MS - Multiple Sclerosis is a disease
of the central nervous system affecting the brain, optic
nerves of the eye, and the spinal chord. MS destroys the
myelin sheaths that cover the nerves leaving scar tissue
and eventually killing the nerve. This process is called sclerosis.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include: dizziness, mood
changes, depression, eye problems, blurred or double
vision, tingling or numbness in hands/feet, loss of
balance, stiffness, slurred speech, tremors,
fatigue,
weakness, impotence, and difficulty breathing. Multiple
Sclerosis affects people in the United States more due to
their diet high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and
alcohol. People suffering from MS may benefit from a colon intestinal
cleansing.
As the disease MS progresses, a person
with Multiple Sclerosis may even have trouble walking and develop a
jerky walk. Later on in the advanced stages of the disease, movements may become more
spastic, and paralysis and may be hard to breath.
Bowel and bladder problems, especially chronic urinary
incontinence or urgency, are not uncommon, and extreme fatigue
one of the most disabling symptoms of MS may become a problem.
The disease follows a pattern of periodic flare ups, whch are
known as
exacerbations, followed by times when symptoms reduce or even disappear. MS is variable in its rate of progression.
It can be relatively benign, with only a few minor attacks
spread over 5 to 20 years, or it can be quickly and completely
disabling. Most commonly, it progresses slowly, disappearing
for periods of time but returning intermittently, often in
progressively more severe attacks.
The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is believed to be
an autoimmune disease in which white blood cells attack the
myelin sheaths as if they were a foreign invader or substance.
Stress and
malnutrition, whether from poor absorption, poor diet, or very
often a combination of both, often
precede the onset of the disease. Some experts suspect that an
unidentified virus may be a cause. Heredity and genetics may also
be a factor. Another theory is that this disease is caused by
food intolerances or
allergies, especially allergies to dairy
products and gluten. Chemical poisoning of the nervous system by pesticides,
industrial chemicals, and heavy metals may also play a part in
the development of MS. Environmental toxins can cause
disturbances in the body's normal metabolic pathways that
result in damage to the nerves' protective myelin sheaths.
(See BotanaCleanse) Even substances that are not normally
toxic to other people may be a problem for vulnerable individuals. Toxins such as those produced by bacteria and
fungi in the human body are known to produce symptoms similar
to those of MS. Some experts think that
mercury poisoning is
a cause of many cases of MS. Mercury has been shown to bind to the
DNA of cells and cell membranes, causing cellular distortion
and inhibited cell function. Mercury
amalgam dental fillings which is source of mercury exposure
for most people in the USA, has been known to
produce symptoms exactly like those of multiple
sclerosis in many people. Also, the levels of mercury in
people with multiple sclerosis have been found to be an average of 7 times
higher than those in healthy persons.
But, diet may play the major role in the development of MS.
This is suggested by the fact that MS is fairly common in the
USA and almost never seen in some other countries, like as
China, Korea, or Japan. The diet of saturated
fats, cholesterol, and alcohol, so common in Western
countries, leads to the production of a hormone like substance
called prostaglandin, which promotes the inflammatory
response and worsens symptoms of multiple sclerosis. People in
Asian countries typically consume much less fat than people in
the USA and northern Europe do. Their diets are also
rich in marine foods, seeds, and fruit oils, which are high in
essential fatty acids, including the
omega-3 essential fatty
acids, which have an reducing effect on the inflammatory
response.
Multiple
sclerosis is normally diagnosed for people around 25 to
40 years of age.. Women
are affected nearly twice as often as men are. MS is rarely
diagnosed in children and in people over 60 years of age. MRI
or Magnetic resonance imaging may be used to diagnose MS.
However, there is no single diagnostic test for the disease,
and diagnosis must be done indirectly, by ruling out other
possible causes of symptoms.
There is no known cure for this disease, but the supplement
and dietary programs outlined on this webpage have been shown
to be helpful. Long-term sufferers of MS may not benefit as
much, but younger people who are just starting to exhibit
symptoms may find that the correct supplements slow or even
stop the progression of the disease.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Omega
fatty acids |
10 |
People with multiple
sclerosis are often found to be lacking in fatty
acids which can help control the symptoms of MS.
Omega fatty acids come from fish oil normally, but
also can be found plant sources such as flax seed
oil and borage seed oil. There are supplements which contain
all of these and usually get excellent results. |
Inositol |
10 |
stimulates the central nervous system and
aids in protecting the myelin sheath damaged by
multiple sclerosis. |
B vitamins |
10 |
B vitamins help strengthen the immune system
of the person with multiple sclerosis and also
help maintain healthy nerves. B6 promotes red
blood cell production and B12 helps protect
against nerve damage. |
GLA |
10 |
Gamma Linolenic Acid is an essential fatty
acid which is often used in combination with omega fatty acids to help
control and reduce the health problems caused by
multiple sclerosis. |
Pyridoxine |
10 |
vitamin B6 aids red
blood cell creation, and both the nervous and immune
systems |
Cyanocobalamin |
10 |
vitamin B12 protects
against nerve damage and helps increase the lifespan of cells
in the body |
Multi-vitamin
& Mineral supplement |
9 |
contains vitamin E,
vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A, selenium, manganese,
phosphorus, potassium, calcium, which all are
helpful for people suffering from
multiple sclerosis. A daily supplement provides nutrients
required for good general health and well being. |
Magnesium |
8 |
magnesium helps balance calcium which is
beneficial to people with Multiple Sclerosis, a
good source of magnesium is a quality multi-vitamin &
mineral supplement especially one with calcium,
magnesium, selenium. |
Calcium |
8 |
works with
magnesium |
Dandelion |
8 |
herb good
at detoxification used with red clover and other herbs that
are found in Genesis formula |
Red
Clover |
8 |
herb good
for general detox of the body |
Acidophilus |
8 |
helps
increase the absorption of nutrients and detoxify harmful
substances as well as aid digestion. |
Carotenoids |
8 |
very
important antioxidants for all aspects of health |
vitamin
A |
8 |
works with
carotenoids |
vitamin
E |
8 |
needed for
circulation, killing free radicals, and to protect the nervous
system |
vitamin
C |
8 |
aids in
production of antiviral protein interferon in the body |
Bioflavonoids |
8 |
work with
vitamin C to strengthen the immune system |
vitamin
K |
8 |
aids in
preventing nausea and vomiting |
Grape
seed extract |
8 |
strong
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory |
Potassium |
7 |
required
for muscle function |
Lecithin |
7 |
required
for brain function and it protects the cells |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|