MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

REQUIREMENTS FOR REMISSION

REBUILDING MYELIN and NERVES

Rebuilding myelin or nerves cells requires large amounts of essential fatty acids (EFA). Many patients with MS have a below normal ability to absorb and utilize EFA to rebuild myelin so even if they eat a normal diet they may still be "functionally deficient." With this in mind, some of the treatments discussed aim at supplementing the Essential Fatty Acid in the body.

SIGNIFICANT REMISSION REQUIRES REPAIR OF MYELIN

In order for this repair to take place, a number of factors must be present:

BUILDING BLOCKS for REPAIR

Repairing Muscles, Myelin and Nerves, and building hormones and enzymes, requires Protein and large amounts of Essential Fatty Acids.

PROTEIN: Muscles require protein and nitrogen. Many chronically ill and/or elderly people do not have enough nitrogen in their body. This causes loss of muscle and an overall "wasting." Lack of exercise and loss of mobility can make this worse. Age and disease often decrease the body's ability to absorb and use protein.

A protein is really a long chain of amino acids linked together. Some proteins are hundreds of amino acids long. Small proteins and single amino acids are more easily absorbed from the intestine. The protein supplement discussed in the Alternative Therapies Section (NitroPlex) is already broken down so that 94% is 3 amino acids in length or less. Small proteins are not broken down in the liver nearly as much as larger proteins, so there is less strain placed on the liver (and kidney as well.)

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA): Myelin and neurons require Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) in high concentrations for growth and maintenance. There are two groups of EFA: Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids may cause damage to nerves. Some individuals with MS have below normal ability to absorb Omega-3 EFA from the intestine. They can be deficient even if they are eating the recommended amounts. It is proven that many patients with MS have low Omega-3 levels in the spinal fluid.

Dietary supplementation of these essential fatty acids (EFA) is felt to be beneficial. Linoleic acid or Flaxseed oil, and Fish Oil are recommended by many authors.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS

Essential Fatty Acids are critical for the normal inflammatory process. Many inflammatory conditions, arthritis for example, are successfully treated with EFA.

ANTI-PLATELET ACTIVITY

The blood-brain barrier was discussed above. Damage to the blood-brain barrier can result from platelets that are too "sticky" and clump together to form clots. Essential fatty acids are known to lessen his "stickiness" and lessen the tendency of the blood to clot. This is one of the reasons they are recommended for people with heart problems.

Protecting the blood/brain barrier from damage from these small clots may allow it to repair itself. If the blood brain barrier works more normally it may prevent toxic chemicals from entering the brain.

IMMUNE FUNCTION

Normal immune system function requires essential fatty acids. Supplementation to normal or higher than normal levels may have significantly beneficial effects.

Human Growth Hormone may also important in maintaining a normal immune system. Restoration of normal immune function is theoretically beneficial in MS patients.

Circulating Immune Complexes are proteins (antigen plus antibody) found in the blood of patients with MS and exacerbations of MS are frequently associated with increased levels of these complexes. One recommended treatment for lowering the level of these complexes involves the use of digestive proteins as a dietary supplement.

NitroPlex contains digestive enzymes for protein, fats and carbohydrate. Therefore, reduction of Circulating Immune Complexes is one of the benefits MS patients may derive. In additional, enzymatic fat breakdown may be helpful in some of the essential fatty acid deficiencies commonly seen in MS patients.