An Integrative Functional Medicine Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

 

Multiple sclerosis, sometimes known as MS, affects around 2.5 million people worldwide. It is more common in women than in males, and it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. While MS affects a large number of individuals, it is divided into four types: relapsing-remitting, secondary-progressive, primary-progressive, and progressive-relapsing. About 85% of people with MS are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, the mildest type of the disease, which is marked by symptom flare-ups, or "relapses." Other types of MS are marked by gradually deteriorating symptoms, with or without flare-ups.

What exactly is multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. The health system incorrectly assaults myelin, the protective layer that surrounds nerves, slowing down the body's communication system. Nerves are a vital communication network that connects your brain to the rest of your body. When the timeliness of critical communications slows down, the body is unable to respond in a timely manner. Your body begins to lose control over muscular function, eyesight, balance, and the capacity to perceive diverse sensations once the myelin wrapping your nerves is destroyed.

What is the procedure for diagnosing it?

Physical Examination

To check for diminished nerve function, a comprehensive neurological and ocular exam should be conducted first.

Scan using an MRI

The most sensitive and non-invasive approach for detecting damaged myelin in the brain is an MRI.

Tests of Evoked Potential

Electrodes are put on the brain and different body areas to assess chemical reactions during this painless operation. These reactions are collected and utilized to figure out where nerve transmission is slow.

Spinal Tap is a video game that is based on

Abnormal oligoclonal bands and IgG index exist in roughly 90% of MS patients, therefore this test may assist confirm MS and rule out other disorders that may be mistaken for MS.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

• The initial indication of Optic Neuritis is generally eye discomfort or impaired vision.
• The most frequent symptoms are numbness and tingling in the face and extremities.
• Muscle spasms or discomfort
• Muscle twitching, especially in the legs
• Fatigue that isn't explained
• Dizziness and dizzy spells
• Problems with the bowels and bladder
• Decreased cognition, sadness, and brain fog

MS therapy as it is now

Traditional medicine focuses solely on treating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause of the ailment. Instead of treating the underlying source of symptoms, most MS drugs on the market are meant to delay the course of the illness and reduce the frequency of relapses.

1. Medicines

Beta-Interferon

Although the certain mechanism of action of this medicine is uncertain, it is thought that interferon might block the blood-brain barrier, preventing T cells from attacking myelin and nerve terminals in the incorrect way. Flu-like symptoms, allergic responses, depression, anemia, cardiac difficulties, and liver damage are all possible side effects of interferon.

Copaxone

Copaxone has a similar structure to myelin proteins and, in principle, protects myelin against autoimmune cells that cause damage. This drug's effects are generally less striking than interferon's, but the only adverse effects are chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and flushing.

MS's underlying causes

1. Gluten

Gluten is a major issue for most people these days since it has been hybridized, changed, and is now found in almost everything! Worst of all, it may mess with your stomach and lead to a leaky gut. Gluten may enter your circulation through a leaky stomach and confound your health system. When the proteins in your diet seem similar to the proteins that make up myelin, your health system may become confused and attack the myelin that coats your neurons. This is known as molecular mimicry, and it may happen while eating inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy.

2. Gut leakage

The stomach must be permeable to extremely tiny molecules in order to absorb nutrition. Gluten, infections, drugs, and stress may all harm the gut, allowing toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, among other things. Infections, poisons, and nutrients like gluten enter the body through a leaky gut, causing systemic inflammation that leads to autoimmunity. Before you may aid yourself, you must first recover your gut. Vitamin D, critical fatty acids, B vitamins, and zinc are just a few of the vitamins and minerals that might be affected by a leaky gut.

3. Mercury

Mercury is a heavy metal that has the ability to change or harm the cells of numerous physiological tissues. When cells are injured, the health system may mistake them for foreign intruders and attack the body's own organs. According to studies, those who are exposed to more mercury have a higher chance of developing autoimmune thyroid disease.

4. Mycotoxins

I've learned that many of my autoimmune disease patients are really living or working in dangerous mold-infested settings. Toxic molds create mycotoxins, which are volatile organic compounds (VOC) that may be harmful to those who are genetically predisposed.

5. Infections

For years, scientists have thought that bacterial, viral, and other toxin infections were to blame for the development of diseases like multiple sclerosis. While scientists haven't been able to pinpoint a single cause, they have discovered strong links between a variety of bacteria and viruses. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Clostridium perfringens are typical bacteria strains reported in MS patients. Toxins emitted by C. elegans are similar to those released by C. elegans. The viruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus (HHV-1) appear to have a role in inciting the start of MS, as do Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus (HSV).

Multiple Sclerosis: An Integrative Functional Medicine Approach

1. Eliminate gluten from your diet.

Gluten is just an inflammatory food, and I urge that all of my patients exclude it from their diets. I strongly advise my patients with autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, to exclude all grains and legumes from their diet. These foods include lectins, which work as a natural pesticide for crops while also wreaking havoc on your gut lining. The first step toward recovery is to alter your diet. I designed The Myers Way® Comprehensive Elimination Diet eCourse, which you may do at home, and it's the foundation I utilize with my patients to get them started on the road to recovery.

2. Restore your gut

As I have stated, repairing the stomach is critical to overall health. As a result, I designed The Myers Way® Guide to the Gut eCourse to walk you through the exact same processes I use to manage my patients' stomachs. I've also written a number of articles about my 4R approach to gut aiding and gut-healing vitamins.

3. Heavy metals must be tested.

Heavy metals are found in a variety of places, including amalgam fillings, seafood eating, and the environment. To establish if mercury or other heavy metals are a concern for you, I recommend getting your MTHFR genes evaluated and taking a DMPS chelation challenge test through an integrative functional medicine practitioner. If you have an autoimmune condition, read my detoxification article to understand how to minimize your exposure to environmental contaminants.

4. Mycotoxins should be checked.

Mycotoxins are not tested for in standard environmental mold testing. Mycotoxins appear to cause havoc with the stomach and health system. To determine the level of mycotoxins in a person's system, I utilize a urine test from Real Time Labs. Then, utilizing glutathione, antifungal medicine, and Cholestyramine, I follow Dr. Shoemaker's program. If you believe you have a mold problem, Surviving Mold is an excellent resource.

5. Infections must be identified and managed.

Have your doctor check for HSV and EBV infections. Both HSV and EBV may be managed with monolaurin, which may be found in coconut oil. HSV infections may be managed with lysine and a lysine-rich diet. You may also request a M test from your doctor. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae pneumoniae, and C. pneumoniae perfringens. Antibiotics may be required to completely eliminate the illness from your body.

6. Boost your health system.

Health modulators, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fish oils, and glutathione, may assist strengthen your health system. Vitamin D has been demonstrated to aid in health system regulation. Omega 3 fish oils aid in the reduction of inflammation throughout the body. Glutathione is the body's most potent antioxidant, and it may aid in inflammation reduction and detoxification.

If you want more support, locate an integrative functional medicine doctor in your region who may aid you in identifying the source of your sickness and reversing it. It is possible.

The article "An Integrative Functional Medicine Approach to Multiple Sclerosis" was first seen on Amy Myers MD

If you are looking to achieve health goals with a personalized medicine approach, then you may consider using integrative functional medicine. Visit your nearest clinic such as the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre located at the heart of the Yorkville area. Contact the clinic at (416) 968-6961.