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Alternative Names: MS.
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the nervous system which manifests itself primarily through disorders in mobility. It is associated with a variety of other symptoms and complications. The most important fact about multiple sclerosis is its unpredictability and its uncertainty. There are very few certainties to be found anywhere in any aspect of this disease.
Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of the white matter of the central nervous system. Gray matter consists primarily of nerve cells. Axons (nerve fibers) are the connections between the cell body and the muscles, sensory organs, and primary organs such as the heart. These nerve cells are the communication system both within the central nervous system and between it and the rest of the body. Axons are sheathed in myelin, a white substance (hence the term "white matter") that insulates them and speeds transmission of impulses along the cell fibers. Electrical impulses move along the nerve fiber to the synapse (the connection point between cells) to the next nerve cell.
Incidence; Causes & Development
MS is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. In the United States alone, there are at least 250,000 cases. For reasons that remain unclear, it is more prevalent in northern temperate zones and affects noticeably more women than men. The average age of onset is thirty years.
The lesions or plaques of multiple sclerosis are areas of tissue damage arising from inflammation, which occurs when white blood cells and fluid accumulate around blood vessels. This inflammation causes destruction of myelin. After the fragments are cleared away, a scar is formed in the area which is the lesion, or area of demyelinization. These lesions impede conduction of signals by blocking or slowing communication, either completely or partially and from time to time. The process can be thought of as similar to an electrical short circuit. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis result from this loss in signal conduction.
Studies indicate that an environmental factor, perhaps exposure to a virus, when combined with a genetic predisposition to the disease, may well dictate occurrence of the disease. MS is not a genetically transmitted disease; it may be an autoimmune disease, with some part of the body attacking itself.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms may appear very rapidly, within minutes or days, or very slowly, over a period of weeks. They may be very transient and come and go rapidly. New symptoms may accumulate; old symptoms may reappear and/or intensify.
Symptoms of MS vary enormously, both from patient to patient and, over time, in one patient. There are three primary courses the disease may take: - A benign course, involving a few early mild attacks followed by almost complete remission, leaving little or no disability (30% of cases)
- An exacerbating-remitting course with more early attacks with less complete remission resulting in some disability, followed by long periods of stability (40% of cases)
- A progressive course involving a slow and continuing progression of the disease with no remission (30% of cases).
Diagnosis & Tests
Diagnosis of MS is difficult. A medical history and clinical examination must show at least two separate lesions that have occurred at more than one time. Obviously, any other possible causes must be ruled out. Because of the difficulty of diagnosis, the presence of MS is usually deemed to be either definite, probable, or possible. There is no one specific diagnostic test that can either confirm or rule out its presence.
A neurological examination can indicate lesions through the presence or absence of various signs and reflexes. Computerized tomographic (CT) scans will show some lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) usually reveals many more lesions than the CT scan, including some that may be subclinical. An autopsy will usually show many more lesions than were suggested by either symptoms or signs. These lesions are probably the result of subclinical attacks of the disease.
Brain wave testing of responses to various forms of stimulation of the eyes, ears or other parts of the body may demonstrate delays in these responses and indicate lesions that are clinically silent (producing no symptoms) and can sometimes firm up a questionable diagnosis from probable to definite MS. Testing of the cerebrospinal fluid for protein content, the number and type of white blood cells, and the amount of Ig6, a gamma globulin, can also support a diagnosis. An old diagnostic technique is to see whether a person becomes worse after a hot bath.
Treatment & Prevention
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Many promising modes of treatment are being developed and tested but most remain experimental. An enormous amount of research is currently being done on the causes and processes of multiple sclerosis, and understanding of the disease continues to increase.
The Swank Diet
Dr. Roy Swank has provided convincing evidence that a diet low in saturated fats over a long period of time can slow down and in some cases stop the degenerative process in multiple sclerosis. The Swank diet calls for:- No red meat for the first year of the diet (including the dark meat of turkey and chicken). Following the first year, 3oz of red meat will be allowed per week
- No dairy products containing 1% butterfat or more
- No processed foods containing saturated fat
- Saturated fat intake below 15gm (3 teaspoons) per day
- Unsaturated fat intake at a minimum of 20gm (4 teaspoons) and a maximum of 50gm (10 teaspoons) per day
- 1 teaspoon or 4 capsules of cod liver oil each day
The results of Dr. Swank's 34-year study from 1949-1984 are impressive. Patients diagnosed as minimally disabled showed very little progression of the disease. Only 5% of the diet group failed to survive the 34 years of the study while a remarkable 80% of those not following the diet failed to survive the same time period. Moderately and severely disabled patients progressed much better subjectively and objectively than those that did not follow the diet. The diet has been credited with preventing a worsening of the disease, greatly reducing fatigue, and dramatically reducing the death rate.
Prognosis
Some of those with an exacerbating-remitting course will eventually develop a slow progression involving fewer and less complete remissions with cumulative disabilities. Very rarely, there is a rapidly progressive course leading to death. MS itself is almost never the cause of death; death results from accompanying complications or infections. Generally speaking, the life expectancy of those with MS is at least 75% of normal.
Exacerbations and remissions are difficult to define. An exacerbation is an acute appearance of new symptoms or worsening of old symptoms which lasts at least 24 hours, while a remission is a total or more often partial clearing of symptoms and signs which lasts more than 24 hours.
Exacerbations - episodes of new disease activity - are not easy to diagnose with certainty. New symptoms may result from old, not new, areas of disease that were previously silent. Conversely, recurrence of old symptoms is not a sure indication of lack of exacerbation. Over time, the disease process may result in the formation of new plaques or the enlargement of existing ones. Exacerbations can be caused by heat, physical trauma, extreme fatigue, psychological stress, infections, or any other kind of stress. While all of these factors have been associated with exacerbations, there is little empirical data to support these associations.
There does seem to be a direct correlation between the degree of remission from an exacerbation and its duration. For example, 85% will usually improve spontaneously from an exacerbation that lasts one week, but only 7% will improve after an exacerbation lasting one to two years. Over time, a series of exacerbations and remissions may result in a gradual accumulation of irreversible changes and disability.
There are factors that may be predictive of the course of the disease. An earlier age at onset may mean a more benign course. If, at onset, symptoms are sensory, the course of the disease may be less severe, while motor symptoms (weakness or poor coordination) at onset may be predictive of greater disability. Again, as with everything to do with this disease, variation is extreme and the course and progression of the disease is unpredictable.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Multiple Sclerosis:
Conditions that suggest Multiple Sclerosis:
Risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis: | | | | | Addictions |  Cigarette Smoke Damage | A study at the University of Bergen in Norway, reported October 28th, 2003 in the journal Neurology, found that smoking can more than double a person's chances of developing multiple sclerosis. The risk was higher even if people had given up cigarettes. The authors, Dr. Trond Riise and colleagues, examined 22,312 people aged between 40 and 47. Of those, 87 had MS. The smokers were 1.81 times more likely to get MS than the non-smokers and men had a higher (2.75 times more likely) risk than women (1.61) who had smoked. |
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Autoimmune |
Autoimmune Tendency |
Circulation |
Hypercoagulation (Thickened Blood) |
Environment / Toxicity |
Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness)| | A 1987 study showed that the levels of mercury in the spinal fluid of MS patients was 8 times higher than normal. [Silberod, R: A comparison of mental health of multiple sclerosis patients with silver/mercury dental fillings; Psychological Reports 70: pp.1139-51, 1992]. Mercury has long been linked to autoimmune diseases such as MS because of its affinity to attach to collagen tissue, which is the most common protein in the body. Polluted by mercury infiltration, the collagen is seen by the immune system as 'not self.' |
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Lab Values |
Uric Acid Levels Low| | It has been proposed - and research is supporting the idea - that low uric acid levels are associated with increased frequency and longer bouts of multiple sclerosis. Uric acid works by inactivating peroxynitrite, a toxic compound that may cause damage to the central nervous system in MS patients. Researchers report that they found lower levels of uric acid in the blood of MS patients than of people without the disease. It appears that high serum uric acid levels protect against the development of MS. These results raise the possibility that the natural biologic product, uric acid, or a more soluble peroxynitrite scavenger that penetrates the blood brain-barrier more readily might have clinical utility in the treatment of MS. [Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1998;95: pp.675-680] |
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Nutrients |
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement| | Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may contribute to depressive symptoms in alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and postpartum depression.
It is interesting to note that the incidence of MS is quite low in Japan, where consumption of marine foods, seeds, and fruit oil is quite high. These foods contain abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids, including the omega-3 oils (alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexanoic acids). Deficiencies of the omega-3 oils are thought to interfere with lipid elongation and permanently impair formation of normal myelin. |
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Uro-Genital |
Consequences of Vasectomy |
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Multiple Sclerosis suggests the following may be present: | | | | | Autoimmune |  Autoimmune Tendency |
Hormones |
 Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance| | Progesterone has been shown in animal studies to promote the formation of new myelin sheaths [Human Reproduction 2000 Jun;15 Suppl 1: pp.1-13, J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1999 Apr-Jun;69 pp.97-107, Mult Scler 1997 Apr;3 pp.105-12]
Physicians have known for years that pregnancy can suppress some forms of immune response, such as allergies. In the early and mid-1980s, several doctors observed that MS patients had fewer symptoms during pregnancy and post-partum recovery. This may be due to the high progesterone level in the blood of a pregnant woman. Progesterone tends to be anti-inflammatory. Progesterone therapy may therefore be useful for MS especially as a medical report noted the association between enlarged adrenal glands and MS. Progesterone, being a steroid, often helps the adrenals deal with inflammation.
Other studies have indicated that symptoms are worse during periods when the progesterone to estrogen ratio is low. |
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Lab Values |
Uric Acid Levels Low| | It has been proposed - and research is supporting the idea - that low uric acid levels are associated with increased frequency and longer bouts of multiple sclerosis. Uric acid works by inactivating peroxynitrite, a toxic compound that may cause damage to the central nervous system in MS patients. Researchers report that they found lower levels of uric acid in the blood of MS patients than of people without the disease. It appears that high serum uric acid levels protect against the development of MS. These results raise the possibility that the natural biologic product, uric acid, or a more soluble peroxynitrite scavenger that penetrates the blood brain-barrier more readily might have clinical utility in the treatment of MS. [Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1998;95: pp.675-680] |
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Nutrients |
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement| | Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may contribute to depressive symptoms in alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and postpartum depression.
It is interesting to note that the incidence of MS is quite low in Japan, where consumption of marine foods, seeds, and fruit oil is quite high. These foods contain abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids, including the omega-3 oils (alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexanoic acids). Deficiencies of the omega-3 oils are thought to interfere with lipid elongation and permanently impair formation of normal myelin. |
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Multiple Sclerosis can lead to:
Multiple Sclerosis could instead be: | | | | | Infections | Lyme Disease| | Lyme Disease has been called "The New Great Imitator", a replacement for that old "great imitator" neurosyphilis. The two diseases share so many symptoms that Lyme disease should be ruled out if multiple sclerosis diagnosis is in question. |
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Recommendations and treatments for Multiple Sclerosis: | | | | | Animal-based |  Thymic Factors| | Through his clinical experiences with thymic supplementation, Dr. Burgstiner said he observed 10 cases of multiple sclerosis go into remission. |
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Botanical |
 Ginkgo Biloba| | Three months of treatment with a Ginkgo biloba product (240mg per day) maintained attention, memory and functioning - without adverse effects - in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 23 patients with mild multiple sclerosis. Deterioration of function was observed in patients who had received a placebo. [American Academy of Neurology 54th Annual Meeting, April 13-20, 2002, Denver, Colorado, USA; P06.081] |
Chlorella |
Diet |
Monounsaturated Oils| | A minimum of 20gm (4 teaspoons) and a maximum of 50gm (10 teaspoons) per day is recommended as part of the Swank Diet for Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. Persons with MS should use mainly olive oil (monosaturated fat) in conjunction with fish oils to provide most of their fat intake. |
Plant-Based Nutrition
Animal/Saturated Fats Avoidance
Fried Foods Avoidance| | The Swank diet includes strict avoidance of fried food and trans-fatty acids. |
Dairy Products Avoidance| | Avoid dairy products containing 1% butterfat or more. This is part of the Swank Diet for Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. |
Hydrogenated Fats / Trans Fatty Acids Avoidance| | The Swank diet includes strict avoidance of fried food and trans-fatty acids. |
Increased Fish Consumption| | The Swank diet includes eating fish at least 3 times per week. Alternately, fish oils could be substituted at 1500mg three or more times per week. |
Chocolate Avoidance| | Epidemiology studies have documented a correlation between high cocoa consumption and high MS incidence. When cocoa is introduced to an area, MS incidence rises sharply. Cases are reported in which chocolate ingestion by MS patients was followed by exacerbations [Maas AG, Hogenhuis LAH. Multiple sclerosis and possible relationship to cocoa: A hypothesis. Ann Allergy 59: pp.76- 9, 1987] |
Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance |
Drug |
 Conventional Drug Use| | A form of bacteria seems to be the organic cause of multiple sclerosis, claims a Dr. Hoekstra, MD. Its tentative name - not yet widely accepted by other microbiologists - is Borrelia mylophora, so named because its characteristics seem to resemble those of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria believed responsible for Lyme disease. In cases of multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath covering the nerves gets eaten away by the immune system, explains Dr. Hoekstra. "That is exactly like the hunters' torches setting fire to the forest. Most of the destruction of the myelin sheath takes place from actions of the white blood cells and their antibodies. But their primary target is not the myelin sheath at all. It's the Borrelia mylophora bacteria, running around in the nervous system. B. mylophora has an extremely high affinity for the myelin sheath. It loves it."
The successful use of doxycycline against B. mylophora was first verified by a physician in South Dakota who reasoned that the symptoms of MS (which he had) were suggestively similar to those of Lyme disease, which responds fairly well to doxycycline. After dosing himself for three months with the antibiotic, he was symptom free. However, the long-term use of antibiotics has many drawbacks, cautions Dr. Hoekstra. It seriously damages the ecology of intestinal microflora and can lead to a condition of microbial imbalance called dysbiosis. This in turn can be the foundation for numerous diseases. It can also facilitate the growth of more cell wall deficient forms. To counteract this, probiotic replacement is required. |
LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone |
Hormone |
Histamine Therapy| | Dr. George Gillson, M.D., Ph.D., reports that after six weeks of treatment with histamine in 19 individuals with multiple sclerosis- 11 noted dramatic improvement
- 3 reported one or more significant improvements in symptoms, including reduced numbness, better motor control, improved speech, much better sleeping, and more energy
- 1 had no change
- 4 had no change due to poor absorption of the histamine, poor patch adhesion, or an interfering drug.
The nurse responsible for the revival of the use of histamine, Elaine DeLack, MS, RN, has collected verbal reports from over 200 individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who have used histamine: 72% report at least one significant improvement in symptoms, and some many more. |
ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)| | One hormone which has been shown to shorten the duration and intensity of acute exacerbations is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a pituitary gland substance that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce additional cortisone, which acts to reduce the inflammation in the brain or spinal cord. ACTH does not affect the underlying disease processes but may diminish the frequency and severity of exacerbations and even slow the progression of the disease. |
DHEA
Pregnenolone| | Animal studies indicate that pregnenolone may aid in repairing the degeneration of the myelin sheath, the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. Further studies are required to determine if there is any benefit for humans with MS. |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
Test for B12 Levels| | The first step when you receive a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is to determine if you really have it. A vitamin B12 deficiency has very similar symptoms and is frequently misdiagnosed as MS; the type of anemia resulting from B12 deficiency is called pernicious anemia. [Hosp Pract (Off Ed) 1995 Jul 15;30(7): pp.47-52; discussion 52, 54]
Additionally, researchers found in 45 MS patients that vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower in those who experienced the onset of first neurological symptoms prior to age 18 years (10 patients) compared to patients in whom the disease first manifested after age 18 (35 patients). In contrast, serum folate levels were unrelated to age of onset of the disease. As vitamin B12 levels were statistically unrelated to chronicity of illness, these findings suggest a specific association between the timing of onset of first neurological symptoms of MS and vitamin B12 metabolism. In addition, since vitamin B12 is required for the formation of myelin and for immune mechanisms, a deficiency in MS is of critical pathogenetic significance. [PMID: 8407160, UI: 94011702] |
Test Serum Uric Acid Levels| | Reports from researchers suggest that low uric acid levels are associated with increased frequency and longer bouts of multiple sclerosis. Uric acid levels should be monitored and, if low, raised by supplemental molybdenum and reducing any copper toxicity. |
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Mineral |
Calcium-2AEP| | Calcium EAP protects the myelin sheath from damage by an autoimmune response. Dr. Nieper has found an EAP deficiency state in people with immune dysfunctional diseases, and says that all cell membranes in such people are defective. He claims this defect can be blocked with supplemental EAP.
Dr. Nieper believes that MS is initiated by a viral attack on the nervous system, followed by an error in programming the immune system to defend it. The immune system ends up attacking the nerves, especially the myelin sheath. Normally, certain steroids eliminate this bad programming but certain pollutants such as Chlorine, Fluoride, some heavy metals and especially Aluminum, interfere with the process. |
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Nutrient |
Essential Fatty Acids
Alpha Lipoic Acid |
Vitamins |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)| | Dr. Fred Klenner, MD pioneered the use of injectable thiamine (vitamin B1) and injectable liver extract for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. His experience and that of others is that early treatment is important in producing symptomatic relief and a state of well-being. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Adrenal (Adrenal Gland, Adrenal Glands, Adrenals)
The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and consist of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. Of the 50 or so hormones the adrenals make, only cortisone and adrenaline are recognized by most people. Some of these hormones must be produced to preserve life, while others help resist stress. Other hormones from the adrenals control normal energy output (along with the thyroid) and govern the breakdown of stored energy into quick energy sources. The medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are specifically designed to help the body deal with stressful situations. The adrenals control the body's potassium/sodium balance, which is vital for energy production. They also produce sex hormones in minute amounts, which is important for later years when the gonads drop or cease their production.
Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.
Anemia (Anaemia, Anemias)
A condition resulting from an unusually low number of red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the red blood cells. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia in which the red blood cells are reduced in size and number, and hemoglobin levels are low. Clinical symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy and heart palpitations.
Antibody (Antibodies)
A type of serum protein (globulin) synthesized by white blood cells of the lymphoid type in response to an antigenic (foreign substance) stimulus. Antibodies are complex substances formed to neutralize or destroy these antigens in the blood. Antibody activity normally fights infection but can be damaging in allergies and a group of diseases that are called autoimmune diseases.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Autoimmune Disease (Autoimmune, Autoimmunity)
One of a large group of diseases in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells, tissues and organs, leading to chronic and often deadly conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Benign
Literally: innocent; not malignant. Often used to refer to cells that are not cancerous; they tend to grow slowly and don't spread (metastasize) like cancer tumors do.
Calcium
The body's most abundant mineral. Its primary function is to help build and maintain bones and teeth. The body also needs calcium to carry nerve signals, keep the heart functioning, contract muscles, clot blood and maintain healthy skin. Calcium helps control blood acid-alkaline balance, plays a role in cell division, muscle growth and iron utilization, activates certain enzymes, and helps transport nutrients through cell membranes. Calcium also forms a cellular cement called ground substance that helps hold cells and tissues together.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
A collective term for the brain, spinal cord, their nerves, and the sensory end organs. More broadly, this can even include the
neurotransmitting hormones instigated by the CNS that control the chemical nervous system, the endocrine glands.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Cobalamin (B12, B-12, Cobalamine, Vitamin B12)
Essential for normal growth and functioning of all body cells, especially those of bone marrow (red blood cell formation), gastrointestinal tract and nervous system, it prevents pernicious anemia and plays a crucial part in the reproduction of every cell of the body i.e. synthesis of genetic material (DNA).
Collagen
The primary protein within white fibers of connective tissue and the organic substance found in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, teeth and bone.
Computerised Tomography (CAT Scan, Computed Tomography, Computerized Axial Tomography, CT Scan)
A scanning procedure using X-rays and a computer to detect abnormalities of the body's organs. This technique provides cross-sectional images of body organs, which is much clearer than those provided by conventional X-rays.
Copper
An essential mineral that is a component of several important enzymes in the body and is essential to good health. Copper is found in all body tissues. Copper deficiency leads to a variety of abnormalities, including anemia, skeletal defects, degeneration of the nervous system, reproductive failure, pronounced cardiovascular lesions, elevated blood cholesterol, impaired immunity and defects in the pigmentation and structure of hair. Copper is involved in iron incorporation into hemoglobin. It is also involved with vitamin C in the formation of collagen and the proper functioning in central nervous system. More than a dozen enzymes have been found to contain copper. The best studied are superoxide dismutase (SOD), cytochrome C oxidase, catalase, dopamine hydroxylase, uricase, tryptophan dioxygenase, lecithinase and other monoamine and diamine oxidases.
Epidemiology
The study of the causes and distribution of disease in human populations.
Essential Fatty Acid (EFA, EFAs, Essential Fatty Acids)
A substance that the human body cannot manufacture and therefore must be supplied in the diet.
Estrogen (Oestrogen)
One of the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
Fatty Acids (Fatty Acid)
Chemical chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that are part of a fat (lipid) and are the major component of triglycerides. Depending on the number and arrangement of these atoms, fatty acids are classified as either saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated. They are nutritional substances found in nature which include cholesterol, prostaglandins, and stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentanoic (EPA), and decohexanoic acids. Important nutritional lipids include lecithin, choline, gamma-linoleic acid, and inositol.
Gout
A disease characterized by an increased blood uric acid level and sudden onset of episodes of acute arthritis.
Gram (gm, gms, Gramme, Grammes, Grams)
A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.
Histamine
A chemical in the body tissues, produced by the breakdown of histidine. It is released in allergic reactions and causes widening of capillaries, decreased blood pressure, increased release of gastric juice, fluid leakage forming itchy skin and hives, and tightening of smooth muscles of the bronchial tube and uterus. Histamine is the chemical that drives the initial acute allergic reaction, causing itching, swelling and congestion.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Lesion (Lesions)
Any damage to tissue structure or function; an abnormal change in body tissue caused by disease or injury. A scar is a lesion, as is cancer, a stomach ulcer or a pimple.
Lipid (Lipids)
Fat-soluble substances derived from animal or vegetable cells by nonpolar solvents (e.g. ether); the term can include the following types of materials: fatty acids, glycerides, phospholipids, alcohols and waxes.
Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A technique used in diagnosis that combines radio waves and magnetic forces to produce detailed images of the internal structures of the body.
Metabolism (Metabolic, Metabolize, Metabolizes, Metabolizing)
The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds. Also defined as the sum total of changes in an organism in order to achieve a balance (homeostasis): Catabolic burns up, anabolic stores and builds up; the sum of their work is metabolism.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
mol (mmol, nmol, pmol, umol)
Mole. The amount of a substance that contains as many atoms, molecules, ions, or other elementary units as the number of atoms in 0.012 kilograms of carbon 12. The number is 6.0225 × 10^23, or Avogadro's number. Also called gram molecule.
mmol: millimole: 0.001 or one thousandth of a mole.
umol: micromole: 0.000001 or one millionth of a mole.
nmol: nanomole: 0.000000001 or one billionth of a mole.
pmol: picomole: 0.000000000001 or one trillionth of a mole.
Molybdenum
An essential trace element. It helps regulate iron stores in the body and is a key component of at least three enzymes: xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulfite oxidase. These enzymes are involved with carbohydrate metabolism, fat oxidation and urine metabolism. The average adult has about 9mg of molybdenum concentrated mostly in the liver, kidney, adrenal glands, bones and skin. Molybdenum deficiencies are associated with esophageal cancer, sexual impotency and tooth decay.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, causing patches of sclerosis (plaques) in the brain and spinal cord, manifested by loss of normal neurological functions, e.g. muscle weakness, loss of vision, and mood alterations.
Myelin
A substance made of protein and lipid (fat) that protects the nerves, especially in the brain. The myelin sheath is a jacket of insulation around axons to help them conduct their electrical discharges quickly down the axon.
Nervous System
A system in the body that is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia and parts of the receptor organs that receive and interpret stimuli and transmit impulses to effector organs.
Ounce (Ounces, oz)
Approximately 28 grams.
Pernicious Anemia
Anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency.
pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
Pituitary (Pituitary Gland)
The pituitary gland is a small (half-inch), bean-shaped organ that hangs down from the lower center of the brain on a stalk attached to another gland, the hypothalamus. Weighing less than one gram, the pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" since it controls the secretion of hormones by other endocrine glands. It regulates many body activities, and is partitioned into front and back lobes. The front lobe is stimulated by the hypothalamus, and produces any one of six different hormones that in turn stimulate the thyroid, adrenal and reproductive glands, and also breast milk production.
Placebo (Placebos)
A pharmacologically inactive substance. Often used to compare clinical responses against the effects of pharmacologically active substances in experiments.
Polyunsaturated
Polyunsaturated fats or oils. Originate from vegetables and are liquid at room temperature. These oils are a good source of the unsaturated fatty acids. They include flaxseed with added vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), sunflower oil, safflower oil, and primrose oil.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, PUFA, PUFAs)
A polyunsaturated fatty acid is one that is missing more than one pair of hydrogen atoms. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are mostly found in plant and sea foods. Safflower, sunflower, corn and soy oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Postpartum Depression
The "baby blues" are a very frequent and completely normal consequence of childbirth, usually wearing off soon afterwards as hormonal and psychological systems get back to normal. Postpartum depression is a less common but severe depression that begins in the weeks following delivery. It impairs the ability of the mother to care for the child and fall in love with it. This makes her feel even more depressed and inadequate thinking that she can not be a good mother. At the extreme, postpartum depression may lead to dangerous delusions (for example, thinking the baby is in some way deformed or cursed) or hallucinations (that may command violent acts). This can occasionally result in a tragic episode of suicide and/or infanticide.
Probiotic (Probiotics)
Derived from the Greek word for "life." Probiotic refers to organisms and substances which contribute to intestinal microbial balance. They are beneficial or "friendly" intestinal bacteria.
Progesterone
This is the hormone secreted after ovulation by the corpus luteum. It is a steroid (similar to a cholesterol), enters receptive cells to stimulate their growth, and acts as an anabolic agent. Estrogen should be viewed as the primary coat underneath all the cycles during a woman's reproductive years, with progesterone, its antagonist, surging for ten or twelve days in ovulatory months. Most of the actions of progesterone cannot occur without estrogen having previously induced the growth of progesterone-receptive binding sites.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Saturated Fat (Saturated Fats)
A type of fat that is readily converted to LDL cholesterol and is thought to encourage production of arterial disease. Saturated fats tend to be hard at room temperature. Among saturated fats are animal fats, dairy products, and such vegetable oils as coconut and palm oils.
Serum
The cell-free fluid of the bloodstream. It appears in a test tube after the blood clots and is often used in expressions relating to the levels of certain compounds in the blood stream.
Steroid (Steroids)
Any of a large number of hormonal substances with a similar basic chemical structure containing a 17-carbon 14-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides.
Subclinical
Pertaining to a disease or condition: Not manifesting characteristic clinical symptoms, that is, not detectable through examination and/or having no symptoms; the period of time when a potential disease is still potential, and a functional imbalance or tendency has not caused any organic disruption. Those years of poor digestion, heartburn, and the
systematic suppression of upper intestinal function by adrenalin stress have not yet become overt gastritis, ulcers, or IBS.
Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).
Thiamine (B1, B-1, Thiamin, Vitamin B1)
A B-complex vitamin that acts as a coenzyme necessary for the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, which is burned in the body for energy. It is essential for the functioning of the nervous system.
Unsaturated Fats (Unsaturated Fat)
In foods, fats missing hydrogen atoms in specific places on the fatty acid molecule; depending on the number of missing atoms, these fats are classified as either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Main dietary sources are plants and fish.
Uric Acid (Hyperuricemia)
The final end product of certain native or dietary proteins, especially the nucleoproteins found in the nucleus of cells. Unlike the much smaller nitrogenous waste product urea, which is mostly recycled to form many amino acids, uric acid is an unrecycleable metabolite that must be excreted: nucleoprotein to purine to uric acid to the outside in the urine or the sweat. Hyperuricemia: Having elevated blood uric acid, either from a rapid rate of cell breakdown and synthesis (such as might occur from fasting, heavy training, trauma or any number of major diseases), a high consumption of organ meats, glandular supplements or spirulina, or the inability (usually hereditary) to excrete uric acid in the urine as fast as it is produced, even though production itself is not elevated.
Vegan (Veganism, Vegans)
A person who consumes no animal products of any kind. In other words, vegans do not consume meat, fish, fowl, dairy products, eggs, honey, or products containing gelatin or any other animal-derived ingredients such as whey powder or food colorings.
Vegetarian (Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian, Vegetarianism, Vegetarians)
A person who consumes no meat, fish or fowl (chicken, turkey, etc.), but who may consume animal products such as dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, etc.), eggs or honey.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
White Blood Cell (WBC, White Blood Cells)
A blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin: a blood corpuscle responsible for maintaining the body's immune surveillance system against invasion by foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. White cells become specifically programmed against foreign invaders and work to inactivate and rid the body of a foreign substance. White blood cells are composed primarily of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are either T-cells or B-cells. T-cells (CD3 cells) are divided into T-helper (CD4 cells) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8 cells) cells.
Last updated: Apr 13, 2008
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