Nutrient Modulation of Immunological functions- Multiple sclerosis and a novel delivery of

Cristiana Paul, M.S.

This article is part of a series that reviews the effect of nutritional modulation of the main aspects of the immune functions and pathologies. It would be helpful to review first a previous issue of this newsletter: -Issue 29-vol II "Nutrient Modulation of Immunological functions-Part I"

The auto-immune coditions are believed to develop as a result of three possible scenarios understood so far: a. Subsequent to certain infections for example bacterial/viral, specific antibodies are developed to attack and destroy the bacteria/virus implicated. Unfortunately, due to the similarity of certain proteins that are part of the bacteria/virus and certain body tissues (like pancreas for example) the antibodies latch onto the similar tissue just like they did on the bacteria/virus and wrongly mark that tissue as a "foreign invader". In some cases, but not all and depending on genetic factors and the immune status, an auto-immune attack is launched. This reaction is typically referred to as 'molecular mimicry" because some bacterial/virus proteins mimic certain human tissues thus confusing the immune system into launching "friendly fire" which can be viewed as collateral damage to the destruction of the initial pathogen.

b. Same scenario of molecular mimicry can develop as a result of a food or possibly environmental allergens. For example, antibodies to proteins from milk cross react with antibodies to nervous tissue (myelin, gangliosides) and may be responsible for Multiple Sclerosis initiation and/or progress. Antibodies to gluten cross react with thyroid tissue and cause thyroditis. For more info go to www. http://www.immuno-sci-lab.com/

c. Like with any other cell, mutations occur throughout lifetime in the B and T cells, which may create aberrant new members of the immune army of cells, which wrongly identifiy certain body tissues as foreign substances and initiate a "friendly fire". This results in an attack on body tissues and/or enzymes, causing autoimmune diseases. Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic degenerative condition that attacks the nervous system, specifically the myelin sheaths, which are a multiple cell membrane layers covering nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The myelin sheaths are composed of 30% protein and 70% lipids, from which phospholipids constitute a great proportion: phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and many other nervous tissue specific lipids.

When the myelin sheaths are attacked, they scar causing various neurological symptoms related to the impaired conduction of the nervous signals caused by demyelination.

Antibodies against neurological tissue and/or specialized T cells that attack myelin and myelin-producing cells (dendrocytes) are found in small numbers in any healthy person who is is symptom free but it is believed that they increase in number and activity based on various factors: [53]

a. Genetic predisposition
b. Infectious agents: viruses, bacteria
c. Dietary peptides: casein, gluten
d. Toxic substances: mercury, pesticides, solvents, etc.
e. Dietary imbalances:

• EPA/DHA/GLA deficiency, Arachidonic acid excess
• Vit B12, Magnesium, Vit D, Vit A deficiencies

f. Hormonal imbalances: high estrogen/progesterone ratio, low DHEA
g. Lifestyle factors: high stress (which may lead to adrenal incapacity of producing cortisol), insufficient sun-light (which often correlates vit D deficiency)

Conventional therapies often employ immunosuppressive drugs, decoy -type agents that take the hit instead of the myelin, oral myelin basic protein that sometimes induces immune tolerance. Many of these treatments are ineffective long term and have serious side-effects. Although pharmacological agents are sometimes needed, natural therapies have been proven to cause extensive remissions in many cases[53].

The following dietary recommendations, based on the results of various epidemiological, observational or intervention studies [1-11] have great potential in causing remission of MS attacks and healing of the myelin scars:

1. A Paleolithic-type diet:
   -seafood, low in mercury
   - lean cuts of grass-fed beef/lamb (which is low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fats), eggs from grass-fed chicken
   -abundant fruits and vegetables
   -NO milk or grain or legumes derived products
2. Correct nutritional imbalances with emphasis on: Vit B12, Magnesium, Vit D, Vit A.
3. Improve digestion health: use proteolytic enzymes, HCl (if needed) heal leaky gut, balance intestinal flora, see newsletters No.30 and 31.
4. Provide ample amounts of myelin precursors: omega-3 fats, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol.
5. Correct hormonal imbalances: add DHEA, progesterone, use estrogen competitors (for example soy isoflavones).
6. Detoxify from heavy metals. (ask for DFH detox protocol)
7. Boost immune function to fight infectious agents (see newsletter no. 29 for modalities of boosting the NK cell activity).
8. Optimize lifestyle: reduce stress, get moderate sunlight.

See Table 1 for a list of natural compounds potentially helpful in alleviating the causes and symptoms of MS with research references and mechanisms of action.

Table 1: Natural compounds with potential to alleviate Multiple Sclerosis

  Active Compound Mechanism of Action Ref Supplement  

Omega-3 Fatty acids    

anti-inflammatory  

57  

Arctic Cod Liver Oil Alter the balance between Th1/Th2 cells through eicosanoid production myelin sheath components Krill Oil GLA anti-inflammatory 53 Vitamin D immunomodulatory 55,56 Twice Daily multi   Arctic Cod Liver Oil Vitamin A promotes increase in Th2 activity 60 Twice Daily multi   Arctic Cod Liver Oil Vitamin B12 cofactor in myelin synthesis   Ultra B12-Folate B-Supreme proteolytic enzymes break down allergenic dietary peptides 59 DigestZymes Plant Digestive Enzymes Inflammatone Phosphatidylserine evidence for macrophage affinity for Phosphatidyl serine 58 Phosphatidylserine Phophatidylcholine evidence of increased release of choline during MS attack episodes 54 Phophatidylcholine, Krill Oil Phophatidyl Inositol Precursor to myelin and functional role in the brain 54 Phophatidyl Inositol Magnesium neuroprotective 46, 52 Magnesium chelates Magnesium glycinate Turmeric Curcumin inhibits Th1 cytokine profile in CD4+ T cells by suppressing interleukin-12 production in macrophages 63,64 Inflammatone DHEA potent anti-inflammatory properties, which at least are in part mediated by its inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Also, it alters Thelper/Tsuppressor ratio 65 N/A Quercetin unclear mechanism 66 Quercetin Creatine proven useful in ALS to slow down neuro-degeneration 67 N/A Gingko neuroprotective, decreases platelet aggregation thus improving circulation. MS is characterized by excessive platelet aggregation 68 N/A 5-HTP CSF of MS patients was often found low in Tryptophan 70 5-HTP Synergy

A wide array of immunological tests are available to monitor the progression of MS. tests Dr. Vojdani PhD, director of research at Immunosciences Lab, can provide clinicians with a lot of support with the selection and interpretation of appropriate tests.
For more info go to http://www.immuno-sci-lab.com/ or call 1-800-950-4686 for more information.

Dr. Vojdani will speak at the two upcoming seminars "The Clinical Applications of Metabolic Testing" which will also include an extensive review of nutrient protocols by Linda Lizotte, R.D., C.D.N. co-founder of Designs For Health. Visit our site for details: http://www.designsforhealth.com/seminars/9-10-2003metabolic.html

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