Is MS damage the result of inflammation? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

JohnR41 · 12-06-2008, 10:25 AM

I just bought a used paperback book about MS. I bought it as part of my ongoing research into the causes of various diseases. Books on Alzheimer's, Cancer and heart trouble all seem to point to "inflammation" as a cause. About one page into this book on MS the author stated: Damage to the myelin sheath is the result of inflammation (not an exact quote).

Do you believe that inflamation is the cause? If so, there must be an anti-inflammation diet that will prevent MS and possibly help to treat it, for those who already have it.

I haven't read beyond the first chapter yet and would just like your opinion. Do you have MS? Have you tried going on a special diet to prevent further damage by inflammation?

Thanks

MSNik · 12-06-2008, 02:41 PM

Hi john. I have MS- Ive been dx for almost 3 years now and on Rebif. MS is not the result of inflammation; however the two are closely related. Inflamation can cause pressure on the nerves, causing more symtoms of MS.

MS is caused by attacks on the Myelin Sheath, which you did state; however those attacks, cause scarring (lesions) which cause the issues/problems/ symtoms that we deal with. When the attack is not severe enough to completely damage the Myelin (the protective coating of the nerve) sometimes, the nerve can regenerate, causing 100% recovery; sometimes only partial recovery, sometimes the damage is so intense that recovery of that nerve isnt possible and the damage is permenant.

I have permanent damage from an attack in my brain, which cost me the loss of the feeling of my left fingers and hand. This was my first attack, my reason for going to the hospital and learning that I had MS- and for 3 years have not had any feeling beyond intense pain and burning in my left hand and fingers...

Anti-inflamatory diets HELP, as do anti-inflamatory type supplements (Tumeric is a good one as is fish oil)...however, do not confuse this with an antiinflamatory drug such as Ibuprofin. Drugs do not help nerves, however eating sensibly and avoiding things like tomatoes and tomato sauce (both very much inflmatory) can help to reduce the nerve inflamation. Unfortuantely, taking ibuprofin wont help....I know this is confusing and we area all learning more and more thru trial and error but I hope it makes some sense to you.

Nikkki

JohnR41 · 12-08-2008, 11:31 AM

Hi Nikkki,

Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about the bad effects you're experiencing with MS.

When it comes to diseases, understanding the cause never seems to be clear cut or simple. I read a few more chapters in my book which was puplished in 1995 so, being that old, it might not have the best (up-to-date) information. From what you have said it seems like inflammation is a factor but the question is: Why does it concentrate on nerve damage in the first place rather than something else?

I'm glad to hear that anti-inflammitory diets help. I'm on an anti-inflamatory regimen but for different reasons. My purpose is to try to avoid getting cancer and/or Alzheimer's disease which runs in my family. A good book that was a big influence on me and got me started on my new regimen was: "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell PhD.. This author sees a connection with diet/lifestyle to many diseases, based on a long term population study in China. It starts out being mostly about cancer but as he goes along, he touches on many diseases including MS.

Basically, he claims that it takes a good (well designed) population study to get to the bottom of what causes various diseases. Most small studies that researchers engage in he refers to as "reductionism". He claims that's the reason they keep going around in circles, wasting lots of research money.

Besides the long term (20 year) population study that he conducted, there are other good long term population studies that come to similar conclusions. Another great long term (20 year) population study was written up in the book, "The Okinawa Program" (written by two doctors whose names escape me at the moment).

The bottom line is this: Populations with different diets/lifestyles suffer much less disease like diabetes, cancer, heart trouble and autoimmune diseases than we do in the U.S.. Although, many are now catching up to us as they Westernize their diets/lifestyles.

Just thought I would share this with you and others as it may be of some help. You never know.

Bearygood · 12-08-2008, 04:31 PM

John, inflammation is very definitely part of MS damage. You can read more about it here: [url]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000737.htm[/url]

If you search for the word "autoimmune" on this board you'll get some other good information.

JohnR41 · 12-09-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearygood

John, inflammation is very definitely part of MS damage. You can read more about it here: [url]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000737.htm[/url]

If you search for the word "autoimmune" on this board you'll get some other good information.

Thanks, Bearygood, I did read more from the link you provided and one thing caught my eye: "MS is more likely to occur in northern Europe and the northern U.S....." This was mentioned in "The China Study" and the author thinks the reason is because people up north get less sun exposure on their skin and thus have less vitamin D in their system.

Also, if I remember correctly, he thinks that vitamin D from sun exposure is better than supplements. Possibly because it's a different form of vitamin D. I really should read it again to refresh my memory.