Exploring Natural Treatment For MS

By Jerri Perry


Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by lesions more familiarly known as plaques. Symptoms initially include weakness, numbness and tingling and visual disturbances. As the disease progresses, urinary difficulties may be present. Pharmaceutical preparations can retard the disease. Symptoms may also be controlled by natural treatment for MS.

MS is regarded as an autoimmune disorder because T-cells of the immune system attack the body's own myelin. Myelin is a substance in the brain and spinal cord that surrounds and insulates neural cells, thereby increasing the speed of nerve conduction over what it would be in the absence of myelin. There is a pronounced regional distribution of the disease, with cases clustering closer to the poles and away from the equatorial region.

Scientists used to think that multiple sclerosis was restricted to the white matter in the brain and spinal cord. Now, it appears that the grey matter is affected as well, which explains the diffuse damage that gives rise to cognitive problems or "brain fog." Epidemiologists are now trying to understand the geographical distribution of the disease. Interestingly, people who are born in "MS-free" zones and migrate into a zone where the disease is prevalent are prone to the disease.

Professor George Jelinek, an ER specialist in Australia, was himself diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was 45 years old. He now runs 5-day retreats for MS patients, both in Australia and in New Zealand. He maintains his own symptom control with a strict program of lifestyle choices.

Jelinek's five rules are simple: Absolutely no trans fats (except those found naturally in vegetables), meditate every day, exercise regularly, take high levels of vitamin D and take conventional medicine if necessary. Professor Jelinek supplements his regime with glatiramer, a member of the immunomodulatory class of drugs.

The wife of Mitt Romney, Ann, went to the doctor in 1998 after experiencing the notorious brain fog. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She made public the information that horseback riding offers her protection from the symptoms. It is noteworthy that this is compliant with the Jelinek protocol. When a television presenter at MSNBC publicly poked fun at her for saying this, it flushed out another person with MS, Fox News Channel senior Neil Cavuto, who had strong words for him.

Other notable individuals who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis include Annette Funicello, popular American television and film star, country singer Donna Fargo and two of the Osmond family, David and Alan. Jack Osbourne, son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, was diagnosed after reporting visual disturbances. He was 26 when he was diagnosed and had just become a father for the first time.

There is a promising natural treatment for MS in Europe. It consists of an extract of two compounds found in marijuana called cannabinoids. The drug is available as an oral spray, similar to breath freshener, and it is used to combat the spasticity that is associated with multiple sclerosis.




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