Another Piece to the Puzzle??

Well…maybe. On one of the MS message boards, that I frequent, there was an article about a Dr. in Italy who has done some research on a “twisting” or blockage of the jugular veins. His theory is that most MS patients have this blockage or narrowing which causes a build up of iron in the brain. He has had some success by having these veins enlarged with angioplasty. Some people have reported a complete remission and others only a slight improvement in symptoms. So, MSers, who know their way around a computer, were off and running! Seems that iron overload was being researched as a cause of MS way back in the 1940’s. Then of course, as we all know, the pharmaceutical industry took off and when the Dr. died, so did his research. Well, the investigators kept looking and wondering. Now they are looking into a disease called hemochromatosis. This is a hereditary disease, primarily effecting people of northern European descent, which is also something that causes iron overload. It is very rarely diagnosed and is sometimes referred to as the “bronze” disease. Apparently one of the symptoms is a bronze looking skin tone. And then again, as with most diseases, not everyone will have the same symptoms. At any rate, iron overload, especially of the brain, could definitely be part of the puzzle. The hemochromatosis does not match my symtoms too much, but the blockage part would be interesting to know. I understand that there is more research going on now, even in the US and Canada. Time will tell if anything comes of it. My cynical opinion is that if big pharma is going to lose their $1000.00 a month therapies, the research will be discounted, as has started already!

It has been suggested that MS people should not take iron supplements (I never have) and do not eat foods that contain a high amount of iron. One of the foods that help to chelate iron is broccoli. Good, I eat a lot of that. The supplement that is recommended to help remove some of the iron is alpha lipoic acid. I just started taking that a few weeks ago. Maybe I will up the dosage. The suggestion just came across the board today, so I’m sure there will be a discussion soon. Alpha lipoic acid has been recommended for MSers as an antioxidant for quite awhile. The chelation is something new. Life is interesting to say the least!

Hope everyone is enjoying the New Year. On these gray days, I look forward to the next sunny days. We are getting longer and longer days and the sun will be warmer when we see it again! I love looking forward to spring!

Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven