Is multiple sclerosis genetic? by Connie b. Dellobuono
Answer by Connie b. Dellobuono:
No. The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. It's considered an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS, this immune system malfunction destroys myelin (the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.
1. Immune system (can be related to microbiome of our guts – we need good bacteria)
2. Myelin sheath that connects our neurons (can be caused by toxic metals/substances)
Dr Mercola wrote:
How to Treat Multiple Sclerosis Without Dangerous Drugs
Many of the recommended strategies for MS are identical to the general-health principles I've been teaching for years, but a few stand out as being specifically applicable to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as MS.
•Optimize your vitamin D levels – This is an essential step, and while the optimal level for general health lies between 50-70 ng/ml, when treating diseases such as cancer, heart disease, or autoimmune diseases, your level should ideally be somewhere between 70-100 ng/ml. The preferred method to raise (and maintain) your vitamin D levels is by regularly exposing large amounts of your skin to sunshine, or by using a safe tanning bed. If neither is available, you can use an oral supplement of vitamin D3.
Keep in mind that the daily recommended allowance (RDA) is woefully inadequate! Depending on your situation, you may need anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000 IU's a day… As a general guideline, vitamin D experts recommend taking 35 IU's per pound per day. However, you must get your vitamin D level tested prior to starting, and regularly thereafter, to evaluate the success of the dose you're taking. This is the only way to determine the ideal dosage, as it's highly individual and dependent on a variety of factors.
•Optimize your essential fat intake – Secondly, you need to make sure you're getting a good supply of animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil. You also need to avoid damaged, processed fats found in most all processed foods. Especially damaging are the omega-6 fats found in soy-, canola-, and corn oil. These are usually highly oxidized and also contain trans fats and cyclic fats that imbed themselves into your cell membranes, distorting the cellular functions.
•Eliminate sugar, particularly fructose – Another crucial element is to eliminate as much sugar and fructose as possible from your diet. Cutting out processed foods and sweetened beverages will go a long way to reduce excess fructose, in addition to eliminating the majority of damaging fats in your diet. You simply must keep your daily total fructose intake below 25 grams.
If you haven't yet grasped the toxic nature and profound health dangers of fructose, now's the time to get with it. Sugar can contribute to the development of a number of autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis. It also increases uric acid levels, which leads to chronic, low-level inflammation, which has far-reaching consequences for your health.
•Eliminate pasteurized milk and dairy—This is another critical element. Studies have shown that cow's milk consumption is correlated with MS prevalence (Neuroepidemiology 1992;11:304-12, and Neuroepidemiology 1993;12:15-27).
• Avoid aspartame or commercial fruit juices. Aspartame rapidly metabolizes to methanol a potent neurotoxin. Additionally fruits and vegetables are also loaded with methanol but when they are consumed fresh it is bound to pectin and your body does not have the enzymes to break it down. However when fruits and vegetables are processed and put into glass jars or cans the methanol dissociates and can be liberated in high quantities.
•Eat plenty of raw food – This is an important principle for optimal health that I normally recommend for everyone. However, I've found that for people with severe autoimmune disease, it's even more important. Some of the most dramatic improvements we've seen in patients using nutritional changes have come about as the result of eating their food raw instead of cooked. That includes free-range organic eggs and high-quality, organic meats as well.