Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle we...
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B12-Synthesis of myelin sheath
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Many people with MS seem to have Lack of B12 and Vit D. This blog is to look into the lack of B12.
http://www.healthline.com/adamcont... This link states that a metabolic problem of lack of Vit B12 can cause nerve damage. --------- TEST The BEST indicator or B12 deficiency is to ask your doctor to run a test to find out what your MMA (mehylmalonic Acid) levels are. If they are elevated you most probably have lack of B12. B12 What it does: Vitamin B12 works WITH folic acid in many body processes including SYNTHESIS of DNA, red blood cells and the insulation sheath (the myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve cells and facilitates the conduction of signals in the nervous system. Severe depletion manifests as pernicious anemia, which was invariably fatal until the discovery of B12 in liver. But long before anemia sets in, other conditions may manifest, most often neurological problems (numbness, pins and needles sensations, a burning feeling in the feet, shaking, muscle fatigue, sleep disorders, memory loss, irrational anger, impaired mental function and Alzheimer’s) or psychological conditions (dementia, depression, psychosis and obsessive-compulsive behavior). B12 HELPS 1.)Produce melatonin which HELPS you sleep 2.)Useful adjunct for diabetics 3.)Have been helpful for those with Asthma(sulfite sensitivity), eczema, psorsis, osteporosis, Lupus and MS. 4.)Plus Low B12 resutls in Low antibody response, impaired immunity and increaese in infections (MS viral/bacteria cause??) B12 & MS One condition that would seem obviously correlated with B12 deficiency is multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system. Yet many studies indicate that those with MS have normal blood levels of the vitamin. Japanese researchers have found that in MS patients, there is a decrease in the binding capacity of B12, thus inhibiting the transport of B12 into the cells, even in patients with normal levels in their blood. Even so, they were able to achieve some improvement with high-dose supplementation. The benefit of B12 for depression may be due to B12’s ability to activate a substance called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a compound which in turn helps activate "feel good" neurotransmitters like serotonin and DOPAmine. How to GET More B12 + Stop the loss of B12 1.) Eat Liver or shellfish (High in B12). Steak is good but get it on the rarer side as it preserves more of the B12. 2.) Eat Calcium such as Unpasteurized proteins help B12 absorbtion so does Bone broths that heal intestinal inflam. and increase absorption. 3.) Take coconut oil and consume lacto-fermented foods: these help fight against pathogens such as helicobacter pylori, which is associated with B12 deficiency. Eradication of the organism often clears up B12 deficiency. AVOID 1.)AVOID OVERconsumption of foods that BLOCK vitamin B12 intake or increase the body’s need for the vitamin, such as SOY foods and spirulina. 2.)Antacids and drugs that lower stomach acid levels: acid-suppressing drugs such as Tagamet, Zantac and Losec can lead to serious B12 deficiency 3.) Foods fortified with folic acid. Taking folic acid withOUT B12 can mask signs of B12 deficiency in red blood cells but will not protect against deficiencies in the nervous system. Folic acid and B12 WORK WELL TOGETHER and any supplementation program should include BOTH of these nutrients (Institute of Medicine.National Academy Press. Washington, DC 1998). 4.)Avoid taking EXCESS vitamin C(normal amount fine), especially for long periods. The ability of vitamin C to destroy B12 has been observed by several researchers--although this is disputed by others. Small amounts of natural vitamin C are a better choice than large amounts of synthetic vitamin C. 5.) Avoid smoking, vaccinations containing thimerosol (ie flue shot) that contain mercury & oral contraception which all deplete B12 6.) Avoid mycotoxins made by molds that interfere with B12 functions. As well as pesticides and xenotoxins. Since vitamin B12 in supplements is produced in exactly the same way as B12 in nature, that is, by bacterial fermentation, the danger of high doses in most cases is negligible. More Info on Vit B12 found below: http://www.westonaprice.org/basicn... Posted on 05/07/08, 10:05 am |
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I recently came across info I put on another thread that it is ONLY a theory that MS is an autoimmune disease. Some researchers think the brain begins losing cells and that causes an autoimmune response.
This supports the LDN hypothesis, which is a stabilization of the immune system so that it is neither over or underactive. I would like to find a cooperative doc who would be willing to test me for vitamin deficiency, but I generally stay away from doctors, so I have only my neuro and the guy who does my thyroid. I may ask him to test for other things next time. My general approach is to take things I may be short of and hope it is helping. I used to take sublingual B12 since it doesn't make it past the stomach well, but have fallen away from this. THe problem with so much info is that it is hard to decide what you really need and what you can do without. I can't afford and can't bear to swallow everything I have learned I should take. I think that with LDN we might be able to take one good multiple vitamin, some extra D, and let the LDN help regulate the body. 
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Which is the cause of broken fence: Animals trying to break in/out OR is it lack of repair?
This is a different hypothesis for the cause of MS and autoimmune disease. What if instead of the immune system attacking the myelin sheath, causes nerve damage, the immune system was not nourished. Thus it is NOT able to REPAIR nerves as “agents” cause damage to them. This is a very EXCITING idea for me and I hope you. IF this theory is correct it explains why NO specific “agent” viral or otherwise can be found for the autoimmune diseases. IF this is correct the the INABILITY to ABSORP or utilize certain vitamins may make the body Unable to repair itself. I am going to focus this theory on MS where the myelin sheath around nerves are damaged. What we do know is What we DO know is that B12 is used for the synthesizing of the myelin. This vitamin is found in liver(never eat this), unpasteurized milk(who drinks this), rare meat, fish and bacteria. You want UNpastuerizing milk because the pasteurizing process deforms the milk protein that normally helps you absorb B12. It requires a Balanced amount of folic acid found in green veggies. Essential fatty acids increase effects of vitamin D, reduce calcium excretion and help for better absorption of B12(*2). What else can hinder B12 from being absorbed: smoking, birth control pill, glucophage used by some diabetics, antacids that reduce HCL and pepsin in the stomach (too much acid usually caused by too much processed foods and sugar which leads to use of antacid). If you do not have the proper balance of Intrinsic Factor, Pancreatic Enzymes, R-Protein then you will have a hard time absorbing B12. If you have mycotoxins,found in molds, in your body or build up of pesticides, helicobacter pylori or Xenotoxins they will block B12 absorption. Then another layer of breakdown could be the enzymes that release B12 into two different coenzymes: methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. If B12 is not broke down into these coenzymes then AGAIN B12 can NOT be utilized by your cells. Any B12 blockage in your body from eating the right foods to lack to the right combination of of stomach acids, enzymes or inhibitors will result in your body not having the nutrients available to REPAIR the nerves. This would include lack of other vitamins such as vitamin D, calcium and fish oil. Another interesting point of B12 is “The benefit of B12 for depression may be due to B12’s ability to activate a substance called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a compound which in turn helps activate "feel good" neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.(*3)” The reason I bring this up is that B12 does have an effect on dopamine in the body. More resent clinical studies have shown that immune modulator or enhancer drugs that work on the opid receptors have helped certain autoimmune diseases. This includes Penn State Univ study of LDN and Crohns where 89% showed improvement. The Mayo 2000 study on RA and the NIAH 2004 RA study both concluded that this autoimmune disease were due to prematurely “aged” immune systems. This would also be explained by this theory that it is aged because it can not REPAIR itself. B12 has been given to Alzheimer's patients in Japan with good success. It has been shown to help osteoporosis, psoriasis, specific infertility issues, p anemia, asthma(sulifite sensitivity),useful “adjunct for diabetics(*1).” If you have one of these diseases and would like to know what your B12 levels are then one of the better tests you can take is a methylmalmonic acid (MMA) test of your TISSUES not your blood. This is because you may get B12 in your blood but if you can not break it down into the coenzymes you still will not be able to use it. If your MMA comes back elevated you may very well have a B12 deficiency. Then you just need to find the “Weak link” that is keeping your body from getting it. Again make sure you are getting a balance of other vitamins such as vitamin D, calcium, folic acid, fish oil. What are your thoughts?? Maybe you need to see a nutritionist?? References: 1.) http://www.westonaprice.org/basicn... – Lee Clifford MS, CCN 2.) http://www.townsendletter.com/Nov2... 3.) Curtius H and others. Journal Neurological Trans 1982;55:301-8; Leeming R and others. Journal Mental Def Research 1982;26:21-5.
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Heather did you read the p anemia info I sent.
Check out this link below it goes over how some thyroid issues can lead to lack of B12, how p anemia can be indicator of lack of Vit B12. How TINGELING can come from LACK OF Vit B12!!!! http://www.westonaprice.org/basicn... – Lee Clifford MS, CCN
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I think it depends on your individual cause/effect.
It's either the animals hitting the fence, or the fence being old and weak. What do you do when you find out which it is? You may then know when direction to head in. I think I've been going in the right direction all these years. I found my winning combos and was removed from toxic environments.
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EP, are you thinking of doing your master's thesis on this? I hope you will and will keep us updated on what you find as you study. I think I may speak for many who care a great deal about the right nutrition when I say I need a simplified idea of how and what to eat and what are the cheapest and most cost effective choices that will help.
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Della - "theory of losing cells"... is this because your body isn't getting the nutrients it needs to the cells??
Horsenut- Yes the current "THEORY" is that yu need to inhibit an overactive immune system. However, a causal factor has NEVER been found. Some of these CRAB drugs slow MS in SOME but none of them halt the progression of the disease...leaving a hole in this theory. Not to mention some of these drugs have side effects ie liver damage. The long term steriods can cause liver, heart, skin, eye... problems. So this theory that DIFFERENT people have DIFFERNT agents blocking absorption or utalization of key vitamins such as B12, D, calcium may be a reason the body can NOT REPAIR itself. 'So ok under this THEORY you get a cold and instead of the immune system attacking your myelin causing damage... what if the cold caused damage to your myelin vulnerable because the B12 needed to replace it wasn't available for your body to use. Then wouldn't you lose function of these nerves??? If this is correct SOME people may not be eating a BALANCE of B12, Vit D, folic acid, calcium. SOME people maybe eating all but one thus still not being able to use B12. Some may be using antacids, birthcontrol pill, glucophage for diabetes that BLOCK absorption of B12 and other vitamins. Others may not have a balace of R-protein, intrinsic factor or pancreatic enzymes. OTHERS may not be able to break the B12 down into coenzymes that your cells can use (in this problem you would have high B12 in blood but not in your tissues look into MMA test). This is just a THEORY but an interesting theory. FYI B12 is involved with dopamine activation.. so maybe a LDN association.
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I like this idea. I have always felt it is better to protect than weaken the immune system. I argued this with my 2nd neuro, and he could not convince me to take the crabs.
What will you have your husband do differently with the info you have? How will you change his diet? Or will you wait until your hypothesis is proved? I need some practical advice, so I want you to put aside your medical researcher persona (which I appreciate :), and give me some personal advice. I have nutritional yeast that I use occasionally. Should I eat some every day. Should I eat yogurt or not? Fish every other day? What fruits and veggies? Sorry for pushing you, but I always want to take action right away, which often sends me bouncing around the nutritional maze like a pinball.
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Well according to this THEORY the cause of being unable to use certain vitamins is DIFFERENT in DIFFERENT people. Explains why currently theory can't be proved but IF it is true would mean people with autoimmune diseases would have to see a nutritionist to find out what Vit they are LACKING. Then REVERSE engineer WHY it is they are lacking this vitiman.
(For MS I focus on B12 because it is required for myelin that is damaged. + Vit D that is needed for absorbtion of B12 and LACK of vit D has been assoc with a host of other issues. Folic Acid, calcium and fish oil along with multi Vit all needed for B12 to work. So I guess I would look at your diet and current vitamins first. Are you getting your requirements?? See websites or doctor on your needs (premetapuasal need more iron, folic acid, etc post period ( ; need more calcium, vit D phosphate and probably Digestive enzymes since they diminish with age. If you are not getting your requirements or are not sure what they are ..go to a nutritionist. personally, I think we get enough vit but I would like my husband to get an MMA and blood test to find out if this B12 is being absorbed into his bloodstream and then brokedown to be utilized by the cells. So I am going to look into this future, this will take time as I am awaiting med prof to call me back. I also want to look into Vit D, Calcium and folic acid absorption and ways to test it in your body. Again will take time. I just came up with this theory this morning. So if any of you find out any information ie types of test etc PLEASE POST. --------- Vit D info at below links http://www.emedicinehealth.com/scr... Vitamin D: Vital Role in Your Health:Researchers conclude the "sunshine vitamin" is good medicine. By Richard Trubo WebMD Feature Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD "mounting evidence that links LOW levels of the VITAMINS to an INCREASED risk of type 1 diabetes, muscle and bone pain, and, perhaps more serious, cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, ovaries, esophagus, and lymphatic system." "If you're trying to reduce your risk of diabetes, or lower your chances of heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, then vitamin D should be at the front of the line in your daily supplement regimen" http://www.mercola.com/2004/jan/31... By Dr. Joseph Mercola "women were 30 percent less likely to develop RA, and 40% less likely to develop MS, when taking the recommended daily amount or more of vitamin D." - Seperate study with similar 40% in white military men was in RN magazine over a year ago.
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another possible reason for problems in absorbtion come from not enough PRObiotics or GOOD types of bacteria you NEED to help absorb nutrients.
Maybe look into a product like GNC: Digestive Health Powder (1/4 - 1/2 scoop day). It has probiotics, PREbiotics, digestive enzymes that help get nutrients from your food + has fiber. Get 15 minutes of access to sunlight a day to activate the Vit D in your body. (This is FREE to do)
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That is good info. I like to eat fried liver with onions & it helps me feel stronger. I'd rather eat that than what I was doing b4 taking vita supplements of b-12
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