Oxidative Stress and MS . . .
 

I came across this article as well as many others regarding oxidative stress in MS. I found this interesting and thought I would share it. This is just one of many articles/studies regarding this. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20600869

http://www.neurology.org/content/53/8/1876.short - This article has to do with the CSF of MS patients. ". . . was three times higher in subjects with definite MS than in a benchmark group of subjects with other neurologic diseases."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10609336 - "In conclusion, the blood of patients with MS shows the signs of a significant oxidative stress. The possibility of counteracting it by antioxidant administration plus an appropriate diet, might represent a promising way of inhibiting the progression of the disease. Antioxidant supplements should include not only GSH repleting agents, but also Vit. E, ubiquinol, and selenium." I thought this one was the most interesting. It's from 1999 but after studying my diet daily for a couple of weeks, I have found that I am consistently low in vitamin E. I don't take CQ10 but may start after reading this study. Selenium, I get way more than the RDA on a daily basis.

Anyhow, I just thought you guys might be interested in this. Heck if you google oxidative stress and multiple sclerosis, lots of information comes up. But, I like to go to trusted sources. ;)

Any thoughts or ideas on this would be great! I'd like to hear what you all have to say in regards to this.

Oxidative Stress and MS
 

There's an herbal compound formulated by a Nobel Prize nominee that's clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress by up to 70% in 100% of the people who take it. Montel Williams is a big proponent. If you search for it (the name is Protandim) on PubMed, there are 7 peer-reviewed studies you can peruse.

Interesting part of the story is that the doc who helped to develop it is one of the two researchers who originally posited the idea of the "free radical theory of aging".

:D No, but I sure feel like I'm rusting some times. I feel like the tin man. :D

John - I have heard of Protandim before. In fact, there is a thread on here somewhere about it. Yes, Montel takes it and swears by it. In fact, he wanted to buy the company. However, I cannot find much information on Protandim and MS. I could only find information on oxidative stress and MS. There are several studies that either have been done and/or are being done on Protandim and several other diseases including diabetes as well as skin cancer. So far, from what I have read, it is promising. However, I am going to discuss it with my dr. 1st before taking it, as the company recommends you do if you are being treated for an illness and/or taking prescription medications. This is on my list of things to discuss at my next appointment.

I've been taking Astaxanthin (4 mg) daily. Would taking this as well as Prodantim be overkill? I also take Krill Oil but that is more for my heart health than an antioxidant dosage.

I'm not sure Kelly.

Protandim has:

Milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum) (seed)
Bacopa extract (Bacopa monnieri) (aerial part)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) (root)
Green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) (leaf)
Turmeric extract (Curcuma longa) (rhizome)

They don't say how much of each of these is in it. As with all things, there are benefits and side effects. And some of these can't be mixed with medications, like green tea. If you are on a blood thinner, you should not drink/take green tea. I have also heard that green tea and ADs are not a good combination (I can't remember why). So, like anything, it's best to double check with your dr. or pharmacist before adding to your medications.

Astaxanthin doesn't interact with Protandim... the only thing the manufacturer says to not take it with, is if your on auto-immune suppressant drugs (like you had a kidney transplant). Protandim will up your immune response, so we don't want you to lose the kidney.. if that makes sense.

The ingredients are exactly:
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extract (225 mg)
Bacopa (Bacopa monniera) extract (150 mg)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root (150 mg)
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract (75 mg)
Turmeric (Curcuma Ionga) extract (75 mg)

Its a synergistic formula, so the ratios have to be close for it to work (per Dr McCord - the scientist who formulated it). There is a peer reviewed study on the subject too (the synergistic effect). Dr McCord claims that individually each ingredient doesn't really work. He used the its ability to stimulate Nrf2 (the protein that regulates the DNA antioxidant response), as the measuring stick.

*edit*