Multiple Sclerosis

This unpredictable disease disables your brain and spinal cord by attacking the protective myelin covering of the central nervous system.  The result is inflammation and the destruction of the myelin in patches.  The usual flow of nerve impulses along your nerve fibers becomes interrupted or distorted.  MS frequently comes on in debilitating attacks out of the blue.  Numbness in extremities is one of the main symptoms.

Cause Unclear

While the reason why people get MS is uncertain, the body’s immune system malfunctions and starts attacking the myelin that protects the central nervous system.  This leads to physical and cognitive disabilities.  There is evidence that toxicity, nutrient deficiency, emotional trauma, viruses and genetics may all play a role in triggering MS.

Drug Limitations

While some drugs can diminish the frequency and severity of attacks, scientists are questioning the effectiveness of them, in particular, beta interferon, a popular medication used for MS.  Long-term efficacy has not been confirmed and like other MS drugs, any beneficial effects might be outweighed by the side effects and high cost of the drug.

Slow Down Progression

Natural medicine works to prevent further degeneration.  Injections of B vitamins vital for the health of nerve cells have successfully controlled MS in some patients for decades.  Researchers at Harvard have reported that Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) prevents the destruction of myelin.  Patients respond well to B12 injections even when serum B12 levels are normal.  Therapeutic doses of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iodine and folic acid reduce the exacerbation of symptoms.

Let the Sun Shine

The incidence of MS is greater in northern latitudes where there is less sunshine resulting in lower vitamin D levels.  Research has shown a significant reduction in the number of relapses and exacerbations in MS patients taking vitamin D.  Blood testing is needed to determine your vitamin D level and therapeutic doses are required to bring it into the optimal range.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet is Key

Diet plays a major role.  Allergy testing identifies foods to be avoided or eliminated, particularly inflammatory foods such as dairy, wheat and sugar.  Most patients do better without gluten.  Testing for salivary gliadin IgA determines your gluten tolerance.  Cow’s milk is especially harmful.  There is evidence that when milk is given to children with a certain genetic disposition, they will develop MS.  An anti-inflammatory diet rich in essential fatty acids from cold water fish and other nutrients will feed starved nerve cells.

Toxicity Connection

Most patients benefit from medical detoxification to remove toxins such as heavy metals and chemicals.  These environmental pollutants appear to contribute to the malfunctioning of the immune system and detoxification helps to minimize that threat.

There is Hope

While MS is often viewed as a long and systematic deterioration of your body, it doesn’t have to be so.  Some patients have held the disease in check for years, and others have had almost complete reversal of their symptoms.  Identifying and treating the major sources that trigger your disease are the keys to success.

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