Author: dr.vanta

Neurodegeneration Vs Autoimmunity in MS – Which One Comes First, and Which One is More Important?

Neurodegeneration Vs Autoimmunity in MS – Which One Comes First, and Which One is More Important?     Why is important to know ? Because understanding which one comes first and which one is more important would allow scientists to find better treatments and to create drugs that target the root (or as close as possible to the root ) cause of the problem .    There is some evidence that neurodegeneration may precede inflammation and autoimmunity in MS. Let’s explore the research:   1. Neurodegeneration may come first and may be more important than inflammation in MS. MS was traditionally described as an inflammatory, autoimmune condition. Basically, the cells of the immune system would move across the blood brain barrier (which is not working properly in MS), attack the cells of the nervous system and trigger inflammation. The inflammation would often correspond with an acute relapse. Note: Almost all drugs currently treating MS are based on this theory, targeting the immune system known as either immunomodulatory or immunosuppressant drugs [1].   2.Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to neurodegeneration. An increasing amount of evidence is showing that the key problem may be the degeneration (which develops because of mitochondrial dysfunction), while inflammation/autoimmunity would come second. In this case, we will need to see drugs that target the neurodegeneration for MS (by the way, there are some drugs approved for other medical conditions, not for...

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Mona and Anna – Success Stories of Reversed MS

  Meet Mona and Anna Study # 1: Understanding unexpected courses of multiple sclerosis among patients using complementary and alternative medicine: A travel from recipient to explorer (Salamonsen et al, 2010) The study evaluated 12 MS patients, with two cases, Mona and Anna, being described in great details. Researchers explored the “unexpected improvements of MS symptoms related to patients’ use of CAM.” As a common theme, all these people with MS who experienced dramatic improvements believed that the improvement is the result of their own efforts. Researchers found that they changed their position from being “recipients” (taking a passive role as a patient and following the treatment) to “explorers” (they decided to actively take control of their health and explore various therapies). The most frequently used CAM modalities in the interview group were acupuncture and nutrition, followed by homeopathy, massage and healing. These “exceptional best course of MS” were linked with 4 major changes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2900149/   They lost bodily competence They developed responsibility They took control of their health They chose to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)     Meet Mona and Anna Mona’s success story Mona is a 54-year-old woman who received the diagnosis of MS in 1989, and considered a case of SP MS at the time of the interview (in 2007). Mona used various therapies such as homoeopathy, healing, massage, reflexology, dietary changes, Tibetan medicine, Feldenkrais, anthroposophical medicine, chelation treatment...

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SAM-e for MS

  Top 6 Benefits of SAMe for MS- Summary :   1. SAMe plays a key role in your overall health 2. Treating  Depression With SAMe Supplement 3.  SAMe Improves Levels of Neurotransmitters 4. SAMe Reduces Oxidative Stress and Offers Neuroprotection  5. SAMe Reduces Pain and Stiffness, Improves Mobility and Range of Motion 6. SAMe Is Anti Inflammatory and Modulates Immune Response   1. SAMe plays a key role in your overall health Also known as S-Adenosyl-l methionine, SAMe is a naturally-occurring molecule found in almost cell of the body and brain. It is involved in over 100 chemical reactions  including three essential metabolic pathways :  transsulfuration  transmethylation and polyamine synthesis.    Technical : Transsulfuration is a metabolic pathway that involves the conversion of the sulfur atom of SAMe to cysteine through a sequence of enzymatic steps. Cysteine is an effective cellular anti-oxidant. Transmethylation is a biologically important chemical reaction where the methyl group of the SAMe is transferred to acceptors such as proteins, DNA and phospholipids. SAMe helps in the synthesis of polyamines, which are needed for the normal cell development. SAMe enhances the body’s immunity. It assists in the synthesis of brain chemicals, such as dopamine, serotonin and melatonin. You must have healthy amounts of vitamin B12 and Vitamin B9 in the body to efficiently produce  and use SAMe.Researchers have indicated the effectiveness of SAMe for relieving the...

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Whole Body Cryotherapy Benefits

   If you remember taking a fall during school sports or if you’ve ever sprained an ankle as the result of a wayward high-heel, you’ll probably be no stranger to the familiar ice-pack. And that’s with good reason: for hundreds of years we’ve known about the healing potential of cold therapy. When a cold compress is applied to the local area, the blood vessels narrow and reduce the flow of blood. This helps to combat the swelling and inflammation that are responsible for the pain that accompanies tissue injury. All well and good, but why the sudden craze for cold therapy? If media coverage and research studies are anything to go by, health treatments that draw upon the benefits of applying cold to the body are enjoying a bracing surge in interest. And for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), this cutting-edge procedure offers a wide range of advantages. If this is the first time you’ve come across cryotherapy, one thing is clear: there’s a lot more going on than pulling a pack of frozen peas from the fridge. Whether your MS diagnosis is recent or long-standing, investigating new treatments can be a stressful experience. You may be feeling both optimistic and wary. When you’re uncertain about your future and are looking for solutions to your health problems, you need reliable information about the best way to resolve your symptoms....

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Magnesium-Beyond the Basics

Summary  : 1. Magnesium Is a Cofactor for More Than 300 Enzymatic Reactions 2. MS Is Linked with Magnesium Deficiency 3. Magnesium Helps Relieve Stress, Anxiety, and Depression 4. Magnesium Improves  Sleep 5. Low Magnesium Correlates with Fatigue and MS Progression 6. Magnesium Is Very Important for Muscle and Nerve Function 7. Magnesium Promotes the Formation of New Brain Cells 8. The Link Between Magnesium and Neurotransmitters   9. Magnesium Fights Inflammation,Supports a Healthy  Immune System and Has Antioxidant Qualities 10. Your  Mitochondria Love Magnesium 11. Magnesium and Hormonal Balance   12. Magnesium Can Prevent and Treat Migraines 13. Magnesium, MS  and Metabolic Syndrome 14. Magnesium May Prolong Your Life 15. Magnesium Deficiency – Causes, Symptoms, Tests and Treatment   1. Magnesium Is a Cofactor for More Than 300 Enzymatic Reactions It may be the fourth  most abundant mineral in the body, but magnesium is the most important mineral for your health in general, and for MS symptoms in particular.  As a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions, magnesium helps your muscles and nerves function better, keep your bones strong and healthy, improve the metabolism of carbs, proteins, and fats, and keep your heart and blood vessels in great shape. [1] Most of us (almost 70% of North-Americans) don’t get enough magnesium from the diet [2], [3], [4], and this nutrient deficiency had been linked with high blood pressure [5], heart diseases, [6], and type II diabetes[7]....

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