Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
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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
Interesting set of information. I've personally had good results with Turmeric for many ailments, as an effective natural anti-inflammatory.
My personal standard for verifying any claims is to put the key words into the search engine at PubMed (20+ million medical papers etc.) and see what medical studies confirm the claims. If I find multiple studies done by reputable organizations (medical schools, etc.) with similar results, then I consider the claims valid.
What amazes me are the number of studies done that conclusively prove certain easily obtainable substances are incredibly helpful, yet we don't hear about them from our doctors. I also enjoy reading studies done by non-US schools. For example a Japanese study on Curcumin and MS at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20828641
Home page for PubMed searches is: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
If I can't find a study in PubMed, I assign it a "maybe."
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Yes I like PubMed (some of the URLs I listed came from their trials) but I do not just use their info exclusively. Journal of America Medical Assoc (JAMA), British Medical Journal, if yo look I used the European Journal of Heptology (study of the liver) and I noted it was an 11 page article, had to read it a few times, and had 11 pages of references. I also liked in the "What Docs will NOT tell you about menopause" are measurable. They referred to MANY female patients who's fiberous growths reduced in half or completely disappeared after hormone treatment. Some info on page 103 PREmenopause
There are some gray areas in the book that you'll want to double check but none of these areas (so far) have I found too much. I have only see evidence in other books that seems back this up. This Dr. Lee is dead now but he worked for DECADES with his patients and helping with cancer reducing and eliminating fibroids without surgery but using nutrition and hormones. I like that measurable of fiberoids that are reduced in half or ar gone within 6 months.
One gray area is pg 187 bottom- estrogen dominance interferes with and inhibits thyroid function (metabolism and keeping you warm).
I will say that there is one more "gray" area that I need to find some more data since it is a very pertinent point. One that I think the MS board will find very interesting in the PREmenopause book. Page 24 "progesterone is manufactured in the Schwann's cells that make up the myelin sheath".
Stress raises cortisol & prolactin. Prolactin REDUCES progesterone pg 138
page 25 Progesterone tells bones to build while cortisol tells bones to stop building. I also like the list of estrogen dominance symptoms on pages 46, 47
I like information like what is found on pg 237 After DIScontinuing estrogen and RESTORING progesterone levels with transdermal cream repeated biopsies found NO cancer cells. Trying using progesterone with a doc before having a hysterectomy.
Page 211 Progesterone activated gene p53 which restores healthy apoptosis (when the body tells a cell to die because it has a defect that may cause cancer or otherwise cause harm to the organism). Estrogen activates gene Bcl-2 which slows apoptosis can is cancer promoting. So you do NOT want to be estrogen dominant or low in progesterone.
Page 212 John Hopkins published breast cancer was 5.4 times greater in women with low progesterone and the incidence of all cancers was10 fold greater in women with low progesterone. (My question what constitutes good levels)
Pg 213. Ten studies show longer disease free women who have breast cancer surgery during the luteal phase of menstruation. Then goes on to show 7 mechanisms by which it can be concluded progesterone inhibits cancer growth.
Pg 140 GLA (borage /primrose oil) stimulates anti-inflammation prostaglandins
I wish all of you luck in researching and working with your doctors to find the best ways to positively affect your health.
Best Wishes,
EP
Estrogen dominance might inhibit thyroid function (me: low thyroid =cold all the time, hair loss, fatigue etc). Stress that leads to increases in cortisol & prolactin are bad. Prolactin REDUCES progesterone. (Estrogen dominance and stress= bad)
A list of estrogen dominance symptoms are on pages 46, 47 Check out if this is something you may want to check into with a GOOD endo.
Healthier levels of Progesterone (activates p53 cancer suppression gene) and GLA are good.
Pg 138 Increase Stress= Inc Adrenaline, Inc prolactin + Inc Cortisol = Inc Insulin= Incr Inflammation
Pg 152 Inc Stress = Inc Aldosterone = Inc BP + Decr Magnesium and Decr in Potassium
OK I am done for today I have to study for my biochem class today.
Best wishes to all,
EP
Anyway, the site is called JG Supplements, its link is http://www.jgsupplements.com/
By the way, I forgot to mention that I came across this site when I was looking for reasonably priced Pycnogenol, a poweriul anti oxidant/anti inflammatory. The prices here are the most reasonable I've so far come across.
But one more I have been looking into is ELLAGIC ACID....initial research is pretty amazing stuff ( ;
We take Life Extension Multivitamin (has absorbable magnesium, D3, high B vitamins, zinc, broccoli sprout, berry extracts, choline, etc).
+ Turmeric, Omega 3-6-9 & CLA.
I take a few more for my UC while my hubby takes different ones for MS. See we tailor this to our own unique needs.
He is deficient in GLA (primrose oil) so he takes some of this too, mitobooster (mitochondria make ATP or fuel this pill has ALA, co-enzyme Q10, etc.) + Turmeric & I am looking to add Ellagic acid.
I take probiotics, oregano oil (anti-bacterial & anti- inflamm properties), coconut oil for the same reasons. Plus 3 Asacol pills down from the 12 a day I was initially scripted. I don't mind judicious use of medication that won't ruin my kidneys or liver. 12 pills was just too high a dose for the long-term without issue to these to very necessary organs.
Best wishes to all,
EP
Dr Amen wrote a book called Change Your Brain Change Your Life. It has information on neurotransmitters like GABA. He has multiple PhDs and looks at actual brain function and found certain peoples behavior can be modified via addressing certain deficiencies, in this case neurotransmitters or chemicals you need to make the low neurotransmitters. GABA being a signal that induces calmness and reduce anxiety (Magnesium helps this too).
This book is on my to-read-list. It might be something you might want to look at too. Don't know if this would help you.
This is a good URL to START researching neurotransmitters and then go to NIH to find out what has been definitively found to be helpful.
http://healthydoctors.com/blog/robert-rowen-md-alternative-health-articles/permanent-cure-for-food-cravings-mood-swings-and-addiction/
Best wishes,
EP
I believe that GABA and 5-HTP taken directly are not very affective for different reasons. 5-HTP is broke down before it can be absorbed, etc. So taking the ingrediants your body CAN absorb to make these things seems wiser. IE Tryptophan (turkey), brown rice, B vitamins, SAMe these amino acids etc.
ALWAYS talk to a doctor to find out IF you are deficient and what is best for you.
EP
Ellagic acid is my best anti-cancer friend. It is SO important for ensuring our cell replication system (controlled by the P53 gene) is functioning properly. I'd recommend anyone put "ellagic acid" and "P-53" and "cancer" into the PubMed search and read for yourself. BTW - good sources of ellagic acid are: #1-pomegranates, #2-raspberries, #3-strawberries and walnuts.
The book recommendation about brain chemicals sounds interesting. Thanks.
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