Neurological Disease
Treating Neurological Disease (M.S., Parkinson's, ALS)
By Dr. Dana Myatt Some things seem to go in "waves." This week, I've had a lot of people
asking about what to do for neurological conditions. Here's my best
"general" advice. (I can give more "specific" advice when I work with
someone personally. Please read on).
You'll NEVER hear any of this from your conventional medical doctor, for
at least two reasons. First, there are no known cures for neurological
diseases in conventional medicine. In fact, even our symptomatic
treatments are fairly lame. Secondly, when a doctor does have
information about a "non standard" (read that: "not conventional
medicine") approach, he or she could lose their medical license by
telling you about it. So don't be disappointed if your conventional
medical doctor, no matter how good or well-respected, doesn't have much
hope to offer. That's conventional medicine.
What I Would Immediately Do If I Were Diagnosed With a Neurological
Disease
If I found out tomorrow that I had a neurological disease, here are the
steps I would take right away:
- Have several un-conventional
laboratory studies performed, including:
-
Hair Mineral Analysis: to evaluate for heavy and toxic metal
poisoning. This applies to ALL neuro conditions.
-
Food allergy testing: to rule out
immune responses to food allergies as a cause for symptoms. (This is
especially important in MS).
-
Neurotransmitter (NT) Testing: to
look at neurotransmitter hormone levels. (This applies to all neuro
conditions but is especially important in Parkinson's, where a
dopamine deficiency is often seen).
- Holistic dental evaluation,
with removal of all dissimilar dental metals. NOTE: VERY FEW
holistic dentist really understand this, and NO conventional
dentists "get it." If you have it done incorrectly (as most
"holistic dentists are wont to do), it can cause more harm than
good. Please don't have any dental work done until you have talked to me
first!). How important do I think this is? I have already had all
metal removed from my mouth except for one full-gold crown. It is that
important. If I hadn't already had this done, I would get it done
immediately, after I confirmed the skill and knowledge level of the
attending dentist.
- Diet changes:
- Eliminate all food
allergies (see above, laboratory testing).
- The Myatt Diet: low
carbohydrate, high Omega-3 fatty acids. This is THE healthiest way
to eat, proven by long-lived populations. This plus elimination of
known food allergies relieves all dietary stress on the immune and
nervous systems. Look for organic foods, too, since pesticide and
herbicide toxicity is associated with neurological disease.
Additional fish oil should be supplemented in those not regularly
consuming wild Alaskan salmon and grass-fed beef. Ketogenic diets
such as The Myatt Diet have proven useful for Parkinson's, ALS and
inoperable brain cancers. The diet switches the brain from using
sugar for fuel to using ketones for fuel, and this "metabolic
switch" is associated with fewer tremors and better movement.
- Discontinue ALL soy
products, and milk (cow's milk / dairy variety),
- Nutritional supplements:
I'm make sure that I didn't have a single nutrient deficiency
known to cause or exacerbate a neurological disease. Here are the
known connection.
- Parkinson's:
deficiencies of folic acid, B12, vitamins C, E and D are highly
associated. Besides getting out in the sun, I'd be taking daily
Maxi Multi's to have achieve the recommended doses of these
vitamins. CoQ10 has also shown to slow progression of the
disease, but the dose needs to be higher, 1,200mg per day. Avoid
iron, as iron overload can cause Parkinson's and a number of
other diseases. (You should be tested for iron overload with a
serum ferritin test).
- M.S.: vitamin D
deficiency is associated MS. Lower levels of calcium, magnesium,
vitamin E and other antioxidant nutrients have been observed in
MS patients and appear to slow progression of the disease.
Vitamin B1 and
niacin have proven to be useful. As with
Parkinson's, I'd get more sunshine and take Maxi Multis to have
all of these nutrient bases covered.
- Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS):
Hi B12, gamma-E tocopherol, zinc, copper, selenium, CoQ10,
Alpha-lipoic acid,
Acetyl-L-carnitine, creatine, curcumin,
DHEA, glutathion,
green tea, N-acetylcysteine,
grape seed extract (pycnogenol),
resveratrol (grape skin extract) and
vinpocetin. These vitamins, minerals amino acids and trace
minerals have all been shown to alter various aspects of the
disease.
-
Schedule a telephone
consultation with ME, or someone just like me. A physician
who is not limited by conventional medical techniques (but is
still trained in them and can prescribe all conventional tests
and drugs) will be your best bet for obtaining a full and
complete evaluation of the causes of neurological disease. The
sooner this is done, the better the chance for a more full and
complete recovery.
I hope this provides help and comfort to
the numerous health-seekers who contacted me this week about
neurological concerns!
References
(To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
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