Acupuncture achieves significant therapeutic effects on RRMS during remission stage, according to a new randomized controlled study. This therapy helps relieve neurological deficits and reduces the frequency of relapses [1].
I like to see new randomized controlled studies on acupuncture. The biggest complaint from the scientific community is that there is not enough evidence/research showing its benefits -for MS [2] or other conditions.
Another study presents a case study of a 66-year-old woman with MS. Acupuncture helped her a lot, with significant improvement in mobility, speech, pain relief and fatigue [3].
My thoughts: Studies on acupuncture aren’t that important to me. This system of medicine is powerful and had been working for over 5000 years. Hundreds of millions of people had been treated with acupuncture/TCM without taking any prescription drugs during their entire lives. In fact, FDA proposed earlier this year that doctors should learn about acupuncture [4].
I do have a couple of concerns though : 1. The quality of herbs: we have a lot more pollution, pesticides, toxic substances in our modern word compared with old times. These herbs can be contaminated and do more harm than good (especially when coming from China, which is one of most polluted countries in the word). 2. Drug-herb interactions : we don’t know exactly how these herbs interact with drugs, we need more research. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine often uses a combination of several herbs. For these two reasons one could choose needles only (without herbal treatment). 3. Acupuncture/ TCM is not a regulated profession in all countries. It really is important to consult a well qualified, experienced practitioner.
Diet affects MS symptoms
Believe it or not, many people and healthcare professionals still think that the link between diet and MS is just a myth. This month, three studies show quite the opposite- in other words- showing the obvious- diet is important.
Participants (with MS) who followed a healthier diet and lifestyle had lower levels of disability and lower instances of MS symptoms like severe fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment, according to this new study [5].
A second study discussing the link between diet and MS : The biggest dietary problems: high intake of animal fats and cow’s milk diet in infants. Re: cow’s milk use in infants, researchers suggest that the problem is its low content of linoleic acid (5 times less compared with breast milk). This fatty acid contributes to the formation of nervous system tissue. Later on, these children would have high animal diets which further weakens the brain and other tissues. (My note: the biggest problem I see with cow’s milk is the casein A in milk) . This study also touches the importance of optimizing vitamin D levels [6].
A third study- a large cross-sectional survey suggests a healthy diet and lifestyle are associated with lesser disability and symptoms in MS [7].
Do you have other conditions associated with MS ? Treat them because they increase the relapse rate, according to a new study. Those who have migraines, high cholesterol and 3 or more co morbid conditions are more likely to experience frequent relapses [8].
Prescriptions drugs (not approved for MS) with some potential for treating MS
Probenecid, a drug used for gout and gouty arthritis can prevent the development of EAE. If symptoms occur, probenecid can also arrest the symptoms of EAE (the animal model of MS) [13]. I think this is not the first study conducted in animal models. It is very likely that this drug will be tested in human studies in the next few years.
Major side effects of some MS drugs
Make sure you are aware of both risks and benefits of a treatment. There is an increased number of studies showing potential serious side effects of drugs. Some of these side effects are less known. Some adverse events reported this month :
Stem therapy reactivated Epstein Barr virus in people with MS (therefore increased risk of significant symptoms, neurological sequels and PTLD events . Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder or PTLD is a serious complication of transplantation [14]. EBV does impair BBB, which is just one way to explain the severity of symptoms related to EBV activation [15].
Natalizumab causes severe anemia (requiring blood transfusions) [16]
Infections are commonly seen in people taking the drug alemtuzumab. This seem to be such a common problem, making scientists to suggest antibiotics in combination with this drug [18].
My note: antibiotics will further aggravate the gut microbiome, which is already impaired in MS, thus more symptoms, more relapses, increased severity of MS. Not a good idea.
Sarcoidosis (another autoimmune condition) linked with alemtuzumab use in MS [19].
Auto-immune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) associated with natalizumab in MS [20].
Graves (a thyroid disease) and hemophilia developed in a person with MS, both issues linked with alemtuzumab use [21]
Another case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with Natalizumab [22].
Natural supplements that could help manage MS
Cannabis helps improve spasticity, and may be a viable alternative to intrathecal Baclofen, based on a study conducted in people with MS. Other improvements were seen in pain, bladder control and sleep [9].
Boswellia serrata can protect the myelin producing cells (oligodendrocytes) against damage and toxicity caused by glutamate and quinolinic acid (an in vitro study). Both glutamate excess and quinolinic acid (a toxic metabolite of tryptophan) are linked with brain inflammation and autoimmune response [10].
The probiotics Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 (LH2171)- animal model of MS [11] .
Naringenin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, can help to modulate the immune response and inflammation in EAE animal model of MS [12] . Let’s see if clinical trials will further support these results.
