Motor Neurone Disease - New Research Revealed

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Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a devastating, progressive disorder that destroys the muscle-controlling nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms usually develop very gradually, manifesting themselves at first in feelings of tiredness, clumsy fingers and a weak grip. After a while simple actions like turning a door handle can become increasingly difficult and problems with swallowing and speech can soon follow. As Motor Neurone Disease (MND) progresses the chest muscles can also become affected, making breathing difficult. However, intellect, memory, the senses, sexual function, and bladder and bowel control normally remain completely unaffected.

Fortunately, the disease is relatively rare and according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association charity there are currently about 5,000 sufferers in the UK. Although it can affect adults at any age, it most commonly develops between the ages of 50 and 70. Sadly many sufferers die from the disease five years following a diagnosis, although it's important to be aware that this prognosis is not set in stone and the rate of decline can vary greatly from one individual to another.

For example, the famous physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking, developed the disease more than 40 years ago and his condition is currently stable. He takes several vitamins and minerals each day, which he believes are responsible for helping to manage his symptoms. In a recent interview for the British Medical Journal, Professor Stephen Hawking spoke about Motor Neurone Disease (MND), saying: 'I have been lucky that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case. But it shows that one need not lose hope'.

While Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a relentless and usually fatal illness, cases like this offer hope and, better still, mounting research is revealing that natural treatments may be effective in helping to prolong patients' lives and in enhancing their quality of life.

Beware: Artificial sweeteners and flavour enhancers can destroy your nerve cells

Nobody knows for sure what causes Motor Neurone Disease (MND), although there are several theories. Some people with a family history of the disease have been found to have a genetic defect that prevents them from making a powerful antioxidant called superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps fight harmful free radicals. This suggests that free radical damage to the nerve cells may be involved - a theory now supported both by animal studies and analysis of brain tissue from patients who have died from the disease.

Some experts believe that Motor Neurone Disease (MND) may also be caused by a virus. A team at the University of California detected a specific kind of virus (similar to a common virus called echovirus 7 that's linked to meningitis) in the spinal cords of nearly 90 per cent of people who had died from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). In comparison it was only found in 3 per cent of people who'd died from other causes.

Research also suggests that excess amounts of a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) called glutamate may also be to blame, by damaging the motor neurones (nerve cells that control muscle movements).

The flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (used in many Chinese meals) and the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet) are dietary sources of glutamate that have been linked to degenerative brain diseases, including Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

So make sure you avoid these at all costs.

Conventional medicine has very little to offer sufferers in the way of effective treatments for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and there is currently no cure. Doctors routinely prescribe a drug called riluzole (Rilutek), which slows down the release of glutamate at the nerve endings. It has been found to be successful in prolonging the lives of patients, but only by about two months on average. Unfortunately it comes with an alarming list of side effects, such as weakness, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, dizziness, headache and a tingling sensation in the mouth.

Apart from drugs, a conventional treatment approach may also involve physiotherapy, speech and occupational therapy.

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High-dose antioxidants may help prevent the progression of Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

Natural remedies, particularly the antioxidants vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine which both fight free radicals, have so far shown encouraging results. A major survey of 47 health studies from 1980 to 1997 concluded that vitamin E plays an important role in preventing and alleviating neurological disorders, including Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The natural (mixed tocopherol) form of the vitamin appears to be far more effective than the synthetic form.

In Germany, Dr Carsten Hager, himself a sufferer, reported in 1994 that taking 5,000IU of vitamin E each day had brought about a slight improvement in his symptoms and appeared to be preventing further progression of the disease.

Vitamin E therapy may need to be continued for several months before the benefits become apparent.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) enhances the production of glutathione, one of the body's most powerful antioxidant enzymes. A placebo-controlled clinical trial, in which Motor Neurone Disease (MND) patients were given daily injections of NAC for 12 months, showed a slight increase in life expectancy. Those patients whose Motor Neurone Disease (MND) had started in their limbs appeared to gain more benefit than those whose throat and mouth were mainly affected. An oral dose of around 6,000mg of NAC daily is likely to be needed to bring about the same effects.

Still playing tennis and riding a bicycle, thanks to vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 may also be beneficial as the deficiency disease pellagra (caused by a vitamin B3 deficiency in the diet) can cause symptoms that are similar to those of bulbar palsy, a form of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). A long-term trial of high dose vitamin B3, given together with vitamins B1 and B6, has so far shown encouraging results.

One patient was losing the ability to speak before starting the B3 therapy, but this problem subsequently disappeared. Another patient has lived for over ten years and is still playing tennis and riding a bicycle. The recommended dosage is 500mg of the niacinamide form of B3, four times a day, with 500mg a day of both B1 and B6.

WARNING: The dosage amounts for vitamin E, NAC and the B vitamins mentioned above are very high. They should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor and these doses should be built up to gradually. More typical therapeutic doses, which may offer some level of protection against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) (although this has yet to be proved), would be 400IU of vitamin E, 500mg of NAC and 50mg of vitamin B3 each day.

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