Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
This community is a place where members can discuss current events and weigh in on what's going on in the world.
I have had another person contact me in regards to inflammation so I am writing a response on the main board for everyone.
When you have high inflammation the body makes more cortisol (natural steroid) which competes with progesterone for receptors on your cells. In the short term it doesn't do much but if you are chronically STRESSED or have DAMAGED TISSUE, as in MS, this can have some negative long term consequences.
It is kind like a bunch of outlets(receptors on cell) in a room and you let extra red balloons(cortisol) in the room and the same number of blue balloons (progesterone). Odds are the red balloons are going to touch more outlets than the blue. So red balloons (cortisol) are going to make a connection to the cell and give it its message not so many progesterone. If this continues of the long run it can decrease progesterone production. If your estrogen levels stay the same this can make you estrogen dominant. Estrogen growth is kept in check by progesterone. You do not want growth unchecked as this can lead to greater risk of cancer (UNcontrollably dividing or growing numbers of cells that do not do their job).
Cortisol also triggers your body to store fat in your omentum around your abdomen. It also triggers a cascade of other hormones. So if you have continual need for cortisol it can sometimes lead to adrenal gland fatigue where your other body glands make less of these other hormones (look up adrenal fatigue or mineral(aldosterone controls sodium and thus water balance) /gluco(sugar) / gonad (sex hormones) corticoids. These are hormones made in the adrenal glands above your kidneys.
I am not saying this to scare you but to let you know that you really do want to reduce the inflammation naturally as much as possible to reduce the cortisol and not reduce progesterone ...as much as possible. You may also want to see a GOOD endocrinologist...sorry to say not a lot of good ones out there. Most just focus on either 1.) Insulin for diabetes (but they do not fucus on increasing adiponectin, sex hormone binding globulin and sex hormones while decreasing leptin and resistin) 2.) Thyroid (Free T3/T4/TSH) 3.) Sex hormones for infertility only. There are few that look at MULTIPLE hormones and take SYMPTOMS + "normal ranges" into account together to treat a patient for multiple hormone issues.
Ask the receptions on the phone IF 1a.) the endocrinologist (endo) looks at SYMPTOMS in addition to testing 1b.) If the endo only treats deficiencies in the bottom 2.5% of the population or if (s)he also treats inefficiencies that are causing symptoms 2.) Does the endo usually prescribe BIOIDENTICAL hormones (the only kind I would ever take.. remember there is only an atom or two difference between testosterone and estrogen and it DOES make a big difference) 3.) Do they work with LOW doses and work there way up to higher doses to get rid of symptoms?
Read below reply and speak to your doctor about ways you can naturally reduce inflammation.
Best wishes
EP
When you have high inflammation the body makes more cortisol (natural steroid) which competes with progesterone for receptors on your cells. In the short term it doesn't do much but if you are chronically STRESSED or have DAMAGED TISSUE, as in MS, this can have some negative long term consequences.
It is kind like a bunch of outlets(receptors on cell) in a room and you let extra red balloons(cortisol) in the room and the same number of blue balloons (progesterone). Odds are the red balloons are going to touch more outlets than the blue. So red balloons (cortisol) are going to make a connection to the cell and give it its message not so many progesterone. If this continues of the long run it can decrease progesterone production. If your estrogen levels stay the same this can make you estrogen dominant. Estrogen growth is kept in check by progesterone. You do not want growth unchecked as this can lead to greater risk of cancer (UNcontrollably dividing or growing numbers of cells that do not do their job).
Cortisol also triggers your body to store fat in your omentum around your abdomen. It also triggers a cascade of other hormones. So if you have continual need for cortisol it can sometimes lead to adrenal gland fatigue where your other body glands make less of these other hormones (look up adrenal fatigue or mineral(aldosterone controls sodium and thus water balance) /gluco(sugar) / gonad (sex hormones) corticoids. These are hormones made in the adrenal glands above your kidneys.
I am not saying this to scare you but to let you know that you really do want to reduce the inflammation naturally as much as possible to reduce the cortisol and not reduce progesterone ...as much as possible. You may also want to see a GOOD endocrinologist...sorry to say not a lot of good ones out there. Most just focus on either 1.) Insulin for diabetes (but they do not fucus on increasing adiponectin, sex hormone binding globulin and sex hormones while decreasing leptin and resistin) 2.) Thyroid (Free T3/T4/TSH) 3.) Sex hormones for infertility only. There are few that look at MULTIPLE hormones and take SYMPTOMS + "normal ranges" into account together to treat a patient for multiple hormone issues.
Ask the receptions on the phone IF 1a.) the endocrinologist (endo) looks at SYMPTOMS in addition to testing 1b.) If the endo only treats deficiencies in the bottom 2.5% of the population or if (s)he also treats inefficiencies that are causing symptoms 2.) Does the endo usually prescribe BIOIDENTICAL hormones (the only kind I would ever take.. remember there is only an atom or two difference between testosterone and estrogen and it DOES make a big difference) 3.) Do they work with LOW doses and work there way up to higher doses to get rid of symptoms?
Read below reply and speak to your doctor about ways you can naturally reduce inflammation.
Best wishes
EP
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Usually I get a daily influx of emails on health topics. An article from Dr. Mercola really stood out recently though because it mentioned that fat cells have their own mitochondria. Not only was this the first I'd heard of this, he also mentioned that fat serves a purpose in our metabolism. Another new factoid for me. The bottom line for me was to appreciate that even our fat cells play a...
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I just do not feel well and I really think that it's because I cried yesterday on my way to work about my Aunt who is in the hospital. I don't think that we will have her much longer. She is very frail. Now she needs help eating. So, this is the third time in a year that I felt this way after crying. I think crying releases toxins into my body. I also worked up a sweat at the gym...
Thus I am typing this post. So after you get done getting over your hump and want to naturally reduce inflammation + reduce use of long-term steroids you can discuss some options with your doctor.
1.) Alpha Lipotic Acid (R-ALA most absorbed. If it does not say R-ALA then it is 50% R / 50% S. S shape is not absorbed well by the body) was given at 650mg 3-4times a week to people with RA in Oregon Univ study was shown to reduce inflammation. It was so successful they were conducting studies on ALA and MS. I have my husband on smaller dose throughout the week as I never want to overdose.
2.) Fishoil - reduces inflammation in MANY studies of MANY diseases including MS+ it helps protect the CNS
3.) Prebiotics is the food that feeds your gut bacteria. Probiotics are "good" gut bacteria that help protect the gut mucosa. WHY is this important to you?? Majority of your immune system is found in your gut. So by the bacteria protecting the mucosa down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines that lead to inflammation (they reduce inflammation). These bacteria help promote a healthy immune system and break down food so you can absorb more nutritional value out of what you eat.
4.) Turmeric has been being studied more as a healing agent and reduces inflammation. You can buy the spice loaded in a pill form if you don't cook with it much.
5.) D3
http://physiolgenomics.physiology....
Gene expression analysis suggests that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reverses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by stimulating inflammatory cell apoptosis (cell suicide)
-basically inflammation cells (bad) are helped to die. A healthy body encourages cells with bad DNA ( in Gap phases of Mitosis) to die. Or any cell that could cause harm to the larger organism.
**Note if you are low on estrogens then this can affect D see below study
http://www.jimmunol.org/cgi/conten...
Estrogen Controls Vitamin D3-Mediated Resistance to Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Controlling Vitamin D3 Metabolism and Receptor Expression1
6.) Eating a diet that is more base/alkaline(higher pH) can help reduce inflammation and reduce infectious sickness. This would be a diet high in fruit and veggies. Sugar, dairy and meat go to more acid in the body so a diet with only moderate amounts of these items would be better.
7.) Onions, Garlic, cayenne, cilantro, ginger & rosemary all reduce inflammation too.
If you want to see any of the research behind the above information you can go to www.RAMSwebsite.net click probiotic or vitamin D3 links.
Best Wishes
EP "
OK I know I have wrote a bit here toda y but it all goes together. If you have damaged tissue ie myelin in MS then you may need to reduce inflammation. You can try to reduce inflammation naturally and then when you have a relapse you may need cortisol but hopefully you can reduce the frequency and dosage you need. OR you can just do the cortisol which the more you do the less calcium, potassium and magnesium you have. The parathyroid requires magnesium for it to work right and help regulate calcium in the body and the less potassium (K) you have you might be messing with the Adrenal Adosterone because it works on feedback systems with the levels of sodium(Na) and potassium(K). Na, K and calcium(Ca) are all needed for nerve impulses and muscle contractions work. So if you are low in any one of these things then while it is not the myelin itself can inhibit or slow down thought processes and movement.
It is kinda like when you have an impaired engine and then you run out of coolant. Your car will end up stopping not because of the long term engine problem but a secondary issue that you also need for the car to work. These electolytes (Na, Ca, K) will not impact myelin but if you are Low in them they WILL impact functioning. They are what push the impulse down the axon between the mylein and into another nerve.
This is just another way how cortisol impacts MS patients by decreasing not only the inflammation but decreasing the electrolytes that are needed for proper functioning.
Best wishes,
EP
I hope I am putting this in a format easy enough to understand.
Nerve conduction needs=
A.) Myelin (lots fat +little protein + B vitamins)
B.) Electrolytes (Na, K, Ca)
C.) ATP (aka fuel)
MS =damaged myelin & inflammation (Crp test)
inflammation = cortisol until you can't make enough and HUGE amounts are added
Huge cortisol= Decrease inflammation + Decrease in Potassium(K), Magnesium and Calcium(Ca),etc also needed for conduction to work
Huge Cortisol also= Increase in Adrenal hormones and other hormone glands ie messing with calcium levels with impact parathyroid (not to mention if you have iodine deficiency you will also have thyroid/ low metabolism[hard to loss weight] / thinning hair issues)
So basically if you have MS you should have:
1.) inflammation test
2.) fat [omega 3, omega 6, palmitic acid /stearic acid] + B vitamin test (both needed for myelin)
3a.) Electroyle test for potassium (K), calcium (Ca)
3b.) Test for parathyroid PTH (tells kidneys to make 1, 25 D3) ,
magnesium (Parathyroid needs it to function) ,
vitamin D3 (tells GI to absorb Ca) and
refer to #2 FATS (because without the fats the body can't store D).
4.) Hormone tests: Thyroid, sex hormones, corticoids which all need fats (gee again with the fats...still think my metabolism problem hypothesis holds water here too).
I hope this is boiled down enough.
EP
Plus let me know if any of you found this informative or helpful. If not then I won't waste my time in the future throwing something like this together.
Best wishes to all of you,
EP
I try not to buy anything that has added sugar. I even quit coffee recently and will have a cup of green tea on occasion now.
Thanks for posting this info!
~Lorrie
I will deff. ask my Neuro. about this (if I can remember...darn MS & Epilepsy fog) on our next appointment next month.
I don't know, cause my back is twisted & pushed in & uneven as heck& I read that that situation can push internal organs forward & such. But this chemical imbalance could also be a cause on top of the already messed up back.
Who knows! I'll ask my Neuro. for sure what he thinks. He's way smart about lots of stuff & if he isn't sure, he tells me he will do his detective work & find out.
I also had a BAD kidney infection that put me in the E.R...Even though the E.R. didn't find it, but my follow up doc. 3 days later did, ha, well, maybe if my kidneys are still bad then that could be messing up my abdomen as well?
Maybe it's a combo of all 3 plus the MS & Epilepsy. I sometimes fall from the Epi. so that could deff. mess my back up (twist it from the fall & push my stomach out as a result) even if I only remember trying to get up off the ground & not what happened before.
Allot to think about. Good information guys.
Take care,
Stay sane!
No wonder we are all so worn out all the time or worn out at the slightest effort most days.
Take care,
Stay sane!
1.) What your doctor may NOT tell you about PreMenopause By Dr John Lee MD
2.) What your doctor may NOT tell you about Menopause By Dr John Lee MD (different good parts but pg 513 is good illustration on how one hormone being off can affect the later hormones made from it.)
3.) Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome by Dr. James Wilson(pages 61, 275, etc have good info in easy to use format)
4.) From Fatigued to Fantastic by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum MD (BTW this doctor suffered from Chronic Fatigue syndrome himself and used his knowledge of helping himself to help others)
5.) The Zone by Dr. Sears (goes over how to reduce inflammation with diet)
6.) The Hormone Solution by Thierry Hertoghe MD
Example of one of the Journal Articles:
Journal of Hepatology June 2006 the European Association for the study of the liver came out with the article entitled "'Endocrine NAFLD' a hormonocentric perspective of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis" by the way this 11 page article had 11 pages of references to studies backing it up.
Below is my quoted summation of this article
"The link between insulin resistance (IR), sub-clinical inflammation, Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is now widely accepted" BTW this article is from 2006 and in Europe these were widely accepted a few years before this article.
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Each of the books has something to offer but the sixth (The Hormone Solution) is the best of the bunch in my humble opinion.
Sorry I can't point you to exact research conclusions for all points but you can read what all these DIFFERENT DOCTORS have written about the decades of work with endocrine problems in their patients. They point out nutrition, reduction of inflammation and stress management are part of the endocrine solution.
Best wishes,
EP
+ Probiotics - Kekkonen RA, Lummela N, Karjalainen H, Latvala S, Tynkkynen S, Jrvenp S, Kautiainen H, Julkunen I, Vapaatalo H, Korpela R. Probiotic intervention has strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(13): 2029-2036
+ Oregano oil- University of Arizona researcher Sadhana Ravishankar found oregano oil fights dangers bacteria that can potentially cause cancer. It has anti-microbial properties and anti-inflammatory
+ R-shaped Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) studies with RA at Oregon State University http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00764270
Reduces "oxidative stress inflammation"
+ Vitamin D3 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00994396
"improve glucose metabolism and reduce inflammation"
+ Turmeric (aka Curcumin)
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/turmeric-000277.htm
reduces inflammation
+ Low gluten diet reduces gut inflammation -
http://gut.bmj.com/content/57/5/684.abstract
Does any of this help you? I hope so.
All my best to you and by all means add more anti-inflammation information if you have it.
-EP
What article do you think would be best on this issue that explains all you said in the post that I could show my Neuro? Just curious!
Take care,
Stay sane!
P.S...It all makes perfect sense what you are saying, but when many details & things get added into something, my brain goes haywire & can't understand how to put one thing in front of the other at times, that's all. Thanks for the wealth of info. though.