Multiple sclerosis
What is Multiple sclerosis (MS)
MS is a progressive disease that affects the central nervous system, destroying pieces of myelin (the protective covering of nerve fibres of neurons) in the brain and spinal cord. It is classified as an autoimmune disease when the immune system attacks the myelin as a foreign matter, destroying it and causing damage to the underlying nerve fibres.
Symptoms
Symptoms of MS vary, including changes in sensation, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle spasms, difficulty in walking, difficulty with coordination and balance; it causes problems with swallowing, visual problems, fatigue and acute chronic pain, bladder and bowel difficulties, cognitive impairment and depression.
How can colostrum help with MS
Colostrum can help to increase the level of energy; it contains immunoglobulins, amino-acids and growth factors helping the body to fight off common infections and also with cell regeneration.
Colostrum contains important immune-regulatory factors that can help to enhance an under-active immune system and suppress an over-active immune system. In the case of autoimmune disorders where the immune system is out of control, suppressing the immune system becomes highly important. One of the important components that can help to regulate the immune system reaction is Proline-Rich-Polypeptide (PRP), PRP is important because it has the ability to speed up or slow down the immune system reaction. In the case of MS, the immune system attacks the myelin and gradually destroys it causing damage to the sensitive underlying nerve fibres and therefore, MS is referred to as an autoimmune disorder. The PRPs can help to calm down the immune system and prevent it from attacking the myelin.
Cell and tissue repair factors or growth factors that are present in colostrum are highly beneficial for MS sufferers. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IgF-I), platelet-derived growth factor (PDgF),fibroblast growth factor (FgF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are a complex of multifunctional growth factors that promote cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Since the myelin breakdown is often severe in patients with MS it has been considered that the growth factors could be used in treatment. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IgF-I) has been shown to “reduce lesion severity and promote myelin regeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS” Health experts conclude: “we have strong reason to believe that if every child were given additional colostrum, our incidence of autoimmune disease would decrease significantly” (Editors of The Doctors' Prescription for Healthy Living Magazine)
Colostrum's other components may offer further benefit to people with MS, as it offers immune protection against pathogens due to its high anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties as well as the ability to raise energy levels by boosting the depressed immune system.
References:
Basten, A, McLeod, JG, Pollard, JD, Walsh, JC, Stewart, GJ, Garrick, R, Frith, JA, Van Der Brink, CM. Transfer factor in treatment of multiple sclerosis. The Lancet 2(8201):931-934 (1980).
Dr. Zoltan Rona; "PRP from colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus gland. It has been demonstrated to improve or eliminate symptomatology of both allergies and autoimmune diseases (MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myasthenia gravis). PRP inhibits the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells and reduces the major symptoms of allergies and autoimmune disease: pain, swelling and inflammation." The American Journal of Natural Medicine, March 1998.
The Colostrum Miracle: The anti-aging super food that can boost immunity and prevent premature aging. 2005.
Ebina, T., et al. “Treatment of multiple sclerosis with anti-measles cow colostrum.” Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1984;173(2):87-93.
Lamoureux, G, et al. Transfer Factor or Proline-rich Polyepetides from Bovine Colostrum: A clinical and immunological study of the effects of transfer factor on multiple sclerosis patients. Clin Exp Immunol. 1981 March; 43(3): 557–564.
Kelly, G."Bovine colostrums: a review of clinical uses" Altern Med Rev. 2003 Nov;8(4):378-94.. Webster. H.D. "Growth Factors and Myelin Regeneration in Multiple Sclerosis" Mult. Scler Apr. 3(2):113-120 1997.
Thapa BR; Therapeutic potentials of bovine colostrums “Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals for their young ones. This transfers the passive immunity gained by the mother to the baby. The bovine colostrum (BC) can be obtained in large quantity and has properties similar to human colostrum. It has been used for various disorders of the body. It has properties to stimulate immune system, contains growth factors and many bioactive substances needed for the body to combat with wear and tear. The BC has been used for various gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory tract infection, rheumatoid arthritis, healing injured tissues of body etc. There are not much double blind placebo-controlled trials to prove its efficacy, though a lot of experience about its good effects in various disorders is available in the literature. The dosage and duration of therapy need to be worked up. The BC has potential to treat as well to prevent certain diseases in the body. In future this will prove to be a very useful product to treat and control diseases in a natural way.” Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India. Indian J Pediatr. 2005 Oct;72(10):849-52.