Stop Myelin Sheath Degeneration and
Protect Your Nervous System

Degeneration of the Myelin Sheath is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune process of the central nervous system that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve.

In this process, the immune system attacks the covering of the nerves, called the myelin sheath. Consequently, the sheaths are damaged, and the damaged areas develop scarring that leads to either distorted communication or lack of communication between the nerve endings.

BrainRecovery.com, written by Board Certified Neurologist David Perlmutter, M.D., has been described as a “must read” for anyone facing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, or Stroke.

It will give those people who are in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases a tremendous sense of empowerment to know brain damage, to some extent, can be reversed and that neurological diseases are not pre-determined and unmodifiable.

In the words of Michael Hanson, M.D.

“This excellent and thorough book by Dr. Perlmutter is a great read for any physician or patient, and provides a very practical guide to treating neurological conditions with natural and safe remedies that have abundant scientific support. The nutritional and oxidative therapies that he recommends are part of a growing wave of scientifically based, complementary treatments.

Any patient would benefit from his advice, and all physicians should learn of these treatments if they want to do the best for their patients. Dr. Perlmutter’s advice could improve the lives of millions of patients and their families, and save health care dollars at the same time”.

Michael Janson, M.D., President, American College for Advancement in Medicine

The Better Brain Book, also written by David Perlmutter, M.D., is similar to BrainRecovery.com only it is written in layman's terms, with less emphasis on scientific research.  Dr. Perlmutter addresses all the factors that can influence brain health and gives you detailed recommendations for dealing with them. 

This book is excellent for helping you understand risk factors associated with specific neurological disorders, and for tailoring a diet and supplementary program just for you.

Glutathione is a vital brain chemical that is one of the most important brain antioxidants. That is, glutathione helps to preserve brain tissue by preventing damage by free radicals.

According to William E. Code, MD and Multiple Sclerosis survivor, glutathione levels in the body are an indicator of health and how long a person will live. By the time you have a serious chronic disease such as a neurodegenerative disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome or even cancer, your glutathione levels are seriously depleted.

Glutathione has been found to be substantially reduced in almost all patients with neurological disorders. According to Dr. Code, by the time you've been officially diagnosed with a neurological disorder, the body’s cellular glutathione is only 5% of what it should be. Supplementing glutathione either intravenously, with liposomal glutatione or with glutathione precursors such as non-denatured whey protein powder can have remarkable effects.

In his book “Who’s in Control of Your Multiple Sclerosis – Pieces of the MS Recovery Puzzle”, Dr. Code stresses that optimizing glutathione levels is a very significant piece of the puzzle for the person with multiple sclerosis. In his words, “I feel that raising my glutathione levels is one of the biggest pieces – 30% - of my own MS recovery puzzle. It could have a similar benefit in your MS journey."

Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb. Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. Supplements such as NAC can help your body make more glutathione, but the effect is mild. This is why intravenous therapy was once considered to be the only therapy that really works.

However, there is a brand new liposomal glutathione product on the market called Lipoceutical™ Glutathione. According to Dr. Marcel Laux, an alternative physician, it’s the first oral glutathione supplement that your body can truly absorb. It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact.

According to Dr. Laux, liposomes were recently tested in rigorous scientific studies, and were found to have an amazing 90% absorption rate. That’s comparable to intravenous glutathione therapy, for a fraction of the cost.

Dr. Laux says: “I’ve been using (liposomal glutathione) myself to treat a close relative. I can personally attest the effects are miraculous."

This is nothing like yesterdays ineffective glutathione supplement. Lipoceutical™ Glutathione is brand new and clinical trials are ongoing but not complete.

Another excellent supplement that helps to raise intracellular glutathione levels is non-denatured whey protein powder.

ImmunoPro® Rx and RenewPro™ protein powders contain NAC in its natural form as well as glutamine, both which are glutathione precursors.

Myelin sheath degeneration is widely believed to be an autoimmune process in which the white blood cells attack the myelin sheaths as if they were a foreign substance. Stress and malnutrition (poor diet) often precede the onset of symptoms. There is also a hereditary factor involved.

It is currently thought that exposure to a virus or to chemicals or toxic metals may be launching the autoimmune process in susceptible individuals. The levels of mercury in people with MS has been found to be an average of 7 times higher than those in healthy people.

Mercury has been shown to bind to the DNA of cells and cell membranes, causing cellular distortion and inhibited cell function. Many experts suspect that mercury poisoning is behind many types of neurological disorders. Some people react to amalgam dental fillings (the chief source of mercury exposure for most people in the United States) with symptoms that are indistinguishable from those of Multiple Sclerosis.

As well, fascinating new research points to a definitive link between food additives such as aspartame and MSG and the development of lesions on the myelin sheath. According to Russell Blaylock, M.D., a Board certified neurosurgeon and author of the book “Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills”:

“Recently, much controversy has surrounded a claim that aspartame may produce an MS-like syndrome… Aspartame contains the excitotoxin aspartate as 40% of its molecular structure. Numerous studies have shown that consuming aspartame can significantly elevate the excitotoxin level in the blood... When aspartate (as aspartame) is combined in the diet with monosodium glutamate (MSG) blood levels are several fold higher than normal.

With the blood/brain barrier damaged, as is the case with neurological disorders, these excitotoxins can freely enter the site of injury, greatly magnifying the damage. So, we see that dietary excitotoxins, such as aspartame and MSG, can greatly magnify the damage produced in the myelin sheath. Likewise, excitotoxins have been shown to break down the blood/brain barrier as well.”

As you can see from the above, reducing the load of toxins on your body from both heavy metals and food chemicals is imperative for people with neurological disorders. This means eliminating preservatives, additives, food colorings, artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and artificial flavorings.

It also means reducing exposure to airborne chemicals, such as perfumes and tobacco smoke, household chemicals, and pesticides and insecticides. Drink only filtered water, and prepare and store food in inert containers only (not plastics). Avoid toxic metals such as mercury and aluminum.

According to Dr. Thomas Nissen, an expert in Environmental Medicine, detoxifying the body of metals and chemicals is the first priority for anyone with a neurological disorder. As we have seen, toxins may play a major role in myelin sheath degeneration and other neurological disorders, so neutralizing these toxins is highly important.

Two very easy, inexpensive and effective ways to do this are with Evenbetternow™ Detoxifying Bentonite Clay and Bio-Chelat™ Heavy Metal Chelator.

Evenbetternow™ Detoxifying Bentonite Clay is the simplest, most effective and least expensive way to remove metals and chemicals from the body – and it’s as simple as taking a tub or footbath. Each 5 lb jar is good
for 7 – 14 baths.

Several scientists suspect that the North American diet, which is high in cholesterol, alcohol and saturated fats and low in essential fatty acids, leads to a production of prostaglandin 2, which promotes an inflammatory response and worsens symptoms of myelin sheath damage.

This may explain why myelin sheath damage is more common in the United States and Northern Europe and almost unheard of in some other countries such as Japan, Korea and China. People in Asian countries consume much less fat than people in North America and northern Europe. Their diets are much richer in marine foods, olive and fruit oils and seeds, which are a rich source of essential fatty acids, and which have an inhibiting effect on the inflammatory response.

Researchers in Scandinavia have long used essential fatty acid supplementation to support myelin sheath repair and to reduce the frequency of flare-ups. About 75% of myelin is composed of fat, with a substantial amount coming from essential fatty acids. According to Dr. Perlmutter: “Creating the most advantageous environment for repair and regeneration of myelin requires an adequate supply of EFA’s.” An excellent source of essential fatty acids is Arctic™ Cod Liver Oil by Nordic Naturals.

Nordic Naturals' Arctic™ Cod Liver Oil is molecularly distilled and is guaranteed free of mercury and other heavy metals, PCBs and other toxins. It is flushed with nitrogen to remove the oxygen, which means there is no opportunity for oxidation to occur. This means that it is completely fresh and pure and has no fishy taste or odor.

Arctic™ Cod Liver Oil comes in a delicious peach or strawberry flavor. The 8 oz. glass bottle has 48 teaspoons or 48 servings. The adults and children dose over age 7 is one teaspoon per day.

A popular theory among scientists is that neurological disorders are caused by a virus or some other latent infection. Dr. Perlmutter states that at least 16 infectious agents have been identified as possibly causing myelin sheath degeneration, with the organism chlamydia pneumoniae topping the list. Possibly, myelin sheath degeneration is caused by a combination of factors, with the infectious agent somehow causing the formation of antibodies that attack the myelin.

The overgrowth of candida albicans, a fungus found in our bodies, is also suspected in playing a role in myelin disorders. Recent studies point to a possible link between neurological disorders and candida infection. Treatments to reduce candida have been found to significantly reduce symptoms experienced by many people with myelin sheath degeneration.

There are many excellent supplements to reduce candida infections, including Silver Biotics and my personal favorite, Nutribiotic® Grapefruit Seed Extract.

Grapefruit seed extract comes from, you guessed it, the seeds of grapefruits. It is such an inexpensive and powerful antifungal that it is used by citrus farmers in Florida to effectively kill mold on their farming implements.

View Details and Order Now >>

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin”, and researchers have demonstrated that on average, people with myelin sheath degeneration are severely vitamin D deficient. This may explain why myelin sheath damage is more prevalent in northern latitudes, or away from the equator where people get less sun exposure.

As well, myelin sheath degeneration is are lower in those populations who eat cold water fish, even in northern latitudes – cold water fish is a rich source of vitamin D.

Dr. William E. Code firmly believes that Vitamin D supplementation is one of the key pieces in his” recovery puzzle”. As well, Dr. Perlmutter describes that vitamin D has been shown to completely prevent the development of a multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice.

When choosing a vitamin D supplement, be sure that it is vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol, which is the natural form of vitamin D (unlike vitamin D2 which is a synthetic and has 1000 IU of vitamin D.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is involved in the formation of the myelin sheath, and profound deficiencies of vitamin B12 have been found in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with demyelination. Vitamin B12 has a very important role in the formation and function of myelin. According to Dr. Perlmutter, vitamin B12 deficiency not only enhances the destruction of myelin during an exacerbation of symptoms, but it also compromises the ability of the body to repair the damaged myelin after the attack.

There can be a functional deficiency of vitamin B12 even though your blood tests show normal levels. A more accurate way to measure B12 levels is to test for the chemical homocysteine. If homocysteine is elevated, then B12 is considered to be functionally deficient, even if the blood levels show otherwise.

Vitamin B12 is one of the key therapies recommended by both Dr. Perlmutter and Dr. Balch. Injections are often recommended since it is difficult to achieve normal levels through oral supplements. However, there is a new way to administer B12 that is as effective as injections called the B12 Patch™.

The B12 Patch™ is a small patch that you place behind your ear for 24 hours. It delivers up to a week’s worth of B12 with the application of one patch. The B12 Patch is easy to use without side effects or allergic reactions. The patch allows maximum B12 absorption into the body.

Vitamin E

Alpha Lipoic Acid

According to Dr. Perlmutter, alpha lipoic acid is emerging as one of the most powerful brain antioxidants available, and he states that alpha lipoic acid is a key nutrient in myelin sheath support since it crosses the blood/brain barrier.

There are two forms of alpha-lipoic acid, an S-form and an R-form. Researchers believe that R-Form may be "up to 12 times more effective" than regular alpha lipoic acid which contains a synthetic by-product.

R-PLUS™ contains both R-Lipoic acid (RLA) and R-Dihydrolipoic acid (R-DHLA), which is the reduced form of RLA. They function together as a powerful antioxidant pair with the ability to quench free radicals in the lipid and water-soluble portions of the tissues and cells.

Evidence suggests that the "redox-couple" is more powerful together than either compound alone.

Lecithin

The Myelin Support Pak

We have combined the above products into one convenient support pak – and you save 10% off the list price!

• Lipoceutical™ Glutathione
• Evenbetternow™ Detoxifying Clay for Bathing
• Arctic™ Cod Liver Oil
• Vitamin D3 (1000 IU)

• B12 Patch™
• Elite® Lecithin
• Silver Biotics™
• Nutribiotic® Grapefruit Seed Extract

Symptoms of Myelin Sheath Degeneration

Symptoms of myelin sheath degeneration depend on what part of the nerves have experienced demyelination. The most common symptoms include:

• Episodes of dizziness
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Increased reflexes
• Eye problems such as blurred or double vision
• Feelings of tingling or numbness, especially in the extremities
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of arm, hand or leg strength
• Difficulty speaking and slurred speech
• Muscle tremors
• Muscle stiffness
• Paralysis
• Problems with thinking, concentration, memory and judgment

Most people experience a pattern of periodic flare-ups, called exacerbations, followed by periods in which symptoms diminish or even disappear, called remissions.