Multiple Sclerosis

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	from Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D. I get a lot of questions concerning diet and supplements and their effects on multiple sclerosis (MS). Some "experts" claim the cure to MS lies within the the things we put in our bodies, while others say this is nonsense. It is not as black and white as either side makes it seem. I decided to start one supplement at a time to answer these questions... So far, I've been able to cover B12 and selenium. One of these I will probably go out of my way to take and the other one I will just hope to encounter along the way. I also tossed in a reminder for something all of us need - sleep. Take care of yourselves, my friends.
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Vitamin B12 and MS As it turns out, people with MS are at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Low levels of vitamin B12 can mimic and exacerbate many MS symptoms, including fatigue, depression and memory loss. While there really isn't much evidence that B12 has a direct impact on the MS disease process itself, the fact is that many of us with MS don't seem to process B12 efficiently and simply need more - otherwise, the effects are very similar to MS progression (if that makes sense). Treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency is simple, involving oral supplements or intramuscular injections. Read the full article: Vitamin B12 and Multiple Sclerosis More Topics Talk About Your MS Treatment of MS Fatigue Prep Your Veins for Infusions Adherence Tips for People with MS Glossary for Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis of MS Treatment of MS Selenium and MS Some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have low levels of selenium, an antioxidant, in their blood. However, it is more likely that our selenium levels are normal, but our levels of glutathione peroxidase (an enzyme produced from selenium in the body) are low. This has led some people to recommend that people with MS take high levels of selenium. This has not really been studied and there is no evidence that this is a good idea for people with MS. In fact, most experts advise not to take high doses of selenium (or other antioxidants) if you have MS, as this could stimulate the immune system and increase disease activity. My "bottom line?" Eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. My more realistic "bottom line?" Eat as healthy as you can and consider a multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains moderate amounts of the antioxidants, including selenium. Read the full article: Selenium and Multiple Sclerosis Sleep and MS Regardless of which supplements you do or do not take, there is one thing that ALL of us could probably use more of: sleep. Read the full article: Sleep and MS