Starting with the best news: new book: “Receiving the Healing Gift in MS: My Journey from Separation to Union after a Diagnosis of MS” by Mounina Bouna Aly. A wonderful story of reversing MS and returning to true health and self discovery. The author believes that healing requires 3 steps: 1. Acceptance of whatever the life brings in 2. The need to change into a “new “person 3. Forgiving and releasing the past. This is her website.
Don’t forget to check out the “Success Stories” section of this blog. More stories of reversed MS in my monthly review of the news ” Latest research” section. Yes, reversing MS is possible.
Herbs/Natural Supplements For Managing MS Symptoms: Cannabis, Ginkgo Biloba, Primrose oil, Boswellia, Lipoic Acid, NAC, Senolytic Herbs & More.
“Herbal medicines could be effective in the treatment of MS ., by reducing the demyelination, improving remyelination and suppressing the inflammation in the central nervous system” is the conclusion of this review of scientific literature 2018 review herbs for ms. Cannabis seems to show the most benefits (and has the most randomized placebo controlled trials reviewed here), followed by ginkgo biloba, primrose oil, boswellia, panax ginseng. Other beneficial herbs: curcumin, saffron, ginger, st John Wort, black seed, green tea, herbal combination MS14; resveratrol showed mixed results.
Another 3 studies on Cannabis for MS: Sativex (THC-CBD) consistently shows improvement in mobility issues and spasticity associated with MS. It is usually used as a second line, add on therapy to baclofen or tizanidine, according to this new study.
Another study cannabis_nano showing the benefits of cannabinoids to treat inflammation and pain; it also covers different forms (oral route, inhale, transdermal, nanotechnology)
Finally, one more new study looking at the endocannabinoid system and its benefits on the myelin producing cells (oligodendrocytes). Technical:cannabinoid ligands and modulators of the endocannabinoid system have been shown to promote cell signaling in oligodendrocyte precursor survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation, and mature oligodendrocyte survival and myelination.
Lipoic acid works in secondary progressive MS (randomized, double-blind pilot study). The effects of 1200 mg daily dose of lipoic acid versus placebo on gait and balance were evaluated in this 2-year study in participants with SPMS. The results: lipoic acid has a positive effect on walking performance in people with SPMS, particularly in those with less disability.
NAC shows benefits for treating many neurological conditions, based on this review of multiple studies. For MS it showed mixed results, but scientists suggest to further explore this amino acid and its potential applications. I wrote about NAC here. Yes, I see a lot of value in NAC for MS.
Vitamin D reverses MS (animal models). This study reveals some mechanisms behind reversing MS with vitamin D (one calcitriol dose plus vitamin D). Note: calcitriol is the prescription vitamin D, a hormonally active metabolite of vitamin D. Technical: vitamin D3 increases the methionine cycle, CD4+ T cell DNA methylation and Helios+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells to reverse autoimmune neurodegenerative disease.
Licorice root helps modulate the immune system, showing benefits for MS (animal models) in this new study.
Yhhu4952. This weak cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) agonist shows promises again for treating MS (animal model of MS). It promotes the maturation of the OPC (oligodendrocyte precursor cells, which produce myelin when mature. Technical: Yhhu4952 promotes OPC differentiation through the inhibition of the Jagged1-Notch1 pathway.
Ginger; considered as a promising candidate for MS treatment, according to this new study which explains the anti inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of ginger.
Jambolan, a medicinal plant cultivated for over 2,500 years in India shows benefits against neurodegeneration, and therefore MS- in this study.
Omega 3 for managing MS- omega 3 benefits- including improving the quality of life and modulating the immune system- are explored in this thesis.
Anti -aging (senolytic) drugs and supplements to treat MS. Here is a new study– using anti aging drugs to treat MS. This makes sense as MS progression and aggravation is linked with increased age. Cell aging (senescence) increases with age and create an unhealthy environment to the healthy tissue. Cellular senescence may contribute to the formation of MS lesions (scars), failure to myelin repair, degenerated T cells, neurons and other brain cells, and generally speaking the brain inflammation and degeneration. Therefore, senolytic drugs (that target these aged cells) would have potential to treat MS. I will mention the natural products that show the ability to manage cell senescence: Piperlongumine (from long pepper), quercetin and fisetin. A quick note here: Be aware that cell senescence play an important role, but this process is not the only one involved in aging. Technical: The nine hallmarks that contribute to the aging process are: genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication.
There are other compounds with senolytic qualities, I wrote about this over a year ago. Life Extension brand has two supplements that target different pathways involved in aging: Geroprotect Ageless Cell and Geroprotect Longevity AI.
Probiotics & The Gut Microbiome
Probiotics are beneficial for autoimmune conditions- L. reuteri particularly helpful for MS Prevotella and lactobacilli appear to be less abundant in those with MS compared with healthy participants. probiotics for MSTechnical:mechanisms of action :microbial-immune system crosstalk has been linked to short chain fatty acid production and signaling, tryptophan metabolism and the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptors, nucleoside 18 signaling in the gut, and activation of the intestinal histamine-2 receptor. I wrote here about the MS microbiome.
This new study shows the impact of gut microbiome in MS. Technical : Intestinal flora imbalance may induce local immune response; next, peripheral activated immune cells and their immune factors, with the blood circulation, travel through the BBB to the center, causing abnormal central immune response. The intestinal flora also regulates the immune response of the CNS and the metabolism, and causing leaky gut and leaky brain.
Exercise & Other Natural Therapies That Work.
Physiotherapy works: A physiotherapy plan followed for 40 minutes daily, 2 days/week for 5 months shows improvement of several markers of gait, balance and spasticity in progressive MS (case study).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be very helpful, either alone or in combination with conventional therapy, suggests this study.
Exercise may help alleviate the pain associated with MS, according to this new systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
A home based exercise program (weight training plus yoga) for 8 weeks helps improve the lower limbs strength and balance, according to a randomized controlled study.
Another study conducted only in females with MS shows the benefits of exercise on balance and motor function.
Motor imagery (visualization that you exercise, rather than actually working out) could be useful to manage MS, according to this study. Note: this technique is widely used (with a lot of success) in professional athletes. Yes, I see a lot of value, especially in those cases where mobility issues interfere with an exercise program.
Photobiomodulation (low intensity light therapy) — a review of its benefits including improvements in symptoms associated with MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
FES (or Functional electrical stimulation) has positive impact on various markers of quality of life in people with MS, according to this review of multiple studies. Previous studies showed improvement in walking from using electric stimulation. Note: FES applies small electrical pulses to paralyzed muscles to restore or improve their function; this therapy is used in cases of severe mobility impairments.
More MS News
The role of brain lymphatic system in MS. Based on this study in animal models of MS, it looks that the brain lymphatics govern neuroinflammation and immune surveillance of the central nervous system. Technical: meningeal lymphatics assist in the drainage of CSF and enable immune cells to enter draining lymph nodes. The ablation of meningeal lymphatics diminishes pathology and reduces the inflammatory response of brain-reactive T cells in EAE. My note: ablation of glymphatics in an attempt to treat MS is a huge mistake in my opinion (ok to use it in EAE for research purposes, but not in humans). The lymphatic system in the brain should be improved to work properly and eliminate the toxic/waste material that accumulates in the brain, not to remove it. Scientists have done the same mistake in the past (and still do it) by removing lymphoid tissue (ie tonsils, appendix); we just realized in the last decades how important are these organs and how removing them can trigger or worsen autoimmunity. One should also look at the negative impact on removing lymph nodes in cancer therapy as well.
The link between stress and development of MS. This study evaluated over 500 participants with MS and over 1000 healthy controls over a 2 year period to look at the connection between stress and MS development. The results: They found some evidence that some stressful life events such as divorce and periods of homeless can potentially be risk factors for MS, while getting married seem to be protective factor for MS. This study did not find a link between total stressful events preceding 3 years and MS risk.
Is it MS or lupus ? This case study describes the doctors difficulty to diagnose the condition- is it really MS or a case of lupus with brain demyelination? I wrote here that MS is often misdiagnosed,check out my other posts. The best way to deal with uncertainty? Seek a second or even a third opinion.
MS risk factors- smoking. Smoking is an important risk factor for MS that overall increases the risk of the disease with approximately 50%. This review focuses on the influence of smoking on MS risk and its interaction with genetics in developing MS.
New Form of MS? First time described in this new study, it is a case of MS with loss of neurons but without loss of myelin in the white matter. This means that neurodegeneration and demyelination can occur independently, not always together- as it is currently believed. Note: I agree with this new theory. Basically this study contradicts the autoimmune theory, as the underlying cause of demyelination is the autoimmune response (inflammation); neurodegeneration is considered secondary. If there is no autoimmune attack, what is the benefit of immunosuppressive drugs would be my next question?
Genetics. This study links FOXP3 rs3761547 gene polymorphism with increased risk of MS development in males only (and not in females). This second new study found overrepresentation of the I allele of the rs1799752 in MS patients compared with healthy subjects; The same allele was associated with lack of response to IFN-β
MS Drugs and Therapies — The Good and The Bad
The Good
Stem cell therapy improves fatigue associated with MS, according to this new Canadian Study. It was autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, conducted in 23 participants. A review of different stem cell therapies in this book published on Pubmed. My note:Stem cell therapy will become first line therapy for many conditions, eventually. Right now I see a lot ( I mean a lot! )more risks than benefits to use it. Big safety issues-people die and develop cancer from this therapy.
The Bad: Adverse Reactions From Drugs
The link between hepatitis B vaccine and MS development still debated. My note: hepatitis B vaccine does have the potential to trigger MS.
Natalizumab aggravates psoriasis in a person with MS (a case study),while another study praises its efficacy What can you do when you get mixed studies? Check out what real people who use this drug say about it (including side effects) here.
A rare, potentially lethal condition called Nicolau syndrome from using Glatiramer acetate injections (case report)
Psoriasis like lesions related to Ocrelizumab use (case study).My note: A lot of issue from taking this drug that has been approved for MS just two years ago.More details here.
Encephalitis (with herpes virus HSV 1) related to using dimethyl fumarate (case study)
Serum sickness (Like Reaction) related to using alemtuzumab (case study)
Anti TNF drugs causes demyelination: So far 122 cases of brain demyelination linked with anti TNF drugs (i.e etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab and certolizumab.) . This month another case (on etanercept)
Many MS drugs cause liver toxicity. On the list in this study: fampridine, alemtuzumab, beta interferon, mitoxantrone and dimethyl fumarate.
A case report of a person with MS who went into coma secondary to TTP-HUS. (TTP=Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; HUS= and hemolytic uremic syndrome. She was using interferon beta. Both Interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b had been previously linked with TTP-HUS.
