Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Diseases

Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook

Home

Make an Appointment

FAQ

Etiology

The exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases is unknown, but there appears to be an autoimmune component to the disease process, which may be related to leaky gut syndrome and dysbiosis. There is also anectdotal evidence suggesting that treatment of coexisting hypothyroid and adrenal deficiency can arrest the progression of multiple sclerosis [Starr2005, pg 154].

Diagnosis

Dysbiosis (Organic Acid Test)

Differential Diagnosis

Generally speaking, insurance companies are more likely to reimburse for treatment of underlying organic disorders than they are for autoimmune diseases themselves, as evidence-based medicine has not yet documented pharmacological treatments for the disease processes responsible for initiating and maintaining the manifestation as an autoimmune disease. Hence it is particularly important to identify and document any underlying organic disorders that may be associated with or cause demyelination. Consider the following:

Heavy metal or other environmental toxicity.
Gut dysbiosis.
Genetic defect in pentose sugar metabolism [Shaw2008].
Hypothyroidism [Starr2005, pg 7].
Vitamin B12 deficiency [stuart2006].

Note however that insurance companies are reluctant to pay for the tests required to diagnose some of these underlying organic disorders, because a direct linkage between demyelinating diseases and these disorders has not yet been established to the satisfaction of the insurance companies.

Treatment

Treat dysbiosis with appropriate antifungal or antibiotic agents, as indicated by the Organic Acid Test.
Reduce the risk of recurrent dysbiosis by adding probiotics and prebiotics to diet and by controlling intake of simple carbohydrates (sugars etc.) that feed yeast.
Diagnose and treat any underlying inborn errors of metabolism, using vitamins, minerals, and dietary protocols as appropriate.
Implement other dietary modifications based on food sensitivities.
Reduce exposure to environmental toxins and detoxify the body.

Hypotheses

Arabinose

It is not clear whether elevated urinary levels of arabinose detected in by the Organic Acid Test" are simply a marker for yeast dysbiosis, or are pathogenic in their own right.

It has been hypothesized that arabinose, being an aldol (reducing) sugar which contains an aldehyde functional group, may contribute to pathology by reacting with the terminal ammonia group of the amino acid lysine, which is found in many proteins of the body, to form a pentosidine, which may further react with an arginine in an adjoining protein strand to form a pentosine link [Shaw2008, pg 36]. The pentosidine link alters the structure and function of the affected proteins, which may be enzymes.

Dr. Weyrich notes that this is similar to the mechanisms underlying protein glycosylation, which is measured by the hemoglobulin-A1C test [Sell1989]. Both protein glycosylation and formation of pentosine links are associated with aging - once these links are formed, they persist until the cell they are associated with dies and is replaced. Note that neurons are not replaced when they die. The concentration of pentosidines has been reported to increase linearly with age [Sell1989].

Elevated urine arabinose has also been found in an autistic child in whom a brain MRI showed diffuse demyelination [Shaw2008].

ICD-9 Codes

ICD9-Code	Description	Comments

References

Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web page include the following:

[FDM] Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.

[SCNM] Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.

[UT] Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

[Shaw2008] Shaw W. Biological Treatments for Autism & PDD, Third Edition. (2008).

[Sell1989] Sell DR, Monnier VM. Structure elucidation of a senescence cross-link from human extracellular matrix. Implication of pentoses in the aging process. J Biol Chem. 1989 Dec 25;264(36):21597-602.

[Starr2005] Mark Starr. Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic. Columbia, MO: Mark Starr Trust (2005). PRIVATE::

[Stuart2006] J.J. Stuart & S.M. Pacholok. Could it be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses. Sanger, CA: Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press (2006).

Copyright © 2007-2010 Dr. Weyrich (Naturopathic Medical license number 07-1008). The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This web page is http://www.DrWeyrich.com/disorders/ms.html - Phone Dr. Weyrich at (480) 423-6952