Exploring Natural Treatment For MS

By Jerri Perry


Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by lesions more familiarly known as plaques. Symptoms initially include weakness, numbness and tingling and visual disturbances. As the disease progresses, urinary difficulties may be present. Pharmaceutical preparations can retard the disease. Symptoms may also be controlled by natural treatment for MS.

Multiple Sclerosis is one of a group of diseases called autoimmune disorders. In this case, cells of the immune system known as T-cells are believed to attack the myelin sheaths that line nerve cells to facilitate nerve conduction. The incidence and prevalence of the condition vary with geological region; cases tend to cluster with increasing distance from the equator.

Once believed to affect only the white matter of the brain, it has become clear that the grey matter of the brain is also involved. This would explain such diffuse symptoms as cognitive dysfunction. Epidemiologists are trying to figure out what is so special about the regions where the disease is prevalent. It has been noted that people who are born in a region with low levels of MS migrate to a region where levels are high, they take on the phenotype of their new habitat.

George Jelinek, a professor of Emergency Medicine in Australia, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 45. He keeps his condition under control using a few simple lifestyle rules and runs a 5-day retreat at the Gawler Foundation in Australia for patients with multiple sclerosis. He also runs retreats in New Zealand.

Jelinek's five rules are simple: Absolutely no trans fats (except those found naturally in vegetables), meditate every day, exercise regularly, take high levels of vitamin D and take conventional medicine if necessary. Professor Jelinek supplements his regime with glatiramer, a member of the immunomodulatory class of drugs.

Ann Romney, wife of former Republican presidential nominee in 2012, Mitt Romney, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998 after experiencing a symptom widely known as "brain fog." She claims that her passion for riding horses helps to keep her symptoms at bay. This is consistent with Professor Jelinek's regime, although we do not have details of her dietary and supplement habits. When an MSNBC anchor chided her about this, it was fellow MS sufferer, Neil Cavuto, a senior vice president at Fox News Channel, who rose to her defense.

Other notable individuals who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis include Annette Funicello, popular American television and film star, country singer Donna Fargo and two of the Osmond family, David and Alan. Jack Osbourne, son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, was diagnosed after reporting visual disturbances. He was 26 when he was diagnosed and had just become a father for the first time.

Another promising natural treatment for MS is a tincture of two cannabinoids manufactured in the United Kingdom. Formulated as an oral spray, it helps to control the spasticity that is associated with multiple sclerosis. The preparation has been approved for use in several European countries.




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