Multiple Sclerosis
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: November 19, 1998

Would you know of any type of treatment for person’s with M.S.? My wife just started taking primrose oil. She does see her neurologist and she is currently on copaxone shots. I was just wondering if there was any other type of herbal treatments.

Multiple Sclerosis is the breakdown of the protective myelin sheaths around the brain and spinal cord. Although there are other theories for causes of MS, Dr. Roy Swank has had impressive results in treatment with his low saturated fat diet described his "The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book". Recent studies have shown that over 80% of MS cases following this diet have shown improvement.

Allergies may play a part, and can be tested by eliminating the common allergens from the diet for a period of 2 weeks to test for improvement. Common allergens are dairy products, wheat, eggs and yeast. Removal of mercury dental fillings has improved some MS cases.

Supplements of vitamin B 12 and folic acid improve nerve function, Evening Primrose oil provides essential fatty acids, antioxidant such as vitamins C and E improve immune functioning and digestive enzymes improve the absorption of nutrients. All have all shown to be effective.

James Duke, in "The Green Pharmacy" ( St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010) states that pineapple contains enzymes that are anti-inflammatory and reduce the high number of circulating immune complexes present in auto-immune diseases, including MS. These immune complexes activate the immune system to attack the body, leading to tissue damage. He recommends blueberries for a compound they contain that is anti-inflammatory and helps prevent the breakdown of myelin sheaths. Duke also relates an MS case where 375 milligrams of magnesium a day as the only supplement worked to show improvement. Purslane and spinach are high in magnesium. A heaped serving of steamed or 8 ounces of fresh greens will provide 375 milligrams.

Often a change in lifestyle is the key to improvement. Many improved MS sufferers state that their return to health began when they had a good look at their lives, their jobs, the stresses in their lives, and started meditating twice a day, doing yoga or Tai Chi or taking daily long walks in natural surroundings.

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