What you don’t know about multiple sclerosis can hurt you.
Sadly, we all know someone with MS these days.
This week (March 12 – March 18) has been designated “MS week”. It’s time to increase our collective awareness regarding this most debilitating central nervous system disease that appears to be increasing at alarming rates.
The official stats—in my opinion—are grossly “underestimated” with between 250,000 and 350,000 known cases in the US and 200 new cases being diagnosed weekly.
Many insidious factors may be involved in the multiple sclerosis mystery.
Regardless, the bottom line is that—whatever the real cause or causes—the fatty tissue known as the myelin sheath which protects the nerve fibers becomes damaged, broken, or lost—leaving behind scar tissue called sclerosis. Without a protective myelin sheath to cover the nerve fiber, the nerve is not able to transfer electrical impulses to and from the brain creating the classic MS symptoms—tremors, numbness, tingling, spasms, muscle weakness, vertigo, pain, dizziness, and depression.
So what’s behind the MS mystery?
First off, I think you have to consider that there is a major disease-latitude connection. The farther you get from the equator, the greater the incidence of MS—as well as other serious maladies. In fact, here in the Northwest, I live in the “MS belt.” Could this mean a lack of sunshine or vitamin D is a missing piece to the MS puzzle?
Vitamin D researchers have suggested that a blood serum level of 50–80 ng/mL of vitamin D might slash the number of MS patients by nearly 50%. So, getting a vitamin D blood test and retesting every three months until levels reach the 50 ng/mL mark would make good sense. Most individuals have to take at least 2,000–5,000 IU daily of vitamin D with a meal that contains a good amount of healthy fat, because as an oil soluble vitamin, D3 especially needs fat for absorption. And, do try to get as much natural sun as possible—except, of course, between the peak hours of 10 am and 2 pm.
Secondly, look at copper. Many of you are aware of all the research I have done on elevated biounavailable copper levels in the system—fully detailed in my book Why Am I Always So Tired?. Ironically, copper is also a double-edged sword because a low tissue copper level appears to be a contributing factor to multiple sclerosis, according to David Watts, Ph.D. The normal myelination of nerves requires copper. A Tissue Mineral Analysis would be an easy non-invasive first step in assessing whether your copper levels are high or low. Low copper usually corresponds to low estrogen—which may be another consideration. Many of my clients with low copper and a familial history of MS have used Pregnenolone 5 mg to help raise both their progesterone and estrogen levels which has had a positive effect on raising copper. Copper-rich foods can help too—increase nuts and seeds like pecans and sunflower seeds, as well as black tea and dark chocolate.
Next, evaluate your mercury levels. Mercury is a known neurotoxin that has also been linked to MS. (Even if you have had your mercury fillings removed, your tissues may be sequestering hidden mercury which can be identified with a special urine test and DMPS challenge.) Have a biological dentist investigate whether mercury is still a problem in your mouth (sometimes crowns are placed over mercury fillings) and find out whether your crowns are leaking by measuring the voltage. Check out www.hugnet.com for more information. If you would like a referral to a dentist who is familiar with the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology Patient Protocols, contact [email protected].
Last but not least, let’s not forget about the electropollution-MS connection. There is fascinating research from Canadian investigator Magda Havas, Ph.D. which suggests that symptoms of an “allergy” to electricity or “dirty electricity”—mimics MS. In Havas’ article: Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Biological Effects of Dirty Electricity with Emphasis on Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis, there are a number of case histories of individuals whose MS symptoms were dramatically lessened with fewer tremors and better balance when special filters were installed in their homes that mitigated the “dirty electricity” form of energy.
Dirty electricity is defined as poor power quality or high frequency transients, harmonics and radio frequencies on electrical wires that are overloaded by all the “electrical” equipment in the house (think computers, fax machines, microwave ovens, and energy efficient or compact fluorescent lights) or coming from the outside via power lines, electrical wires, ground rods, or plumbing.
Simple ways you can protect yourself include getting grounded with the Earthing technology, unplugging electrical appliances when they are not being used, avoiding all electronics in the bedroom, and keeping all digital devices at least six feet away from your head.
As the mystery unfolds, the clues are everywhere.
Perhaps hope, health, and recovery for MS sufferers will be in their near future as we start to connect the dots and reverse this autoimmune nightmare. That’s my fervent wish.
5 Responses
There is no mystery. Duh. Which is all I should say to the 11 neurologists over the years I’ve seen. A few were decent guys but a few were downright dangerous in their ignorance…you don’t need a drumroll, ALG just told you…
MS is mercury poisoning. Period. esp. the relapsing remitting form. I don’t believe for a second that the progressive form is the same ‘disease.’ I chelate using Andy Cutler’s protocol. It takes a long time but it’s safe and effective.
And please…anyone reading this who has MS…do NOT do what ALG just recommended – Do NOT do a challenge test. It will harm you and depending on your situation, it could be very serious. You do not want to move mercury like that and potentially move into more vital organs which could potentially do permanent damage. You need to do it right so start reading about Andy’s protocol.
If you want to check if you are mercury poisoned, do a hair test. If you want to understand the results, Andy has ‘counting rules’ on how your minerals are displaced that you’ll see on the report that will tell if you have a high probability of being poisoned.
I almost – almost – stopped MS with diet, exercise and tons of cellular nutrition. And of course, get that vit D and be taking enough. I take currently 10K and a simple blood test will tell you if you’re in a good range.
It’s always been mecury and not one flippin’ neurologist knew this. I did but they kept telling me it wasn’t mercury. They are not educated in heavy metals or nutrition.
Dear Elizabeth:
Thank you for your passionate post. And I feel your frustration.
That being said, traditional medicine is clueless as to the multifactorial factors that may be at the root cause of MS. With regard to the DMPS test, I am in favor of using this test – as it is the “gold standard” among the biological and integrative dentists – at least for an initial mercury assessement NOT for treatment purposes.
I have had hundreds of MS clients over the years who have had their mercury fillings removed in the sequential treatment plan and protocol developed by Dr. Hal Huggins. While many got better – others did not until they EMF-proofed their homes with the help of a professional consultant who evaluated the levels of electromagnetic radiation emitted from their cordless phones, nearby phone antennas and towers, power lines, and baby monitors and made changes accordingly. Of course much of this “electronic feng shui” is mapped out room by room in my book Zapped.
While hair is not the best vehicle for measuring mercury, it is most helpful for copper, aluminum, arsenic, and lead. In fact, you may be interested in learning that Beethoven’s hair (and the heavy metal that poisoned him) proved to be very helpful centuries after his death in explaining his strange behavior in later years.
Finally, I agree that the Vitamin D connection is a major consideration, considering that there are so many MS victims in the more temperate climates.
Continued good luck in your healing quest and I am going to research the program you reference.
Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.
Dear Dr. Gittleman,
A very enlightening piece on MS.
I appreciated learning from you (and UniKey) that earthing, though valuable, has blood thinning effects.
Are there any cautions or medical contraindications with the use of EMF shields such as plug-in devices for the home or personal items such as EMF shield keychains/pendants? Also, how do these devices work? Can both adults and children use these devices?
We often find ourselves drowning in a sea of information. You are a beacon of clarity and wisdom! My family and I are all the wiser and healthier with the knowledge gained from your books and blogs. We are most grateful for all you do!
Marina,
The pendants that Dr. Ann Louise recommends are available at http://www.safeconnectplus.com. This site has a lot of good information 🙂
Thank you, Sierra. With the help of Dr. ALG, I am coming to understand that good health in today’s world must include understanding of the effects of all the power sources that surround us.