George Jelinek MS Study News

Surviving MS - Thriving for 40 Years review

Sid Baron shares his story of personal challenges, with humor and insight, from growing up in Holland during WWII, to a more baffling, and more persistant challenge of being diagnosed with MS in the prime of his life. He recounts how he learned to cope with that challenge, having tracked down Dr. Roy Swank, a proponant of controlling MS with diet and lifestyle changes. Mr. Baron pursued this recommendation with his characteristic wholehearted zeal, augmenting the diet with his own research, incorporating vitamin C into the mix as well. With his wife’s support, he resrtuctured his life to follow the Swank MS Diet and lifestyle, and has clearly thrived over the course of the forty years since his diagnosis. In no small part, Mr. Baron’s unique sense of humor and life-long positive attitude have prevailed, and, combined with his chosen course of treatment, have provided the structure for his long, productive life, without medications! His book is a real inspriration to anyone coping with MS.

Review of Sid Baron’s new book

 A Must Read For Anyone With MS, April 3, 2012

Sid Baron’s account of living with Multiple Sclerosis for over 40 years is heart warming and oft-times funny. It is so encouraging for those who have MS or who have a family member or a friend who suffers from the condition that it is a must read.

The heart of the book is Sid’s long-term interaction with his neurologist, Dr. Roy Swank, whose research had shown how control of diet and lifestyle could slow or halt the progress of MS. It is clear that Sid and Dr. Swank formed a strong partnership to fight MS and keep Sid leading from the front as a successful businessman. That partnership blossomed into Sid coming to the aid of Dr. Swank in setting up the Swank MS Foundation in the 1990’s.

The latter part of the book is a Q & A section, which will be particularly important for those recently diagnosed with MS as they look at an uncertain future. Almost as important, I think, is the section devoted to the interview with his wife as it gives a great insight from his life partner’s viewpoint of his lifelong battle to stay on top of MS and live his life the way he knew he must.

Debbie’s Testimonial

“I got a copy of Dr. Swank’s book–I liked the scientific approach, and when I read that after 2 years on the diet there was a 5% chance of an exacerbation, I thought, now that is comforting!”

- Debbie, on the Swank MS Diet since 1998.

Barbara’s Testimonial

“I have always been on a “reasonable” diet, as there is a history of heart disease in my family. I only had to be more aware of the saturated fat and partially hydrogenated fats to adhere to the Swank diet.”

- Barbara, happily on the Swank MS Diet since 2002.

Book Review

Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis

By

Professor George Jelinek

An academic physician, who has multiple sclerosis, writes this excellent text, which is a most compelling read. It is essential reading for anyone with MS, as well as their family and friends who can support them with lifestyle changes that will help to minimize the effects of the condition. A wonderful companion volume to Dr. Swank’s book, it brings the research information up to date.

The first section is covers his personal interaction with the disease as first his mother contracts MS and then he finds that he also has the condition. His struggle to get control of the condition brings the reader step by step through his battle, and will strike a chord with everyone who has MS or has a family member or friend with it. Chapter 3 gives a clear account of MS and is particularly valuable reading for anyone recently diagnosed.

The middle part of the book of the book is an up to date review and evaluation of the research and current state of treatment. It starts with dietary fats and explains how the omega-3s (fish and flax seed oils) damp down the autoimmune reaction while the omega-6 fats (vegetable polyunsaturates such as corn and safflower) tend to promote the activation of the system.  Chapter 6 gives a thorough review of Dr. Swanks work. Vitamin supplements are fully discussed. Lifestyle changes to a healthy pattern are recommended and the effects of stress, depression and emotional state are discussed. Adequate exercise is beneficial – one is reminded of the old advice that what is good for the heart, is good for the brain. Next the various drug therapies are examined with positive indications for short-term steroid use for relapses and glatiramer for reducing relapse frequency. Intravenous Ig from plasma is also indicated to have some benefits. The final chapter in this middle section is devoted to problem of pain and fatigue.

The final section of the book describes Professor Jelinek’s recommendations for a path to recovery. This is a very positive work, full of good advice from an author who is both an M.D. and a patient with MS.

Conclusion Highlights:

•     Diet and lifestyle change empower MS patients to help them control the disease,

•    MS combines both autoimmune and a degenerative disease factors in those with a susceptible genetic profile,

•     Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids damp down inflammatory immune system response and combat degenerative changes.

•     Omega-6 enhance inflammatory immune system response whilst combating degenerative changes,

•     Oleic acid (olive oil) is immune system neutral but helps combat degenerative changes,

•     Multivitamins tablets should be avoided,

•    B12 tablets are a ‘good’ supplement, especially for those whose diet is vegan and/or are 50+,

•     Vitamin D is essential and doses as high as 5,000IU are advisable in winter and can be lower in summer if there is sufficient sun exposure,

•     Exercise is good,

•      The avoidance of stress and adequate rest to minimize fatigue are important,

•     Short term steroid use can help recovery from relapses,

•     Intravenous immunoglobulins can reduce the frequency of relapses significantly,

•     Glatiramer is preferred over interferons for relapse rate reduction,

•     Currently diet and lifestyle change combined with sun exposure and adequate vitamin D are most effective in combatting MS.

A must read, especially for those of us with Dr. Swank’s book already on our shelf.

Jim Goodwin

January 2011

Book Details

Title: “Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis”

‘An evidence-based Guide to Recovery’

Author: Professor George Jelinek

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2010

ISBN 978 1 74237 179 5

http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=96

Rest and Calm Lifestyle - A Major Part of Dr. Swank’ s Regimen

By Jim Goodwin

The temptation to fill our days with activity is strong, especially at Holiday Season. Our stress levels increase and that means hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin are at higher levels than normal. While at times we may feel like we’ re in a ‘ fight or flight’ situation, we must remember that these hormones have very powerful effects on our bodies. The reduction of stress in our lives, and plenty of rest so that the body can recuperate, is the third essential part of the regimen prescribed by Dr. Swank for his patients. The low-fat diet is the one that we usually focus on, but we must not forget the vitamin supplements (especially adequate vitamin D) and this third one – a daily rest period and reduction of stress points – if relapses are to be minimized.

In his book, Dr. Swank points out that relapses are common after high stress situations as diverse as say a car accident or the birth of a child. He found that infusions of normal plasma to relapsing patients was effective in combatting the symptoms and getting the patient back to control of their health. It appears that few Doctors are aware of how effective this treatment can be in controlling the exacerbation of MS symptoms after a physical trauma has occurred. The idea for the plasma infusion treatment originated from his work on plasma proteins in 1951 in which he identified compositional abnormalities in plasma from his patients with MS.

Over the last ten years or so a lot of information on plasma components found in conjunction with MS, especially during an exacerbation phase, has been obtained. Much of the attention has been focused on the protein Interleukin-17F, or IL-17F in biochemical shorthand. This protein is produced by some activated T-cells. The gene, which governs its production, is found at chromosome 6p12 (1). The expression of IL-17F, which is is a pro-inflammatory soluble protein, is higher in patients with MS (2). Treatment by the drug Interferon has been shown to have spotty results in mediating the levels of IL-17F (3).

These snippets from the literature of the last decade show that we are getting closer to describing the genetic and protein markers for the condition. Cause and Cure are another story and we are currently left with Control and Care of our immune system an important factor. Achieving a low stress lifestyle with adequate rest are essential aspects of this care.

References:

1 . T. Starnes et al. J. Immunology, 2001, 167, 4137

2 . D. Matuseviceus et al. Mult. Scler, 1999, 5, 101

3 . K. Boniface et al. Nature Medicine, 2010, 16, 406

The Fats of Life

The Fats of Life

by Jim Goodwin

The middle of the Holiday Season is here and the temptations will increase. It is not just the temptation to indulge like everyone else, but it is sometimes the temptation to accept well-meant hospitality from friends and loved ones who don’t need to be concerned about amounts and types of fats in the same way as we do. Cookies come to mind first but even turkey breast when cooked with the skin can come with more saturated fat that we need. Gravy, of course, has to be passed by.

The beginning of Dr. Swank’s understanding of factors that exacerbated the MS condition were in Norway where he saw the different incidence of MS with the high dairy/meat diet in the mountains compared to that along the coastal region where fish was the major protein component. The low saturated fat diet became one of the three pillars of the Swank MS diet. Recall the other two are good doses of vitamin supplements like vitamin D and a change of lifestyle to reduce stress (with its subsequent hormone release) and provide a regimen of adequate rest.

Since Dr. Swank’s seminal work, we have heard a great deal about the benefits of unsaturated fats and the omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturates compared to saturated fats. To most of us, we know what foods are rich in which types but the names don’t tell us why they are important. A lot of Dr. Swank’s research was aimed at this and much has been done by others too. A simple appreciation of the differences can be gained when we think about the temperature at which fats melt. Fats from beef, pork and lamb (we can call them hard fats) have to be heated to a temperature higher than our body temperature before they will melt. The unsaturated fats – olive oil is an example – are fluid at room temperature. That is why they are known as oils. The polyunsaturates are also oils.

Why does this matter? Well, Dr. Swank studied the microcirculation of the blood and showed that when saturated fats were present, tiny sticky fat particles known as chylomicra, were present. These could block the tiny capillaries that are carrying nutrients to our organs and impair their function. As diets high in animal fats have increased over the years, so have diseases such as MS, heart disease and diabetes. Most of us are now aware that low animal fat and exercise are good for our circulation, our hearts and our brains. That means our blood-brain barrier – the myelin sheath.

Transfats are now becoming discarded from our processed food supply. But it is worth exploring the problem a little. Saturated fats stick together and form solids so easily because the molecules are straight, like wheat stalks in a wheat field. The molecules of unsaturated fats are bent and don’t line up so well and so don’t stick together so easily. Polyunsaturates have two kinks and so are even less likely to stick together. Remember the stickier the molecules, the harder and stickier are the ‘blobs’ of fat and we can do without hard blobs of fat in our blood. When we make a transfat, we take an unsaturated fat and saturate it. The result is it becomes straight and therefore much more sticky than the original oil. There is still some done industrially for butter-like spreads and we can avoid those. BUT (note that it is a big BUT) when we overheat unsaturated oils like olive oil, we turn them into transfats. So avoid frying foods as Dr. Swank advised.

Remember:

1.     No more than 5 g (1 teaspoon or an egg yolk) per day, aim for no more than three times a week;

2.     About 40 g of oil (8 teaspoons) per day of unsaturated oils. Be aware that oil capsules must be included in this.

Archive Recipe - Pecan Pie

Here’s a holiday recipe from our newsletter archives for an easy and tasty Pecan Pie - Enjoy!

PECAN PIE

3 slightly-beaten eggs
1 cup dark Karo syrup

1 tsp salt1 tsp vanilla

1 cup sugar1 cup chopped pecans
Mix all ingredients and pour into a lined pie tin. Bake @ 450° for about 10 minutes, then reduce to 350° and bake for 40 minutes more or until tester comes out clean.With oil crust, 1/6th pie = 0.5g saturated fat, 5g oil.

Note: Using fresh pecans will result in a tastier pie! :)

OIL PASTRY CRUST - 9-inch double crust
2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup oil1 1/2 tsp salt1/4 cup skim milk
Mix flour and salt. Pour oil into measuring cup; carefully add skim milk. Pour all at once into flour. (Do not blend milk and oil.) Stir lightly until mixed. Gather into a ball. Roll out between waxed paper. Bake as directed according to each recipe.