Natural Support Halts Progression of MS

Conventional medicine generally looks at multiple sclerosis (MS) as an incurable disease typically marked by sporadic flare-ups and remissions. In contrast, naturopathic physicians generally do not view MS as incurable, and some have had great success in treating this unpredictable disease of the central nervous system to keep symptoms at bay. According to Thomas A. Kruzel, ND, a naturopathic physician in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, and past president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, people who closely follow dietary, homeopathic and other naturopathic recommendations have the best odds of becoming and remaining symptom free.

MS -- A PRIMER

MS is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the nervous system, resulting in inflammation and damage to healthy myelin sheath tissue that insulates nerve cells. Inflammation and demyelination of nerve cells disrupt the normal transmission of neural signals, which can lead to symptoms that include...

• Numbness
• A sensation of pins and needles
• Muscle weakness and spasms
• Tremors
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Paralysis
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurred or double vision
• Blindness
• Diminished bowel or bladder function
• Difficulties with memory and/or cognitive function

Typically the disease begins in adults between the ages of 20 and 40, with symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating. In people with a vulnerability toward MS, the disease can be precipitated by a physical or psychological trauma -- for example, a death or divorce, a virus or the body succumbing to some kind of long-term stress, illness, exposure to environmental toxins, poor diet, etc.

Conventional medications for MS, such as beta interferon and steroids, are used to attempt to control recurrence and severity of the symptoms and have serious side effects and varied success. In contrast, NDs use a mixture of less invasive modalities -- from diet and nutrition to homeopathy to counseling and more -- to address MS. Here are some of the options that have been most successful for Dr. Kruzel's patients...

THE SWANK LOW-FAT DIET

Most modern-day chronic, degenerative diseases are related to or worsened by a poor diet, and MS is no exception, observes Dr. Kruzel. He believes that it's no coincidence that the incidence of MS -- along with the incidence of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and arthritis -- rose as Americans increasingly adopted a pro-inflammatory diet high in saturated fat. There is also evidence suggesting that the more red meat a society consumes, the higher the incidence of MS.

Named for its creator, Roy Swank, MD, PhD, the Swank Low-Fat Diet is a strict, low-saturated fat program that has been demonstrated to ease the symptoms of MS, and possibly even cause the disease to go into remission. Interestingly, Dr. Swank seemed to pick up the good fats/bad fats issue earlier than most. While he recommends limiting the saturated fat in your diet, he also advises a teaspoon of fish oil daily. On the diet you can eat more white fish and a specific amount of fatty fish such as wild salmon, tuna, and sardines, which count toward your daily allowance of oil. Fatty fish are also a good source of healthful essential fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is also rich in EFAs.

People who follow the Swank Low-Fat Diet can expect to start feeling better within four to six weeks, says Dr. Kruzel. The longer they follow it and the more strictly they adhere to it, the more they will improve. The basic elements of the Swank Low-Fat Diet are...

• No red meat for the first year, and only 3 ounces per week after that.
• No more than 15 grams of saturated fat daily.
• No more than 50 grams of unsaturated fat per day.
• No processed foods that contain saturated fat.
• Any dairy product must have 1% or less butterfat.
• Take 1 teaspoon (or equivalent in capsule form) of cod liver oil daily, as well as a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement.

HOMEOPATHY

Dr. Kruzel views homeopathy -- a treatment that stimulates the body's healing responses -- as a cornerstone of his MS treatment approach. He points out that certain personality types with a predisposition to developing MS tend to develop it -- most often serious or sensitive people who hold in their emotions and are reluctant to express them, possibly increasing stress. This makes homeopathy an especially appropriate treatment, since these remedies are intended to fit not only a person's symptoms, but also his/her personality, temperament and lifestyle. An ND is apt to prescribe homeopathic remedies such as Natrum muriaticum, phosphorus or sepia. It is important to work with a professional trained in homeopathy to ensure that you use the best remedy for your symptoms and persona.

BEE VENOM THERAPY

It may sound unorthodox, but Dr. Kruzel has seen many MS patients benefit from diluted bee venom injections, or apitherapy. Bee venom contains a variety of compounds -- such as anti-inflammatory mellitin and anti-inflammatory and pain-blocking adolapin -- that work together to invoke the body's own natural immune reaction. Dr. Kruzel generally administers 20 sessions of bee venom therapy, one week apart. Unfortunately, the injections are painful, and some people cannot tolerate them. If they can, however, there is usually an improvement in symptoms.

Caution: Because a small percentage of the population is allergic to bee venom, this therapy should be closely supervised by your ND, and there should be a bee sting kit available to treat any allergic reactions.

COUNSELING

Given the correlation between autoimmune illnesses and stress, Dr. Kruzel, says he sees a huge mental and emotional component to MS. In his first lengthy consultation with each MS patient, he discusses not only physical symptoms but also core psychological issues and memories that may be an underlying cause of stress, thus aggravating the disease. Dr. Kruzel has found that once a person deals with these important emotional issues they begin to feel better. Once the emotional issues are dealt with, symptoms may abate. The tendency toward developing MS may or may not always be there, and if the mental/emotional symptoms are not dealt with, or return, the MS may come back. That is why counseling in addition to homeopathic treatment is essential.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress -- whether due to a sudden shock such as an illness or loss, or long-term slogging through an unhappy marriage or legal battle -- is suspected to be a major contributing factor to the worsening of MS symptoms. To cope effectively with stress, Dr. Kruzel recommends modalities such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing. Reframing and changing one's perception of stressful events can likewise be helpful.

EXERCISE

Exercise and physical therapy can keep neurological pathways functioning properly, says Dr. Kruzel. He adds that many people with MS unwisely give up on exercise. This is a big mistake, which can lead to further muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. When you work out, just be careful about heat, which can aggravate symptoms. Although there are people with MS who run marathons, most prefer less intense (and less heat-producing) forms of exercise such as swimming or yoga. Reason: Becoming overheated aggravates symptoms of MS, so exercises that generate lower amounts of body heat are tolerated better.

NATURAL WAYS TO TREAT MS

While no two people with MS are alike and different individuals have different needs, certain supplements can benefit most people with this disease...

Essential fatty acids. People with MS may be typically short on essential fatty acids, which are necessary for brain and nervous system health. Cod liver oil and other fish oils are good sources of essential fatty acids.

Antioxidants. People with MS are apt to have higher levels of molecules called free radicals, which contribute to inflammation and demyelination. To control them, Dr. Kruzel recommends antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid and vitamins C and E.

Other possible supplements: B vitamins (to support brain and nervous system function), vitamin D (to give the immune system a boost) and magnesium (to relieve stiffness and cramping).

HYDROTHERAPY

The alternate use of brief hot and longer cold applications -- a short, hot bath followed by a long cool shower, alternating hot and cold compresses, etc. -- is beneficial in a number of ways. According to Dr. Kruzel, this type of hydrotherapy increases circulation... delivers more oxygen to the blood... increases the white blood cell count... and promotes tissue rebuilding. Hydrotherapy treatments need to be directly supervised by a caregiver and the benefits and risks should be reviewed by a physician in each individual case.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND COMMITMENT ARE ESSENTIAL

Although there are many elements involved in addressing MS, working through mental and emotional issues is the key to getting symptoms under control, says Dr. Kruzel. He finds that the people who are most successful have a commitment to getting well, follow naturopathic recommendations closely, live a "squeaky clean" life (no alcohol or smoking, little saturated fat or processed foods, regular exercise, etc.), and maintain a positive attitude. It's a lot of hard work, but it's worth it to stave off the debilitation that can accompany MS.

To locate a naturopathic physician in your area, visit the Web site of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at <www.naturopathic.org>.To learn more about MS, visit Web sites such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke <www.ninds.nih.gov>, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation <www.msfocus.org>, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society <www.nationalmssociety.org> and the Swank MS Foundation (www.swankmsdiet.org)

Be well, Carole Jackson Bottom Line's Daily Health News