Hi Amelia
Your concerns are well founded. I profess that daily immunosuppression is possible with safe, effective and very affordable means. Simply put, maintenance of sufficient internal vitamin D3 will enable one to significantly reduce inflammatory autoimmune reactions from occurring.
The paper entitled
Vitamin D Supplementation in the Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis discusses why vitamin D is so intrinsic to MS (and other AI conditions). Below is a list of specific mechanisms that the vitamin D hormone induces to produce immunosuppression.
1) Suppresses antibody production by B cells and the proliferation of T cells in the thymus.
2) Upregulates cytokines TGF-beta and IL-4. These proteins, which are produced by immune cells, act as suppressants of inflammatory T cells.
3) Inhibits production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-2, TNF
and IFN gamma which also reduces inflamammatory reactions.
4) Interferes with T helper function and inhibits the passive transfer of cellular immunity by Th in vivo.
5) Inhibits the production of NO (nitric oxide) by immune cells. NO has been identified as one of the most destructive products of the immune system and is an important factor in demyelination.
6) Inhibits the proliferation of activated and memory T cells. Such cells are the main mediators of the inflammatory autoimmune reactions of MS.
7) Exerts immunomodulating effects in the CNS by inducing a profound
downregulation of antigen expression by both infiltrating and resident antigen-presenting cells (e.g. macrophages).
8 ) Inhibits the actions of antigen presenting dendritic cells.
Most of the article is not nearly as technical as these points suggest so please have a read of it. While you are at it check out this
article which demonstrates well effective immunosuppression, a la vitamin D, in action.
Cheers
Nick
DIRECT-MS material
Booklets
Direct-MS produces information booklets on various aspects of multiple sclerosis. These booklets are listed below and a PDF of each one can be opened and downloaded by clicking on the title.
Alternately we can mail you a hard copy of any of the booklets. Just write or email us and let us know which ones you would like sent to you. Don’t forget to include your mailing address. There is no charge for this service.
Booklet #1 Take Control of Multiple Sclerosis This booklet discusses the main causal factors of MS and, with this information as a guide, it lays out our recommendations for nutritional strategies to help control MS.
Booklet #2 Protect Your Family from Multiple Sclerosis
This booklet emphasizes the high risk for contracting MS of first-degree relatives of persons with MS. It discusses the causal factors of MS with special emphasis on vitamin D deficiency as a primary cause. Finally it demonstrates that adequate vitamin D can likely prevent MS in most cases and provides a recommended supplementation regime.
Booklet # 3 Multiple Sclerosis: The Alberta Disadvantage
This booklet demonstrates that the province of Alberta, the home of DIRECT-MS, has by far the highest rates of MS in the world: Prevalence 340/1000,000; Incidence 20/100,000.
Data and arguments are provided to support the argument that the main reason for the “MS Epidemic” is that all the main causal factors are present in Alberta, with low vitamin D supply being especially problematic.
Presentations
We have found that a Voiced PowerPoint presentation (‘Webcast’) is an effective way to communicate the science and the recommendations for nutritional strategies for controlling MS and preventing it in the first place.
The latest presentation is Prospects for Vitamin D Nutrition. The discussion is narrated by Reinhold Vieth of the departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto.
Dr. Vieth addresses the topics of:
Vitamin D and Human Evolution
Clinical relevance of higher vitamin D intakes
Toxicology of Vitamin D
The second webcast is entitled Preventing Multiple Sclerosis and is the second in a series of web casts regarding nutrition and Multiple Sclerosis. The focus of the Prevention presentation is how MS can be easily, safely and inexpensively prevented by focusing on protective factors. This is a must see for those people with MS who have children.
Our first webcast, Nutritional Strategies for Controlling Multiple Sclerosis, addresses similar issues. It presents the probable causes of MS and how to effectively control those elements. A review of the protective factors and how to incorporate them into your lifestyle is also covered.
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I am just confused on this and hate like heck watching my dear friends with MS deterioate taking a stupid CRAB and getting a "nothing else we can do for you" from the DRs that call themselves "MS Specialist"
