair care that was lightly added to hair, no custards or creams. I've also had other past experiences where more hair care products directly resulted in worse hair quality.
I prayed to God, and I had the "genius" revelation that I should probably switch to the most wholistic natural hair care products available, and I believe that's already improving my hair and scalp due to less hair fall on my wash days and less breakage overall.
Anyways, if Vitex adds a boost to it, I'll report back. The one thing that I haven't tried due to Peat's stance is iron supplementation. If I don't see significant growth in 3 months, I may go that route which, to be the most safe, that would require initial testing.
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