JULY 2019 MS NEWS- The “Trivedi Effect”. The Benefits of Vitamin D, Cannabis, Chinese Medicine Herbs, Helminths And Exercise For MS

 

Featured News 

• A different approach to healing MS- backed by science. The “Trivedi Effect”-has been documented in over 400 scientific publications in major international peer-reviewed journals.  Adding the “Trivedi Effects” to vitamin D therapy appears to create a better form of vitamin D (better absorption and bioavailability), and therefore be more beneficial to manage MS, diabetes, heart diseases and other conditions, according to this new study. 

• A Chinese medicine formula helps manage MS. A new randomized controlled trial Spatholobus for MS shows that a traditional Chinese medicine formula spatholobus preparation is highly effective to manage MS- with significant improvements in clinical symptoms and signs, helping restore nerve function, and also promoting positive changes in test results (evoked potentials, cerebrospinal fluid, and oligoclonal bands and examinations). This formula also reduced the number of recurrences. Spatholobus preparation contains several ingredients (ginseng, velvet, turtle shell, dodder, sage, scorpion, scorpion, spatholobus) and the dosage used in this study: 8 capsules daily for one 1 month as a course of treatment. The therapeutic effect was observed after 3 courses of treatment.

• How often do people with MS use alternative medicine? According to this new survey conducted in Saudi Arabia populations, 83.5% used the least one method in the last 6 months. The most commonly used were vitamins, followed by cupping/Hejama, special prayers, meditation, special diet, bee venom and going to a religious scholar. Other methods: yoga, acupuncture, sound therapy, and reflexology.A second new study focused on Iranian populations reveals that 99.3% of the people with MS interviewed had used at least one type of alternative medicine. Herbal medicines and dietary supplements were the most commonly used therapies and also praying. 

Exercise, Electrostimulation, Meditation and Other Therapies 

• An educational/exercise program for individuals at risk for falls and safe mobility was found beneficial to improve the ability to carry out day to day and also reduced participation restrictions. This study was a randomized controlled trial and the participants were diagnosed with either MS, Parkinson’s disease or stroke.

• Which one is a better exercise protocol for individuals with MS: resistance training or balance and motor control training? According to this new randomized controlled study, both protocols help reduce fatigue, where balance and motor training was beneficial to improve gait performance.  

• Regular physical activity at all stages of multiple sclerosis is very important, as it correlates with better physical and neuromuscular function, suggests this new study.

• A combination of aquatic exercise and massage help boost regenerative growth factors and reduce some inflammatory markers associated with MS, is the conclusion of this new study. Researchers suggest this therapy can be used to improve strength and balance.

• Low-intensity light therapy (photobiomodulation) has the potential to improve symptoms of MS, suggests this new study (animal models of MS).

• The new study (randomized controlled trial) suggests a potential benefit of Neuromuscular Electrostimulation and exercise in improving swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) associated with MS. 

• Helminthic therapy -using helminths (worms) to treat autoimmune diseases back in the news. This new study supports the use of this therapy to reduce brain inflammation associated with MS and other autoimmune conditions.  Seams to work by altering the gut microbiome and gut inflammation. A second research paper also explores the effects of helminths- specifically the helminth Fasciola hepatica to prevent the development of MS, based on lab tests.

• This new pilot study shows that brief mindfulness meditation training may improve memory- processing speed in people with MS. 

Vitamins and Minerals To Manage MS

• Vitamin B2. The benefits of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) for brain health are reviewed in this new study. Vitamin B2 deficiency has a significant impact on iron absorption, mitochondrial dysfunction, digestive, and brain dysfunction, which are all seen more often in MS.

• Vitamin K2. The role of vitamin K for brain health- including MS, bone health, diabetes, kidney diseases, and some cancers are reviewed in this new study. Re: MS- vitamin K2 modulates the inflammation, vitamin K2 deficiency is seen more often in MS and correlates with the number of relapses and blurred vision.  

• Vitamin D. A few studies. High doses of vitamin D (like Coimbra protocol) should be further evaluated, as clinical trials have shown that vitamin D can prevent, manage and even reverse MS. On the other hand, this new study (animal models of MS), suggests that vitamin D supplementation is beneficial in moderate amounts, while high doses of vitamin D therapy can trigger disease activity. Another new study supports the fortification of foods with vitamin D to improve vitamin D levels. The protective role of vitamin D for MS is explored in this new study, which also reviews risk factors for MS (genetic and environmental like Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus type 6, human endogenous retrovirus infections, and latitude).

• The link between micronutrient imbalances and brain degeneration is explored in this new study.The researchers found that: zinc deficiency and high levels of copper, manganese, and iron promote brain inflammation and neurodegeneration. (technical: by activating nuclear factor kappa B and induce inflammatory and oxidative stress. Furthermore, zinc deficiency creates immune system imbalances in MS (Th1/Th2 cells imbalance and a failure of Th17 downregulation).

Herbs and Other Natural Supplements For MS

• Cannabis. Three new studies. A THC-CBD combination helps ameliorate brain inflammation in animal models of MS, suggests this new study (mechanism: neuroinflammation suppressed through regulation of miRNA-mediated signaling pathways). Cannabis-based prescription drug Sativex was found effective (again) to manage spasticity associated with MS, and adding physiotherapy further improves the effects of Sativex, according to this new study. Is cannabis effective in reducing muscle spasticity and body pain amongst people with MS? This new study is a review of 3 randomized control trials, two of them showing significant benefits. 

• Nervonic acid A fish oil formula could benefit individuals with MS suggests this new study.  This fish oil formula is rich in nervonic acid, a fatty acid that supports myelin production. 

• Cordycepin, a compound isolated from medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris shows potential to repair myelin and functional recovery in this new study (animal models of MS)

•  6‐Gingerol, a key active ingredient in the ginger root has significant potential as an anti‐inflammatory agent for treating MS and other autoimmune diseases, suggests this new study conducted in animal models of MS. (technical: 6-GIN works via direct modulatory effects on dendritic cells).

• Chrysin, a compound found in high amount in propolis and honey, was found to reduce weight loss, and improve clinical signs and inflammatory markers associated with MS, according to this new study (animal models of MS).

• β-Caryophyllene, a dietary cannabinoid found in plants like basil, copaiba, cannabis, and clove promote myelin repair, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects according to this new study (animal models of MS).

Diet and Gut Health 

• Diet is important to manage MS and other autoimmune conditions, according to this new study.  Nutrients can prevent inflammation and autoimmunity (technical: by restricting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines ie IFN-γ and by promoting regulatory T-cell function).

• A healthy diet during adolescence may be protective of developing MS, suggests this new study. Higher dietary consumption of fresh fish, canned tuna, poultry, cheese, yogurt, butter, fruit, vegetables and a number of supplements (during adolescence) were linked with a significantly reduced risk of MS.

• A new study explores the connection between leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability) and MS. Researchers found that certain markers of intestinal permeability correlate with disease progression and brain inflammation.

More News 

• Personality traits and MS-related memory issues. This new study suggests personality traits are linked with a form of memory called prospective memory (Prospective memory is defined as the ability to remember to carry out intended actions in the future, and a deficit of this type of memory correlates with MS). Low levels of openness and extroversion traits are linked with a greater risk of prospective memory deficit. Note: both openness and extraversion can be improved with behavior therapy. 

• Recurrent migraines (not the typical symptoms) can be the first symptom of MS in the pediatric population, suggests this new case study. 

• New Therapeutics in MS — this is a new review of novel therapies from antigen-specific approaches to regenerative therapies, monoclonal antibodies, neuroprotectants, and gut microbiome modifications.

Environmental toxins and MS

• Fungal toxins (mycotoxins) as a trigger and aggravating factor for MS are described in this new study (animal models of MS).

• The negative impact of plastics, some pesticides, surfactants, flame-retardants on hormone imbalances is covered in this new study. These thyroid disruptors had been linked with MS, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and ADHD.

Genetics

• This new study provides a brief review of the genetic risk of MS, and associated gene variations, and how Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is likely to contribute to MS risk by way of the MS risk genes 

• This new study suggests the contribution of an SNP within Ninjurin 2 in the development of MS.