Combatting Multiple Sclerosis

Every time that I post anything about Multiple Sclerosis I tend to get a lot of web hits, Facebook shares, phone calls, and so on.  Some of you may know that I'm now back in school and today I couldn't help but share some of the highlights of my studies on the topic of cognitive disorders and neurological diseases.  Today's blog will be about MS specifically because when you get into an intense program like this, there is just so much territory to cover.  There are so many suffering from various autoimmune diseases it seems, and I believe there are basic "helps" that many are not aware of.  The program that I am doing is designed to use complementary medicine, integrative medicine, lifestyle modification, and pharmacology as a "whole" package to help patients feel better and overcome the symptoms of their disease.

Let me just share with you some of the highlights of my studies in a concise nutshell to put you on a path to your own research and treatment wishes.  

Background:

MS onset is usually between the ages of 20-40 years old.  

Interestingly, it does tend to have a geographic prevalence, avoiding equatorial regions, and being more prevalent above 40degrees N and 40degrees S latitude.   

Diagnosis of MS is determined by various clinical presentations, but often an optic neuritis (visual disturbance) will be a complaint of patients. MS is classified as an autoimmune disease.  

MS is a chronic, often progressive, disabling disease of the CNS.  

Confirmation is often made by assessing the spinal fluid for specific indicators. 

Hypothesis and Study Insight: 

Some studies support Epstein-Barr virus ("mono") as a contributor to immune system overload.  

Other studies implicate Chlamydia pneumoniae as a factor.  In one study 100% of MS patients tested had C pneumoniae. Interestingly Methotrexate (a med used for autoimmune dz) also inhibits growth of C. pneumoniae. 

Candida has also been found to be overgrowing and looming in the body of patients with MS.  

These three things should be considered in determining the individual's disease process. 

Information Take-aways:

Eskimo populations (as far North as you can get) have a diet known to be high in omega-3 fatty acids, with virtually no incidence of MS.  START TAKING OMEGA-3's!!!! 

Vitamin D has been shown to block the progression of damage.  Evaluate the Vitamin D levels!!!! 

The antibiotic minocycline has been shown to decrease inflammation. 

Alpha-Lipoic-Acid, antioxidants (Vitamin C), and N-acetylcysteine show promising results. 

Vitamin B12 helps with normal myelin function.  It also boosts the immune system. 

Gluten free diets tend to help in autoimmune diseases.  Ditch the gluten from your diet! 

Phosphatidylserine and CoQ10 have been shown to support nerve cell wall integrity. 

Estrogens have an anti-inflammatory effect.  I've covered this before in BLOGS.  In particular ESTRIOL helps to improve MS symptoms.  GET YOUR HORMONE LEVELS CHECKED!! This is a biggie.  When the hormones go down, most everything goes down with them......

Get dental amalgams removed if they contain metals. 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy shows remarkable improvement in randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies.  It essentially halts the autoimmune attack on the nervous system. 

Avoid high temperatures, including hot tubs and saunas.  

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is showing positive results in the areas of decreased MS relapse rates and in the progression of MS.  We customize LDN in our laboratory ALL THE TIME.  

Please, please, please share this blog with an MS patient.   I would be happy to advise and recommend some quality nutraceutical products, hormone testing and treatment plans, and vitamins and supplements to help for the long haul.  Remember, you need to follow the advice of a healthcare professional before you make any additions or subtractions to your normal therapy.  

It's a pleasure to be able to share this BLOG because it reaches so many both here in the U.S. and internationally.  If one person benefits, I'm happy.   

Please call me if I can help further.

To your good health,

Dr. Sonja