From LifeExtension Mag April 2008

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/...Cruel-Hoax.htm


Guess what is elevated in MS and does much of the damage???

Yep!! Pro-inflammatory cytokines!!!!

jackD

And this is why... I have 90 capsules of Tryptophan in my cupboard.

My neuro DID tell me to be careful with taking it too often, because he feels it has potential to hurt the liver, but my nutritionist swears by it. I get mine at the compounding pharmacy.

If you happen to be research minded and a little weird then this "CYTOKINES INFO PLAYGROUND" will satisfy all your cytokines info needs.

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=MMP%2d9

Check out this page on NGF -Nerve Growth Factor

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=NGF

Note the fact good old reliable Vitamin D3 causes our brains to produce more NGF Nerve Growth Factor came as a real surprise to me. Vitamin D3 also lowers MMP-9s.

This "potent producer of NGF" is another reason to take a LOT of Vitamin D3.

jackD

Cherie's my research minded girl. I'll take full credit for being the weird one.

Here is a little tech info on what cytokines are and do.

Cytokines: Soluble glycoproteins secreted by immune system cells that modulate immune and inflammatory responses. They are divided into two broad categories: pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 2 (IL-2), and interferon gamma (IFN-g), are associated with the T-helper type 1 (Th1) cell subclass, and upregulate cell mediated inflammatory responses. Anti-inflammatory cytokines include transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), interferons alpha (IFNa) and beta (IFNb) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Interleukin 4 (IL-4), associated with the T-helper type 2 (Th2) subclass is involved in allergic inflammation, but downregulates cell-mediated immune responses. Cytokines play an important role in MS, based on studies of both the EAE animal model and human disease. The pro-inflammatory cytokines are considered to induce or worsen disease features in MS. In contrast, anti-inflammatory cytokines are thought to be protective and to ameliorate disease features in MS.

They direct/cause the MMPs to do lots of MS damage but that is another posting.

jackD

I just noticed my vision is dim tonight. I hope that's not the harbinger of doom that the insomnia has probably been a warning of.

Yep. Vision is the second thing to go. Insomnia can also contribute to brain shrinkage. See my last MRI below. Radioligist said; .

jackD

I have insomnia on and off. I don't take Interferon drugs.

I have a difficult time turning off to sleep. I seem to be a person who gets more energy as the day goes on.

Most people get sleepier and I rarely do!

Maybe this is due to MS, but probably it is due to my own strange metabolism.

Tootsie

I'm not on an interferon. But I have insomnia that's really horrible. I'm trying to not blame this on the MS, because I dont like having everything blamed on the MS, sometimes there are other reasons.

Thanks for all the info. I have heard of vitamin D , of course, but not Vitamin D3.

Turkey is renowned for Triptophan. Should we include this in our diet once a week? I did not know that there were pills with Triptophan. I suppose if the source is food, such as Turkey, it is more beneficial for the body.

If old age causes so many problems because of the surplus production of... (forgot the word), then medication that produces (?) serotonin might be a consideration for old people. Question mark here. Some old people seem to be OK but simple blood tests could tell a doctor if a prescription is recommended.

It disturbs me to think that people out there are suffering and not sleeping when there is a solution.

Thanks again for the info. and forgive any mistakes i might have made!