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Multiple Sclerosis websites
My friend has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has become very skilled at finding alternative measures to manage the disease. We want to find a good website that can tell us about not only the various alternatives available to her, but the research behind these. We know there is a surfeit of information on the web and so would be grateful if you could tell us which sites you recommend.
Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative disease which affects the central nervous system. The myelin sheaths, which cover and protect the nerve fibres, become damaged causing a range of symptoms including paralysis and tremors. There are around 80,000 sufferers in the UK - and of these, it is suggested that 40% may benefit from supplements of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) or from eating more foods that are rich in Omega-6 fatty acids since this is the only nutrient that can convert itself into GLA in the body.
For this to happen, your system needs adequate levels of an enzyme called delta-6-desaturase (D6D) - without which, the Omega-6 will not convert to GLA. Levels of this enzyme decrease as you age but are also lowered when you consume a lot of sugar, margarine and alcohol. In supplement form, GLA doses of between 500 and 1,000mg per day have been reported to help slow the progress of MS
I understand your concerns about which internet sites to visit since health, like everything else on the internet, is not regulated leaving people open to all kinds of unproven “miracle cure” claims. There are some excellent resources - including the Canadian site, www.mssociety.ca which lists all research and medical updates in the field and www.southcookms.org which also provides support to friends of people with MS such as yourself.