This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

HELLO ALL,

was wondering why it is recommended to NOT take zinc if you have MS?

Hi!

I believe off the cuff, that the quickest non-scientifically worded answer is that zinc enhances the immune system, whereas in MS, you want to suppress the immune system, not enhance it.

Deb

That is logical.

Thought I'd pass along a conversation I had with my neuro about zinc. I too had read that zinc may not be good for those with MS as it enhances the immue system. I have done very well over the years using zinc lozenges to avoid or minimizes colds so I asked my neuro what his thoughts were about zinc lozenges. His answer was that the immune system is so complex that it's not as simple as saying if you have MS you should avoid all things that supposedly strengthen the immune system such as zinc.

I found his answer quite helpful and I think about it when I make decisions about supplements and diet and other things. (I was diagnosed with RRMS last spring and now am on Tysabri.) And I take the zinc lozenges when I want. (So far, no colds and no relapses and most recent MRIs were stable or improved - pre Tysabri. Who knows?)

- Arcee

Arcee,

Yes, I agree with you somewhat.

Green tea (which also enhances your immune system) is something else that is a toss-up in MS. I think the overwhelming evidence between how bad it is for you if you have MS compared to how good it is for you if you have MS, the good outweighs the bad by far!

So........yes, it's a tossup, allright, and a person will probably get different advice from different doctors depending on their viewpoint, etc.

Basically, though, the main reason (whether it is a wive's tale or not) is the "enhancing vs suppressing" argument. Which as your neuro said, can get pretty complex!



Deb

EDIT: You definitely want to consider loading up on anti-oxidants in MS, and doing that sometimes overlaps with the adage of "enhancement" of the immune system, so Catch 22. Go figure!

bumping this old chat for giggles.

Why would the allopathic doctor not want you to take zinc? They will tell you there is no cure for MS. You keep coming back and they will give you the drug and collect the money. If you start doing healthy things and get better you no longer need them. They will put themselves out of business if you get healthy. When you suppress your immune system you are subject to many diseases. You need to make your body as healthy as possible and that is done by diet. If you can't get the nutrients from food you have to take supplements. The holistic doctors understand this but the allopathic doctors deal in drugs.

I think it is good to remember that Zinc, along with many other nutrients is referred to as "Essential Nutrients."

To deprive the body of any of them, is asking for trouble.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_nutrient

i just thought it was funny because it's the utter opposite of everything i think say or do

jimmylegs I'm confused as to what you are referring to.

sry t - I mean the reason I bumped this old topic