Researchers Study Early Muscle Deterioration Caused by Multiple Sclerosis
posted on Feb 14 by Chad in the Disability News, Health, Healthcare, Multiple Sclerosis category
Recently, researchers have found promising results in diagnosing the onset of muscle deterioration due to multiple sclerosis while in its initial stages. By performing specific tests for leg muscle endurance and gait, researchers have found that the ability to pinpoint the start of any deterioration can be more accurately identified.
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) are damaged by legions to the protective substance called myelin. Myelin is the primary protective tissue for the nerve fibers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation causes the damaging of nerve fibers that results in plaques where scar tissue (sclerosis) forms.
Dr. Kalron and researchers from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Multiple Sclerosis Center in the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, noticed distinct abnormalities in walking patterns in a study including 52 patients in the early stages of MS, and a control group of 28 healthy people. These findings could aid researchers in mapping the progression of multiple sclerosis, which doctors have not yet been able to determine when muscles begin to deteriorate. This is important because intervention programs could slow the rate of muscle deterioration in patients during the early stages of MS as well as improve muscle endurance and balance to hold off the related fatigue that generally goes along with the disease.
Participants underwent multiple forms of basic movement analysis in attempts to measure their levels of muscle endurance. Dr. Kalron stated, “Reduced muscle endurance may be one of the earliest signs of MS and is a common complaint among patients, but it is hard to detect.” Examples of some of the exercises patients performed during testing included:
- Gait observation and analysis to determine the patients’ step length, stride width, and overall symmetry of movement.
- Measuring lower limb muscle strength and endurance by asking participants to straighten/bend knee with max effort and hold the position for at least 30 seconds
After quantifying the results with an isokinetic dynamometer, the findings were analyzed by doctors. The results showed a definite distinction among participants who were living with MS. According to Dr. Alon Kalron, “Patients in the early stages of MS experienced 40 percent less muscle endurance than their healthy peers.” They appeared to walk with a consistently slower, asymmetrical pattern and tended to have a wider spread of their legs. This adapted stance seems to aid the balance and instability that is caused by muscle fatigue.
By studying gait, patients and their doctors have the opportunity to diagnose the early onset muscle deterioration caused by MS. Although a cure for MS has not yet been discovered, the results can provide improvement to existing programs. By prescribing training and muscle rehabilitation regiments, muscle deterioration and fatigue can be slowed to allow people to maintain their mobility and keep walking as long as possible.
Sources:
aftau.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=15901
zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/endurance-tests-can-detect-nerve-disease-early_15419.html
Image Sources:
lusakatimes.com
me.queensu.ca
i01.i.aliimg.com
3 Comments
Noel Keith, posted this comment on Feb 24th, 2012
Diagnosed in 1970 before most of today”s researchers” were born, I had to find my way to the diet and exercise benefits available. My original neurologists told me nothing was available treatmentwise, that was working. He muttered something about some euro studies in the health food arena but discouraged me from investigating them.
I have had reactions to Diet sodas causing some old early MS symptoms that I reactied to bby ceasing to ingest the chemcial no matter what it was in. Now I don”t know why MS is also about tyhe same percentage of populations when few products have been introduced with the alleged caused of MS.
I had my worst attacks in a 40 year time span after dianois in the years prior to using much in the way of diet drinks. I have found tat using lecithin in copious amounts has always kept my attachs away or mild in nature. The worst attacks were when I strayed from my diet.
In conclusion…finally… I wonder if this claim is like many I have read, subject to testing and more than likely will be found to be just one of the factors like the name on the disease, Multiple in nature. Oh yes, the ulra careful National MS Society came out with the vegatablelike statement concerning any veg that reduces cholesterol levels[ like lecithin a derivative of soybeans] a few years ago. Best of all good things to your authors.
Becky Miller, posted this comment on Mar 25th, 2012
Good news: Dr. Monte has made the chapter from his book that deals specifically with MS available for free download on his website: http://www.whilesciencesleeps.com/multiple-sclerosis-the-solution/
You don””t have to log in, register, or pay any money. It””s free and easy!
Perhaps it wasn””t diet soda – you can be exposed to methanol from wood smoke, tomatoes, canned fruits and vegetables and their juices, Ditto machines, and more.
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Becky Miller, posted this comment on Feb 18th, 2012
I just finished editing and illustrating a book for a well-known food scientist, Woodrow Monte, PhD, in which he reveals in detail his discovery of the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. MS is on the rise, and avoiding it – and in some cases even curing it – is actually very simple. This is not conspiracy theory or snake oil; Dr. Monte is not selling any products. He He is a good man and excellent scientist who has devoted his life to helping people. His work is sound and his conclusions are undeniable in face of the evidence. Dr. Monte has been working with several MS patients who, based on his findings, are getting their lives back. One who was in very bad shape not long ago is now driving and riding her horse for the first time in six years.
The simple one and only cause of MS is exposure to methanol. It is the methanol in cigarettes that is responsible for the known link between MS and smoking. It is the methanol in Ditto machines that is responsible for the epidemic of MS in school teachers. And it is the methanol in aspartame, which is heavily consumed in diet sodas, that is responsible for the explosion of MS in the past 30 years since its approval by the FDA for use in diet sodas. Methanol is found in lesser amounts in several common foods as well, but all are easily avoided. When consumed, it is converted by the enzyme known as Alcohol Dehydrogenase Class 1 (ADH1) into formaldehyde inside the body’s most sensitive tissues. Once inside the brain, the formaldehyde quickly attaches to the myelin sheaths, and that change prompts the body”s white blood cells to devour the damaged sheaths. The myelin sheath can regenerate if it is not yet entirely destroyed – which is why MS sufferers experience periods of remission and why avoiding methanol in the diet and environment can cure MS if it hasn”t gone too far.
Dr. Monte is a food scientist, researcher, and Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Nutrition at Arizona State University. His book also contains information and documentation showing that the product’s manufacturers and their friends in the Food & Drug Administration knew the dangers posed by aspartame, yet buried the evidence and released it for public consumption despite the risk. Furthermore, they knowingly marketed it to those research had demonstrated were particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects – diabetics and pregnant mothers. Since that time, adult onset diabetes has more than doubled worldwide, with diabetics dying from the major diseases of civilization at a much higher rate than the average population. Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease, in which formaldehyde inside the brain destroys memory function, have increased 10,000% since 1981. Neural tube birth defects are up around 70% in the same period of time despite efforts to compensate with recommended folic acid.
Monte has decades of experience in food science and nutrition as a researcher, teacher, inventor, industry consultant and consumer advocate who is committed to food additive safety and the prevention of food borne diseases. Dr. Monte is a dedicated scientist with both a Ph.D. and M.S. in Food Science and Nutrition and a B.S. in Biology. He has been a Registered Dietician, Certified Nutrition Specialist AIN, professional member of the American Chemical Society and emeritus member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1985, he was chosen by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars as a Senior Fulbright Scholar.
Dr. Monte’s testimony before Congress was instrumental in the prevention of Sulfites from receiving status of US FDA GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) and the implementation of mandatory labeling for most foods that contain this dangerous additive. Through his research, Dr. Monte has been awarded 22 US patents.
He has shared his technical expertise during hundreds of television and radio appearances including a special feature on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and 60 Minutes. He is the author of numerous scientific publications and the book While Science Sleeps: A Sweetener Kills. As Professor Emeritus of Nutrition from ArizonaState University , Dr. Monte continues his study of the damaging effects of methanol in our food supply. More information about Dr. Monte and his work can be found on his website: http://www.WhileScienceSleeps.com.
Please do yourself a HUGE favor and get his book – it will save your life!