May 28, 2009
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 17:02 — AnnSawyer
Dr. Ken bock graciously agreed to present with me and did an excellent job showing how the latest science and research challenges the conventional model and approach to MS. Dr. Bock is an M.D. who uses an integrative approach to medicine, drawing from the best knowledge of all the various approaches to health care. He is very well known for his work with autism about which he speaks all over the world and writes in books and articles. His latest book is Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies.(Random House)
Reflecting the complexity of MS, he covered a variety of relevant topics and findings. Here is a summary of his presentation:
Traditionally MS has thought to be a inflammatory, autoimmune disease, putting it in the same category as Rheumatoid Athiritis, Lupus, Chron’s and so many more. By this theory, the lesions of sclerosis as seen on the MRI, are thought to be formed by the T or B cells of the immune system who mistook the self-myelin for foreign cells and attacked them. The lesion load on the MRI was thought to be the measure of the disease activity, progression and severity. This defined the disease and the medications developed were based on lessening the lesion load.
New research has shown this model to be deeply flawed in the understanding of the immune cell activity in regards to the myelin and nerves. More importantly, the main destructive power of the disease is not in the traditional model of the disease at all. The primary path of disease is neurodegenerative and it is his disease process that causes disability.
The immune’s systems actions within the central nervous system are much more complex than previously thought. An analysis of the various sclerosis or scars shows the actions of a great number and variety of immune cells, some just recently identified. There is no consistent pattern or consistent content in the lesions and the role of these many cells is not clearly identified. There is much work to be done to understand what the role of each cell type is, why one cell type is in one lesion and not another, and what is the process that recruits or forms the various cell types and what is the action of each cell type.
With the new research, MS is now also identified as a neurodegenerative disease, putting it in the category with ALS, Parkinson’s, Altzheimer’s, and Autism. This disease pathway, the primary cause of disability, is caused by axonal apoptosis. This is the programmed death or destruction of the long nerve fibers, like the fiber optic cables of the nerves. MS has long been thought of as a disease of white brain matter only—those cells encased in protective myelin sheaths. This theory has also proven untrue as the cell death occurs under both white and gray matter. There is no understanding of why this happens, and such understanding will be difficult as there are no markers or clues in the dead nerves or their vicinity. Dr. Bock alluded to toxins as possibly implicated.
Dr. Bock also addressed the connection between the digestive system and neurological disease. The chain begins with a permeable digestive tract, “leaky gut,” which allows metabolites to enter the blood stream. The point was made that we don’t understand the interaction between all the various things modern man puts into his mouth and the body chemistry. This chain of actions continues with inflammation as seen many diseases as well as MS. There is also an action on the blood brain barrier, making it permeable thus allowing cells to cross into the central nervous system. MS is not alone in this; cognitive problems have been identified in Celiac disease. Again damage to the digestive system ends up as neurological problems. The causes and actions resulting in permeability of the blood-brain barrier are key to understanding MS.
In terms of treatments, Dr. Bock supported the recovery diet and added some more ideas. Research is supporting the importance of vitamin D in the treatment and prevention of MS. Noted was how modern man is taught to avoid the sun, which is our best source of this helpful vitamin. The healthy oils, particularly the Omega 3 oils like fish or flax seed oil are also very beneficial. They supply vitamin D, serve to regulate and modulate the immune system, and are a key ingredient in the formation of nerve and myelin cells. Antioxidants like reservitol (red wine), pycogenol, and vitamin e are also helpful. Heavy metals, like mercury are also implicated as damaging. Chelation, the removal of these from the body, should be done under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Any detoxification should also be under professional guidance.
It was very gratifying that the science presented is consistent and reinforces the science and understanding behind the MS recovery diet.
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