Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with inflammation and destruction of the myelin sheath that insulates and protects neurons. Without the myelin sheath neuronal communication becomes impossible and the neurons become susceptible to damage. Because MS is not selective for specific neurons and can progress through the brain and spinal cord randomly, each patient’s symptoms may vary. Typically, during the initial stage of the disease, symptoms often emerge for a short time before regressing for an extended period.
There is definitely a role that genetics plays in MS, but I have actually found that most of the cases I have treated have resulted from an environmental factor. Infection is one of the more widely suspected factors. Molecular mimicry of a foreign antigen leads to the destruction of a similar antigen in a normal tissue. Several viruses have been known to be involved including the herpes simplex virus, rubella, measles, mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, as well as Lyme disease. Its co-infections are mostly oral, dentition is extremely important with oral microbiology as well as the gastrointestinal microbiome. Occult infections need to be found and treated.
Heavy metals including aluminum, lead, mercury, cadmium, uranium and others can cause autoimmune disease and subsequent symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Mercury amalgams containing 50% mercury need to be removed and the root canal issue needs to be addressed. I am not convinced that many dental implants are safe. Other chemicals such as benzene, plastics pesticides and others need to be removed. Food and autoimmunity is extremely important and needs to be evaluated and checked.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Multiple sclerosis can affect people of all ages however the average age of disease is between 20 and 40 years. Fatigue, numbness in the limbs, impaired vision, muscle weakness, loss of balance, and bladder dysfunction are frequent. Approximately 40% of MS patients suffer from changes in memory, reasoning, spatial perception and verbal fluency. The diagnosis usually made by MRI, antibody testing of the fluid found in the CNS and clinical symptoms.
An Integrative Approach to Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
The patients that I have seen with multiple sclerosis have done well using an integrative approach. This consists of evaluation of infections, toxins and autoimmune testing. Obviously, the further advanced the disease is, the more the autoimmune testing revealed abnormalities which need to be corrected. Rigorous detoxification along with repletion of nutrients vitamins and minerals is essential. I have found that all patients need hormonal balance. In addition to this, a ketogenic organic vegetarian diet I feel is the best dietary solution for MS patients. After an extensive work up, a personalized program is made for recuperation. Stem cells have been shown to be very effective in this disease state and for all autoimmune diseases. I have also been testing multiple patients with single nucleotide polymorphisms testing which I have been found to be very effective in developing a personalized program for my patients.