A dietary supplement similar to glucosamine appears to suppress the damaging autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis attacks, raising hopes of a new metabolic therapy for autoimmune diseases.



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(From Topix Neurology)

This supplement is already available OTC from a few manufacturers.

this is one example:
http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas...sules/131?at=0

It targets intestinal and joint problems.

This Wiki article contains two older links on this subject from the past.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-Acetylglucosamine

Some here may want to read those as well.

They dont say what N-acetylglucosamine is made from, but when I was told to take Cosamin-DS (Glucosamine) I found out the hard way what glucosamine is made out of....crushed shells of crustaceans. (shellfish)

I'm allergic to shellfish.

The one and only time I ever tried glucosamine (Cosamin-DS) I had an allergic reactions. (hives, and my throat got really itchy...something my shellfish allergy has never made me do before)

Be careful what supplements you take if you have allergies. Check the allergen info.

The bottles with shellfish source, typically list it.

The ones at iherb. all say shellfish sources clearly on the website.

Thank you for the reminder.

Interesting article. What dosage would you suggest?

I really don't know. Glucosamine is pretty benign stuff. The article claims "too soon to try" but articles like that always say that.

I haven't had time to search it more fully...today. Very busy today.

Thanks for the head's up Erin. I am allergic to shellfish as well, so it's good to know some types contain shellfish.

I'm also allergic to shellfish. Dang.

Some sites do not give dosage suggestions. WebMD does not for example.

I am seeing a few websites suggest 1500-2500mg a day. This is because of poor absorption. Expect some to remain in the GI tract, and for those with GI disturbances, that aspect will be helpful.

Notice that one needs to use divided doses (this is common with some other nutrients as well like acetyl carnitine). I am finding that this supplement is not easily absorbed. One study used Poly-NAG--but this is not available to the public except in one produce by Country Life (with only 50mg in 3 caps).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9001835



I am definitely going to try this, however. My knee and ankle are swelling up now and then, causing me to be much less mobile. And I just had 2 spells of GI trouble this summer. So far the Kefir I was recommended is helping that, but it might be that N-A-G may also help.

I do not know if absorption of the products available now at iherb.com will be enough for MSers.

Hello All!

I am 58 years old with MS, and have an auto-Immune Neuopathy.

After reading about the studies with the kids with inflamatory bowel disease, I have been trying N Acetlglucosomine (NAG) for neuropathy for a week.

So far, it has seemed to help. Actually, my response has been fairly dramatic. No side effects at all so far either.

Has anyone else tried it? I am big, and weigh over 100kg, and am now taking about 5 grams of NAG in my drinking water.

My interest in this has become keen- and I would love to discuss this further. What dose are the other folks out thee

Thanks !!!

Cal