Natural Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis: What Are Your Options?

While Orlando and Central Florida do not have the highest incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in North America, there are still many people who suffer with these symptoms, and there is much that can be done to provide help. To keep this blog post short, I will summarize the natural medicine approach that I use in working with individuals who have been given this diagnosis. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review of all therapies. The first thing I want you to notice is what I haven’t said. I have not said that people “have” MS. Rather, a diagnosis has been give because the symptoms and lab results fit the picture. What most people know is that the cause is unknown; there are some theories but the specific cause is a mystery and this is part of the problem. In short, there is no MS entity that is in the person but there are more likely a combination of factors that lead to symptoms that result in the diagnosis. My goal is to, first and foremost, determine the cause and institute treatments that can lead each individual toward repair and recovery.

The first issue that is at the root of MS symptoms is some difficulty at the genetic level or genotype that does not allow the body to rid itself of environmental and infectious toxins. In developing a treatment plan one of the options, therefore, is to determine what the genotype weakness is and then do what is possible to compensate. Homeopathy can be extremely valuable in impacting a person at this level but also nutritional interventions can be essential. There are times that other interventions make looking at this layer unnecessary and simply unraveling the various causes is sufficient.

The next issue that can frequently be essential and profound is diet. The two best examples of people achieving wonderful results with dietary interventions are Roger MacDougall, as outlined in his book, “My Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis”, and Terry Wahls, MD who wrote the book, “The Wahls Protocol”. At times I will suggest food sensitivity testing but oftentimes the changes I outline are sufficient. These books, especially Dr. Wahls’, will provide an excellent foundation.

Frequently, a key in helping those diagnosed recover is assessing and removing environmental toxins, especially neurotoxins. Although this is a very large category, a common neurotoxin is mercury which is found in seafood and silver dental fillings (which are half mercury). Testing to determine if the person is sensitive to heavy metals (using a urinary porphyrins test) is the first step. This should be followed by slow and careful detoxification of heavy metals using a variety of substances. It is critical that chelating substances (or those that essentially grab onto the heavy metal carry it out of the body) be used gently and keeping in mind the half-life of the substance used so as not to create side effects. Periodic testing should be done to make sure that levels are reducing at an appropriate speed and so that protocol adjustments can be made. In the later phases of detoxification homeopathy can be wonderful to finish the job.

Another element that is typically a part of the picture is some type of chronic infection or, more likely, multiple chronic infections. One of the most insidious and under-diagnosed is Lyme disease. If this needs to be address, I will frequently use herbal formulas with a homeopathic remedy. If other infections are present, and they usually are, I might use other herbal formulas or general immune support. As toxins are removed, the body is typically able to take over and appropriately respond to many chronic infections, especially with the help of homeopathy.

The final component is the nutritional one. It can be important to optimize nutrition, not one at a time but in a balanced way. Doing this is like conducting a symphony and the right “score” must be in place. In short, a comprehensive test that looks at all the nutrients can be key. One such test is called the Cardio/ION panel with a laboratory called Genova Diagnostics. Nutrients not covered by this test can also be considered for testing such as certain minerals.

In a category of its own is the Klenner Protocol. Frederick Klenner was a physician who practiced until the 1980s. He concluded that MS and Myasthenia Gravis were illnesses caused by a chronic infection that could be corrected by sufficient doses of Vitamin B1 (thiamine). He also realized that thiamine was not well absorbed orally and that daily intramuscular injections would be needed. In short, he would have the patient inject at least 200 mg of thiamine daily. In addition liver extract was added to the thiamine 3-4 times weekly as well as several oral vitamins. The result in many cases was the complete recovery from the symptoms of MS. When I first learned of this protocol in 2004 I had several personal discussions with Dale Humpherys, a former patient of Dr. Klenner, who sought out treatment with him after several MS relapses. He traveled from British Columbia, Canada to North Carolina where Dr. Klenner practiced. He was started on the protocol and within two years recovered completely. Mr. Humpherys lived symptom free for the next 30 years until his death in his mid-80s from an unrelated cause. He was a force of nature and took calls from people all over the world on how to use this protocol and provided immense encouragement to those suffering.

While there are many therapies that those diagnosed with MS can find helpful (e.g., yoga, meditation, acupuncture, etc.), there are few things that can help these individuals fully recover. I believe, based on some personal experience, that proper diet, correct detoxification, addressing chronic infections and correcting nutrient deficiencies can bring people into complete remission. Other specific therapies that can be used are homeopathy and the Klenner protocol. Lastly, there are a few other interventions that might be needed including balancing hormones and determining if hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body) is present. The essential point here is that the MS patient has many options that can be used instead of or in addition to standard pharmaceutical treatment. It is my hope that more patients look outside the conventional medical box and seek to heal the underlying causes of their symptoms. This is my passion and mission. If you would like to have a free 15-minute telephone consultation to discuss your personal situation and to see if we can be of help, please call (407) 414-1380.