Multiple Sclerosis
by Vanita Dahia
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system. The name multiple sclerosis refers to the multiple scars (scleroses) on the myelin sheaths.
The myelin sheath around the neurons usually protected with a layer of essential fatty acids aimed at stimulating neurotransmission from neurone to neurone, starts to degrade. The degradation of the myelin sheath is called demyelination which interferes with neural impulse transmission.
Multiple Sclerosis is also categorized as an Autoimmune Disease: a childhood infection may trigger an autoimmune response later in life.
The body produces Antibodies that attack and destroy the Myelin Sheaths of Neurons in the Brain and Spinal Cord. The damaged Myelin is replaced by hard scar tissue known as Sclerotic Plaques.
The term “Multiple Sclerosis” is derived from these multiple patches of hardened tissue. Current medical opinion is that there is a genetic component to Multiple Sclerosis and that one or more environmental factors trigger the onset of Multiple Sclerosis (in genetically susceptible individuals).
Signs and Symptoms of Mutiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis attacks vary depending on the stage of demyelination
Symptoms of MS include:
- Blurred vision or diplopia (double vision)
- Motor weakness presenting as gait disturbances, loss of dexterity
- Tingling or Numbness
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Tremor and spasticity of muscles
- Heat sensitivity
- Urinary bladder dysfunction (e.g., frequency, urgency, incontinence, retention)
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Exhaustion
- Weakness
Risk Factors
Factors affecting severity of MS:
- Genetic predisposition
- Chronic or latent infections – Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Epstein-Barr Virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae have been associated with triggers and drivers of auto-immunity
- Age – MS primarily affects adults, with an age of onset typically between 20 and 40 years, and is more common in women than in men
- Smoking – increases or accelerates the risk in susceptible people
- Low of UVB exposure and therefore low vitamin D status in regions that are farther from the equator (above 40 degrees latitude). Rates of MS in these regions can be as much as 5 times higher
- Air Pollution – Carbon Monoxide Air Pollution
- Amino Acids – high levels of Homocysteine
- Pesticide exposure
- Aspartame may cause symptoms that closely resemble Multiple Sclerosis (due to the Methanol content of Aspartame)
- Food Additives
- Peroxynitrite Free Radicals
- Excessive Estrogens levels or a high Estrogens:Progesterone ratio (Estrogens Dominance
- Excessive levels of Platelet Aggregating Factor (PAF)
- High levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a) likely to be produced under the stimulation of Human Herpes Virus
- Excessive Arachidonic Acid and Saturated Fatty Acids intake
- Toxic levels of Aluminium, Lead and Mercury
Management of MS
MS currently does not have a cure, though several treatments are available which may slow the appearance of new symptoms.
Pharmaceutical Interventions
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide Interferon-beta-1: given intramuscularly or subcutaneously to decrease white matter lesions and the frequency and severity of attacks.
- Gatiramer acetate
- IgG monoclonal antibody (natalizumab
- GABA analogues: these drugs act as muscle relaxants and are used to treat spasticity and increased muscle tone like baclofen, clonazepam.
- Anticonvulsants like carbamazepine, phenytoin and amitriptyline are given to treat trigeminal neuralgia
Natural Treatment Approaches
Anti-inflammatories for acute inflammation and flares of autoimmune activity.
Devils claw, Tumeric, Boswellia, willow bark, ginger, quercetin and gotu kola are herbs that provide powerful synergistic anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity for the long-term management of pain and inflammation by targeting the key underlying drivers, whilst also reducing associated tissue damage.
Some herbs may help manage some of the symptoms of MS, such as fatigue, pain, and spasticity.
Here are some of the herbs that have been studied for their potential benefits in MS:
- Ginger: Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory that may help reduce pain and stiffness in people with MS. You can consume ginger by adding it to your food or taking it as a supplement.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is an herb that has traditionally been used to promote relaxation and sleep. It may also help to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. Chamomile can be consumed as a tea or taken as a supplement.
- Dandelion: Dandelion is a diuretic and detoxifier that may help to reduce fatigue and improve overall health. It is important to note that dandelion can interact with some medications, so it is important to talk to your doctor before taking it.
Protect myelin sheath and BBB
Support Mitochondrial energy and immune defence with anti-inflammatory Essential fatty acids for Healthy Membranes and Cognition. Cordyceps, Coriolus and Reishi are medicinal mushroom extracts used to enhance immunity whilst modulating inflammation and to support the resolution of chronic, and/or recurrent infectious conditions
Support prolonged fatigue, neurological symptoms and oxidative stress with mixed tocopherols and EFA’s.
Stimulate neuronal resilience and protect from oxidative stress with Resveratrol for Immune Control
Probiotics support immune modulation. Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG have been clinically-trialled to help restore immune control and moderate overactive immune responses by supporting T-regulatory cell function and increasing production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10.
Vitamin D is essential for immune defence, as it stimulates antimicrobial peptides and WBC activity against pathogens and recruits immune defences (Th1/Th2 responses).
Home made Support
Keep the system pH neutral. Inflammation in MS often renders the system acidic. Acids break down cells structures in the body. Check pH of the body, ideally 7 with a urine dipstick. If lower than 7, consider alkalising strategies
Alkalizing Shot
To be done first thing in the morning. Prepare a mug of hot water with 2 teaspoonsful of apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add 1 teaspoonful of Vit C with Bioflavonoids to the warmed drink. (Optional) Drink half a mug of this liquid.
Jump on a mini-trampoline if you can, jog on the spot or skip with a skipping rope vigorously for 1 minute. Your feet don\’t have to leave the surface of the trampoline. After getting off the trampoline, drink the remainder of the drink. Follow with a full glass of water.
Option to enhance energy for the day: take one teaspoon of honey with a teaspoonful of Glutathione or the contents of a capsule of glutathione, hold it in your mouth until it liquefies, then swallow. Have a glass of water half hour after.
Rationale
The Vitamin C plus an ingredient in honey stimulates the liver to convert fat-soluble toxins into water soluble toxins that can be passed out through your kidneys. This biotransformation is called phosphorylation. Friendly bacteria of the small intestine cannot survive in an overly acid environment, but pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and viruses love an acidic environment. This alone is reason enough to strive for an alkaline pH.
Beyond the small intestine, the body itself prefers to operate in a alkaline environment, and the blood is designed to operate healthfully at a pH 7.4. Bioflavonoids are powerful natural anti-inflammatories.
Use pH strips to measure your pH on a weekly basis.
Why is lemon juice used? Isn’t is acididc?
Upon entering the stomach, citric acid from lemon juice or lactic acid from cultured dairy or any of the above weak acids stimulates the vagus, which (in turn) causes release of secretin signalling the pancreas to release sodium bicarbonate and a number of other alkaline juices into the small intestine, and very importantly volumes of protease enzyme.
Now we know that these alkaline buffers will overwhelm the acid you just presented and the excess gets absorbed into the blood stream. Lemon juice itself then undergoes esterification, so that by the time it reaches the small intestine it arrives as potassium citrate.
Together, the newly formed potassium citrate from lemon juice and sodium bicarbonate from the pancreas provide the ideal environment for the friendly, lactic acid-producing bacteria. Any excess enters the lymph and ultimately serves to alkalinize the urine and saliva, as well as the whole body. All lactofermented foods will behave similarly. Use less lemon juice if you have gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Bioflavanoids like Quercitin and Antioxidants in Vit C may assist in:
- Maintaining health of capillaries
- Conditions associated with inflammation. (e.g. mild oedema, inflammatory oedema, soft tissue injuries)
- Conditions associated with lymph-oedema
- Maintaining healthy immune system function
- Apoptotic and mitotic abnormalities
