JamesEckburg and Multiple Sclerosis Fingolimod

The information in this medication sheet has been adapted from the FDA-approved prescribing information for Gilenya.
Description

Gilenya™ is a new class of medication called a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). Preventing the entry of these cells into the CNS reduces inflammatory damage to nerve cells.

Gilenya was evaluated in two large-scale, phase III clinical trials involving people with relapsing-remitting MS:

In a two-year study (FREEDOMS) comparing two doses of Gilenya to placebo, Gilenya (at the lower, 0.5mg dose) reduced relapses by 54% and reduced the risk of disability progression by 30% compared to placebo. Gilenya also reduced brain lesion activity as measured by MRI. In a one-year study (TRANSFORMS) comparing two doses of Gilenya to interferon beta-1a (Avonex), Gilenya (at the lower, 0.5mg dose) reduced relapses by 52% compared with Avonex; reduced disease activity as measured by the number of new and newly enlarged T2 lesions on MRI scans compared with Avonex (1.6 vs 2.6, respectively at one year); reduced brain lesion activity as measured by MRI.

In August 2011, the FDA approved an update in the prescribing information for Gilenya to include the MRI findings from both the TRANSFORMS and FREEDOMS studies. In both clinical trials, Gilenya showed a reduction in gadolinium-enhancing lesions, which indicate new MS activity. The data from the TRANSFORMS study indicated that at 12 months, the mean number of gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions was significantly lower for patients treated with Gilenya at the 0.5 mg dose than for patients taking interferon beta-1a (Avonex), 0.2 vs 0.5 respectively. In the FREEDOMS trial, the mean number of gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions was significantly lower at 24 months for the group treated with Gilenya (0.5 mg dose) than for the placebo group, 0.2 vs 1.1.

Gilenya has not been studied in people under the age of 18.

Approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Gilenya was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 for adults with relapsing forms of MS to reduce the frequency of clinical relapses and to delay the accumulation of physical disability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSJaDWheyGk&feature=colike

In April, 2012, the FDA (along with the European Medicines Agency -- EMA) revised the prescribing information for Gilenya based on independent safety reviews initiated by the agencies after deaths had been reported among patients taking Gilenya. The revised prescribing information defines who should avoid using this MS therapy based on pre-existing medical conditions, and alters the recommended testing and heart monitoring that occurs when the first dose is given:

All those starting treatment with Gilenya should have an electrocardiogram prior to dosing and after the 6-hour observation period. During the observation period, blood pressure and heart rate should be measured hourly.

People whose first-dose monitoring indicates potentially unsafe heart events may require longer monitoring, and any who require treatment for low heart rate during the first-dose monitoring will need to be monitored overnight.

Gilenya is not advisable for people who have had a history or presence of specific heart and vascular conditions, including heart attack, stroke, and heartbeat irregularities, and people taking heart rate-lowering medication.

If anyone with a pre-existing heart condition is started on Gilenya, after the first dose the patient should be monitored overnight with continuous electrocardiogram in a medical facility. The heart function monitoring applies only to people initiating their first dose, and not to people who are already taking daily doses of Gilenya. There are also revised recommendations for people who re-initiate treatment after discontinuing Gilenya. People should not make changes to their Gilenya therapy without consulting their prescriber.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUS5Tiq5O28&feature=colike

Macular Edema:

Oral MS Drug May Increase Risk for Macular Edema A report from the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) and the AAO

ONE Neuro-Ophthalmology Committee

*ONE Neuro-ophthalmology chair: Andrew G. Lee, MD for the ONE Committee Data from recent multinational Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of fingolimod (Gilenya, Novartis) suggest an association of the agent to a low risk of cystoid macular edema (CME). Fingolimod is the first oral medication approved by the U.S. FDA for relapsing forms of MS and is an immunomodulator that regulates lymphocyte distribution, reducing lymphocyte recirculation from lymphoid tissue to blood and peripheral tissues. A two-year FDA clinical trial compared fingolimod with placebo and another one-year trial compared fingolimod with interferon beta-1a.

Although several clinical trials to date have shown fingolimod to be well tolerated, side effects have included bradycardia, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, shortness of breath, diarrhea and nausea. In the two-year trial, macular edema occurred in 0.4 percent of patients treated with fingolimod and 0.1 percent who received the placebo.

Study patients were monitored with medical histories, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, dilated ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and had ophthalmic examinations at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Compared to placebo, Fingolimod reduced the MS relapse rate and increased the percentage of patients without a MS relapse in both studies. The differences were statistically significant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7hG_YS1WiE&feature=colike

Transient bradycardia, HTN

Because of the risk of transient bradycardias and heart block after the first dose, the recommended level of cardiovascular monitoring of all patients after their first dose of fingolimod has now increased as outlined here

Fingolimod (Gilenya▼) is authorised to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in patients whose disease has failed to respond to beta-interferon or is severe and getting worse rapidly. It is a sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor modulator.

Fingolimod is known to cause transient bradycardias and might be associated with atrioventricular block after the first dose; these are reflected in existing recommendations to observe patients for signs and symptoms of bradycardia in the 6 hours post administration.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review of the benefits and risks of fingolimod after becoming aware of new post-marketing evidence about its possible cardiovascular effects after taking the first dose. This includes a 59-year-old patient from the USA with multiple sclerosis who died within 24 hours of taking the first dose of Gilenya. This patient was being treated with metoprolol and amlodipine for hypertension.

The exact cause of death is currently unknown. In addition to the unexplained death in the USA, six other unexplained deaths (including three cases of sudden death) after starting treatment with fingolimod have also been reported. As at Feb 6, 2012, we have received four UK reports of suspected adverse reactions with fingolimod, including one case of bradycardia and hypotension occurring 4 hours after the first dose with a drop in heart rate experienced again the following day.

While the review of fingolimod is ongoing, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use now recommends that the level of cardiovascular monitoring of all patients is increased after their first dose of fingolimod:

Patients that are taking this drug have to be watched and check on redularly with their Doctors. Their care has to be writen down and saved for research.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7UvhwORTd4&feature=colike
This is just some of the side effects of Fingloimod in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

2. James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis Three Faces of Fatigue

James Eckburg and MS

The Three Faces of Fatigue with Multiple Sclerosis

I would like to talk about tree facesof Fatigue: One is Physical, Second one is Mental, and the Third one Emotional. The first one is Physical is extremely comon. Fatigue strikes about four out of five people with Multiple Sclerosis and it is so real. "Multiple Sclerosi fatigueis genuine and has a biologial basis", that Lauren Krupp, MD, Professor of Neureology and Diretor of Neuropsychology research center at Stony Brook University Medical Center in New Yourk.

Multiple Sclerosis fatigue can be distinguished from the garden-variety fatigue when it si abnormally severe, but there are markers that a person has with Multiple Sclerosis. Fatigue temds to accur daily and they can aome on suddenly without much worning. You may feel grood in the morning when you get up and than in middle morning you feel very tired and you have had a good nights sleep. Than as the day goes on you get very tired or fatigue. When it gets very hot and humid is the worst time for me.

Why do I get so tired??

The Primary Multiple Sclerosis fatigue is casused by frayed nerve fibers wearing out easily. You see nerve damage to the vast computer system of the brain causes misfires and split-second dekays in impulse transmissions, this was said by George Kraft, MD, MS Alvord Professor of Research at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

You will see that your walking becomes more difficult, your speach will slurs and your mind clouds and overtaxed nervous system burns through fuel like aragged motor. YOu see that Fatigue is like a fuel gauge telling you the tank is empty.

Your Secondary energy-sappers include not enough sleep or quality sleep, depression, medication, stress, pain, being out of shape, and the sheer increase inengery used to get around and get things done.

Given the nature of MS, it is expected that central fatigue contributes to fatigue perceived by MS patients.22 Central fatigue is commonly measured with the twitch-interpolated technique during a maximal contraction. The underlying principle is relatively simple.23 During an MVC, a stimulus is given to the appropriate nerve or muscle. If participants activate their muscles maximally, no increase in force is evoked by this stimulus. During a submaximal activation, however, an extra force is evoked.

The size of the interpolated twitch gives a measure of the voluntary activation, and an increase over time reflects central fatigue.8 However, during a sustained contraction, the evoked twitch tends to decline as a result of fatigue-related changes in the periphery. Because the amount of peripheral fatigue differs between MS patients and controls,10,14 it is necessary to correct for peripheral fatigue. Studies that investigated the association between perceived fatigue and central fatigue in MS patients did not always correct for peripheral fatigue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3iXoh3fh7w&feature=colike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQFrmW3K9Bk&feature=colike

Though the casuses of fatigue are understood it is not clear why differentpeople exercise fatigueso differently. Luca Roccatagliata, MD, PhD, and his Neuriscience colleagues at the University of Genoa speculate that anatomical changes tothe brain exist in a complex biological network that is different in every person. That is another reson why Multiple Sclerosis isso diffcult to diagnois. Thus so even tiny bit of damage in the front part of your brain called the frontal lobes can causean action to interact badly with the helathier part of your brain in the healthy deeper part of your brain. Thus so it iwll enhance the nature and preception of fatigue in some unique way.

J. Lamar Freed, Psy.D. wrote anarticle on Understanding the Unique Role Of Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis:

Yet despite this recognition I do not believe fatigue has been taken as seriously nor viewed as profoundly as what the experience of people with MS merits. Fatigue is a symptom of MS. But is so much more than that. Fatigue underlies and influences a great many of the other symptoms experienced by people with MS.

The essential mechanism of MS is that the Brain's Myelin covered nerve cells that communicate the commands and information from one part of the Brain to another or to other parts of the body are impeded or blocked by the destruction of the Myelin sheath which surrounds and insulates the cells.

These communication cells serve as the superhighway that makes these messages travel quickly and easily. This means that for the information to travel properly when the Myelin has been destroyed or damaged it must bully through on less efficient channels, or go around on other channels that may not be ideally constructed for the task.

It's like getting from New York to Washington without driving on I-95. Depending on the locations and number of these Myelin depleting lesions, communication within the Brain can be profoundly disrupted. Like with drives that last too long, fatigue is one of the results.

Fatigue is experienced both physically and mentally. It is sometimes easily evident because of a feeling of general tiredness and it can also be overlooked.

It can show itself immediately and it can be delayed, at times for days. Its primary treatment is rest. And like everything else about MS, it is highly variable from one person to the next.

Physical fatigue is often experienced as a bone numbing tiredness. It is a tiredness that belays description. It can make movement seem impossible and the requirement for movement overwhelming.Yet despite this recognition I do not believe fatigue has been taken as seriously nor viewed as profoundly as what the experience of people with MS merits. Fatigue is a symptom of MS. But is so much more than that. Fatigue underlies and influences a great many of the other symptoms experienced by people with MS.
The essential mechanism of MS is that the Brain's Myelin covered nerve cells that communicate the commands and information from one part of the Brain to another or to other parts of the body are impeded or blocked by the destruction of the Myelin sheath which surrounds and insulates the cells.
These communication cells serve as the superhighway that makes these messages travel quickly and easily. This means that for the information to travel properly when the Myelin has been destroyed or damaged it must bully through on less efficient channels, or go around on other channels that may not be ideally constructed for the task.
It's like getting from New York to Washington without driving on I-95. Depending on the locations and number of these Myelin depleting lesions, communication within the Brain can be profoundly disrupted. Like with drives that last too long, fatigue is one of the results.
Fatigue is experienced both physically and mentally. It is sometimes easily evident because of a feeling of general tiredness and it can also be overlooked.
It can show itself immediately and it can be delayed, at times for days. Its primary treatment is rest. And like everything else about MS, it is highly variable from one person to the next.Yet despite this recognition I do not believe fatigue has been taken as seriously nor viewed as profoundly as what the experience of people with MS merits. Fatigue is a symptom of MS. But is so much more than that. Fatigue underlies and influences a great many of the other symptoms experienced by people with MS.
The essential mechanism of MS is that the Brain's Myelin covered nerve cells that communicate the commands and information from one part of the Brain to another or to other parts of the body are impeded or blocked by the destruction of the Myelin sheath which surrounds and insulates the cells.
These communication cells serve as the superhighway that makes these messages travel quickly and easily. This means that for the information to travel properly when the Myelin has been destroyed or damaged it must bully through on less efficient channels, or go around on other channels that may not be ideally constructed for the task.
It's like getting from New York to Washington without driving on I-95. Depending on the locations and number of these Myelin depleting lesions, communication within the Brain can be profoundly disrupted. Like with drives that last too long, fatigue is one of the results.
Fatigue is experienced both physically and mentally. It is sometimes easily evident because of a feeling of general tiredness and it can also be overlooked.
It can show itself immediately and it can be delayed, at times for days. Its primary treatment is rest. And like everything else about MS, it is highly variable from one person to the next.Yet despite this recognition I do not believe fatigue has been taken as seriously nor viewed as profoundly as what the experience of people with MS merits. Fatigue is a symptom of MS. But is so much more than that. Fatigue underlies and influences a great many of the other symptoms experienced by people with MS.
The essential mechanism of MS is that the Brain's Myelin covered nerve cells that communicate the commands and information from one part of the Brain to another or to other parts of the body are impeded or blocked by the destruction of the Myelin sheath which surrounds and insulates the cells.
These communication cells serve as the superhighway that makes these messages travel quickly and easily. This means that for the information to travel properly when the Myelin has been destroyed or damaged it must bully through on less efficient channels, or go around on other channels that may not be ideally constructed for the task.
It's like getting from New York to Washington without driving on I-95. Depending on the locations and number of these Myelin depleting lesions, communication within the Brain can be profoundly disrupted. Like with drives that last too long, fatigue is one of the results.
Fatigue is experienced both physically and mentally. It is sometimes easily evident because of a feeling of general tiredness and it can also be overlooked.
It can show itself immediately and it can be delayed, at times for days. Its primary treatment is rest. And like everything else about MS, it is highly variable from one person to the next.
Physical fatigue is often experienced as a bone numbing tiredness. It is a tiredness that belays description. It can make movement seem impossible and the requirement for movement overwhelming.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

3. James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis and Treating Pain

James Eckburg and MS

Treating Multiple Sclerosis Pain

Some people say that they do not have any pain with Multiple Sclerosis. I can tell you that I have had pain all the time with my Multiple Sclerosis. The pain is not in the same place all the time but it is very painfull when it stikes. I have been on the same meds for a long time and the side effects of the medicne is rough. So my new neurologist Dr. is trying me on something new for a month. I can not take any of the new meds that have come on the market to treat MS becasue I can not walk and have been in a wheelchair since 1989. I had very bad tremmors and I gained weight and got up over 300 lbs. So back in April of 2007 I strated a program and have lost over 110 lbs and have kept it off. You might not think that is good but remember I can not walk so the only exercise I can do is ride a stationary bike and I have woren out 12 of them. I try to do at least 30+ miles a day. That is jsut an update of my condition. I have to be watched very close these next few weeks and months to see how this new meds work. Becasuse with MS it strikes a person differently so not all meds work the same.

So now I would like to share some articles I found on the subject of Treating Multiple Sclerosis Pain. Many options are available to treat pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. But the big question is will they help you manage your pain.

Anticonvulsant Drugs Offer Relief

For the most part, however, acute MS pain can't be effectively treated with aspirin, ibuprofen, or other common OTC pain reliever medications or treatments. "Since most MS pain originates in the central nervous system, it makes it a lot more difficult to control than joint or muscle pain," says Kathleen Hawker, MD, an assistant professor of neurology in the multiple sclerosis program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas (UTSW).

So what's the alternative? In many cases, the treatment of choice is one of a range of anticonvulsant medications, such as Neurontin and Tegretol. "The main thing that links them all up is that we're not quite sure how they work -- either for seizures or for pain," says Hawker. Since the FDA hasn't officially approved these anticonvulsants for the treatment of pain, they're all being used "off-label," but Neurontin, for example, is prescribed five times more often for pain than for seizures, says Hawker.

Recommended Related to Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Medications

Ampyra (dalfampridine) Aventyl HCI (nortriptyline) Avonex (interferon beta-1a) Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) Carbatrol (carbamazepine) Copaxone (glatiramer) Dantrium (dantrolene) Decadron (dexamethasone) Duralone (methylprednisolone) Endep (amitriptyline) Epitol (carbamazepine) Extavia (interferon beta-1b) Klonopin (clonazepam) Lioresal (baclofen) Medipred (methylprednisolone) Medralone ...

"In the vast majority of patients, these medications do work," says George Kraft, who directs the Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation, Research, and Training Center and the Western Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Washington in Seattle. "There's a problem, though, in that most of them can make people sleepy, groggy, or fatigued, and MS patients have a lot of fatigue anyway."

The good news: Most pain in MS can be treated. There are more than half a dozen of these anticonvulsants, and they all have a slightly different mechanism of action and different side effects. The side effects of these drugs can also include low blood pressure, possible seizures, and dry mouth. They can also cause some weight gain.

"Some drugs are so similar to each other that if one drug in the class fails, another is unlikely to work," says Hawker. "That's not the case with these. Which one you use for which patient depends on the side effect profile."

Finding the right anticonvulsant is all about trial and error, says Bethoux. "We'll start them at the lowest possible dose of one medication and increase it until the person feels comfortable or until side effects aren't tolerable. If one medication doesn't work, we'll try another," he says. "It's a process that can take a long time, but it's the only way we have to do this."

New Frontiers in Treatment

Some patients, however, still haven't found the right drug and the right dosage to control their pain. "About 1% to 2% of patients have extremely refractory pain that's very hard to manage," says Kraft. So MS experts are still looking for options to add to their treatment arsenal.

One intriguing possibility: Botox. The anti-wrinkle injections popular with Park Avenue socialites have shown promise in helping to control some types of MS pain. Botox, which acts locally to temporarily paralyze a nerve or muscle, has been used for years at some multiple sclerosis clinics, including Hawker's, to manage spasticity and bladder problems. "Serendipitously, we found that it also seemed to have an effect on pain," she says. "It's far from being a known treatment for pain in MS at this point, but it's an exciting possibility."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdIUqZ-2p18&feature=colike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaqbQAVNLTo&feature=colike

UTSW, along with two other centers, will soon be launching a small study involving about 40 patients with MS to assess whether Botox can indeed relieve the stabbing pain of trigeminal neuralgia.

"There are no systemic side effects, only mild local facial weakness. The biggest drawback is that you can only inject it in a limited area, so even if we do find that it's effective against MS pain, Botox will certainly not replace any of the medications we currently have. But it may be used in very specific conditions like trigeminal neuralgia," Hawker says.

Kraft, meanwhile, has recently begun a study looking at a very different approach to MS pain: hypnosis. "It's well known that there is a 'gating' mechanism in the higher cognitive parts of the brain to let signals come through to the consciousness. There can be all kinds of mischief in the pain fibers in the spinal cord, but it has to get through to the cortex before it's painful," he says.

"With hypnosis, we hope to block or at least reduce the interpretation of that stimulus as a painful stimulus. It looks promising so far, and obviously it doesn't have the problem of medication side effects."

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

4. James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis and Vitamin D

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis and Vitamin D

Vitamin D Deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis

(NaturalNews) Researchers from Oxford University and the University of British Columbia have discovered that Vitamin D deficiency affects a section of the human genome already linked with multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, adding further weight to theories that this vitamin deficiency might play a role in development of the disease.

"Here we show that the main environmental risk candidate -- vitamin D -- and the main gene region are directly linked and interact," said co-author George Ebers.

The study was published in the journal PLoS Genetics.

MS is a disease characterized by the loss of the myelin sheath that insulates cells in the central nervous system. The loss of this insulation leads to disordered transmission of nerve signals, causing a cluster of neurological and muscular symptoms.

Scientists do not know what causes MS, but both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated. One study found that rates of the disease were significantly higher among Northern European populations who receive less sunlight than among those who receive more, suggesting a vitamin D link.

Vitamin D is produced by the body upon exposure to sunlight, and deficiencies are common in areas of the world far from the equator. The vitamin is now believed to play a critical role in immune functioning and the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

MS is highly suspected of being an autoimmune disorder.

In the current study, researchers examined a portion of chromosome six known to play a role in MS risk -- the risk is three times higher among those carrying one copy of the DRB1*1501 gene variant on this chromosome, and 10 times higher among those carrying two. They found that proteins activated by vitamin D bind to and alter the functioning of a section of the chromosome right near this gene. This suggests that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy might alter the function of fetal genes, predisposing children to MS.

"Our study implies that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and the early years may reduce the risk of a child developing MS in later life," lead researcher Sreeram Ramagopalan said.

Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/025791.html#ixzz1tAadCWkn

Role of Vitamin D Supplementation

The role of vitamin D supplementation in preventing these diseases is also not well understood.

Exposure to sunlight is an efficient way to raise blood levels of vitamin D hormone, and food sources of the nutrient include oily fish like salmon, fortified milk, and other fortified foods.

But most people would have a hard time getting the vitamin D they need from food, and the increased use of sunscreen has reduced sun exposures.

By one recent estimate, as many as half of adults and children in the U.S. were deficient in the vitamin.

Current recommended daily vitamin D intake is 200 IU (international units) for those up to age 50; 400 IU for people 51 to70; and 600 IU for those over 70. Most experts say that these doses are too low.

Many experts, including Ramagopalan, say 2,000 IU of the vitamin may be optimal for preventing disease.

Blood levels of the vitamin are measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Levels below 20 nanograms per milliliter are generally considered deficient.

Harvard School of Public Health nutrition researcher Edward Giovannucci, MD, says blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of between 30 and 40 nanograms per milliliter may be about right for reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases and certain cancers.

While he says some people can reach these levels without supplementation, many others would need to take 1,000 to 2,000 IU of the vitamin a day.

"Based on what we know, I think it is reasonable to recommend that people maintain blood levels of around 30 nanograms per milliliter," he says.

Nutrition Can Save America!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsWBo2dcdbc&feature=colike

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

5. James Eckburg and MS and Forster Products

James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and Forster Products

I would like to introduce you to a group of products that I have been acquanted with for a long time. I have worked for this company for almost 25 years before I got really ill. I have seen these products made and are very good quality products. Now I would like to share the history of Forster Products.

Welcome to Forster Products located in teh Northwest Corner of Illinois in Carroll County. At Forster Products, have built our business and reputation on quality products, honest treatment, and fair prices. They work hard to ensure that the products we design, make, and sell meet and exceed your own high expectations for excellence.

Our number one product line remains the Case Trimmer System that was the first designed by us back in 1946. It provides a superior method for trimming your case to exact specifications that meet your individual shooting needs. We recently introduced the 3-in-1 Case Mouth Cutter that expands your ability to trim snf aahamfer cases-all in one easy step.

Our Reloading Tools are second to none. Fro example, the accuracy of our Sizing and Seater Deis help you experience uncompromising performance, while our Co-Ax(R) Press is an industry leader for simplicity and accuracy. So of course our Gunsmithing Tools. such as Headspace Gages and Gunsmith Screwdrivers, are made with the same high standards as every other product the carries our name.

Quality, Honesty, Value

That's how our company was founded, and that is how we continue to operate today.

The very first Case Traimmer was made by Forster Products.

That is right. Casetrimming was invented and popularized by Forster Products starting back in 1946.

That year two imaginative brothers, J.R. (Bob) and Henry Forster, broke ground for a new facilityin Lanark, Illinios. They relocated from Chicago, where they were already well knkown for the model aircraft engines which they started producing in 1932. In fact we occasionally still recieve inquiries from folks who remember the very first model airplane engine they invented and sold under the name "Little Hercules 99".

It was in Lanark, Illinios where they started to design and manufacture firearm acessories, including the industry's very first Case Trimmer's-- the cornerstone of our product line today. After success with the Case Trimmer system, the Forster's continued toinnovate with precision rifle chamber Headspace Gages and Universal Sight Mounting Fixtures- all top sellers to this day. In 1985, they consolidated the Bonanza line of reloading tools into our product line.

Today, our Realoading and Gunsmithing Tools continue the tradition of quality and excellence started by the Forsters almost 80 years ago. Our products are made in the heratland of America- in the same Lanark, Illinois location where Bob and Henry establish roots in 1946.

I will introduce you to the Forster Prostaff.

A special advisory panel of accomplished shooters, reloaders and gunsmiths whose input will help us improve upon and develop the products that YOU need for the sport you love. The members of our new Forster ProStaff come from all parts of the country.

Their shooting specialties and backgrounds differ, as do their firearms and reloading preferences. However, there is one common denominator that unifies them: They are all exceedingly good at what they do. And, like most high achievers, they’re all very serious about improving the tools they use so they can continue to advance their own skill levels.

That’s why we asked for their help. We know that our varied product line has applications for several precision shooting sports, from different types of hunting to a broad spectrum of competitive shooting venues. And the equipment requirements of each of those shooting disciplines – including reloading equipment – is very specialized.

So, we determined that the very best way to stay abreast of current trends, techniques and methodology within each of those vastly different yet closely related shooting niches would be to ask for advice from the successful practitioners who have been there, done that, and continue doing it with panache. And that’s how the Forster ProStaff was born.

We gathered together a group of accomplished shooters who have distinguished themselves in various disciplines.

We listen to their comments and suggestions about how we might make changes or improvements in our products that will fulfill the wishes of some of their shooting compatriots.

Look for these ProStaff members at matches or tradeshows you might attend. Or talk to them in their shops. They’ll welcome your input and they’ll pass it along to us, flavored with their own comments and recommendations. We’ll use that information to continue providing you with the best reloading tools and equipment to help you be the best you can be at what you do.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

6. James Eckburg and MS and Vitamin D

James Eckburg and MS

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn's disease have all been linked with low vitamin D levels.

An abundance of scientific evidence indicates that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the onset and progression of MS and other autoimmune diseases. Recent findings have shown that MS rates are significantly lower in areas that receive a lot of sunlight and where people eat a lot of fish, which is rich in vitamin D.

"We need adequate amounts of Vitamin D to keep cell growth and activity in check," says Michael Holick, MD, PhD, director of the Vitamin D Research Lab at Boston University Medical Center and considered by many to be the nation's leading authority on this vitamin. When the body is deficient in this crucial nutrient - best known for coming from sunlight - cells go haywire, become overly active or multiplying too quickly.

That's why the new finding doesn't surprise Holick, who wasn't involved in it. "It's been well-known that if you live at a higher altitude, where there's less sun exposure, you're at a higher risk of developing MS", Conversely, if you live in a sunny climate where vitamin D Vitamins can be easily absorbed year-round from sunlight for your first 10 years, "it imprints on you a decreased MS risk that can last a lifetime," Holick explains.

"We've known for some time that vitamin D can affect function of the immune system, which could explain why it seems beneficial to many autoimmune conditions," says Kassandra Munger, MSc, of Harvard School of Public Health, a researcher for this study. "In animal studies, vitamin D has been shown to suppress the autoimmune response in rats with a disorder EAE, the animal equivalent of MS."

Animal experiments reveal that vitamin D hormone can suppress a variety of animal autoimmune diseases including EAE, the animal equivalent of MS. Furthermore, associated immunological studies have shown that vitamin D hormone has a number of immunomodulating functions, all of which contribute to the suppression of inflammatory autoimmune reactions. Small clinical trials have suggested that vitamin D has some efficacy in slowing autoimmune disease progression.

Munger's results are encouraging because 20% to 80% of Americans may already be vitamin D deficient - at least during winter months. While as little as 10 minutes of sun exposure on bare, unprotected skin can prevent deficiencies in warm and sunny months, it's virtually impossible for most Americans to get that kind of exposure this time of year.

However, Munger says that no matter where they lived (which could help determine their Vitamin D Vitamins exposure from sunlight), her study's participants who got the highest intake of vitamin D from supplements had the lowest risk of developing MS. Interestingly, those whose Vitamin D Vitamins came only from food, but not pills, had no such decreased risk - no matter their intake.

Her study is part of the ongoing Nurses' Health Study that has been tracking, for nearly 20 years, how various nutritional and lifestyle habits impact health in some 190,000 women. It's the latest evidence to show that something as simple as taking a vitamin D supplement can offer significant protection against a disease that afflicts some 400,000 Americans. Although the cause of MS is unknown, experts believe it is partly an autoimmune disease that causes lesions within the brain and spinal cord, slowing or blocking nerve signals that control muscle coordination, visual sensation, and other vital functions.

Margherita Cantorna, PhD, a longtime researcher on how vitamin D Vitamins impacts multiple sclerosis, was not involved in Mungers study, but like Holick, says she isn't surprised by the findings."We found that taking vitamin supplements of 1,000 iu's caused changes in blood chemistry that indicated positive effects for multiple sclerosis patients - basically, it reduced their symptoms,"

"It's pretty clear that when level of vitamin D Vitamins are too low, there's a greater tendency for cells that cause autoimmune problems to come out in those genetically susceptible people," says Cantorna "And it's pretty clear that taking supplemental vitamin D Vitamins is a good idea. You're hard-pressed to get enough vitamin D solely from food or from sunlight in the winter."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4kpTpBpqUc&feature=colike

Other recent studies link a Vitamin D deficiency to a greater risk of other autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, unexplained muscle and joint pain, heart disease and various forms of cancer. As with MS and other autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue and organs in the body, the secret may be in how this nutrient affects cell activity.

Throughout most of the two million years of human development, humans had a relatively high intake of vitamin D (~5000-10,000 IU/day) from the sun. Major environmental changes brought on by the agricultural, industrial and technological revolutions have resulted in large populations in northern climates experiencing a subclinical and chronic vitamin D deficiency and this deficiency is more pronounced in persons with MS. Vitamin D deficiency is just one of a number of nutrient-related factors which play a role in MS. Notably the dietary regimens which contain the most pro-inflammatory food types (e.g. gluten, dairy, saturated fat) and the least anti-inflammatory nutrients ( vitamin D, omega 3 fats) occur in areas in which MS and other autoimmune diseases are most common. To combat MS, a person must change their lifestyle with diet revision being perhaps the most useful modification. As part of this change, it is important to ensure that sufficient vitamin D (4000 IU/day) is acquired through sun exposure and supplements.

Single, infrequent, intense, skin exposure to UV-B light suppresses the immune system and causes harm. However chronic low-level exposure normalizes immune function and enhances immune cell production. This reduces abnormal inflammatory responses such as found in autoimmune disorders, and reducing occurrences of infectious disease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syRaJVIBNnw&feature=colike

James Eckburg Senior Health and Wellness Strategist www.Jamescornershop.com, www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

7. James Eckburg and MS Alternative Therapies

James Eckburg and MS

Alternative Therapies Are Recommended for MS Intro

The term alternative therapy, in general, is used to describe any medical treatment or intervention that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition.

Alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines that range from diet and exercise to mental conditioning to lifestyle changes. Examples include acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, and massage.

Complementary therapies are alternative therapies used in addition to traditional treatments. For example, you may have weekly massages to complement your drug treatment.

What Alternative Therapies Are Recommended for MS?

Positive Attitude.

Having a positive outlook cannot cure multiple sclerosis, but it can reduce your stress and help you feel better.

Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking.

With a positive attitude has to come from with in your self. You have to have willpower, self discipline, mind pwer,and power of concentration. A positive attitude manifests in the following ways, positive thinking, constructive thinking, creative thinking, you start to expect success. You have optimism, you get motivation toaccomplish your goals. You get inspired, you choose happiness. You do not give up and you look at the failure and the problems as a bessings in disguise.

You begin to believe in yourself and your abilities to od things by displaying self-esteem and confidence in your self when looking for solutions to the problem you are working on. Than taking the opportunities when they come your way.

If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen.

It is certainly a state of mind that is well worth developing and strengthening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwAkKaWmtj0&feature=colike

A positive attitude leads to happiness and success and can change your whole life. If you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but also your whole environment and the people around you. If it is strong enough, it becomes contagious.

Exercise.

Exercises, such as tai chi and yoga can lower stress, help you to be more relaxed, and increase energy, balance, and flexibility. As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before getting started. Diet. It is important for people with MS to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet. Ask your doctor what diet is right for you.

What Are Some Other Alternative/Complementary Therapy Options for MS?

Massage. Many people with multiple sclerosis receive regular massage therapy to help relax and reduce stress and depression, which can exacerbate the disease. There is no evidence that massage changes the course of the disease. It is usually safe for people with MS to receive a massage, but if you have bone-thinning osteoporosis (usually as a result of your treatments) massage may be dangerous.

Talk to your doctor first.

Acupuncture.

Some people with MS report that acupuncture provides some relief of symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, or bladder control problems. There have been no scientific studies to confirm this or to document that acupuncture is safe for people with MS. Also, keep in mind that there are always risks when a procedure involves puncturing the body with needles as is done with acupuncture. The main risk is infection. Unless sterile techniques are used, acupuncture could transmit hepatitis or HIV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohk-DSEgMn8&feature=colike

Evening primrose oil (linoleic acid).

Linoleic acid is also found in sunflower seeds and safflower oil. There is some evidence that taking an oral supplement of linoleic acid may slightly improve MS symptoms.

Diet. It is important for people with MS to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep them as healthy as possible. Discuss any dietary concerns you may have with your doctor.

Marijuana.

The use of marijuana to treat any illness remains highly controversial. Some people with MS claim that smoking marijuana helps relieve spasticity and other MS-related symptoms. However, there is little evidence to date that marijuana really works. Research is ongoing to answer this important question. Until more is known, doctors do not recommend the use of marijuana to treat MS as the drug is associated with serious long-term side effects such as heart attack or memory loss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsoaKrpes0&feature=colike

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

8. James Eckburg and MS Alternative Therapies

James Eckburg and MS

Alternative Therapies Are Recommended for MS Intro

The term alternative therapy, in general, is used to describe any medical treatment or intervention that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition.

Alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines that range from diet and exercise to mental conditioning to lifestyle changes. Examples include acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, and massage.

Complementary therapies are alternative therapies used in addition to traditional treatments. For example, you may have weekly massages to complement your drug treatment.

What Alternative Therapies Are Recommended for MS?

Positive Attitude.

Having a positive outlook cannot cure multiple sclerosis, but it can reduce your stress and help you feel better.

Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking.

With a positive attitude has to come from with in your self. You have to have willpower, self discipline, mind pwer,and power of concentration. A positive attitude manifests in the following ways, positive thinking, constructive thinking, creative thinking, you start to expect success. You have optimism, you get motivation toaccomplish your goals. You get inspired, you choose happiness. You do not give up and you look at the failure and the problems as a bessings in disguise.

You begin to believe in yourself and your abilities to od things by displaying self-esteem and confidence in your self when looking for solutions to the problem you are working on. Than taking the opportunities when they come your way.

If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen.

It is certainly a state of mind that is well worth developing and strengthening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwAkKaWmtj0&feature=colike

A positive attitude leads to happiness and success and can change your whole life. If you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but also your whole environment and the people around you. If it is strong enough, it becomes contagious.

Exercise.

Exercises, such as tai chi and yoga can lower stress, help you to be more relaxed, and increase energy, balance, and flexibility. As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before getting started. Diet. It is important for people with MS to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet. Ask your doctor what diet is right for you.

What Are Some Other Alternative/Complementary Therapy Options for MS?

Massage. Many people with multiple sclerosis receive regular massage therapy to help relax and reduce stress and depression, which can exacerbate the disease. There is no evidence that massage changes the course of the disease. It is usually safe for people with MS to receive a massage, but if you have bone-thinning osteoporosis (usually as a result of your treatments) massage may be dangerous.

Talk to your doctor first.

Acupuncture.

Some people with MS report that acupuncture provides some relief of symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, or bladder control problems. There have been no scientific studies to confirm this or to document that acupuncture is safe for people with MS. Also, keep in mind that there are always risks when a procedure involves puncturing the body with needles as is done with acupuncture. The main risk is infection. Unless sterile techniques are used, acupuncture could transmit hepatitis or HIV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohk-DSEgMn8&feature=colike

Evening primrose oil (linoleic acid).

Linoleic acid is also found in sunflower seeds and safflower oil. There is some evidence that taking an oral supplement of linoleic acid may slightly improve MS symptoms.

Diet. It is important for people with MS to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep them as healthy as possible. Discuss any dietary concerns you may have with your doctor.

Marijuana.

The use of marijuana to treat any illness remains highly controversial. Some people with MS claim that smoking marijuana helps relieve spasticity and other MS-related symptoms. However, there is little evidence to date that marijuana really works. Research is ongoing to answer this important question. Until more is known, doctors do not recommend the use of marijuana to treat MS as the drug is associated with serious long-term side effects such as heart attack or memory loss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsoaKrpes0&feature=colike

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

9. James Eckburg and MS Alternative Therapies

James Eckburg and MS

Alternative Therapies Are Recommended for MS Intro

The term alternative therapy, in general, is used to describe any medical treatment or intervention that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition.

Alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines that range from diet and exercise to mental conditioning to lifestyle changes. Examples include acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, and massage.

Complementary therapies are alternative therapies used in addition to traditional treatments. For example, you may have weekly massages to complement your drug treatment.

What Alternative Therapies Are Recommended for MS?

Positive Attitude.

Having a positive outlook cannot cure multiple sclerosis, but it can reduce your stress and help you feel better.

Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking.

With a positive attitude has to come from with in your self. You have to have willpower, self discipline, mind pwer,and power of concentration. A positive attitude manifests in the following ways, positive thinking, constructive thinking, creative thinking, you start to expect success. You have optimism, you get motivation toaccomplish your goals. You get inspired, you choose happiness. You do not give up and you look at the failure and the problems as a bessings in disguise.

You begin to believe in yourself and your abilities to od things by displaying self-esteem and confidence in your self when looking for solutions to the problem you are working on. Than taking the opportunities when they come your way.

If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen.

It is certainly a state of mind that is well worth developing and strengthening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwAkKaWmtj0&feature=colike

A positive attitude leads to happiness and success and can change your whole life. If you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but also your whole environment and the people around you. If it is strong enough, it becomes contagious.

Exercise.

Exercises, such as tai chi and yoga can lower stress, help you to be more relaxed, and increase energy, balance, and flexibility. As with any exercise program, check with your doctor before getting started. Diet. It is important for people with MS to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet. Ask your doctor what diet is right for you.

What Are Some Other Alternative/Complementary Therapy Options for MS?

Massage. Many people with multiple sclerosis receive regular massage therapy to help relax and reduce stress and depression, which can exacerbate the disease. There is no evidence that massage changes the course of the disease. It is usually safe for people with MS to receive a massage, but if you have bone-thinning osteoporosis (usually as a result of your treatments) massage may be dangerous.

Talk to your doctor first.

Acupuncture.

Some people with MS report that acupuncture provides some relief of symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, or bladder control problems. There have been no scientific studies to confirm this or to document that acupuncture is safe for people with MS. Also, keep in mind that there are always risks when a procedure involves puncturing the body with needles as is done with acupuncture. The main risk is infection. Unless sterile techniques are used, acupuncture could transmit hepatitis or HIV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohk-DSEgMn8&feature=colike

Evening primrose oil (linoleic acid).

Linoleic acid is also found in sunflower seeds and safflower oil. There is some evidence that taking an oral supplement of linoleic acid may slightly improve MS symptoms.

Diet. It is important for people with MS to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep them as healthy as possible. Discuss any dietary concerns you may have with your doctor.

Marijuana.

The use of marijuana to treat any illness remains highly controversial. Some people with MS claim that smoking marijuana helps relieve spasticity and other MS-related symptoms. However, there is little evidence to date that marijuana really works. Research is ongoing to answer this important question. Until more is known, doctors do not recommend the use of marijuana to treat MS as the drug is associated with serious long-term side effects such as heart attack or memory loss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsoaKrpes0&feature=colike

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

10. James Eckburg and MS and Wellness and Exercise

James Eckburg and MS and Wellness and Exercise

What it takes for a person with MS to keep their body in good health and exercise to be mobile.

Wellness is a dynamic state of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being that can be achieved even in the presence of a chronic illness or disability.

For a person living with MS, the road to wellness involves more than treatment of the disease. Equally important are health promotion and prevention strategies, satisfying personal relationships, a strong support network, fulfilling work and leisure activities, a meaningful place in the community, and adequate attention to one's inner self.

Family members and caregivers also need to pay attention to their own health and well-being. In order to offer the best possible care and support to someone else, it is important to make sure that one’s own needs are being addressed

Exercising Your Way to Wellness

Exercise is a key component of your overall healthcare strategy, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a super athlete to enjoy the benefits. Studies show that moderate aerobic exercise improves cardiac health, stamina, and mood, and helps manage symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and bladder and bowel difficulties. Stretching exercises—whether done on your own or with a helper—can relieve stiffness and improve your flexibility and mobility. Learn more about good ways to get yourself moving—and have fun while you’re doing it

Eating Healthy to Take Charge of Your Health

While no diet can cure or prevent MS, a balanced, low-fat, high fiber diet promotes healthy bowel function and helps you be in the best possible shape to deal with whatever challenges MS brings your way. Get the facts about nutrition and MS—including the role of vitamins, minerals, and herbs—and find some hints for keeping your weight where you’d like it to be.

In addition to being essential to general health and well-being, exercise is helpful in managing many MS symptoms. A study published by researchers at the University of Utah in 1996 was the first to demonstrate clearly the benefits of exercise for people with MS. Those patients who participated in an aerobic exercise program had better cardiovascular fitness, improved strength, better bladder and bowel function, less fatigue and depression, a more positive attitude, and increased participation in social activities. Since 1996, several additional studies have confirmed the benefits of exercise.

Inactivity in people with or without MS can result in numerous risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. In addition, it can lead to weakness of muscles, decreased bone density with an increased risk of fracture, and shallow, inefficient breathing.

An exercise program needs to be appropriate to the capabilities and limitations of the individual, and may need to be adjusted as changes occur in MS symptoms. A physical therapist experienced with the unique and varied symptoms of MS can be helpful in designing, supervising and revising a well-balanced exercise program. Any person with MS who is initiating a new exercise program should also consult with his or her physician before starting.

Periods of exercise should be carefully timed to avoid the hotter periods of the day and prevent excessive fatigue. With some guidelines, a good exercise program can help to develop the maximum potential of muscle, bone and respiration, thereby avoiding secondary complications and gaining the benefits of good health and well-being.

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_GEN_healthology_exercise

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

11. James Eckburg and MS Motor Neurone Disease

James Eckburg and MS

Motor Neurone Disease

The Causes and Treatment of Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous System Plus M.E.
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue

Includes: M.S.-multiple sclerosis, Motor Neuron diseases including ALS.

1) Definitions of different types Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous system

(a) The motor neuron diseases (MND)

These are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. The Motor Neuron diseases include ALS-Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis, PLS-primary lateral sclerosis, PMA-progressive muscular atrophy, pseudobilbar palsy, progressive bulbar palsy and Spinal muscular atrophy.

Symptoms usually present themselves between the ages of 50-70, and include progressive weakness, muscle wasting, and muscle fasciculations; spasticity or stiffness in the arms and legs; and overactive tendon reflexes. Patients may present with symptoms as diverse as a dragging foot, unilateral muscle wasting in the hands, or slurred speech.

Neurological examination presents specific signs associated with upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. Signs of upper motor neuron damage include spasticity, brisk reflexes and the Babinski sign. Signs of lower motor neurone damage include weakness and muscle atrophy.

Note that every muscle group in the body requires both upper and lower motor neuron's to function. The signs described above can occur in any muscle group, including the arms, legs, torso, and bulbar region.

The symptoms described above may resemble a number of other rare diseases, known as "MND Mimic Disorders". These include, but are not limited to multi-focal motor neuropathy, Kennedy's disease, hereditary spastic paraplegia, spinal muscular atrophy and monomelic amyotrophy. A small subset of familial MND cases occur in children, such as "juvenile ALS", Madras syndrome, and individuals who have inherited the ALS2 gene. However, these are not typically referred to as MND, but by their specific names.

(b) MS (multiple sclerosis)

Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to demyelination. Disease onset usually occurs in young adults, and it is more common in women. It has a prevalence that ranges between 2 and 150 per 100,000. MS was first described in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot.

MS affects the areas of the brain and spinal cord known as the white matter, destroying a fatty layer called the myelin sheath, which wraps around nerve fibers and electrically insulates them. When myelin is lost, the axons of neurons can no longer effectively conduct action potentials. The name multiple sclerosis refers to the scars (scleroses – better known as plaques or lesions) in the white matter. Although much is known about the mechanisms involved in the disease process, the cause remains unknown. Theories include genetics or infections. Different environmental risk factors have also been found.

Almost any neurological symptom can appear with the disease, and often progresses to physical and cognitive disability. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms occurring either in discrete attacks (relapsing forms) or slowly accumulating over time (progressive forms). Between attacks, symptoms may go away completely, but permanent neurological problems often occur, especially as the disease advances.

There are several types of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Most will only vary in the degree or extent it affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). The most frequent type of MS is Relapsing MS. People with Relapsing MS will experience periods of relapses followed by complete or partial recoveries. This type of MS affects 85% of all MS patients. 50% of these patients will eventually experience progressive MS with or without periods of recovery. There are other types of more aggressive, progressive MS which affects the other 15% of the MS patients.

Myelin helps nerve cells conduct electrical impulses and operate properly. The damage to the myelin causes the CNS to operate improperly and thus, the various MS symptoms, which include bladder and bowel dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, vision problems, fatigue, walking difficulty, pain, numbness, dizziness, swallowing disorders, tremors and other symptoms.

(c) M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue

Whilst this condition is not strictly a Paralytic Disease of the nervous system, It's causes and treatment indications are very close, if not identical to the Paralytic Diseases of the nervous system, therefore it has been included in this article.

M.E. Is an auto-immune disorder and as is discussed below, has all the causative factors associated with the paralytic diseases of the nervous system, such as infection (typically Candida but also others such as epstein-Bar, glandular fever) heavy metal and or pesticide retention, mitochondrial dysfunction especially, vitamin D deficiency and so on as discussed below. It certainly involves the nervous system and specifically the brain, as well as the immune and circulatory systems. There is additional aspect that has been discovered with M.E and also with more minor chronic fatigue that involves low blood pressure. This is especially noticeable as postural hypo-tension, i.e. if the person suddenly gets up from a sitting or lying position, there is often faintness or dizziness experienced this is due to inherent low blood pressure. This has been found to be at least partly due to insufficient salt (see Celtic salt also Ionic minerals and trace elements and MagSea Ionics). In some cases this may be partly due to a low salt diet, it has been found that the adrenal glands in conjunction with hypothalamus in the base of the brain, do not do their job properly in regulating the amount of salt excreted by the kidneys, and too much is lost to the urine. In this case supplementing with Celtic salt and or Ionic minerals or MagSea Ionics is suggested and supporting the adrenals with liquorice can specifically help retention of sodium.

Raising the blood pressure to nearer normal will give more energy and reduce some of the fatigue symptoms. Persons in this situation will need a home blood pressure monitor and to experiment with the salts suggested to find the best dose for them. As can be seen from our general suggestions in the companion article, (For companion article see Auto-Immune disorders click here) the consumption of the correct type of unrefined salt is a normal basic recommendation for well-being in virtually all types of health disorders (Including high blood pressure !)

Symptoms of CFS include widespread muscle and joint pain, cognitive difficulties, chronic, often severe mental and physical exhaustion and other characteristic symptoms in a previously healthy and active person. Fatigue is a common symptom in many illnesses, but CFS is a multi-systemic disease and is relatively rare by comparison. Diagnosis requires a number of features, the most common being severe mental and physical exhaustion which is "unrelieved by rest," is worsened by exertion, and is present for at least six months. All diagnostic criteria require that the symptoms must not be caused by other medical conditions. CFS patients may report additional symptoms, including muscle weakness, cognitive dysfunction, hypersensitivity, orthostatic intolerance, digestive disturbances, depression, poor immune response, and cardiac and respiratory problems. It is unclear if these symptoms represent co-morbid conditions or are produced by an underlying etiology of CFS.

(d) Myasthenia gravis

This literally means "serious muscle-weakness"; from Greek "muscle", "weakness", and Latin gravis "serious"; abbreviated MG is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigability. It is an auto-immune disorder, in which weakness is caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the post-synaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the stimulative effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. At 200–400 cases per million it is one of the less common auto-immune disorders.

The essential point to bear in mind is that all these diseases, no matter how we classify them have causes in common. They are all auto-immune disorders, and some may also be mitochondrial disorders. There is enough in common with all these auto-immune degenerative nerve disorders to discuss the common causes and by implication and through experience, the treatment.

Also it is generally understood by Immunologists that the destructive aspect of a deranged immune system where an aspect of the immune system attacks parts of the persons body, in the case of these diseases various parts of the nerves, or nerve sheaf's, nerve cells and brain cells are involved. The genetic and constitutional variations of each person are sufficient to explain why basically the same disease process will attack different parts of the nervous system, resulting in different named diseases each with it's own classic set of symptoms.

(2) Basic causes of Auto-immune disorders with an emphasis on the Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous system Plus M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue)

The following causes will vary in significance between individuals and possibly the type of disorder. However as all the suggested treatments are non-toxic and have broad-acting nutrient effects...all the listed nutrients and herbs can be systematically/incrementally introduced as a treatment program to suit the individual. (Except with Liquorice, in very rare cases of exceptionally high blood pressure-not ordinary high BP and pregnancy).

(a) Auto-immune attack.

This factor is always present and is usually connected with the other causes, e.g. mercury and pesticide toxicity and Candida infection can keep the immune system in a state of imbalance, producing auto-immune reactions. There are however, herbs that can insignificantly turn off the auto-immune destructive reactions that maintain the disease. These herbs include Liquorice and Kallawala(Polypodium leucotomos). Also, colloidal silver (used to fight the infections) has some immune regulatory and healing effect.

(b) Heavy metal and pesticide toxicity

also any neurotoxins the person may have had exposure to in the past. These can be eliminated in a few weeks or months using nutritional combinations such as Deep Cell Detox (DCD).

Note: If you do not take a course of Deep Cell Detox, it is suggested that one of the ingredients, Alpha Lipoic Acid, be used as part of your regime A totally natural and unique antioxidant, ALA is both water & fat soluble, so acts both inside and outside your cells neutralising and flushing out of the body the worst types of free radicals (a major cause of degenerative disease & cellular aging). As it deactivates both water and fat soluble free radicals, both lipoproteins and membranes are protected - no other anti-oxidant is know to do this. ALA, is able to penetrate into the nerve cells to help restore normal functioning. However if you do have heavy metals in the cells then the addition of Sea Greens, as contained in Deep cell detox is a wise precaution, as this removes toxins and heavy metals from the body via the gut, otherwise they are re-circulated back into the blood and again into the cells.

Most persons, especially the chronically ill have absorbed, over their lifetime, sufficient heavy metals and other toxins to contribute or even to be the actual 'final straw that broke the camels back' that lead to the disease. Most common sources of acquiring heavy metals for example is via dental fillings containing mercury. It has been and shamefully is, still the common practice in many countries (some countries have now banned them) to be given fillings with mercury as the major component, unless you specifically request non-mercury fillings. The mercury amalgam fillings slowly gas off mercury for their entire life in the mouth and much of this is directly absorbed into the brain. Another shameful source of the extremely toxic mercury is via injections, such as flu injections ("I never felt right since my flu injection" is a common experience) and even worse into young children and babies as vaccinations.

The destructive aspects of the mercury absorbed could take years to manifest into a recognizable clinical disorder, such as MS, or could precipitate quite rapidly in susceptible children, autism. I ask myself why this shameful practice continues when there is massive scientific data to demonstrate the dangers of chronic mercury poisoning. It is ostensibly used as a preservative in vaccinations, yet there are many safer preservatives available. Are they deliberately trying to kill us ? Or is it, that to admit liability would bankrupt pharmaceutical giants and governments along with them, in medical negligence claims ?

Another common example of a chronic poison precipitating chronic disease including chronic fatigue and Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous system is organo-phosphates. These are regularly sprayed onto crops (And is also used in household spays for killing parasites e.g. fleas) If you live or have lived in a crop spraying region for any length of time then your exposure could be high. Organo-phosphates are proven neuro-toxins. For persons with a poor ability to eliminate these, they can build up in the tissues and at some point, possibly years later contribute to all sort of diseases of the nervous and immune systems.

Also: See our online article about Heavy Metal Detoxification

For further information on this important subject see the article: Health hazards of heavy metals click here

(c) Infections

This often includes Candida Albicans fungal infection (usually induced by anti-biotics killing the beneficial bacteria in the gut and or low immune system plus poor dietary choices/lifestyle etc. Other infections can also be relevant both known and unknown e.g. Micoplasma. All types of infections can be eliminated with non-toxic remedies that do not kill beneficial bacteria such as Colloidal Silver.

Vitalyza3

This has the tremendous advantage that it alkalises, therefore increases oxygenation, counteracts free radical attack and damage and therefore undermines the basis of disease. It is also directly 'anti-septic' against fungal infections, including Candida and possibly all harmful micro-organisms and parasites, although there is not enough information on this, we do know that all anaerobic infections (All the harmful ones) are attacked by free electrons that Alka- vita supplies and are eventually destroyed or severely limited by an alkaline environment. Alka-Vita is also a cost effective form of treatment.

Colloidal Silver:

Eliminates infections of various types, known and unknown that contribute to auto-immune disorders. Eliminating chronic infections is essential to achieve freedom or at least amelioration from your auto-immune disorder. Colloidal silver will, if used over a sufficient period of time wipe most chronic infections that go along with virtually all cases of auto-immune disorders. It also has its own calming effect on auto-immune reactions.

Colloidal Silver comes as a water based spray, and by spraying in the mouth every hour or so, the need to purchase large amounts is eliminated.

To help strengthen the correct side of the immune system, help cell oxygenation (by normalising mitochondria) and provide broad-spectrum nutritional support, in turn helping to prevent the return of the chronic infections, we recommend (live cell) Immunocomplex, for full article click here. See also, the Article concerning Mycoplasma Infections and their link to chronic disease.

(d) Vitamin B12 Deficiency for full article click here

This vitamin can often be deficient due to absorption and assimilation issues as well as dietary ones. It is discussed in detail in the article Vitamin B12. Not only does B12 act on the neurons themselves, the symptom picture of B12 deficiency also corresponds closely with MS symptoms, so its experimental use would seem sensible across the range of neuro-degenerative disorders discussed in this article.

Example: Multiple sclerosis Symptoms of MS have been noted in persons with a vitamin B12 deficiency prior to evidence of megaloblastic anemia. There is a remarkable epidemiologic similarity between MS and pernicious anemia, and similar HLA (human lymphocyte antigens) are suggested for the association of the two conditions.

High dose vitamin B12, in a form that crosses the blood brain barrier easily is recommended i.e. methylcolbalamin. This is non toxic and is available as a sublingual lozenge, so that intravenous injections are not required.

(e) Magnesium Deficiency

Whilst not strictly a cause, it's deficiency being widespread, it is such an important nutrient overall and especially important for nervous system functioning, it's use in these disorders is a sensible contingency to optimise the chance of the most rapid recovery. Not only does it improve functioning of the nervous system but can help mitigate the presence of neuro-toxins like heavy metals etc. High dose skin application of magnesium chloride liquid (MagSea Pure) is available. for full article click here. By using MagSea Ionics liquid, added to water we can more gradually resolve magnesium deficiency and also supply a full range of Ionic mineral and trace-element salts.

(f) Mitochondrial malfunction.

Every cell in the body has little mini-cells inside, these are responsible for the overall cell respiration and the release of energy via the ATP cycle. The Mitochondria are easily damaged by other factors already mentioned, such as virus, heavy metals and pesticides. This results in lowered cell respiration a drop in the available energy in every organ and system in the body, including the immune system. The mitochondria can easily be returned to proper functioning by supply the correct mixture of respiratory - chain enzymes. These are produced by live nutritional yeasts bred in a high oxygen environment and are available in products Zell Oxygen and Live cell Immunocomplex. This aspect of pathology has been specifically identified in Parkinson's disease, but it is likely present in all degenerative disorders to a greater or lesser degree.

(g) Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is essential to aid the immune system and many biochemical processes including the utilisation of calcium and magnesium. Its deficiency is almost universal in northern climates and even more so since the introduction of sun screen. Its deficiency has been linked strongly to auto-immune diseases. Furthermore the dose recommendations in the past were grossly under-estimated. At least 2000IU a day is recommended. Introducing this will have a general calming, strengthening and healing effect allowing any other remedies to work more completely For article click here.

Vitamin D Safety Issues

In the past there were reports of toxicity of higher doses. Further investigation has found that most or all of these where for Vitamin D2, ergocalciferol. Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is the form natural to the body. And is not toxic, in doses below 10,000 I.U. daily.

In very rare cases persons can be hypersensitive to Vitamin D, and is usually confined to persons with such conditions are sarcoidosis, oat cell carcinoma of the lung, and non–Hodgkin's lymphoma, although other illness, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, can cause the syndrome. Periodic measurements of 25(OH)D levels and serum calcium will alert the physician to the need to do more tests, such as 1,25(OH)2D3 or PTH. For full details of safety, dose and therapeutic potential see full product information click here

(H) Essential fatty acid deficiency of raw oils

This is also a factor in the development of any disease and raw fatty acids also help to integrate sunlight (Helps to prevent burning, along with other nutrients such as anti-oxidants, and bring the sun energy in the form of 'biological electrons' into the cells) A good source of essential fatty acids is raw nuts and seeds, including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and almonds.

An easy way to introduce these into the diet is to grind to a powder in electric grinder and keep in tightly sealed jar for up to a weeks supply. Add about 2 heaped dessertspoons daily to food (do not cook) This can include, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and almonds, although Nuts purchased as raw may have been heat treated; One can use a raw, unheated oil supplement such as Black seed Oil. Black seed oil also has beneficial effects on the immune and general system, however hemp oil is the most balanced oil in terms of omega 3, 6 and 9 etc. (We do not supply) Consuming quality raw oils can help to dissolve these hardened fats, and return nutrient transport into the cells. The use of olive oil and coconut oil can also be beneficial, in terms also of dissolving hardened fats and arterial plaque but do not contain much of the essential fatty acids.

For further information on oils see:

The Dramatic Importance of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and Facts that May Contradict What You Have Already ‘Learned’

(I) Genetic tendencies

Inherited genetic bias can have a bearing on the type of health problems one can develop if the above factors are present. Even if a genetic factor is obvious, it does not mean that one cannot take control of the disorder and either heal it completely or partially using the methods here described along with a good diet and lifestyle. For example:

"Scientists have not found a definitive cause for ALS and the onset of the disease has been linked to several factors, including: a virus; exposure to neurotoxins or heavy metals; DNA defects; immune system abnormalities; and enzyme abnormalities. There is a known hereditary factor in familial ALS (FALS); however, there is no known hereditary component in the 90-95% cases diagnosed as sporadic ALS."

Summary

By treating all the causes and resolving nutritional deficiencies / heightened needs we stand the best chance of resolving these terrible diseases.

Guide to Introducing the Remedies:

Please note: This is a rough guide only, sometimes there are individual considerations to be taken into account, for further suggestions see Adapting to the Regenerative Process, The Core Regime You can also email us at enquires@regenerativenutrition.com for further advice, or telephone from U.K. 0845 512 0999 or international +44845 512 0999

Example Introduction of remedies.

Start with:(Month one)

(1)Immucalm (Kalawalla and Liquorice capsules) - unless Liquorice contraindicated, in which case kalawalla capsules. It can take a month or longer
for the Kalawalla to begin to act, that is one reason for starting with this, although the supportive aspects of liquorice can act more quickly.

(2)Vitamin D, unless you are receiving daily exposure of Sun as detailed in article.

(3)Vitalyza3

To begin the elimination of infections (usually Candida infection) from gut and systemically, and also other known or unknown chronic infections that need to be eliminated before any of the other remedies can work to their fullest extent. To gradually alkalise the system. This in turn improves oxygenation and mitochondrial activity, and counteracts free radicals in the most fundamental way, by supplying free-electrons.

(4) MagSea Ionics Liquid. Simply add 5ml to a glass of water. This will provide many ionic minerals and trace-elements including magnesium as Magnesium Chloride. This is essential for correct cell energy production, and hence all repair and correct function of the bodies organs and systems.

So, 1,2 3, and 4 are typical remedies to begin at once. You can also from the start improve diet to the degree that you wish and introduce Celtic salt into the food.
Also ensure you have the correct raw oils in your diet as detailed above.

Month 2

(1) ADD Vitamin B12 Sublingual methylcolbalamin

(2) ADD Immunocomplex liquid to restore mitochondrial function, aid detoxification, improve oxygenation and strengthen whole system.

Month 3

If needed ADD Deep Cell Detox for at least 4 to 5 months. (This is also a general high quality nutritional support).

After at least 6 months, if your condition has improved and maintained the same level, i.e. no further improvement for a period of 2 months or more, then you can experiment with withdrawing the Immuncalm or Kalawalla capsules. A month after this you can experiment with reducing B12 lozenges frequency, e.g. one every 4 days. Watch carefully for any deterioration in your condition, and if there is a deterioration re-introduce one remedy such as the Immucalm or B12 to see if improvement again sets in.

If all infections are not eliminated after 4 months, or on an experimental basis ADD Colloidal Silver liquid, to supply another tool against any known or unknown infections that may not have been eliminated by the Alka-Vita, but do keep up the Alka-Vita to continue to act as an alkaliser and anti-oxidant agent plus its other beneficial properties.

Immucomplex, MagSea Ionics, Celtic Salt, Vitalyza3

and correct raw oils are measures that should be held on a permanent basis, to maintain the balance of the bodies functioning and hence well-being. Immunocomplex is not the cheapest of remedies, especially at the recommended dose of 30ml daily. It should be borne in mind that it is a broad-spectrum source of nutrients that supply almost all the B vitamins, and many other nutrients including chromium, selenium, zinc, Beta-glucans, a variety of anti-oxidants and all in a 'living' food state form. If cost is an issues then it is better to reduce the dose after a few months rather than discontinue altogether. Dose can be temporarily increased during waves of detoxification that can occur on any healing program at any time.

Again we need to add that this is just a general guide for you use, you should take advice of a qualified health care professional and you can of course use your own knowledge about your own body as a guide, but it is usually good to check these out by contacting us or other health care person.

The above suggested supplements are selected for their relevance to auto-immune disorders and specifically to the treatment of Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous System Plus M.E. - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue. We have designed this program to be as simple as possible on one hand but to provide the most comprehensive program on the other hand that systematically targets all the causes of the diseases to give the best possible outcome. We have not mentioned the use of generally supportive nutrients for the system such as Vitamin C, green super-foods and so on. These are discussed in the article The Core Regime. One of the supplements discussed in the article is Multi-Green Nutrition. This contains vitamin C, Barley Grass juice powder, Sea greens and other nutrients, that is a sensible general support. Any gaps in your nutritional profile can reduce the healing process.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

12. James Eckburg and MS Autonomic Nervous System

James Eckburg and MS

Multiple Sclerosis and the Autonomic Nervous System

Your nervous system is involved in everything your body does, from regulating your breathing to controlling your muscles and sensing heat and cold.

There are three types of nerves, or neurons, in the body:

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Autonomic nerves. These nerves control the involuntary or partially voluntary activities of your body, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation.
Motor nerves. These nerves control your movements and actions by passing information from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles.
Sensory nerves. These nerves relay information from your skin and muscles back to your spinal cord and brain. The information is then processed to let you feel pain and other sensations.

Nerve pain and nerve damage can be mild. But, because nerves are essential to all you do, nerve pain and damage can seriously affect your quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of Nerve Pain and Nerve Damage?

With nerve damage there can be a wide array of symptoms.
Which ones you may have depends on the location and type of nerves that are affected.
Damage can occur to nerves in your brain and spinal cord.
It can also occur in the peripheral nerves, which are located throughout the rest of your body.

Autonomic nerve damage may produce the following symptoms:
inability to sense chest pain, such as angina or heart attack
too much sweating (known as hyperhidrosis) or too little sweating (known as anhidrosis)
lightheadedness
dry eyes and mouth
constipation
bladder dysfunction
sexual dysfunction

Damage to motor nerves may produce the following symptoms:
weakness
muscle atrophy
twitching, also known as fasciculation
paralysis

Sensory nerve damage may produce the following symptoms:
pain
sensitivity
numbness
tingling or prickling
burning
problems with positional awareness

In some instances, people with nerve damage will have symptoms that indicate damage to two,
or even three, different types of nerves.
For instance, you might experience weakness and burning of your legs at the same time.

What Causes Nerve Pain and Nerve Damage?

There are more than 100 different types of nerve damage.
The various types may have different symptoms
and may require different types of treatment.

More than 20 million Americans are afflicted with peripheral nerve damage.
This type of damage becomes increasingly more common with age. In one out of every three people with peripheral nerve damage, the damage comes from diabetes.
In another third, the cause of the nerve damage remains unknown.

While not an exhaustive list, the following are
some of the possible causes of nerve pain and nerve damage:

Autoimmune diseases . A variety of different types of autoimmune diseases can produce symptoms of nerve pain and nerve damage.
These include: multiple sclerosis,
Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves),
myasthenia gravis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Cancer . Cancer can cause nerve pain and nerve damage in multiple ways.
In some instances, cancerous masses may push against or crush nerves.
In other cases, certain types of cancer may result in nutritional deficiencie
s that affect nerve function. Additionally, chemotherapy and radiation may produce nerve pain and nerve damage in certain individuals.

Compression/trauma. Anything that results in trauma or compression of nerves can result in nerve pain and nerve damage.
This includes pinched nerves in the neck, crush injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Diabetes. About 50% of people with diabetes suffer from nerve damage,
which becomes more likely as the disease progresses.
Diabetic neuropathy is a serious complication and may affect all three types of neurons.
Sensory nerves are most often affected,
causing burning or numbness.
If you have diabetes and are experiencing symptoms of nerve pain or nerve damage,
you should consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

Drug side effects and toxic substances.
Various substances that are taken into the body intentionally
or unintentionally have the ability to cause nerve pain and nerve damage.
These include medications, such as chemotherapies for cancer and certain drugs used to treat HIV.
Toxic substances that may be ingested accidentally,
including lead, arsenic, and mercury, may also cause damage to your nerves.

Motor neuron diseases. The motor neurons are nerves in your brain
and spinal column that communicate with the muscles throughout your body.
Diseases that affect these nerves, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
also called ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, can result in progressively worsening nerve damage.

Nutritional deficiencies. Deficiencies of certain nutrients,
including vitamins B6 and B12,
may produce symptoms of nerve pain and nerve damage,
including weakness or burning sensations.
Nutritional deficiencies that cause nerve damage may also result
from excessive alcohol ingestion or develop after gastric surgery.

Infectious disease. Certain infectious diseases have the ability to affect the nerves in your body.
These conditions include Lyme disease,
the herpes viruses, HIV, and hepatitis C.

How Are Nerve Pain and Nerve Damage Treated?

In many instances, nerve damage cannot be cured entirely.
But there are various treatments that can reduce your symptoms.
Because nerve damage is often progressive,
it is important to consult with a doctor when you first notice symptoms.
That way you can reduce the likelihood of permanent damage.

Often, the first goal of treatment is to address the underlying condition
that's causing your nerve pain or nerve damage.

This may mean:
regulating blood sugar levels for people with diabetes
correcting nutritional deficiencies
changing medications when drugs are causing nerve damage
physical therapy or surgery to address compression or trauma to nerves
medications to treat autoimmune conditions

Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medications aimed at minimizing the nerve pain you are feeling.

These may include:
pain relievers
tricyclic antidepressants
certain anti-seizure drugs

Complementary and alternative approaches may also help alleviate your nerve pain and discomfort.
These include:
acupuncture
biofeedback
hypnosis
meditation

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

13. James Eckburg and MS Plasma Exchange

James Eckburg and MS

What is Plasma-Exchange with Multiple Sclerosis

This process is a successful method for treating some autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, because it removes the circulating antibodies that are thought to be active in these diseases.

Because MS may also involve an autoimmune process—where the body is attacked by its own immune system—and because damaging factors have been found in plasma from people with MS, plasmapheresis has been tried as a treatment for MS.

Guidelines for Use from the American Academy of Neurology

Irene Cortese, MD, and colleagues from the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the Academy of Neurology (AAN), reviewed the medical literature from 1995 through 2009 to reassess the role of this strategy for treating neurologic disorders, and revised the previous set of AAN guidelines to include recommendations for MS. The new guidelines appear in Neurology (2011;76(3):294-300 http://www.neurology.org/content/76/3/294.abstract).

The guidelines recommend that clinicians consider using plasma exchange (also known as plasmapheresis, a blood-cleansing procedure) for a number of conditions for which it has been shown to be beneficial. In people with relapsing forms of MS, the guidelines suggest it may be effective as a secondary therapy for exacerbations (also called relapses or attacks) that have not responded to treatment with corticosteroids. The guidelines say that plasma exchange may also be useful for severe, rapidly progressive MS and similar disorders (acute fulminant demyelinating CNS disease). The treatment was not found to be effective for secondary-progressive MS or primary-progressive MS.

The vast majority of people experiencing acute attacks respond well to the standard high-dose corticosteroid treatment. According to the guidelines, plasma exchange should be considered a treatment alternative only for the few who do not, and only for a short time.

Researchers at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee report that plasma exchange therapy or PLEX dramatically improves the health of multiple sclerosis patients who fail to respond to conventional therapies.

"There is no other treatment that brings about such a reversal in multiple sclerosis," says Bhupendra Khatri, M.D., the study's principal investigator and director of Aurora's Regional Multiple Sclerosis Center. "This treatment can turn lives around."

Over 25 years, Dr. Khatri and his team followed 271 patients with chronic and progressive multiple sclerosis. These patients had not responded to drug therapy and were experiencing an increasing decline in their motor and verbal abilities. Patients received weekly plasma exchange treatments for 10 weeks, with the pace of plasma exchange therapy slowing over time or as their condition improved.

Out of 271 patients, 217 or 80 percent, saw a long-term improvement in their disability.

Unlike conventional multiple sclerosis treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs, which can have serious side effects such as heart damage or leukemia, the plasma exchange therapy was found to be safe, with no serious side effects.

The study, "Sustained Long-Term Improvement in Disability with Plasma Exchange in Patients with Worsening Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a 25-Year Study," was presented April 29 at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Seattle.

Dr. Khatri explained that patients with chronic, progressive multiple sclerosis may see their condition stabilize with conventional therapies, but they generally do not see any improvement in their condition. This is what makes the plasma exchange therapy all the more remarkable, according to Dr. Khatri. Not only did the majority of patients with worsening symptoms respond to plasma exchange, over time many patients found their weak limbs became stronger, their steps steadier and their speech clearer. Some grew strong enough that they could return to work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMnuh8pn8E&feature=colike

Plasma exchange is a process where the patient's blood is run through a centrifuge, which separates out the plasma. The plasma is replaced with a synthetic fluid, and the blood is returned to the patient. Plasma exchange is thought to work because it filters out the agents that attack the nervous system. Once the bloodstream is cleared, the body has the opportunity to repair itself.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease where the body's immune system attacks the protective sheath surrounding the nerves. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates 400,000 people in the United States have the disease. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis though there are several drugs that can slow or stop its progress. Symptoms can include blurred vision, loss of coordination and short-term or long-term memory loss.

Multiple sclerosis has been linked to vitamin D deficiency, and its geographic distribution is tied to sunshine. One in 500 Wisconsin residents have multiple sclerosis, while one in 10,000 Texans have the disease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9a9FAaXbHo&feature=colike

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com



14. James Eckburg and MS and B-12 Shots

James Eckburg and MS and B-12 Shots

Does Vitamin B12 Relieve Multiple Sclerosis?

The symptoms reported by someone with a vitamin B12 deficiency and by someone with multiple sclerosis (MS) are strikingly similar.

These symptoms include the following:

Tremors
Fatigue
Gait Problems
Numbness
Depression
Weight loss
Memory loss
Pain
Incontinence
Vision loss

As mentioned in a previous blog, many doctors still confuse the effects of a vitamin B12 deficiency with multiple sclerosis, because the symptoms are identical. The reason for this are the similar origins of these conditions.

Multiple sclerosis is caused by a disruption in the insulation surrounding the nerve cells that keep the electrical impulses on track. This insulation is a fatty sheath known as myelin. The breakdown in myelin wreaks havoc on the neurological system in the body.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body attacks its own myelin. Scientists still don’t know why this happens, but it is known to have genetic causes.

While multiple sclerosis is not curable, a vitamin B12 deficiency is. A severe vitamin B12 deficiency causes the breakdown of myelin, which also leads to neurological impairments that are found in patients with MS. This is why testing MS patients for a vitamin B12 deficiency is crucial.

There are cases where MS victims have symptoms that are not a result of a vitamin B12 deficiency. However, the possibility exists that these patients may be helped with vitamin B12 injections.

Victims of multiple sclerosis where the age of onset was before eighteen usually have blood plasma B12 levels that are very low. It is suspected that this vitamin B12 deficiency may leave some people more prone to MS.

Since vitamin B12 is necessary in the formation of myelin, it is possible that people with MS may need extra vitamin B12 to reverse the damage.

Although studies are inconclusive at this point in time, it is possible that patients with MS may benefit from extra vitamin B12 in their diets.

http://www.puritan.com/b-12-vitamins-328?

Multiple Sclerosis and Vitamin B12 Deficiency

The symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency often mimic those of multiple sclerosis. These symptoms include neurological impairments that can strike a person at any age. Unfortunately, doctors often don’t test for a vitamin B12 deficiency until after a person suffers for years. Sometimes, the neurological damage sustained due to the vitamin B12 deficiency is irreversible, and a person may become paralyzed.

Here is a partial list of symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency, along with actual examples of victims:

Vision loss:

A 28-year-old woman with vision loss was discovered to have B12 plasma levels that were one-third of normal.
Her vision returned after she received injections of vitamin B12.

Dizziness:

A woman who underwent a gastrectomy suffered from poor coordination, also turned out to have a severe vitamin B12 deficiency.

Muscle weakness:

When one woman reached middle age, there was a sudden onset of a mild tremor and weakness in her arm. This was reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation.

In the above-mentioned cases, blood tests were able to detect the vitamin B12 deficiency. However, some people have normal blood levels of B12, but are unable to metabolize the B12. This is known as cobalamin G, which is hereditary.

A woman with cobalamin G nearly lost her life because of a misdiagnosis. When she was in her early 20’s, she began to experience tingling in her extremities and started to lose control of her hands and feet. Her serum B12 levels were normal, so the doctors diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis, a disease which causes paralysis.

Finally, when she was 27-years-old, she became very anemic. She subsequently underwent a bone marrow test. The results of this test were indicative of a B12 deficiency, and she was finally given B12 injections, along with medication to regulate her homocysteine levels. The degree of her weakness in her legs were reduced, but continued to bother her.

Had the doctors diagnosed her properly with cobalamin G at an earlier point in time, her difficulty walking could have been prevented.

Unfortunately, there are doctors who still confuse symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency with multiple sclerosis.

Awareness of this problem can prevent future suffering.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

15. James Eckburg and MS What Causes MS

James Eckburg and MS

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

The following articles I have found this information and gives you better information on Multiple Sclerosis.
You can see that MS is very complacated disease to treat and to diagnose.

Doctors still don't understand what causes multiple sclerosis, but there are interesting data that suggest that genetics, a person's environment, and possibly even a virus may play a role.

How Does the Environment Affect a Person's Risk of Multiple Sclerosis?

Epidemiological data show several interesting trends regarding multiple sclerosis: Different populations and ethnic groups have a markedly different prevalence of MS. The disease is especially common in Scotland, Scandinavia, and throughout northern Europe. In the U.S. the prevalence of MS is higher in whites than in other racial groups.

Studies show that MS is more common in certain parts of the world, but if you move from an area with higher risk to one of lower risk, you acquire the risk of your new home if the move occurs prior to adolescence. Such data suggest that exposure to some environmental agent encountered before puberty may predispose a person to MS.

Moreover, MS is a disease of temperate climates. In both hemispheres, its prevalence increases with distance from the equator.

Also there have been "epidemics" of MS -- for example, the group of people living off the coast of Denmark after WWII, suggesting an environmental cause.

What Role Do Genetics Play in Multiple Sclerosis?

Researchers believe that multiple sclerosis may in part be inherited (genetics contribute to the increased risk of MS seen in family members). First, second and third degree relatives of people with MS are at increased risk of developing the disease. Siblings of an affected person have a 2%-5% risk of developing MS.

Researchers believe that there is more than one gene that makes a person more likely to get MS. Some scientists theorize that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent, which, upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response.

Sophisticated new techniques for identifying genes may help answer questions about the role of genetics in the development of MS.

What Viruses Are Linked to Multiple Sclerosis?

Some studies have suggested that many viruses such as Epstein-Barr (mononucleosis), varicella zoster, and the hepatitis vaccine may be the cause of MS. To date, however, this belief has not been proven.

Are There Other Potential Factors That Cause Multiple Sclerosis?

There is growing evidence suggesting that hormones, including sex hormones, can affect and be affected by the immune system. For example, both estrogen and progesterone, two important female sex hormones, may suppress some immune activity. Testosterone, the primary male hormone, may also act as an immune response suppressor. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels are very high, which may help explain why pregnant women with MS usually have less disease activity. The higher levels of testosterone in men may partially account for the fact that women with MS outnumber men with MS by 2-3 to 1.

Causes and Risk Factors5,6

While it is not known what causes MS, it is known that MS is not a result of lifestyle choices and it's not contagious. The current theories about causes of the disease include:

Immunology. The body's immune system responds in an abnormal way by attacking the myelin in the central nervous system. Although it's not known what target the immune cells are attacking, scientific research has identified which immune cells are doing the attacking and some of the factors for doing so.

Environment. Variations in geography, demographics (age, gender, and ethnic background) are being studied. Studies suggest that low levels of vitamin D, which is thought to aid proper functioning of the immune system, as well as exposure to certain agents, may play a role in the development of MS.7

Infections. Viral and bacterial infections may trigger MS. Research is being done on many viruses to see if any play a role in MS.

Genetics. Although people with MS do not inherit the disease, there is some increased risk of its occurrence among family members. Scientists are looking at certain genes that are shared within families affected by MS or found in patient populations with higher rates of MS.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

No one is sure what causes the body's immune system to go awry in multiple sclerosis. Some scientists believe that it is a combination of genetics and something in the environment to which the person was exposed to early in life.

To learn more about what causes MS, see What Causes MS?

What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary from person to person and can change over time in the same person. The most common early symptoms include:

Muscle weakness
Decreased coordination
Blurred or hazy vision
Eye pain
Double vision

As the disease progresses, symptoms may include muscle stiffness (spasticity), pain, difficulty controlling urination, or problems with cognition.

article #2

Is multiple sclerosis inherited?

Although its role is unclear, genetics may play a role in multiple sclerosis. European gypsies, Eskimos and African Bantu essentially do not develop multiple sclerosis, while Native Indians of North and South America, Japanese and other Asian groups have a low incidence. The general population has less than a one-percent chance of developing multiple sclerosis. The chance increases in families where a first-degree relative has the disease. Thus, a brother, sister, parent, or child of a person with multiple sclerosis stands a one-percent to three percent chance of developing multiple sclerosis.

Similarly, an identical twin runs a nearly 30% chance of acquiring multiple sclerosis whereas a non-identical twin has only a 4% chance if the other twin has the disease. These statistics suggest that genetic factors play a major role in multiple sclerosis. However, other data suggest that environmental factors also play an important role.

Environmental and inherited risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis – previously poorly understood and not known to be connected – converge to alter a critical cellular function linked to the chronic neurologic disease, researchers with the UC Irvine Multiple Sclerosis Research Center have discovered.

The findings, which appear in the online, open-access journal Nature Communications, suggest that a unifying mechanism may be responsible for multiple sclerosis and point to therapies personalized according to genetic factors.

"MS results from complex interactions between an individual's genetics and his or her environment," said study leader Dr. Michael Demetriou, a UCI neurologist and associate director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Center. "Defining how these come together to induce the disease is critical for developing a cure. We've taken a giant first step toward understanding this."

Using blood samples from about 13,000 people, Demetriou and colleagues identified the way environmental factors – including metabolism and vitamin D3, obtained through either sunlight exposure or diet – interact with four genes (interleukin-7 receptor-alpha, interleukin-2 receptor-alpha, MGAT1 and CTLA-4) to affect how specific sugars are added to proteins regulating the disease.

Earlier work on mice by Demetriou revealed that changes in the addition of these specific sugars to proteins engender a spontaneous MS-like disease. They also found that N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), a dietary supplement and simple sugar related to glucosamine, is able to suppress this process.

The current research shows that both vitamin D3 and GlcNAc can reverse the effects of four human MS genetic factors and restore the normal addition of sugars to proteins. "This suggests that oral vitamin D3 and GlcNAc may serve as the first therapy for MS that directly targets an underlying defect promoting disease," Demetriou said.

Virtually all proteins on the surface of cells, including immune and nervous system cells, are modified with complex sugars of variable lengths and composition. This adds information to proteins separate from that directly defined by the genome. The sugars interact with specific sugar-binding proteins on the cell, forming a molecular lattice that controls the clustering, signaling and surface expression of critical receptors and transporters, such as the T cell receptor and CTLA-4. Reducing sugar modification weakens the lattice and enhances growth and activity of immune system T cells in such a way that they increase neural degeneration – a hallmark of MS.

Production of the complex sugars is regulated by both metabolic and enzymatic functions, the latter altered by genetic MS risk factors and vitamin D3. Demetriou pointed out that the MGAT1 genetic variant linked to MS increases or decreases the sugars attached to proteins depending on metabolism – one possible explanation for why people with the same genetic risk factor may or may not develop MS.

These sugars have also been implicated in many other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer, Demetriou added, so this work could open up entirely new areas of medicine.

Source: Eureka Alert! (01/06/11)
Researchers have found evidence that an environmental pollutant may play an important role in causing multiple sclerosis and that a hypertension drug might be used to treat the disease. The toxin acrolein was elevated by about 60 percent in the spinal cord tissues of mice with a disease similar to multiple sclerosis, said Riyi Shi, a medical doctor and a professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering in Purdue University's Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Paralysis Research and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. The research results represent the first concrete laboratory evidence for a link between acrolein (pronounced a-KRO-le-an) and multiple sclerosis, he said. "Only recently have researchers started to understand the details about what acrolein does to the human body," Shi said. "We are studying its effects on the central nervous system, both in trauma and degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis." The compound is an environmental toxin found in air pollutants including tobacco smoke and auto exhaust. Acrolein also is produced within the body after nerve cells are damaged. Previous studies by this research team found that neuronal death caused by acrolein can be prevented by administering the drug hydralazine, an FDA-approved medication used to treat hypertension. The new findings show that hydralazine also delays onset of multiple sclerosis in mice and reduces the severity of symptoms by neutralizing acrolein. "The treatment did not cause any serious side effects in the mice," Shi said. "The dosage we used for hydralazine in animals is several times lower than the standard dosing for oral hydralazine in human pediatric patients. Therefore, considering the effectiveness of hydralazine at binding acrolein at such low concentrations, we expect that our study will lead to the development of new neuroprotective therapies for MS that could be rapidly translated into the clinic." The researchers also learned the specific chemical signature of the drug that binds to acrolein and neutralizes it, potentially making it possible to create synthetic alternatives with reduced side effects. The studies are detailed in a paper appearing online this month in the journal Neuroscience. The paper was written by doctoral students Gary Leung, Wenjing Sun and Lingxing Zheng; graduate research assistant Melissa Tully, who is an MD-Ph.D. student at Purdue and the Indiana University School of Medicine; postdoctoral researcher Sarah Brookes; and Shi. In multiple sclerosis, the myelin insulation surrounding nerve cells is destroyed and the nerve fibers themselves are damaged. "We think that acrolein is what degrades myelin, so if we can block that effect then we can delay the onset of MS and lessen the symptoms," Shi said. Acrolein induces the production of free radicals, compounds that cause additional injury to tissues after disease or physical trauma. "We've discovered that acrolein may play a very important role in free radical injury, particularly in multiple sclerosis," Shi said. The elevated acrolein levels in the MS mice were cut in half when treated with hydralazine. The drug represents a potential long-term therapy to slow the disease's progress. "To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that acrolein acts as a neurotoxin in MS and also the first time anyone has demonstrated hydralazine to be a neuroprotective drug," Shi said. Other researchers had previously shown that acrolein damages liver cells and that the damage can be alleviated by hydralazine, leading the Purdue researchers to study its possible effects on spinal cord tissues. Further research will be conducted, and Shi's group has identified other potential compounds for binding acrolein. The research team, in a possible future collaboration with the Indiana University School of Medicine, also is working to improve the sensitivity of detection methods to measure acrolein levels in people with multiple sclerosis. Source: Machines Like Us © Copyright MachinesLikeUs.com 2010 (24/11/10)

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

16. James Eckburg and MS Treatment Approval

James Eckburg and MS

Your Guide to MS Treatment Approval

Why does approval for a new MS treatment take so long?

Your guide to MS treatment approval Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease that has inspired research since the late 1800s. Yet, before the 1990s, MS remained a disease with no known treatment. The five disease modifying therapies (DMTs) we have for relapsing-remitting MS today all emerged less than 20 years ago. Looking at the big picture, you could say that science takes time. You could say the same about the safeguards.

As treatments and research methods are increasingly sophisticated, efforts to ensure public safety have also become more comprehensive. The time required from testing to approval of a new therapy stretched from a couple of years in the 1960s to the present ten years plus. Waiting for the process to unfold as promising new therapies move from laboratory to the pharmacy can be both exciting and frustrating.

Exploring good ideas takes time

It all begins with a new idea. Experimental treatments are first tested in the laboratory (preclinical study) and those with the most promising results move into the clinical trial process. During human trials, more and more information is gained about an experimental treatment, its risks and how well it may or may not work.

The many phases of research

Clinical trial application

Applications to conduct a clinical trial are reviewed by Health Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) to ensure that the trial is properly designed and that participants are not exposed to undue risk.

Clinical trials in Canada must be conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP) standards, internationally accepted ethical and scientific quality criteria for designing, conducting, recording and reporting trials that involve human participation.

While clinical studies of a therapy may be limited to months or a few years, the process of recruiting participants, designing and gaining approval for a trial at each phase of research, and analyzing the data when it is gathered generally takes many years.

Pre-clinical

Research for new treatments begins with scientists developing various chemical or biological remedies. Pre-clinical studies provide important information on the potential use of the drug (or procedure) prior to testing on humans in clinical trials. If initial results are promising, further testing is performed to learn more about its effects, and to find the dosage needed to achieve the desired effect.

Phase I trials

An experimental drug or treatment is tested in a small group of people (20-80) to:
evaluate its safety
determine a safe dosage range
identify side effects

Phase II trials

After initial safety has been confirmed in the Phase I trials, the experimental treatment is given to a larger group of people (100-300) to test its effectiveness and to evaluate its safety.

Phase III trials

The experimental treatment is given to large groups of people (1,000-3,000) in a randomized controlled multicenter trial that will seek to:
confirm its effectiveness
monitor side effects
compare it to commonly used treatments
collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely

Given their size and long duration, Phase III trials are usually the most comprehensive step in the treatment approval process. Their results will be a key part of bringing a treatment to the public.

Phase IV trials

Also called post-marketing studies (because they are done after a drug is available to the general public), phase IV trials allow researchers to gather and assess additional information regarding the drug's risks, benefits and optimal use.

Assessing the evidence

Health Canada evaluates and monitors the safety, efficacy and quality of thousands of human and veterinary drugs, medical devices, natural health products and other therapeutic products available to Canadians, as well as the safety and quality of food in Canada.

After the results of clinical studies indicate that a new drug has potential therapeutic value that outweighs the risks (e.g., adverse effects or toxicity) that may occur with its proposed use, the manufacturer may seek authorization to sell the product in Canada by filing a New Drug Submission with Health Canada. (The clinical trials need not have been conducted in Canada.) Health Canada then screens and reviews suitable submissions.

A New Drug Submission typically involves between 100 and 800 binders of data containing scientific information about the product’s safety, efficacy and quality. It includes the results of both the pre-clinical and clinical studies, details on the production of the drug and its packaging and labelling, and information about its claimed therapeutic value, conditions for use and side effects.

Why do some treatments get fast-tracked?

Priority review status may be granted to New Drug Submissions and some medical device applications intended for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of serious, life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses or conditions where:
no product is currently marketed in Canada; or
the new product offers a significant increase in efficacy and/or significant decrease in risk, so that the overall risk-benefit profile is better
than that of existing therapies.

Because there are five approved DMTs with many years of proven efficacy and safety in the treatment of MS, an experimental treatment would need to demonstrate significant benefits over established therapies to be granted priority review status.

Approval takes time

Currently, the process for the review of a drug takes an average of 12 - 24 months from the time that a sponsor submits a New Drug Submission until a marketing decision is made.

If, at the completion of a new drug review, HPFB concludes that the benefits outweigh the risks and that the risks can be reduced and/or managed, the product is issued a letter known as a Notice of Compliance (NOC) and a Drug Identification Number (DIN), as required in the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. This allows the manufacturer to sell the product in Canada.

Even after a drug becomes available, it may take a significant amount of time before it is accepted for inclusion on provincial formularies, each of which operates independently. If and when that occurs, it becomes eligible for reimbursement through a given provincial/territorial drug benefit program, or through federal programs available for certain groups.

Safety surveillance is ongoing

Once a new drug is on the market, regulatory controls continue. The distributor of the drug must report any new information received concerning serious side effects, including failure of the drug to produce the desired effect.

Patience and persistence pay

While the wait for a promising new therapy can be long, it’s to the benefit of everyone with MS that we have safeguards in place to prevent ineffective or potentially hazardous treatments from gaining approval for widespread use. In the meantime, we are lucky to have disease modifying therapies that help delay disease progression. Have patience, and persist with your MS treatment while we await access to emerging new approaches to the treatment of MS.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

17. James Eckburg and MS Treatments

James Eckburg and MS Treatments

New MS Treatments and
The Importance of Maintaining Therapy

Looking into the future of MS treatment

The future approval of emerging therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) is exciting, and that is just one reason to maintain control over your MS until then. Think about personal milestones your own future may hold for you. If you decide to continue with your MS therapy and wait for more data on the new therapies, how would that benefit you? How would it help you if you gave up your current MS therapy in the hope that another option is about to become available?

Physicians who care for people with MS are almost as eager to see new therapies become available as you are. The potential is out there – all that’s needed is a reasonable track record of safety and success. Your physician has a commitment to “do no harm”; that is why he or she will want to take a careful approach to prescribing new therapies.

Go with what you know

Delaying or preventing the onset of physical disability is a major goal of treating MS with a disease modifying therapy (DMT). Intramuscular (IM) (Avonex®) and subcutaneous interferon beta IFNb-1a (Rebif®), IFNb-1b (Betaseron®), and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) represent the main self-injectable DMTs for patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS).

A second beta interferon-1b called Extavia® was approved for treatment of MS in 2009, and became available in Canada in May 2010. Extavia® is identical to Betaseron®. Natalizumab (Tysabri®) is the most recently introduced novel treatment option, and a variety of new therapies are expected to become available over the next few years. When you are looking into your treatment options, you will notice that the newer the therapy, the less we know about its long-term tolerability and benefits.

Over 15 years of experience treating MS with the IFN betas and Copaxone® has provided a good understanding of what to expect from currently approved therapies. It has been shown that taking a disease modifying therapy soon after a diagnosis of MS or CIS (Clinically Isolated Syndrome) reduces relapses by one-third. Just as importantly, DMT delays progression of the disease and the disability it leads to over the long term.

Keep up with new developments

By paying attention to treatment developments in MS, you are taking an active role in managing your MS. It’s important to stay up to date, so that you can make the best choices for your long term wellbeing. That’s where patience may be a virtue. Until we have more experience with emerging treatments, you can choose to continue with your DMT for its proven long-term benefits. All your treatment decisions should be well informed and thoroughly considered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSDCK5hw1Tw&feature=colike

Aspects of MS treatments to consider Quality of life

All drug therapies have both positive (efficacy) and negative (safety considerations and adverse events) effects. It will continue to be important to have informed conversations with your physician about treatment options best suited to you.

What’s new in MS treatment?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC3vg03YLcI&feature=colike

Several new therapies are likely to become available for the treatment of MS in Canada over the coming years. Efficacy and safety data from advanced development trials (Phase III) are now available for the two emerging oral (i.e. taken by mouth) medications, cladribine and fingolimod. Barring any unforeseen safety concerns, these two medications are expected to be approved for MS within about a year, while another oral therapy, laquinimod, is completing Phase III trials. Other emerging treatments have completed, or are in the process of completing Phase III trials.

An overview of emerging oral MS therapies

The following table is an overview of specific oral therapies based on their respective clinical development programs. Once approved, the Canadian product will be the most accurate source of information.

FINGOLIMOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT68KZVo8-I&feature=colike

Generic names: FTY720 or fingolimod Brand name: Gilenia®

First of a new class of sphingosine modulators originally targeted for undergoing organ transplantation. Oral therapy taken once-daily.

Efficacy

FTY720 reduced the relapse rate by 54% for the 0.5-mg dose 60% for the 1.25-mg dose compared with placebo, in the 2-year, Phase III FREEDOMS study.
Efficacy as well as adverse effects may be dose dependent.

Adverse effects

CLADRIBINE

Generic names: Cladribine, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine and 2-CdA Brand name: Movectro®
Purine nucleoside analog developed as a selective lymphocytotoxic agent for the treatment of leukemia. Cladribine Tablets are oral therapy, requiring as little as 2 cycles of 5 consecutive days each at the beginning of the first and second month of treatment for the first full year of therapy.

Efficacy

Adverse effects
Lymphopenia (low levels of white blood cells), herpes zoster, malignancies, and infections.

LAQUINIMOD

Efficacy

Adverse effects

Keep the faith

Keep the faite in yourself and your ability to make wise choices to maximize your long-term health. If your approved DMT for MS is working for you, you can feel confident knowing that it has a proven long term record of safety and effectiveness. Medications only work when you take them as prescribed. Recent studies have shown that skipping doses or taking a “drug holiday” can lead to a setback in your control over MS. Not taking your DMT, even for a relatively short period of time, can increase the risk of having a relapse.

Perseverance has its benefits

A recent study in MS showed that greater levels of adherence to therapy (i.e. taking it as prescribed) are associated with lower chances of relapse. And in addition, increasing levels of adherence to treatment were associated with lower overall costs, even though the medication costs to the healthcare system increased along with adherence levels.

Thinking ahead

You know what it’s like to live with uncertainty when you have MS. While you look forward to the availability of new therapies, think about your own future. Try to imagine your life in one year, three years or five years, and how things might be different if you continue taking a disease modifying therapy, or if you decide to stop treating your MS. The proven benefits of our current DMTs in terms of delayed disability can not be regained – when disease modifying treatment is stopped, the disease will continue to progress. When you consider your options, be sure you understand as much as possible how they may affect not only your disease, but your overall long-term wellbeing.

Healthy Living with MS: Mind, Body, and Soul
The Cognitive and Emotional Effects of MS
Normal Tiredness and Fatigue Due to MS
How to Survive the Holidays with Multiple Sclerosis
MS Patient Stories That Will Inspire You
New MS Treatments and the Importance of Maintaining Therapy
Your Guide to MS Treatment Approval
8 Questions You Need to Ask About Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
MS and Vitamin D
The MS and Migraine Connection
How to Survive the Summer Heat with MS
How to Live Well with MS Library

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

18. James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis

The Emotional Effects of MS

Approximately 50% of people with MS experience a period of significant depression at least once in their lives; that’s two to three times the risk of depression seen in the general population.

It’s natural to experience a range of emotional responses when you’re living a life of unpredictability and change. Adjusting expectations and grieving losses inevitably involves feelings of sadness. There are many obvious external triggers for mood problems including pain, and the effects of MS on family, housing, work and finances. Neurological changes have been linked with an increased risk of depression in MS, and are implicated in other mood disorders that affect individuals with MS.

Depression is a persistently low mood, occurring most of the time and lasting for several weeks or more. This is sufficient to cause distress or affect social or work functioning. The low mood is usually accompanied by feelings of being sad or empty; worthless and guilty, or in some people, anger and irritableness. Major depression may be accompanied by suicidal thoughts or actions.

Bipolar disorder is a rare condition marked by alternating periods of depression and mania, or limited to just mania (hyper-activity, irrational thinking).

Mood abnormalities appear to be common in MS, and may take various forms, including:
emotional instability (lability) involves frequent mood changes that appear to affect individuals with MS more commonly and perhaps more severely than the general population.
pathological laughing and crying that occurs out of keeping with the situation; affects about 10% of people with MS; this can often be addressed with the help of your neurologist.
euphoria is marked by an unrealistic sense of optimism which may be expressed at inappropriate times; affects 5% – 10% of people with MS.

Physical symptoms common to depression and to MS
disturbed appetite
sleep problems
cognitive dysfunction
fatigue
pain
loss of libido

Note: If these problems are due primarily to depression, appropriate treatment is likely to bring about an improvement.

Take steps to treat depression

Address external triggers, eg, relationship stresses, housing/ financial problems Attend therapeutic counseling
Take anti-depressant medication as prescribed
Explore non-drug remedies such as CBT and exercise

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) aims to identify and address distortions in the way that a person perceives themselves and the world. The treatment lasts for a fixed period to time, and you must make a commitment to work actively with the therapist to address your problems. Although costs of CBT may not be covered by public health insurance plans, it can be as effective as medication in people with mild to moderate depression. When the two are used in combination, there are added benefits.

Aerobic exercise can improve fatigue and enjoyment of life, along with mood problems such as depression and anxiety. This has been observed in several studies of aerobic and rehabilitation programs lasting from 12 to 15 weeks, and involving exercise sessions of less than 1 hour two to three times each week.

Multiple Sclerosis and Depression

Depression is very common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, symptoms of depression severe enough to require medical intervention affect up to half of all people with MS at some point during their illness.

Why Do People With Multiple Sclerosis Also Have Depression?

Depression may be the result of a difficult situation or stress. It is easy to understand how having MS, with its potential for progressing to permanent disability, can bring on depression. Depression may be caused by MS. MS may destroy the insulating myelin that surrounds nerves that transmit signals affecting mood.

Depression is also a side effect of some drugs used to treat MS, such as steroids or interferon.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?<

Everyone at one time or another has felt depressed, sad, or blue. Sometimes the feeling of sadness becomes intense, lasting for long periods of time and preventing a person from leading a normal life. This is depression, a mental illness that, if left untreated, can worsen, lasting for years and causing untold suffering, and possibly even resulting in suicide. It is important to recognize the signs of depression, which include:
Sadness
Loss of energy
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable
Difficulty concentrating
Uncontrollable crying
Difficulty making decisions
Irritability
Increased need for sleep
Inability to fall or stay asleep at night (insomnia)
Unexplained aches and pains
Stomachache and digestive problems
Decreased sex drive
Sexual problems
Headache
A change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
Thoughts of death or suicide
Attempting suicide

When to Seek Help for Depression With Multiple Sclerosis

If you have depression along with multiple sclerosis, you should seek help if:

Depression is negatively affecting your life -- causing difficulties with relationships, work issues, or family disputes -- and there isn't a clear solution to these problems.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or feelings.

Where Should I Go to Get Help for Depression?

Once you decide to seek medical help, start with your primary doctor. He or she can evaluate you to make sure that medicines or another illness are not causing your symptoms.

Your doctor may prescribe treatment or refer you to a mental health care professional who can perform a thorough assessment so that an effective course of treatment can be recommended.

How Is Depression Treated With Multiple Sclerosis?

If you have multiple sclerosis, the first step in treating depression is recognizing that you are depressed. The second step is seeking help. These two steps may in fact be the hardest part of the entire treatment process. Once you seek help from a qualified health care provider, you will find that there are numerous treatment options to help you get back on track.

Several antidepressant drugs are available, but they must be used only under the supervision of a medical professional. Antidepressant drugs are most effective in treating depression in people with MS when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Called "therapy" for short, the word psychotherapy actually involves a variety of treatment techniques. During psychotherapy, a person with depression talks to a licensed and trained mental health care professional who helps him or her identify and work through the factors that may be triggering the depression.

Multiple Sclerosis and Depression

Warning Signs of Suicide

If you or someone you know is demonstrating any of the following warning signs, contact a mental health professional right away or go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.

Talking about suicide (killing one's self)
Always talking or thinking about death
Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
Saying things like "It would be better if I weren't here" or "I want out"
Depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets worse
A sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, like driving through red lights Losing interest in things one used to care about
Visiting or calling people one cares about
Putting affairs in order, tying up lose ends, changing a will

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

19. James Eckburg and MS Healthy Living Part 2

James Eckburg and MS Healthy Living Part 2

What’s a healthy diet?

Low in saturated fats (avoid excess meat, eggs, dairy products).
High in monounsaturated fats (canola oil, olives and olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados) and polyunsaturated fats (flaxseed oil, fish and fish oil).
Includes plenty of fruits, grains, and vegetables to help you promote heart health, avoid constipation, and maintain a healthy weight.

Drink your water

Six to eight cups (about 1.5 litres) of water per day is generally recommended to:

Avoid concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder and increase the chances of getting urinary tract infections.
Help regular bowel function. Avoid dehydration and resulting fatigue: choose water over too much caffeine in the form of tea, coffee, and cola, which can dehydrate you.

Get moving

Difficulty walking is a common challenge for individuals with MS, due to a range of problems including spasticity, tremor, muscle weakness,
fatigue, and poor balance and coordination. A decline in mobility often leads to a reduced participation in exercise, leading to muscle weakness and
further loss of mobility. However, research has shown that exercise can help people with MS maintain their independence by increasing their mobility.

Individuals with MS who are affected by depression tend to be less physically active and have less physical work capacity compared to the general population. Numerous studies have found exercise helps relieve depression in the general population, as well as those with chronic diseases including MS.

Set goals

Aim to maintain and, if possible, improve your current level of joint flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance.

Do what you enjoy

Both aerobic and non-aerobic forms of exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling, light circuit training, and weight training have been shown to be beneficial. Individuals that persist with an exercise routine over several months tend to have the most positive effects; you can increase your staying power by choosing activities you enjoy. Consider low-impact activities such as swimming and recumbent cycling, or yoga and tai chi, which provide additional mind-body benefits.

Work it up…

Start slowly and gradually progress the intensity and duration of your workouts. Aim to exercise aerobically at least 30 minutes three times per week, and strength train on alternate days twice per week. Stretching exercises to improve your range of motion should be done before every workout. …but take your time

Does working out wear you out too quickly? It appears that taking breaks during physical activity may be a good idea. A recent study suggests a few breaks can improve fatigue related to exercise, and that may help people exercise for longer periods overall – it may take longer, but you achieve the same results.

Group exercise may have special benefits

Exercising or outdoor activities can boost your outlook especially when you’re enjoying yourself with others. Considering walking or cycling for exercise? Put your hard work to good use! Set a goal to participate in an upcoming MS walkathon or bikeathon. Or go for the gusto and look into Dragon Boating, with the MS Society or community group.
Soul

You know the old saying: “When life deals you a lemon…” perhaps the answer is to “embrace life!” That may mean taking the time to stop and meditate on the moment, or it may mean getting out to enjoy the company of others.

One thing that makes living with MS difficult is its unpredictability, and that’s where cultivating the right state of mind may help. Mindfulness – the non-judgmental awareness of the present moment – is a form of meditation that may help people with MS cope. A study of an eight-week program found that mindfulness training improved quality of life and well-being in people with MS. This effect was greatest in those who entered the program with significant levels of depression, fatigue, or anxiety.

Getting out with others is also a great way to improve your quality of life. Thanks to the MS Society of Canada and Cineplex Entertainment, now you can plan a movie night with family and friends! Visit Access2 to get the whole story, and to apply for your own Access 2 Entertainment Card.

How does the Access 2 Entertainment Card work?

Simply present your Access 2 Entertainment Card when purchasing tickets with your support person at participating movie theatres. It really is that simple! You pay the regular admission, and your support person gets in for free (or gets a substantial discount). Individuals with a permanent disability who require a support person when attending a movie theatre are eligible for the card. There are no age restrictions. The applicant (or guardian) must agree to follow the terms and conditions for use of the card.
Mind, body, and soul

All-around well-being involves caring for your whole self – mind, body, and soul. Staying healthy with MS begins with your commitment to take your disease-modifying therapy as prescribed. Then, pursuing a healthy lifestyle with the right blend of nurture for body and soul can help you get the most out of life. There are no small victories! Whether your goal is to walk around the block or to compete in a marathon, staying positive and living life to its fullest is its own reward.

Healthy Living with MS: Mind, Body, and Soul
The Cognitive and Emotional Effects of MS
Normal Tiredness and Fatigue Due to MS
How to Survive the Holidays with Multiple Sclerosis
MS Patient Stories That Will Inspire You
New MS Treatments and the Importance of Maintaining Therapy
Your Guide to MS Treatment Approval
8 Questions You Need to Ask About Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
MS and Vitamin D
The MS and Migraine Connection
How to Survive the Summer Heat with MS
How to Live Well with MS
Library

It's all in your head

An MS diagnosis has its own emotional impact, as does living with an unpredictable chronic disease. In addition to these external challenges, some individuals with MS may experience cognitive and/or emotional changes due to MS-related neurological effects, which in turn are often associated with fatigue. Sorting out these various influences on your mood and/or mental abilities can be a complex but worthwhile process.

Not everyone with MS will experience cognitive difficulties, but about 50% usually have some mild impairment. There is little or no relationship between duration of the disease, or severity of physical symptoms, and cognitive changes.

Whereas brain lesions can result in more long-term cognitive problems, a number of factors can interfere with or impair cognition temporarily. These factors include:
fatigue and tiredness emotional changes MS relapses physical difficulties that may require extra effort and concentration (eg, unstable walking) lifestyle changes, such as loss of employment and thus, mental stimulation some treatments for MS symptoms

Cognitive functions that may be affected by MS
Attention and concentration may be affected, making it difficult to concentrate when more than one stimulus is competing for attention Memory may be impaired, particularly for recent events Information processing may take longer, but performance is not necessarily otherwise affected Abstract reasoning, problem-solving, and executive functions may be affected, making it more difficult to analyze a situation, identify the main points, plan a course of action, and carry it out.

Judgment may also be affected Visual-spatial abilities may be impaired, which may reduce the ability to perform a variety of tasks such as reading a chart or map, recognizing objects accurately, or assembling things Verbal fluency may be affected, making it more difficult to find the words to communicate. (This is not the same as problems that slow speech down or change voice quality in MS.)

Emotional effects of MS

Individuals with multiple sclerosis are at increased (compared to the general population) risk for:
depression
bipolar disorder
mood swings

Tackling the terrible trio

Depression, cognitive dysfunction and fatigue interact on a number of levels. Depression can worsen cognitive function and fatigue; changes in cognitive abilities can affect mood; and fatigue can interfere with both cognition and mood. In fact, some individuals who reported being affected by cognitive impairment were actually suffering from depression.

Greater awareness of the hidden symptoms of MS can improve recognition of these changes by both MS patients and their family members. Be aware that if you are (perhaps unknowingly) suffering from depression, the “voice” of your depression may lead you to believe things are really as bleak as they seem. That’s why it’s important to share your concerns with someone, rather than keeping them to yourself.

Once the causative factors are correctly identified, these problems can be managed. Depression can be treated with drugs and/or psychotherapy. Severe fatigue can be alleviated with medication and energy management strategies. And some cognitive changes may be addressed with simple practical strategies. Finding the appropriate treatment begins with you.

Healthy Living with MS: Mind, Body, and Soul
The Cognitive and Emotional Effects of MS
It's all in your head
The Impact of Cognitive Changes in MS
The Emotional Effects of MS
Managing the Congnitive and Emotional Effects of MS
Normal Tiredness and Fatigue Due to MS
How to Survive the Holidays with Multiple Sclerosis
MS Patient Stories That Will Inspire You
New MS Treatments and the Importance of Maintaining Therapy
Your Guide to MS Treatment Approval
8 Questions You Need to Ask About Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
MS and Vitamin D
The MS and Migraine Connection
How to Survive the Summer Heat with MS
How to Live Well with MS
Library

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

20. James Eckburg and MS Healthy Living

James Eckburg and MS

Healthy Living with MS: Mind, Body, and Soul

Multiple sclerosis (MS) may affect various aspects of your daily life – but there are strategies you can use to care for your whole self – mind, body, and soul.

Some of the common symptoms of MS, such as fatigue, depression, and mobility problems, can interfere with maintenance of good overall health and well-being. The simple approaches discussed in this booklet can help you address these symptoms and/or work around the challenges they present. That said, achieving and maintaining good health when you have MS begins with disease-modifying treatment (DMT). Staying well starts with MS treatment

After more than 15 years of experience treating MS with the four approved disease modifying therapies (IFN betas and glatiramer acetate), the benefits of uninterrupted treatment of MS have been well documented. Here's what we know: Taking a disease-modifying therapy soon after a diagnosis of MS or CIS reduces relapses by as much as one-third. Taking a DMT can delay the progression of the disease and the disability it leads to over the long-term. Medications only work when you take them as prescribed. Recent studies have shown that skipping doses or taking a “drug holiday” can lead to a setback in your control over MS. Not taking your DMT, even for a relatively short period of time, can increase the risk of having a MS relapse. Better adherence to therapy (i.e., taking it as prescribed) is associated with lower chances of relapse. Mind

Having trouble thinking?

The demyelinating effects of MS can impair communication within the brain. In about 50% of individuals with MS, this tends to cause subtle problems with memory, attention, abstract reasoning, and word finding. These effects are often associated with some degree of emotional instability and a decrease in speed of information processing. Cognitive problems in MS do not seem to be related clearly to disease duration, severity, or disease course. They may occur early or later on in the disease, and in mildly or severely physically disabled patients.

Factors that might aggravate cognitive problems: Fatigue Sleep problems Depression Stress or anxiety Heat External distractions

Cognitive difficulties, along with the aggravating factors listed above, may interfere with your ability to treat your MS, your management of physical symptoms such as bladder function, and your efforts to become more physically fit or to connect with others socially. Addressing your cognitive and physical concerns may help relieve aggravating factors such as fatigue and depression.

Not taking your DMT, even for a relatively short period of time, can increase the risk of having a relapse. Coping strategies… Organize your environment so that things remain in familiar places. Carry on conversations in quiet places to minimize environmental distractions. Use a notebook, diary, or electronic journal. Ask people to keep directions simple. Establish good eye contact during any discussion. Be willing to ask for time to think through decisions and to discuss them with other people. Don’t hesitate to ask for more information, or for information to be repeated or written down. Don’t try to hide your concerns. Talking about cognitive problems will usually be a source of relief to you and your family. Understanding the nature of a person’s difficulties may lead to easy practical solutions, such as using reminder notes and cues.

Cognitive retraining

Your memory may sometimes fail you, but individuals with MS can store new memories and are capable of learning new information. Cognitive/memory training programs are available online from a variety of sources. These teach ways of thinking and organizing facts so that they can be retrieved more reliably on demand. Visit MindTools.

As well, a pilot study of a five-week, group-based community program has shown success with strategies to help self-manage MS cognitive changes. These programs are thought to help by increasing participants’ understanding of MS-related cognitive impairments, improving their confidence in their ability to manage these difficulties, and increasing their use of management strategies. Brain games – do they really help?

The jury is out on that, but a research grant is being sought by the developers of MyBrainGames, the first online games designed specifically for people with MS under the direction of a team of leading healthcare professionals specializing in MS and cognition, as well as members of the MS community.

The games challenge the player’s processing speed, working memory, attention, and taskswitching ability. Each game is available at varying levels of difficulty, and scores can be saved, so you can track your performance over time. To access MyBrainGames and the multitude of resources offered by the Collaborative, visit MyMSMyWay.

Body

No specific diet has been proven to affect the course of MS, but good nutrition and healthy activity levels can help keep you in fighting shape, so you can manage your MS effectively – and get the most out of life.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

21. James Eckburg and MS Healthy Living

James Eckburg and MS

Healthy Living with MS: Mind, Body, and Soul

Multiple sclerosis (MS) may affect various aspects of your daily life – but there are strategies you can use to care for your whole self – mind, body, and soul.

Some of the common symptoms of MS, such as fatigue, depression, and mobility problems, can interfere with maintenance of good overall health and well-being. The simple approaches discussed in this booklet can help you address these symptoms and/or work around the challenges they present. That said, achieving and maintaining good health when you have MS begins with disease-modifying treatment (DMT). Staying well starts with MS treatment

After more than 15 years of experience treating MS with the four approved disease modifying therapies (IFN betas and glatiramer acetate), the benefits of uninterrupted treatment of MS have been well documented. Here's what we know: Taking a disease-modifying therapy soon after a diagnosis of MS or CIS reduces relapses by as much as one-third. Taking a DMT can delay the progression of the disease and the disability it leads to over the long-term. Medications only work when you take them as prescribed. Recent studies have shown that skipping doses or taking a “drug holiday” can lead to a setback in your control over MS. Not taking your DMT, even for a relatively short period of time, can increase the risk of having a MS relapse. Better adherence to therapy (i.e., taking it as prescribed) is associated with lower chances of relapse. Mind

Having trouble thinking?

The demyelinating effects of MS can impair communication within the brain. In about 50% of individuals with MS, this tends to cause subtle problems with memory, attention, abstract reasoning, and word finding. These effects are often associated with some degree of emotional instability and a decrease in speed of information processing. Cognitive problems in MS do not seem to be related clearly to disease duration, severity, or disease course. They may occur early or later on in the disease, and in mildly or severely physically disabled patients.

Factors that might aggravate cognitive problems: Fatigue Sleep problems Depression Stress or anxiety Heat External distractions

Cognitive difficulties, along with the aggravating factors listed above, may interfere with your ability to treat your MS, your management of physical symptoms such as bladder function, and your efforts to become more physically fit or to connect with others socially. Addressing your cognitive and physical concerns may help relieve aggravating factors such as fatigue and depression.

Not taking your DMT, even for a relatively short period of time, can increase the risk of having a relapse. Coping strategies… Organize your environment so that things remain in familiar places. Carry on conversations in quiet places to minimize environmental distractions. Use a notebook, diary, or electronic journal. Ask people to keep directions simple. Establish good eye contact during any discussion. Be willing to ask for time to think through decisions and to discuss them with other people. Don’t hesitate to ask for more information, or for information to be repeated or written down. Don’t try to hide your concerns. Talking about cognitive problems will usually be a source of relief to you and your family. Understanding the nature of a person’s difficulties may lead to easy practical solutions, such as using reminder notes and cues.

Cognitive retraining

Your memory may sometimes fail you, but individuals with MS can store new memories and are capable of learning new information. Cognitive/memory training programs are available online from a variety of sources. These teach ways of thinking and organizing facts so that they can be retrieved more reliably on demand. Visit MindTools.

As well, a pilot study of a five-week, group-based community program has shown success with strategies to help self-manage MS cognitive changes. These programs are thought to help by increasing participants’ understanding of MS-related cognitive impairments, improving their confidence in their ability to manage these difficulties, and increasing their use of management strategies. Brain games – do they really help?

The jury is out on that, but a research grant is being sought by the developers of MyBrainGames, the first online games designed specifically for people with MS under the direction of a team of leading healthcare professionals specializing in MS and cognition, as well as members of the MS community.

The games challenge the player’s processing speed, working memory, attention, and taskswitching ability. Each game is available at varying levels of difficulty, and scores can be saved, so you can track your performance over time. To access MyBrainGames and the multitude of resources offered by the Collaborative, visit MyMSMyWay.

Body

No specific diet has been proven to affect the course of MS, but good nutrition and healthy activity levels can help keep you in fighting shape, so you can manage your MS effectively – and get the most out of life.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

22. James Eckbugr and MS Treatment of PML Part 1

James Eckburg and MS Treatment of PML Part 1

MS Patients Need Backup when Stopping Natalizumab

TORONTO -- If multiple sclerosis patients are taken off treatment with natalizumab (Tysabri), their doctors should have a 'Plan B' therapy to prevent relapses and other sequelae, researchers said here.

In reviewing the latest reports on treatment with natalizumab, John Corboy, MD, professor of neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, noted that one small study from researchers in Texas (Stuve, et al Neurology 2009; 72: 396-401) showed few ill effects as a result of stopping natalizumab.

"They seem to be just fine," Corboy said, "but all these patients were put on interferon or other things."

However, he noted that researchers in Boston observed that if patients are not put on interferon regimens, a significant number on a so-called drug holiday began to show MRI lesions and started having relapses after about 60 to 90 days.

"So if you are going to take someone off natalizumab, you probably should have a plan to substitute something else in order to avoid so-called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and relapses," Corboy said in his presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology here.

The main reason for discontinuing natalizumab, he said, is concern about development of life-threatening progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). A lingering concern remains that putting patients on an alternative therapy may not mitigate the risk of PML and allow for recovery of immune surveillance.

"As of March 9 there have been 42 confirmed cases of PML among patients exposed to natalizumab. There has been one case of PML that occurred with less than one year's use of natalizumab. All the other cases occurred with more than a year's use," Corboy said. "Strangely, while most of the use of natalizumab is in the U.S., most of the cases are in Europe for reasons that are not clear."

He said about 58% of the use of natalizumab is in the U.S., but about 70% of the cases of PML have occurred among European patients. Full information on all the patients is not known, but 11 of these individuals have died, he said.

"It may have to do with higher exposure to JC virus or they may have something different about their uses of immunosuppressants. All the patients who had serologies done ahead of time were positive for JC virus prior to starting natalizumab," Corboy said.

The JC virus -- formerly known as papovavirus -- was discovered in 1971 and named after the two initials of a patient with PML. The virus causes PML and other diseases in cases of immunodeficiency.

Corboy suggested that knowing JC virus status would allow clinicians to stratify natalizumab therapy -- perhaps stopping after a year for those patients positive for the virus and continuing longer for virus-negative patients. "There hopefully is going to be a serology test available this year" that will help clinicians determine patients' JC virus status, he said.

He noted that PML risk increases over time. Only one case in 60,000 occurs in the first year, but then cases increase to less than one in 1,000 as infusions increase, he said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po2liIWfC8Y&feature=colike

Other complications seen among patients on natalizumab include toxoplasmosis. In addition, two patients have been reported with primary central nervous system lymphoma; whether that is specifically linked to natalizumab is not clear.

Lily Jung, MD, medical director of the neurology clinic and chief of neurology at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, said that if doctors want to stop natalizumab because of concern over risk of PML, a backup plan is necessary.

"If you look at why patients are started on natalizumab, it is because the first-line disease-modifying therapy has failed or the patients have such aggressive disease that the clinician thinks the benefits of natalizumab outweigh the risks," she told MedPage Today.

"If you stop natalizumab because of fear of PML -- and the risk is debated among neurologists -- you still have to treat the multiple sclerosis."

Jung said that clinicians and patients are caught in a bind because in aggressive disease there are not many viable choices, and there are no guarantees that drugs in the pipeline are going to be any safer than current medications

Information on Plasma Exchange or Plasmapheresis

What is Plasma?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9a9FAaXbHo&feature=colike

Plasma is the fluid portion of the blood that allows the circulation of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It consists mainly of water in which numerous chemical compounds are dissolved. Plasma also makes possible chemical communication among different parts of the body by carrying minerals, hormones, vitamins, and antibodies. Normal plasma has a yellow color when it is observed through a test tube or bag where blood has settled.

What Is Plasma Exchange or Plasmapheresis? Plasma Exchange is a patient procedure involving the separation and removal of the plasma from the blood in order to remove a disease substance circulating in the plasma. The red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are returned to the patient, along with a prescribed replacement fluid. Simply stated, the “old plasma” is removed and replaced by the “new plasma”. In other words, there has been a PLASMA EXCHANGE.

Why Is Plasma Exchange Necessary?

Some diseases create substances which circulate throughout the body in the plasma portion of the blood. In certain diseases these substances are called “auto-antibodies”, or antibodies which attack healthy cells or tissue. These auto-antibodies are created by a mix-up in the body’s immune system. Other diseases cause an overproduction of protein which results in slowing down the blood flow (in the same way that thick liquids move more slowly that thin ones).

A physician will decide if it is desirable to remove a large quantity of the auto-antibodies or excess proteins so accompanying medical therapy is more effective in controlling the disease. Only in a few diseases is it possible to remove the specific substance causing the disease. However, it is possible to remove the plasma which contains the substance. The plasma is replaced with donated fresh frozen plasma or, more commonly, physiologically acceptable replacement fluids, such as a mixture of albumin and normal saline.

What Actually Happens During A Plasma Exchange Procedure?

Plasma exchange is accomplished with a medical device called a blood cell separator. Blood cell separators use a centrifuge or a membrane filter to separate plasma from cellular blood components. Qualified medical personnel operate the blood cell separator and monitor the condition of the patient at all times.

Blood is usually drawn from a patient’s arm vein by a needle which is attached to a blood tubing set. Anticoagulant is added to the blood to keep it from clotting. The blood and anticoagulant enter the compartment of the blood cell separator where the plasma is separated from the cellular components and pumped into a collection bag. The cellular components are drawn from the compartment and a replacement fluid prescribed by the physician is added to replace the volume of plasma which is removed. The mix of cellular components and replacement fluid is returned to the patient, usually through a needle in the other arm. The latest technology blood cell separators accomplish all the above steps in an automated, continuous, and safe manner. The sterile tubing sets and needles are used one time only and then discarded.

Some Difficulties Which May Arise

Sometimes it is not possible to achieve adequate blood flow from veins in the arms. Therefore, alternative blood access, which might involve some minor surgery, will be necessary.

Although the latest technology blood cell separators remove only a small portion of blood from the patient ay any one time, the changes in blood volume or the type of replacement fluid utilized may make some patients feel dizzy or light-headed. Patients should immediately tell the medical staff if they begin to feel uncomfortable.

The anticoagulant used to keep the blood from clotting and certain types of replacement fluids might cause a patient to notice a sour taste in the mouth, tingling around the lips, or sharp pains, like pins being stuck in the fingers or toes. Patients should immediately tell the medical staff if they have any of these symptoms.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

23. James Eckburg and MS Treatment of PML Part 1

James Eckburg and MS Treatment of PML Part 1

MS Patients Need Backup when Stopping Natalizumab

TORONTO -- If multiple sclerosis patients are taken off treatment with natalizumab (Tysabri), their doctors should have a 'Plan B' therapy to prevent relapses and other sequelae, researchers said here.

In reviewing the latest reports on treatment with natalizumab, John Corboy, MD, professor of neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, noted that one small study from researchers in Texas (Stuve, et al Neurology 2009; 72: 396-401) showed few ill effects as a result of stopping natalizumab.

"They seem to be just fine," Corboy said, "but all these patients were put on interferon or other things."

However, he noted that researchers in Boston observed that if patients are not put on interferon regimens, a significant number on a so-called drug holiday began to show MRI lesions and started having relapses after about 60 to 90 days.

"So if you are going to take someone off natalizumab, you probably should have a plan to substitute something else in order to avoid so-called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and relapses," Corboy said in his presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology here.

The main reason for discontinuing natalizumab, he said, is concern about development of life-threatening progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). A lingering concern remains that putting patients on an alternative therapy may not mitigate the risk of PML and allow for recovery of immune surveillance.

"As of March 9 there have been 42 confirmed cases of PML among patients exposed to natalizumab. There has been one case of PML that occurred with less than one year's use of natalizumab. All the other cases occurred with more than a year's use," Corboy said. "Strangely, while most of the use of natalizumab is in the U.S., most of the cases are in Europe for reasons that are not clear."

He said about 58% of the use of natalizumab is in the U.S., but about 70% of the cases of PML have occurred among European patients. Full information on all the patients is not known, but 11 of these individuals have died, he said.

"It may have to do with higher exposure to JC virus or they may have something different about their uses of immunosuppressants. All the patients who had serologies done ahead of time were positive for JC virus prior to starting natalizumab," Corboy said.

The JC virus -- formerly known as papovavirus -- was discovered in 1971 and named after the two initials of a patient with PML. The virus causes PML and other diseases in cases of immunodeficiency.

Corboy suggested that knowing JC virus status would allow clinicians to stratify natalizumab therapy -- perhaps stopping after a year for those patients positive for the virus and continuing longer for virus-negative patients. "There hopefully is going to be a serology test available this year" that will help clinicians determine patients' JC virus status, he said.

He noted that PML risk increases over time. Only one case in 60,000 occurs in the first year, but then cases increase to less than one in 1,000 as infusions increase, he said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po2liIWfC8Y&feature=colike

Other complications seen among patients on natalizumab include toxoplasmosis. In addition, two patients have been reported with primary central nervous system lymphoma; whether that is specifically linked to natalizumab is not clear.

Lily Jung, MD, medical director of the neurology clinic and chief of neurology at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, said that if doctors want to stop natalizumab because of concern over risk of PML, a backup plan is necessary.

"If you look at why patients are started on natalizumab, it is because the first-line disease-modifying therapy has failed or the patients have such aggressive disease that the clinician thinks the benefits of natalizumab outweigh the risks," she told MedPage Today.

"If you stop natalizumab because of fear of PML -- and the risk is debated among neurologists -- you still have to treat the multiple sclerosis."

Jung said that clinicians and patients are caught in a bind because in aggressive disease there are not many viable choices, and there are no guarantees that drugs in the pipeline are going to be any safer than current medications

Information on Plasma Exchange or Plasmapheresis

What is Plasma?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9a9FAaXbHo&feature=colike

Plasma is the fluid portion of the blood that allows the circulation of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It consists mainly of water in which numerous chemical compounds are dissolved. Plasma also makes possible chemical communication among different parts of the body by carrying minerals, hormones, vitamins, and antibodies. Normal plasma has a yellow color when it is observed through a test tube or bag where blood has settled.

What Is Plasma Exchange or Plasmapheresis? Plasma Exchange is a patient procedure involving the separation and removal of the plasma from the blood in order to remove a disease substance circulating in the plasma. The red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are returned to the patient, along with a prescribed replacement fluid. Simply stated, the “old plasma” is removed and replaced by the “new plasma”. In other words, there has been a PLASMA EXCHANGE.

Why Is Plasma Exchange Necessary?

Some diseases create substances which circulate throughout the body in the plasma portion of the blood. In certain diseases these substances are called “auto-antibodies”, or antibodies which attack healthy cells or tissue. These auto-antibodies are created by a mix-up in the body’s immune system. Other diseases cause an overproduction of protein which results in slowing down the blood flow (in the same way that thick liquids move more slowly that thin ones).

A physician will decide if it is desirable to remove a large quantity of the auto-antibodies or excess proteins so accompanying medical therapy is more effective in controlling the disease. Only in a few diseases is it possible to remove the specific substance causing the disease. However, it is possible to remove the plasma which contains the substance. The plasma is replaced with donated fresh frozen plasma or, more commonly, physiologically acceptable replacement fluids, such as a mixture of albumin and normal saline.

What Actually Happens During A Plasma Exchange Procedure?

Plasma exchange is accomplished with a medical device called a blood cell separator. Blood cell separators use a centrifuge or a membrane filter to separate plasma from cellular blood components. Qualified medical personnel operate the blood cell separator and monitor the condition of the patient at all times.

Blood is usually drawn from a patient’s arm vein by a needle which is attached to a blood tubing set. Anticoagulant is added to the blood to keep it from clotting. The blood and anticoagulant enter the compartment of the blood cell separator where the plasma is separated from the cellular components and pumped into a collection bag. The cellular components are drawn from the compartment and a replacement fluid prescribed by the physician is added to replace the volume of plasma which is removed. The mix of cellular components and replacement fluid is returned to the patient, usually through a needle in the other arm. The latest technology blood cell separators accomplish all the above steps in an automated, continuous, and safe manner. The sterile tubing sets and needles are used one time only and then discarded.

Some Difficulties Which May Arise

Sometimes it is not possible to achieve adequate blood flow from veins in the arms. Therefore, alternative blood access, which might involve some minor surgery, will be necessary.

Although the latest technology blood cell separators remove only a small portion of blood from the patient ay any one time, the changes in blood volume or the type of replacement fluid utilized may make some patients feel dizzy or light-headed. Patients should immediately tell the medical staff if they begin to feel uncomfortable.

The anticoagulant used to keep the blood from clotting and certain types of replacement fluids might cause a patient to notice a sour taste in the mouth, tingling around the lips, or sharp pains, like pins being stuck in the fingers or toes. Patients should immediately tell the medical staff if they have any of these symptoms.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

24. James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part 3

James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part3

What should be avoided? What foods are good for rosacea?

While not all rosacea people are exactly the same, there are some common rosacea triggers. Avoiding these potential triggers may also help relieve symptoms and disease flares. It may be helpful to keep a personal diary of foods and other triggers that flare rosacea symptoms.

Smoking, spicy foods, hot drinks, and alcohol may cause flushing and should be avoided. Exposure to sunlight and to extreme hot and cold temperatures should be limited as much as possible. Red wine and chocolate are two well known rosacea triggers. Some listed foods may have no effect on your rosacea but severely affect someone else. Individual reaction patterns vary greatly in rosacea. Therefore, a food diary may help to elucidate your special triggers.

Possible rosacea dietary triggers include
dairy including yogurt, sour cream, cheese (except cottage cheese),
alcohol including red wine, beer, vodka, gin, bourbon, and champagne,
chocolate,
soy sauce,
yeast extract,
eggplants, avocados, spinach,
some beans and pods, including lima, navy or peas,
citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins, or figs,
spicy and temperature hot foods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xamn7v_6xDs&feature=colike

Potent cortisone or steroid medications on the face should be avoided because they can promote widening of the tiny blood vessels of the face (telangiectasis). Some patients experience severe rosacea flares after prolonged use of topical steroids.

Vasodilator pills can also flare rosacea. Vasodilators include certain blood pressure medications like nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics.

These potential triggers are found in many skin cleansers and should be avoided in rosacea.
Alcohol
Witch hazel
Peppermint
Eucalyptus oil
Clove oil
Fragrance
Menthol
Salicylic acid

Foods that decrease rosacea flares include less spicy meals, nonalcoholic cool beverages, caffeine-free drinks, nondairy cheese, and thermally cooler meals.

What natural remedies can help rosacea?

Rosacea skin tends to be fairly sensitive and may easily flare with self-treatment or common acne therapies. Any home treatment or attempts for natural remedies should be approached with some caution. As with any rosacea therapy, some people may experience sensitivity or irritation with treatment. Several possible natural remedies, including dilute vinegar cleansing and green tea applications, may be useful in rosacea.

Dilute white vinegar facial soaks or cleansing daily or weekly using approximately 1 part regular table vinegar to 6 parts water may be helpful. Vinegar is thought to help as a natural disinfectant and can help decrease the number of yeasts and bacteria on the skin. Since vinegar may flare rosacea in some people, a small test area should be tried before applying to the entire face.

Green tea soaks to the face may also help decrease the redness and inflammation seen in rosacea. Green tea is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. A few commercially available products also use green tea as the active ingredient.

Does rosacea get worse with age?

Yes. Although rosacea has a variable course and is not predictable in everyone, it tends to gradually worsen with age, especially if untreated. In small studies, many rosacea sufferers have reported that without treatment their condition had advanced from early to middle stage within a year. With good therapy, it is possible to prevent progression of rosacea.

How should I care for the skin of my face?

Proper skin care involves using a gentle cleanser to wash the face twice a day. Over-washing may cause irritation. A sunscreen lotion is advisable each morning. Your physician may prescribe a topical antibiotic to use once or twice a day under your sunscreen.

Rubbing the face tends to irritate the reddened skin. Some cosmetics and hair sprays may also aggravate redness and swelling.

Facial products such as soap, moisturizers, and sunscreens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers should be applied very gently after any topical medication has dried. When going outdoors, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are needed.

How are the telangiectasias (the red lines) treated?

Telangiectasias are the small blood vessels that arise on the surface of the skin, commonly on around the nose, cheeks, and chin.

Simple cover-up makeup can be used for the telangiectasias. There are some green-based moisturizers or tinted foundations that may help conceal the redness.

Telangiectasias can also be medically treated in your physician's office with a small electric needle, a laser, intense pulsed light, or minor surgery to close off the dilated blood vessels. Usually, multiple treatments are required for best results, and only a portion of the blood vessels may be improved with each treatment. Not everyone responds the same to these types of treatments, and your physician can help you decide which treatment is best for your skin type, condition, and size of blood vessels.
Electrocautery
Laser
Intense pulsed light therapy

How is a rhinophyma (the W.C. Fields nose) treated?

Rhinophyma of the nose is frequently treated by surgery. The excess tissue may be removed with a scalpel, laser, or electro surgery. Dermabrasion can help improve the look of the scar tissue. Follow-up treatments with laser or intense pulsed light may help lessen the redness. Medical maintenance therapy with oral and or topical antibiotics may be useful to decrease the chance of recurrence.

What effect may rosacea have on my life?

Rosacea may affect your life minimally, moderately, or severely depending on how active the condition is and your overall tolerance of the skin symptoms.

Some individuals have absolutely no symptoms and are not bothered at all by their rosacea. They may enjoy perfectly healthy normal lives without any effect from this benign skin condition. Some patients really like the pink glow to their cheeks and find it gives them a pleasant color without having to use blush. They may not even know they have rosacea. They usually do not want to use any treatment.

People with moderate rosacea may have periodic flares that require treatment with oral antibiotics, lasers, and other therapies. They may continuously take an antibiotic daily for years and years to keep their symptoms under control. Many of these people may complain of embarrassment from the flushing and blushing of rosacea. They may have ups and downs and times that their disease is quiet and other times when it feels like it is on fire. With the help of their physician, these patients can learn the pattern of their rosacea and develop a treatment plan to keep it from interfering in their daily lives.

Other patients have very bothersome rosacea that causes them issues on a daily basis. There are subsets of severe rosacea sufferers who have extreme psychological, social, and emotional symptoms. Some have developed social phobias, causing them to cancel or leave situations when their rosacea is flaring or active. Some patients complain of looking like they have been drinking alcohol when in fact they don't drink at all. Although rosacea is not a grave medical situation, severe cases may wreak havoc in some patient's lives. It is important for these patients to discuss their physical and emotional concerns with their physicians and to get professional help in treating their rosacea.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

25. James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part 3

James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part3

What should be avoided? What foods are good for rosacea?

While not all rosacea people are exactly the same, there are some common rosacea triggers. Avoiding these potential triggers may also help relieve symptoms and disease flares. It may be helpful to keep a personal diary of foods and other triggers that flare rosacea symptoms.

Smoking, spicy foods, hot drinks, and alcohol may cause flushing and should be avoided. Exposure to sunlight and to extreme hot and cold temperatures should be limited as much as possible. Red wine and chocolate are two well known rosacea triggers. Some listed foods may have no effect on your rosacea but severely affect someone else. Individual reaction patterns vary greatly in rosacea. Therefore, a food diary may help to elucidate your special triggers.

Possible rosacea dietary triggers include
dairy including yogurt, sour cream, cheese (except cottage cheese),
alcohol including red wine, beer, vodka, gin, bourbon, and champagne,
chocolate,
soy sauce,
yeast extract,
eggplants, avocados, spinach,
some beans and pods, including lima, navy or peas,
citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins, or figs,
spicy and temperature hot foods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xamn7v_6xDs&feature=colike

Potent cortisone or steroid medications on the face should be avoided because they can promote widening of the tiny blood vessels of the face (telangiectasis). Some patients experience severe rosacea flares after prolonged use of topical steroids.

Vasodilator pills can also flare rosacea. Vasodilators include certain blood pressure medications like nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics.

These potential triggers are found in many skin cleansers and should be avoided in rosacea.
Alcohol
Witch hazel
Peppermint
Eucalyptus oil
Clove oil
Fragrance
Menthol
Salicylic acid

Foods that decrease rosacea flares include less spicy meals, nonalcoholic cool beverages, caffeine-free drinks, nondairy cheese, and thermally cooler meals.

What natural remedies can help rosacea?

Rosacea skin tends to be fairly sensitive and may easily flare with self-treatment or common acne therapies. Any home treatment or attempts for natural remedies should be approached with some caution. As with any rosacea therapy, some people may experience sensitivity or irritation with treatment. Several possible natural remedies, including dilute vinegar cleansing and green tea applications, may be useful in rosacea.

Dilute white vinegar facial soaks or cleansing daily or weekly using approximately 1 part regular table vinegar to 6 parts water may be helpful. Vinegar is thought to help as a natural disinfectant and can help decrease the number of yeasts and bacteria on the skin. Since vinegar may flare rosacea in some people, a small test area should be tried before applying to the entire face.

Green tea soaks to the face may also help decrease the redness and inflammation seen in rosacea. Green tea is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. A few commercially available products also use green tea as the active ingredient.

Does rosacea get worse with age?

Yes. Although rosacea has a variable course and is not predictable in everyone, it tends to gradually worsen with age, especially if untreated. In small studies, many rosacea sufferers have reported that without treatment their condition had advanced from early to middle stage within a year. With good therapy, it is possible to prevent progression of rosacea.

How should I care for the skin of my face?

Proper skin care involves using a gentle cleanser to wash the face twice a day. Over-washing may cause irritation. A sunscreen lotion is advisable each morning. Your physician may prescribe a topical antibiotic to use once or twice a day under your sunscreen.

Rubbing the face tends to irritate the reddened skin. Some cosmetics and hair sprays may also aggravate redness and swelling.

Facial products such as soap, moisturizers, and sunscreens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers should be applied very gently after any topical medication has dried. When going outdoors, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are needed.

How are the telangiectasias (the red lines) treated?

Telangiectasias are the small blood vessels that arise on the surface of the skin, commonly on around the nose, cheeks, and chin.

Simple cover-up makeup can be used for the telangiectasias. There are some green-based moisturizers or tinted foundations that may help conceal the redness.

Telangiectasias can also be medically treated in your physician's office with a small electric needle, a laser, intense pulsed light, or minor surgery to close off the dilated blood vessels. Usually, multiple treatments are required for best results, and only a portion of the blood vessels may be improved with each treatment. Not everyone responds the same to these types of treatments, and your physician can help you decide which treatment is best for your skin type, condition, and size of blood vessels.
Electrocautery
Laser
Intense pulsed light therapy

How is a rhinophyma (the W.C. Fields nose) treated?

Rhinophyma of the nose is frequently treated by surgery. The excess tissue may be removed with a scalpel, laser, or electro surgery. Dermabrasion can help improve the look of the scar tissue. Follow-up treatments with laser or intense pulsed light may help lessen the redness. Medical maintenance therapy with oral and or topical antibiotics may be useful to decrease the chance of recurrence.

What effect may rosacea have on my life?

Rosacea may affect your life minimally, moderately, or severely depending on how active the condition is and your overall tolerance of the skin symptoms.

Some individuals have absolutely no symptoms and are not bothered at all by their rosacea. They may enjoy perfectly healthy normal lives without any effect from this benign skin condition. Some patients really like the pink glow to their cheeks and find it gives them a pleasant color without having to use blush. They may not even know they have rosacea. They usually do not want to use any treatment.

People with moderate rosacea may have periodic flares that require treatment with oral antibiotics, lasers, and other therapies. They may continuously take an antibiotic daily for years and years to keep their symptoms under control. Many of these people may complain of embarrassment from the flushing and blushing of rosacea. They may have ups and downs and times that their disease is quiet and other times when it feels like it is on fire. With the help of their physician, these patients can learn the pattern of their rosacea and develop a treatment plan to keep it from interfering in their daily lives.

Other patients have very bothersome rosacea that causes them issues on a daily basis. There are subsets of severe rosacea sufferers who have extreme psychological, social, and emotional symptoms. Some have developed social phobias, causing them to cancel or leave situations when their rosacea is flaring or active. Some patients complain of looking like they have been drinking alcohol when in fact they don't drink at all. Although rosacea is not a grave medical situation, severe cases may wreak havoc in some patient's lives. It is important for these patients to discuss their physical and emotional concerns with their physicians and to get professional help in treating their rosacea.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

26. James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part 2

James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part 2

What happens to the nose and the eyes?

The nose is typically one of the first facial areas to be affected in rosacea. It can become red and bumpy and develop noticeable dilated small blood vessels. Left untreated, advanced stages of rosacea can cause a disfiguring nose condition called rhinophyma (ryno-fy-ma), literally growth of the nose, characterized by a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks (like the old comedian W.C. Fields). There may also be thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and the nearby cheek areas. Rhinophyma occurs mainly in men. Severe rhinophyma can require surgical correction and repair.

Some people falsely attribute the prominent red nose to excessive alcohol intake, and this stigma can cause embarrassment to those with rosacea. Although a red nose may be seen in patients with heavy alcohol use, not every patient with rosacea abuses alcohol.

Rosacea may or may not affect the eyes. Not everyone with rosacea has eye issues. A complication of advanced rosacea, known as ocular rosacea, affects the eyes. About half of all people with rosacea report feeling burning, dryness, and grittiness of the eyes (conjunctivitis). These individuals may also experience redness of the eyelids and light sensitivity. Often the eye symptoms may go completely unnoticed and not be a major concern for the individual. Many times, the physician or ophthalmologist may be the first one to notice the eye symptoms. Untreated, ocular rosacea may cause a serious complication that can damage the cornea, called rosacea keratitis. An ophthalmologist can assist in a proper eye evaluation and prescribe rosacea eyedrops. Oral antibiotics may be useful to treat skin and eye rosacea. Untreated eye rosacea may cause permanent damage, including impaired vision.

How is rosacea cured?

Rosacea is currently not considered a curable condition. While it cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled with proper, regular treatments.

There are some forms of rosacea that may be significantly cleared for long periods of time using laser, intense pulse light, photodynamic therapy, or isotretinoin (Accutane). Although still not considered a "cure," some patients experience long-lasting results and may have remissions (disease-free period of time) for months to years.

What about using acne medicine?

Since there is some overlap between acne and rosacea, some of the medications may be similar. Acne and rosacea have in common several possible treatments, including (but not limited to) oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, sulfa-based face washes, isotretinoin, and many others. It is important to seek a physician's advice before using random over-the-counter acne medications since they can actually irritate skin that is prone to rosacea. Overall, rosacea skin tends to be more sensitive and easily irritated than that of common acne.

What is the treatment for rosacea?

There are many treatment choices for rosacea depending on the severity and extent of symptoms. Available medical treatments include antibacterial washes, topical creams, antibiotic pills, lasers, pulsed-light therapies, photodynamic therapy, and isotretinoin.

Mild rosacea may not necessarily require treatment if the individual is not bothered by the condition. More resistant cases may require a combination approach, using several of the treatments at the same time. A combination approach may include home care of washing with a prescription sulfa wash twice a day, applying an antibacterial cream morning and night, and taking an oral antibiotic for flares. A series of in-office laser, intense pulsed light, or photodynamic therapies may also be used in combination with the home regimen. It is advisable to seek a physician's care for the proper evaluation and treatment of rosacea.

Topical creams

With the proper treatment, rosacea symptoms can be fairly well controlled. Popular methods of treatment include topical (skin) medications applied by the patient once or twice a day. Topical antibiotic medication such as metronidazole (Flagyl) applied one to two times a day after cleansing may significantly improve rosacea. Azelaic acid (Finacea gel 15%) is another effective treatment for patients with rosacea. Both metronidazole and azelaic acid work to control the redness and bumps in rosacea.

Some patients elect combination therapies and notice an improvement by alternating metronidazole and azelaic acid: using one in the morning and one at night. Sodium sulfacetamide (Klaron lotion) is also known to help reduce inflammation. Other topical antibiotic creams include erythromycin and clindamycin (Cleocin).

Oral antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are also commonly prescribed to patients with moderate rosacea. Tetracycline (Sumycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox) are among the many oral antibiotics commonly prescribed and they actually help reduce inflammation and pimples in rosacea. A newer low-dose doxycycline preparation called Oracea (40 mg once a day) has been used in rosacea. The dose may be initially high and then be tapered to maintenance levels. Common side effects and potential risks should be considered before taking oral antibiotics.

Miscellaneous medications

Short-term topical cortisone (steroid) preparations of minimal strength may in occasional cases also be used to reduce local inflammation. Some mild steroids include desonide lotion or hydrocortisone 0.5% or 1% cream applied sparingly once or twice a day just to the irritated areas. There is a risk of causing a rosacea flare by using topical steroids. Prolonged use of topical steroids on the face can also cause irritated skin around the mouth (perioral dermatitis).

Some doctors may also prescribe tretinoin (Retin-A), tazarotene (Tazorac), or adapalene (Differin), which are prescription medications also used for acne. Rarely, permethrin (Elimite) cream is prescribed for rosacea cases that are associated with skin mites. Permethrin is also used for the body mites that cause scabies.

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

Isotretinoin is infrequently prescribed for severe and resistant rosacea. Often it is used after multiple other therapies have been tried for some time and have failed. It is used as a daily capsule for four to six months. Isotretinoin is not typically used in rosacea, and it is most commonly used in the treatment of severe, common acne called acne vulgaris. Close physician monitoring and blood testing are necessary while on isotretinoin. Generally, at least two forms of birth control are required for females using this medication, as pregnancy is absolutely contraindicated while on isotretinoin.

Cleansers

In addition, prescription or over-the-counter sensitive skin cleansers may also provide symptom relief and control. Harsh soaps and lotions should be avoided, whereas simple and pure products such as Cetaphil or Purpose gentle skin cleanser may be less irritating. Patients should avoid excessive rubbing or scrubbing the face.

Other recommended cleansers include
sulfa-based washes (for example, Rosanil),
benzoyl peroxide washes (for example, Clearasil).

Laser and intense pulsed light

Many patients are now turning to laser and intense light treatments to treat the continual redness and noticeable blood vessels on the face, neck, and chest. Often considered a safe alternative, laser and intense pulse-light therapy may help to visibly improve the skin and complexion.

Laser treatment may cause some discomfort. While most patients are able to endure the procedure, ice packs and topical anesthetic cream can help alleviate the discomfort. Multiple treatments are typically necessary, and the procedure is not covered by most insurances. Treatments are recommended in three- to six-week intervals; during this time, sun avoidance is necessary. Risk, benefits, and alternatives should be reviewed with your physician prior to treatment. Laser treatments may be combined with photodynamic therapy (light-activated chemical using Levulan) for more noticeable results.


27. James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part 2

James Eckburg and MS Rosacea Part 2

What happens to the nose and the eyes?

The nose is typically one of the first facial areas to be affected in rosacea. It can become red and bumpy and develop noticeable dilated small blood vessels. Left untreated, advanced stages of rosacea can cause a disfiguring nose condition called rhinophyma (ryno-fy-ma), literally growth of the nose, characterized by a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks (like the old comedian W.C. Fields). There may also be thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and the nearby cheek areas. Rhinophyma occurs mainly in men. Severe rhinophyma can require surgical correction and repair.

Some people falsely attribute the prominent red nose to excessive alcohol intake, and this stigma can cause embarrassment to those with rosacea. Although a red nose may be seen in patients with heavy alcohol use, not every patient with rosacea abuses alcohol.

Rosacea may or may not affect the eyes. Not everyone with rosacea has eye issues. A complication of advanced rosacea, known as ocular rosacea, affects the eyes. About half of all people with rosacea report feeling burning, dryness, and grittiness of the eyes (conjunctivitis). These individuals may also experience redness of the eyelids and light sensitivity. Often the eye symptoms may go completely unnoticed and not be a major concern for the individual. Many times, the physician or ophthalmologist may be the first one to notice the eye symptoms. Untreated, ocular rosacea may cause a serious complication that can damage the cornea, called rosacea keratitis. An ophthalmologist can assist in a proper eye evaluation and prescribe rosacea eyedrops. Oral antibiotics may be useful to treat skin and eye rosacea. Untreated eye rosacea may cause permanent damage, including impaired vision.

How is rosacea cured?

Rosacea is currently not considered a curable condition. While it cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled with proper, regular treatments.

There are some forms of rosacea that may be significantly cleared for long periods of time using laser, intense pulse light, photodynamic therapy, or isotretinoin (Accutane). Although still not considered a "cure," some patients experience long-lasting results and may have remissions (disease-free period of time) for months to years.

What about using acne medicine?

Since there is some overlap between acne and rosacea, some of the medications may be similar. Acne and rosacea have in common several possible treatments, including (but not limited to) oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, sulfa-based face washes, isotretinoin, and many others. It is important to seek a physician's advice before using random over-the-counter acne medications since they can actually irritate skin that is prone to rosacea. Overall, rosacea skin tends to be more sensitive and easily irritated than that of common acne.

What is the treatment for rosacea?

There are many treatment choices for rosacea depending on the severity and extent of symptoms. Available medical treatments include antibacterial washes, topical creams, antibiotic pills, lasers, pulsed-light therapies, photodynamic therapy, and isotretinoin.

Mild rosacea may not necessarily require treatment if the individual is not bothered by the condition. More resistant cases may require a combination approach, using several of the treatments at the same time. A combination approach may include home care of washing with a prescription sulfa wash twice a day, applying an antibacterial cream morning and night, and taking an oral antibiotic for flares. A series of in-office laser, intense pulsed light, or photodynamic therapies may also be used in combination with the home regimen. It is advisable to seek a physician's care for the proper evaluation and treatment of rosacea.

Topical creams

With the proper treatment, rosacea symptoms can be fairly well controlled. Popular methods of treatment include topical (skin) medications applied by the patient once or twice a day. Topical antibiotic medication such as metronidazole (Flagyl) applied one to two times a day after cleansing may significantly improve rosacea. Azelaic acid (Finacea gel 15%) is another effective treatment for patients with rosacea. Both metronidazole and azelaic acid work to control the redness and bumps in rosacea.

Some patients elect combination therapies and notice an improvement by alternating metronidazole and azelaic acid: using one in the morning and one at night. Sodium sulfacetamide (Klaron lotion) is also known to help reduce inflammation. Other topical antibiotic creams include erythromycin and clindamycin (Cleocin).

Oral antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are also commonly prescribed to patients with moderate rosacea. Tetracycline (Sumycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox) are among the many oral antibiotics commonly prescribed and they actually help reduce inflammation and pimples in rosacea. A newer low-dose doxycycline preparation called Oracea (40 mg once a day) has been used in rosacea. The dose may be initially high and then be tapered to maintenance levels. Common side effects and potential risks should be considered before taking oral antibiotics.

Miscellaneous medications

Short-term topical cortisone (steroid) preparations of minimal strength may in occasional cases also be used to reduce local inflammation. Some mild steroids include desonide lotion or hydrocortisone 0.5% or 1% cream applied sparingly once or twice a day just to the irritated areas. There is a risk of causing a rosacea flare by using topical steroids. Prolonged use of topical steroids on the face can also cause irritated skin around the mouth (perioral dermatitis).

Some doctors may also prescribe tretinoin (Retin-A), tazarotene (Tazorac), or adapalene (Differin), which are prescription medications also used for acne. Rarely, permethrin (Elimite) cream is prescribed for rosacea cases that are associated with skin mites. Permethrin is also used for the body mites that cause scabies.

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

Isotretinoin is infrequently prescribed for severe and resistant rosacea. Often it is used after multiple other therapies have been tried for some time and have failed. It is used as a daily capsule for four to six months. Isotretinoin is not typically used in rosacea, and it is most commonly used in the treatment of severe, common acne called acne vulgaris. Close physician monitoring and blood testing are necessary while on isotretinoin. Generally, at least two forms of birth control are required for females using this medication, as pregnancy is absolutely contraindicated while on isotretinoin.

Cleansers

In addition, prescription or over-the-counter sensitive skin cleansers may also provide symptom relief and control. Harsh soaps and lotions should be avoided, whereas simple and pure products such as Cetaphil or Purpose gentle skin cleanser may be less irritating. Patients should avoid excessive rubbing or scrubbing the face.

Other recommended cleansers include
sulfa-based washes (for example, Rosanil),
benzoyl peroxide washes (for example, Clearasil).

Laser and intense pulsed light

Many patients are now turning to laser and intense light treatments to treat the continual redness and noticeable blood vessels on the face, neck, and chest. Often considered a safe alternative, laser and intense pulse-light therapy may help to visibly improve the skin and complexion.

Laser treatment may cause some discomfort. While most patients are able to endure the procedure, ice packs and topical anesthetic cream can help alleviate the discomfort. Multiple treatments are typically necessary, and the procedure is not covered by most insurances. Treatments are recommended in three- to six-week intervals; during this time, sun avoidance is necessary. Risk, benefits, and alternatives should be reviewed with your physician prior to treatment. Laser treatments may be combined with photodynamic therapy (light-activated chemical using Levulan) for more noticeable results.


28. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and MS

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea (say "roh-ZAY-sha") is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. The redness may come and go. People sometimes call rosacea "adult acne" because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne. It can also cause burning and soreness in the eyes and eyelids.

Rosacea can be embarrassing. And if it is untreated, it can get worse. If the symptoms bother you, see your doctor and learn ways to control rosacea.

What causes rosacea?

Experts are not sure what causes rosacea. It tends to affect people who have fair skin or blush easily, and it seems to run in families.

Rosacea is not caused by alcohol abuse, as people thought in the past. But in people who have rosacea, drinking alcohol may cause symptoms to get worse (flare).

Rosacea often flares when something causes the blood vessels in the face to expand, which causes redness. Things that cause a flare-up are called triggers. Common triggers are exercise, sun and wind exposure, hot weather, stress, spicy foods, alcohol, and hot baths. Swings in temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot can also cause a flare-up of rosacea.
What are the symptoms?

People with rosacea may have:
A flushed face and pimples or bumps on or around the cheeks, nose, mouth, and forehead. Sometimes the flushing or redness can last for days. Tiny red veins on the face that look like spiderwebs.
Burning or stinging facial skin, especially when they apply lotions or medicines. The face may feel increasingly dry, sensitive, or sunburned. Dry, red, irritated eyes. The eyelids may look red and swollen, and vision may be blurry. If it is not treated, rosacea can cause serious eye problems.

Without treatment, some cases of rosacea can cause knobby bumps on the nose and cheeks that can multiply. This is advanced rosacea, known as rhinophymacamera (say "ry-no-FY-muh"). Over time, it can give the nose a swollen, waxy look. But most cases of rosacea don't progress this far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olbbDtAEj2w&feature=colike

What is rosacea? Is rosacea contagious?

Rosacea (roz-ay-sha) is a very common red, acne-like benign skin condition that affects many people worldwide. As of 2010, rosacea is estimated to affect at least 16 million people in the United States alone and approximately 45 million worldwide. Most people with rosacea are Caucasian and have fair skin. The main symptoms of rosacea include red or pink patches, visible tiny broken blood vessels, small red bumps, sometimes containing pus, red cysts, and pink or irritated eyes. Most people with the disease may not even know they have rosacea or that it is a diagnosable and treatable condition. Many people who have rosacea may just assume they blush or flush easily or are just very sun sensitive.

Rosacea is considered a chronic (long-term), noncurable skin condition with periodic ups and downs. As opposed to traditional or teenage acne, most adult patients do not "outgrow" rosacea. Rosacea characteristically involves the central region of the face, causing persistent redness or transient flushing over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush -- mainly the forehead, the chin, and the lower half of the nose. It is most commonly seen in people with light skin and particularly in those of English, Irish, and Scottish backgrounds. Some famous people with rosacea include the former U.S. President Bill Clinton and W.C. Fields. Rosacea is not directly related to alcohol intake.

Rosacea is not considered contagious or infectious. There is no evidence that rosacea can be spread by contact with the skin, sharing towels, or through inhalation.

Picture: What does rosacea look like?

What does rosacea look like?

The redness in rosacea, often aggravated by flushing, may cause small blood vessels in the face to enlarge (dilate) and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines (called telangiectasias). Continual or repeated episodes of flushing and blushing may promote inflammation, causing small red bumps that often resemble teenage acne. In fact, rosacea can frequently be mistaken for common acne. Rosacea is also referred to as acne rosacea.

Is rosacea like acne?

Rosacea is basically different than acne, although the two can coexist. It is also sometimes called "adult acne." Unlike common acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teenagers but occurs most often in adults (ages 30-50), especially in those with fair skin. Different than acne, there are usually no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea. Furthermore, most teens eventually outgrow acne whereas patients with rosacea don't generally outgrow it. Rosacea consists mostly of small red bumps that are not "squeezable" or extractable like blackheads. Squeezing a rosacea pimple usually causes a scant amount of clear liquid to expel. Unlike traditional acne where professional extractions can help remove whiteheads and blackheads, squeezing or extracting rosacea bumps does not help improve the rosacea. People with rosacea tend to have a rosy or pink color to their skin as opposed to acne patients whose skin is usually less red.

Rosacea strikes both sexes and potentially all ages. It tends to be more frequent in women but more severe in men. It is very uncommon in children, and it is very infrequently seen in darker skin tones or black skin.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

29. James Eckburg and MS What is Rosacea?

James Eckburg and MS

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea (say "roh-ZAY-sha") is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. The redness may come and go. People sometimes call rosacea "adult acne" because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne. It can also cause burning and soreness in the eyes and eyelids.

Rosacea can be embarrassing. And if it is untreated, it can get worse. If the symptoms bother you, see your doctor and learn ways to control rosacea.

What causes rosacea?

Experts are not sure what causes rosacea. It tends to affect people who have fair skin or blush easily, and it seems to run in families.

Rosacea is not caused by alcohol abuse, as people thought in the past. But in people who have rosacea, drinking alcohol may cause symptoms to get worse (flare).

Rosacea often flares when something causes the blood vessels in the face to expand, which causes redness. Things that cause a flare-up are called triggers. Common triggers are exercise, sun and wind exposure, hot weather, stress, spicy foods, alcohol, and hot baths. Swings in temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot can also cause a flare-up of rosacea.
What are the symptoms?

People with rosacea may have:
A flushed face and pimples or bumps on or around the cheeks, nose, mouth, and forehead. Sometimes the flushing or redness can last for days. Tiny red veins on the face that look like spiderwebs.
Burning or stinging facial skin, especially when they apply lotions or medicines. The face may feel increasingly dry, sensitive, or sunburned. Dry, red, irritated eyes. The eyelids may look red and swollen, and vision may be blurry. If it is not treated, rosacea can cause serious eye problems.

Without treatment, some cases of rosacea can cause knobby bumps on the nose and cheeks that can multiply. This is advanced rosacea, known as rhinophymacamera (say "ry-no-FY-muh"). Over time, it can give the nose a swollen, waxy look. But most cases of rosacea don't progress this far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olbbDtAEj2w&feature=colike

What is rosacea? Is rosacea contagious?

Rosacea (roz-ay-sha) is a very common red, acne-like benign skin condition that affects many people worldwide. As of 2010, rosacea is estimated to affect at least 16 million people in the United States alone and approximately 45 million worldwide. Most people with rosacea are Caucasian and have fair skin. The main symptoms of rosacea include red or pink patches, visible tiny broken blood vessels, small red bumps, sometimes containing pus, red cysts, and pink or irritated eyes. Most people with the disease may not even know they have rosacea or that it is a diagnosable and treatable condition. Many people who have rosacea may just assume they blush or flush easily or are just very sun sensitive.

Rosacea is considered a chronic (long-term), noncurable skin condition with periodic ups and downs. As opposed to traditional or teenage acne, most adult patients do not "outgrow" rosacea. Rosacea characteristically involves the central region of the face, causing persistent redness or transient flushing over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush -- mainly the forehead, the chin, and the lower half of the nose. It is most commonly seen in people with light skin and particularly in those of English, Irish, and Scottish backgrounds. Some famous people with rosacea include the former U.S. President Bill Clinton and W.C. Fields. Rosacea is not directly related to alcohol intake.

Rosacea is not considered contagious or infectious. There is no evidence that rosacea can be spread by contact with the skin, sharing towels, or through inhalation.

Picture: What does rosacea look like?

What does rosacea look like?

The redness in rosacea, often aggravated by flushing, may cause small blood vessels in the face to enlarge (dilate) and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines (called telangiectasias). Continual or repeated episodes of flushing and blushing may promote inflammation, causing small red bumps that often resemble teenage acne. In fact, rosacea can frequently be mistaken for common acne. Rosacea is also referred to as acne rosacea.

Is rosacea like acne?

Rosacea is basically different than acne, although the two can coexist. It is also sometimes called "adult acne." Unlike common acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teenagers but occurs most often in adults (ages 30-50), especially in those with fair skin. Different than acne, there are usually no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea. Furthermore, most teens eventually outgrow acne whereas patients with rosacea don't generally outgrow it. Rosacea consists mostly of small red bumps that are not "squeezable" or extractable like blackheads. Squeezing a rosacea pimple usually causes a scant amount of clear liquid to expel. Unlike traditional acne where professional extractions can help remove whiteheads and blackheads, squeezing or extracting rosacea bumps does not help improve the rosacea. People with rosacea tend to have a rosy or pink color to their skin as opposed to acne patients whose skin is usually less red.

Rosacea strikes both sexes and potentially all ages. It tends to be more frequent in women but more severe in men. It is very uncommon in children, and it is very infrequently seen in darker skin tones or black skin.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

30. James Eckburg and MS What is Rosacea?

James Eckburg and MS

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea (say "roh-ZAY-sha") is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. The redness may come and go. People sometimes call rosacea "adult acne" because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne. It can also cause burning and soreness in the eyes and eyelids.

Rosacea can be embarrassing. And if it is untreated, it can get worse. If the symptoms bother you, see your doctor and learn ways to control rosacea.

What causes rosacea?

Experts are not sure what causes rosacea. It tends to affect people who have fair skin or blush easily, and it seems to run in families.

Rosacea is not caused by alcohol abuse, as people thought in the past. But in people who have rosacea, drinking alcohol may cause symptoms to get worse (flare).

Rosacea often flares when something causes the blood vessels in the face to expand, which causes redness. Things that cause a flare-up are called triggers. Common triggers are exercise, sun and wind exposure, hot weather, stress, spicy foods, alcohol, and hot baths. Swings in temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot can also cause a flare-up of rosacea.
What are the symptoms?

People with rosacea may have:
A flushed face and pimples or bumps on or around the cheeks, nose, mouth, and forehead. Sometimes the flushing or redness can last for days. Tiny red veins on the face that look like spiderwebs.
Burning or stinging facial skin, especially when they apply lotions or medicines. The face may feel increasingly dry, sensitive, or sunburned. Dry, red, irritated eyes. The eyelids may look red and swollen, and vision may be blurry. If it is not treated, rosacea can cause serious eye problems.

Without treatment, some cases of rosacea can cause knobby bumps on the nose and cheeks that can multiply. This is advanced rosacea, known as rhinophymacamera (say "ry-no-FY-muh"). Over time, it can give the nose a swollen, waxy look. But most cases of rosacea don't progress this far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olbbDtAEj2w&feature=colike

What is rosacea? Is rosacea contagious?

Rosacea (roz-ay-sha) is a very common red, acne-like benign skin condition that affects many people worldwide. As of 2010, rosacea is estimated to affect at least 16 million people in the United States alone and approximately 45 million worldwide. Most people with rosacea are Caucasian and have fair skin. The main symptoms of rosacea include red or pink patches, visible tiny broken blood vessels, small red bumps, sometimes containing pus, red cysts, and pink or irritated eyes. Most people with the disease may not even know they have rosacea or that it is a diagnosable and treatable condition. Many people who have rosacea may just assume they blush or flush easily or are just very sun sensitive.

Rosacea is considered a chronic (long-term), noncurable skin condition with periodic ups and downs. As opposed to traditional or teenage acne, most adult patients do not "outgrow" rosacea. Rosacea characteristically involves the central region of the face, causing persistent redness or transient flushing over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush -- mainly the forehead, the chin, and the lower half of the nose. It is most commonly seen in people with light skin and particularly in those of English, Irish, and Scottish backgrounds. Some famous people with rosacea include the former U.S. President Bill Clinton and W.C. Fields. Rosacea is not directly related to alcohol intake.

Rosacea is not considered contagious or infectious. There is no evidence that rosacea can be spread by contact with the skin, sharing towels, or through inhalation.

Picture: What does rosacea look like?

What does rosacea look like?

The redness in rosacea, often aggravated by flushing, may cause small blood vessels in the face to enlarge (dilate) and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines (called telangiectasias). Continual or repeated episodes of flushing and blushing may promote inflammation, causing small red bumps that often resemble teenage acne. In fact, rosacea can frequently be mistaken for common acne. Rosacea is also referred to as acne rosacea.

Is rosacea like acne?

Rosacea is basically different than acne, although the two can coexist. It is also sometimes called "adult acne." Unlike common acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teenagers but occurs most often in adults (ages 30-50), especially in those with fair skin. Different than acne, there are usually no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea. Furthermore, most teens eventually outgrow acne whereas patients with rosacea don't generally outgrow it. Rosacea consists mostly of small red bumps that are not "squeezable" or extractable like blackheads. Squeezing a rosacea pimple usually causes a scant amount of clear liquid to expel. Unlike traditional acne where professional extractions can help remove whiteheads and blackheads, squeezing or extracting rosacea bumps does not help improve the rosacea. People with rosacea tend to have a rosy or pink color to their skin as opposed to acne patients whose skin is usually less red.

Rosacea strikes both sexes and potentially all ages. It tends to be more frequent in women but more severe in men. It is very uncommon in children, and it is very infrequently seen in darker skin tones or black skin.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

31. James Eckburg and MS Teleconference Part 4

James Eckburg and MS

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment:

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Teleconference Part 4

Dr. Rana K. Zabad, Assistant Professor Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program is talking now of the Treatment of PML.

Now, researchers are working on a way to help prevent PML. In a trial of 12 patients with multiple sclerosis who were taking Tysabri, researchers did what is called a "plasma exchange" in which they filtered out the patient's own blood plasma (which had developed a concentration of Tysabri) and replaced it with clean blood plasma from donors (which was Tysabri-free).

This way, researchers were able to remove 92% of Tysabri from the patient's body and allow the patient's immune system to return to normal (where it can fight off a PML infection). This would normally take 12 weeks to do.

So now we have a big question. We have a patient newly diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) based on MRI findings and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (positive JCV-PCR), with progressive neurologic decline. She is on a maximal highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen.

What is the optimal therapy? Are there any potential new therapies on the horizon for this condition?

I will give you the response to that question from a Dr.David M. Simpson, MD. He stated that In the case under discussion, the consistent neuroradiologic findings and positive PCR assay for JC virus in CSF are diagnostic of PML. PML is generally -- but not invariably -- associated with more advanced HIV disease, as reflected by low CD4+ cell count and increased viral load. Data from the pre-HAART era indicate that the mean CD4+ cell count in patients presenting with PML is 30-104 cells/mcL, although 11% had CD4+ cell counts > 200 cells/mcL.[1] Clifford and colleagues[2] reported a wide range of plasma HIV viral load values in patients with PML, with a mean of 3362 copies/mL. However, one third of patients had undetectable viral load.

Several factors have been proposed as prognostic markers for the course of PML, including CD4+ cell count, radiologic appearance of the lesions (ie, degree of contrast enhancement), degree of inflammation on histologic specimens, and level of JC virus DNA in CSF.[1-3] Clifford and colleagues[2] have reported that suppressed plasma HIV viral load is the strongest prognostic indicator of an improved disease course. While the mean survival of patients with PML was approximately 3-4 months in the pre-HAART era, it is not uncommon for patients whose plasma HIV viral load has been suppressed by HAART to survive for years with stable neurologic status.

It would be interesting to know the virologic and immunologic status of the patient under discussion. Some investigators believe that HAART agents with better penetration of the blood-brain barrier might be preferable in the management of HIV-related central nervous system complications, although further supportive data are needed. Apart from suppressing plasma viral load with HAART, patients should be followed by a neurologist experienced in HIV in order to monitor their neurologic status.

A controlled trial of intravenous or intrathecal cytarabine demonstrated no efficacy in the treatment of PML.[4] Case series have suggested efficacy of cidofovir,[5] although the AIDS Clinical Trials Group has reported negative results of a prospective, open-label trial of cidofovir in the treatment of AIDS-related PML.[6] Future trials for PML may examine alpha-interferon or topotecan for this indication.

Helen Yates, Chief Executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) said: "We truly hope that the research leads to a treatment for this very worrying and potentially life threatening condition. It is important that people affected by MS that are undergoing treatment with Tysabri have as much reassurance as possible about the potential side effects and the ability to treat them should they arise."

As reported by The Irish Times: A possible treatment for a potentially fatal side effect of multiple sclerosis therapy, Tysabri, and other immuno-modulating drugs is currently under investigation.

Biogen Idec, Elan's partner in the development and sale of Tysabri, is testing the efficacy of a malaria pill developed during the Vietnam war in treating progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), the brain infection that has been tied to use of Tysabri, according to Al Sandrock, Biogen's head of neurology research.

Tysabri was pulled from the market in 2005 after three PML cases were reported. It was reintroduced a year later when US regulators said the medication's effectiveness, twice that of other MS drugs, outweighed its risks.

However, the threat of PML has affected sales of the treatment which, although a successful drug in commercial terms, is well short of the figures initially expected.

The companies have reported five new PML cases since July 2008, reigniting concerns of patients who believe a safer Tysabri would be their best treatment option, said John Richert of the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tysabri, a laboratory-engineered antibody, is designed to suppress the immune attack that leads to MS.

PML occurs when a common germ, called JC virus, mutates, evades the body's immune defences and penetrates the brain, causing irreversible damage.

Biogen has been seeking a PML treatment since 2005, screening about 2,000 compounds known to fight brain infections.

The drug showing the most promise in laboratory tests was the commonly used malaria pill mefloquine.

A clinical trial is now testing mefloquine in 40 patients with PML from any cause, whether drug-related or from HIV.

The goal is to see whether mefloquine, sold by Roche Holding under the name Lariam, can treat PML when it occurs. The trial is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

32. James Eckburg and MS Teleconference Part 4

James Eckburg and MS

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment:

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Teleconference Part 4

Dr. Rana K. Zabad, Assistant Professor Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program is talking now of the Treatment of PML.

Now, researchers are working on a way to help prevent PML. In a trial of 12 patients with multiple sclerosis who were taking Tysabri, researchers did what is called a "plasma exchange" in which they filtered out the patient's own blood plasma (which had developed a concentration of Tysabri) and replaced it with clean blood plasma from donors (which was Tysabri-free).

This way, researchers were able to remove 92% of Tysabri from the patient's body and allow the patient's immune system to return to normal (where it can fight off a PML infection). This would normally take 12 weeks to do.

So now we have a big question. We have a patient newly diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) based on MRI findings and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (positive JCV-PCR), with progressive neurologic decline. She is on a maximal highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen.

What is the optimal therapy? Are there any potential new therapies on the horizon for this condition?

I will give you the response to that question from a Dr.David M. Simpson, MD. He stated that In the case under discussion, the consistent neuroradiologic findings and positive PCR assay for JC virus in CSF are diagnostic of PML. PML is generally -- but not invariably -- associated with more advanced HIV disease, as reflected by low CD4+ cell count and increased viral load. Data from the pre-HAART era indicate that the mean CD4+ cell count in patients presenting with PML is 30-104 cells/mcL, although 11% had CD4+ cell counts > 200 cells/mcL.[1] Clifford and colleagues[2] reported a wide range of plasma HIV viral load values in patients with PML, with a mean of 3362 copies/mL. However, one third of patients had undetectable viral load.

Several factors have been proposed as prognostic markers for the course of PML, including CD4+ cell count, radiologic appearance of the lesions (ie, degree of contrast enhancement), degree of inflammation on histologic specimens, and level of JC virus DNA in CSF.[1-3] Clifford and colleagues[2] have reported that suppressed plasma HIV viral load is the strongest prognostic indicator of an improved disease course. While the mean survival of patients with PML was approximately 3-4 months in the pre-HAART era, it is not uncommon for patients whose plasma HIV viral load has been suppressed by HAART to survive for years with stable neurologic status.

It would be interesting to know the virologic and immunologic status of the patient under discussion. Some investigators believe that HAART agents with better penetration of the blood-brain barrier might be preferable in the management of HIV-related central nervous system complications, although further supportive data are needed. Apart from suppressing plasma viral load with HAART, patients should be followed by a neurologist experienced in HIV in order to monitor their neurologic status.

A controlled trial of intravenous or intrathecal cytarabine demonstrated no efficacy in the treatment of PML.[4] Case series have suggested efficacy of cidofovir,[5] although the AIDS Clinical Trials Group has reported negative results of a prospective, open-label trial of cidofovir in the treatment of AIDS-related PML.[6] Future trials for PML may examine alpha-interferon or topotecan for this indication.

Helen Yates, Chief Executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) said: "We truly hope that the research leads to a treatment for this very worrying and potentially life threatening condition. It is important that people affected by MS that are undergoing treatment with Tysabri have as much reassurance as possible about the potential side effects and the ability to treat them should they arise."

As reported by The Irish Times: A possible treatment for a potentially fatal side effect of multiple sclerosis therapy, Tysabri, and other immuno-modulating drugs is currently under investigation.

Biogen Idec, Elan's partner in the development and sale of Tysabri, is testing the efficacy of a malaria pill developed during the Vietnam war in treating progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), the brain infection that has been tied to use of Tysabri, according to Al Sandrock, Biogen's head of neurology research.

Tysabri was pulled from the market in 2005 after three PML cases were reported. It was reintroduced a year later when US regulators said the medication's effectiveness, twice that of other MS drugs, outweighed its risks.

However, the threat of PML has affected sales of the treatment which, although a successful drug in commercial terms, is well short of the figures initially expected.

The companies have reported five new PML cases since July 2008, reigniting concerns of patients who believe a safer Tysabri would be their best treatment option, said John Richert of the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tysabri, a laboratory-engineered antibody, is designed to suppress the immune attack that leads to MS.

PML occurs when a common germ, called JC virus, mutates, evades the body's immune defences and penetrates the brain, causing irreversible damage.

Biogen has been seeking a PML treatment since 2005, screening about 2,000 compounds known to fight brain infections.

The drug showing the most promise in laboratory tests was the commonly used malaria pill mefloquine.

A clinical trial is now testing mefloquine in 40 patients with PML from any cause, whether drug-related or from HIV.

The goal is to see whether mefloquine, sold by Roche Holding under the name Lariam, can treat PML when it occurs. The trial is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

33. James Eckburg and MS Teleconference Part 3

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Treaetment: Teleconference

Yesterday, Today and Tomorow Part 3

Natalizumab-Associated PML:

The Clinical Outcomes are as follows: 25/35 (71%) Patients survived; nonfatal cases:
- Were younger (median 40 vs 54 years)
- Had lower disablity prior to PML (EDSS: 3.5 vs 5.5)
- Had shorter time from PML symptom onset todiagnosis (mean 44 vs 63 days)

Now the Survival rates varied by region:
- In Europw 22/24 92%
- In the USA 3/11, 27%

Most (70%) fatal cases had widespread PML on the MRI

So in all cases, natalizumba dosing was withheld and most patients were treated by plasma exchange or similar technique to rapidly remove natalizumba.

Your Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrone was reported in most (91%) cases and was usually treated with high-dose corticosteroids.

The PML cases with 6month folow-up (48%) after diagnosis, 33% had mild, 33% moderate, and 33% sever disability.

So if you wanted to stop the Natalizumab Treatment was hard to do. They did a retrospective review of all the patients who stopped the natalizumab in (Dublin, Ireland). They found of the remaining 100, 29 patients discontinued due to:
- Physician's perceived failure of treatment: (10/29) 35%
- Patient choice: (11/29) 38%
-PML: 1/29 (3%)
- The change in diagnosis to NMO in 1 patient

So the average duration on treatment at cessation was 19 months.

Following treatment withdrawal (n=29):
- 24% relapsed
-27% patients developed new lesions on their MRI (7 associated with relapse)
- 9% had a large increase in disability with in 6 months of stopping treatment
----All had MRI scans, which showed enhancing lessions
----2 were thought to have SPMS at the time natalizumab was stopped.

Natalizumab was restarted in 6/29, alemtuzumab was given to 8/29 and rituximab was givien to 2/29.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUVdIulPmc&feature=colike

So some of the Dr.'s came upi withsome conclusions:
1. Discontinuation of natalizumab, even in patients thought to have SPMS, may lead to anincrease in disease activity with increasing disability.
2. All patients who discontinue treatment should be monitored for signs of disease progression and should have surveillance imaging6 months after drug is stopped. Than Dr. Rana K Zabad had a graph to show what it is to do a Drug Holiday vs Alternate-Month Dosing of Natalizumab to Reduce the Risk of PML. It showed that the Drug Holiday from natalizumab, even with alternative therapiesis poorly tolerated. The every other month natalizumab is better tolerated than the drug holiday. But is not known if either approach reduces the risk of PML.

I thought thatI would explain about: What is PML?? The Tretment for PML.

What is PML?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a disease of the white matter of the brain, caused by a virus infection that targets cells that make myelin--the material that insulates nerve cells (neurons). Polyomavirus JC (often called JC virus) is carried by a majority of people and is harmless except among those with lowered immune defenses. The disease is rare and occurs in patients undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant, or individuals with cancer (such as Hodgkin’s disease or lymphoma). Individuals with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosis -- some of whom are treated with biological therapies that allow JC virus reactivation -- are at risk for PML as well.

PML is most common among individuals with HIV-1 infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Studies estimate that prior to effective antiretroviral therapy, as many as 5 percent of persons infected with HIV-1 eventually develop PML that is an AIDS-defining illness. However, current HIV therapy using antiretroviral drugs (ART), which effectively restores immune system function, allows as many as half of all HIV-PML patients to survive, although they may sometimes have an inflammatory reaction in the regions of the brain affected by PML.

The symptoms of PML are diverse, since they are related to the location and amount of damage in the brain, and may evolve over the course of several weeks to months The most prominent symptoms are clumsiness; progressive weakness; and visual, speech, and sometimes personality changes.Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a disease of the white matter of the brain, caused by a virus infection that targets cells that make myelin--the material that insulates nerve cells (neurons). Polyomavirus JC (often called JC virus) is carried by a majority of people and is harmless except among those with lowered immune defenses. The disease is rare and occurs in patients undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant, or individuals with cancer (such as Hodgkin’s disease or lymphoma).

Individuals with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosis -- some of whom are treated with biological therapies that allow JC virus reactivation -- are at risk for PML as well. PML is most common among individuals with HIV-1 infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Studies estimate that prior to effective antiretroviral therapy, as many as 5 percent of persons infected with HIV-1 eventually develop PML that is an AIDS-defining illness.

However, current HIV therapy using antiretroviral drugs (ART), which effectively restores immune system function, allows as many as half of all HIV-PML patients to survive, although they may sometimes have an inflammatory reaction in the regions of the brain affected by PML. The symptoms of PML are diverse, since they are related to the location and amount of damage in the brain, and may evolve over the course of several weeks to months The most prominent symptoms are clumsiness; progressive weakness; and visual, speech, and sometimes personality changes. The progression of deficits leads to life-threatening disability and (frequently) death. A diagnosis of PML can be made following brain biopsy or by combining observations of a progressive course of the disease, consistent white matter lesions visible on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and the detection of the JC virus in spinal fluid.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

34. James Eckburg and MS Teleconference Part 3

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Treaetment: Teleconference

Yesterday, Today and Tomorow Part 3

Natalizumab-Associated PML:

The Clinical Outcomes are as follows: 25/35 (71%) Patients survived; nonfatal cases:
- Were younger (median 40 vs 54 years)
- Had lower disablity prior to PML (EDSS: 3.5 vs 5.5)
- Had shorter time from PML symptom onset todiagnosis (mean 44 vs 63 days)

Now the Survival rates varied by region:
- In Europw 22/24 92%
- In the USA 3/11, 27%

Most (70%) fatal cases had widespread PML on the MRI

So in all cases, natalizumba dosing was withheld and most patients were treated by plasma exchange or similar technique to rapidly remove natalizumba.

Your Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrone was reported in most (91%) cases and was usually treated with high-dose corticosteroids.

The PML cases with 6month folow-up (48%) after diagnosis, 33% had mild, 33% moderate, and 33% sever disability.

So if you wanted to stop the Natalizumab Treatment was hard to do. They did a retrospective review of all the patients who stopped the natalizumab in (Dublin, Ireland). They found of the remaining 100, 29 patients discontinued due to:
- Physician's perceived failure of treatment: (10/29) 35%
- Patient choice: (11/29) 38%
-PML: 1/29 (3%)
- The change in diagnosis to NMO in 1 patient

So the average duration on treatment at cessation was 19 months.

Following treatment withdrawal (n=29):
- 24% relapsed
-27% patients developed new lesions on their MRI (7 associated with relapse)
- 9% had a large increase in disability with in 6 months of stopping treatment
----All had MRI scans, which showed enhancing lessions
----2 were thought to have SPMS at the time natalizumab was stopped.

Natalizumab was restarted in 6/29, alemtuzumab was given to 8/29 and rituximab was givien to 2/29.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUVdIulPmc&feature=colike

So some of the Dr.'s came upi withsome conclusions:
1. Discontinuation of natalizumab, even in patients thought to have SPMS, may lead to anincrease in disease activity with increasing disability.
2. All patients who discontinue treatment should be monitored for signs of disease progression and should have surveillance imaging6 months after drug is stopped. Than Dr. Rana K Zabad had a graph to show what it is to do a Drug Holiday vs Alternate-Month Dosing of Natalizumab to Reduce the Risk of PML. It showed that the Drug Holiday from natalizumab, even with alternative therapiesis poorly tolerated. The every other month natalizumab is better tolerated than the drug holiday. But is not known if either approach reduces the risk of PML.

I thought thatI would explain about: What is PML?? The Tretment for PML.

What is PML?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a disease of the white matter of the brain, caused by a virus infection that targets cells that make myelin--the material that insulates nerve cells (neurons). Polyomavirus JC (often called JC virus) is carried by a majority of people and is harmless except among those with lowered immune defenses. The disease is rare and occurs in patients undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant, or individuals with cancer (such as Hodgkin’s disease or lymphoma). Individuals with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosis -- some of whom are treated with biological therapies that allow JC virus reactivation -- are at risk for PML as well.

PML is most common among individuals with HIV-1 infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Studies estimate that prior to effective antiretroviral therapy, as many as 5 percent of persons infected with HIV-1 eventually develop PML that is an AIDS-defining illness. However, current HIV therapy using antiretroviral drugs (ART), which effectively restores immune system function, allows as many as half of all HIV-PML patients to survive, although they may sometimes have an inflammatory reaction in the regions of the brain affected by PML.

The symptoms of PML are diverse, since they are related to the location and amount of damage in the brain, and may evolve over the course of several weeks to months The most prominent symptoms are clumsiness; progressive weakness; and visual, speech, and sometimes personality changes.Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a disease of the white matter of the brain, caused by a virus infection that targets cells that make myelin--the material that insulates nerve cells (neurons). Polyomavirus JC (often called JC virus) is carried by a majority of people and is harmless except among those with lowered immune defenses. The disease is rare and occurs in patients undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant, or individuals with cancer (such as Hodgkin’s disease or lymphoma).

Individuals with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosis -- some of whom are treated with biological therapies that allow JC virus reactivation -- are at risk for PML as well. PML is most common among individuals with HIV-1 infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Studies estimate that prior to effective antiretroviral therapy, as many as 5 percent of persons infected with HIV-1 eventually develop PML that is an AIDS-defining illness.

However, current HIV therapy using antiretroviral drugs (ART), which effectively restores immune system function, allows as many as half of all HIV-PML patients to survive, although they may sometimes have an inflammatory reaction in the regions of the brain affected by PML. The symptoms of PML are diverse, since they are related to the location and amount of damage in the brain, and may evolve over the course of several weeks to months The most prominent symptoms are clumsiness; progressive weakness; and visual, speech, and sometimes personality changes. The progression of deficits leads to life-threatening disability and (frequently) death. A diagnosis of PML can be made following brain biopsy or by combining observations of a progressive course of the disease, consistent white matter lesions visible on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and the detection of the JC virus in spinal fluid.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

35. James Eckburg and MS Vitamin D andMultiple Sclerosis

James Eckburg and MS

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: an Update.

Abstract

Observational studies document a positive relationship between vitamin D from the environment (sunlight or diet), circulating vitamin D status, and improved symptoms or prevention of multiple sclerosis (MS). Experimental animal models of MS reproduce the beneficial effects of vitamin D and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The geographical distribution of MS can be explained by both the hygiene hypothesis and the vitamin D hypothesis. It therefore seems more likely that both hypotheses may be correct and that there are interactions between multiple environmental factors like vitamin D and the rate of infection that might explain the etiology of MS. The effects of vitamin D on the immune system and in the CNS have begun to be described and there is some information on the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in MS. A need exists for better understanding of the interactions of the environmental factors on MS, communication with the physicians treating MS patients as to the benefits of vitamin D, and clinical interventions with both vitamin D and analogs of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3).

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis:

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis.
Hayes CE, Cantorna MT, DeLuca HF.
Source

Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA.
Abstract

Recently, it has been clearly demonstrated that exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the hormonal form of vitamin D3, can completely prevent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely accepted mouse model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). This finding has focused attention on the possible relationship of this disease to vitamin D. Although genetic traits certainly contribute to MS susceptibility, an environmental factor is also clearly involved.

It is our hypothesis that one crucial environmental factor is the degree of sunlight exposure catalyzing the production of vitamin D3 in skin, and, further, that the hormonal form of vitamin D3 is a selective immune system regulator inhibiting this autoimmune disease. Thus, under low-sunlight conditions, insufficient Vitamin D3 is produced, limiting production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, providing a risk for MS. Although the evidence that vitamin D3 is a protective environmental factor against MS is circumstantial, it is compelling. This theory can explain the striking geographic distribution of MS, which is nearly zero in equatorial regions and increases dramatically with latitude in both hemispheres.

It can also explain two peculiar geographic anomalies, one in Switzerland with high MS rates at low altitudes and low MS rates at high altitudes, and one in Norway with a high MS prevalence inland and a lower MS prevalence along the coast. Ultraviolet (UV) light intensity is higher at high altitudes, resulting in a greater vitamin D3 synthetic rate, thereby accounting for low MS rates at higher altitudes. On the Norwegian coast, fish is consumed at high rates and fish oils are rich in vitamin D3. Further, experimental work on EAE provides strong support for the importance of vitamin D3 in reducing the risk and susceptibility for MS. If this hypothesis is correct, then 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or its analogs may have great therapeutic potential in patients with MS.

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qh-wXN578&feature=colike

More importantly, current research together with data from migration studies opens the possibility that MS may be preventable in genetically
susceptible individuals with early intervention strategies that provide adequate levels of hormonally active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or its analogs.

Little is known about the regulation of these (putative) 25-hydroxylases, but serum 25-OHD generally reflects the vitamin D nutritional status, and thus little feedback regulation is assumed. By contrast, there seems to be only one 25-OHD-1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), which is expressed at the highest concentration in the kidney, where its activity is regulated by calcium and phosphate as well as by their regulating hormones [calcium, PTH, calcitonin, GH, and IGF-I being positive regulators; phosphate, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and 1,25-(OH)2D itself being negative regulators] (reviewed in Ref. 13)

Vitamin D derives from nutritional origin or is synthesized in the skin under influence of UV-B light. This is a purely photochemical reaction, and no enzymes are involved. However, the reaction requires a sufficiently large concentration of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) and UV-B 290–315 nm light. This 7DHC is the normal last step in the de novo synthesis of cholesterol and is usually present in low concentrations, unless the activity of 7DHC-Δ7-reductase is high. Information on the regulation of this enzyme is limited, except that total absence causes cholesterol deficiency and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Increased activity of this enzyme (e.g., in feline species) eliminates the photoproduction of vitamin D, which then becomes a true vitamin. Vitamin D needs both 25- and 1α-hydroxylation to become the active hormone 1,25-(OH)2D. At least four enzymes, all microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms (CYP2DII, CYP2D25, CYP3A4, and CYP2R1), can accomplish the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D in human liver cells, but the low-capacity, high-affinity microsomal CYP2R1 is most likely the key enzyme because a homozygous mutation was found in a patient with classical rickets and low circulating 25-OHD levels (23). The first putative liver 25-hydroxylase was purified by Russell’s group (24) and later cloned and renamed as CYP27A1. This mitochondrial enzyme is, however, mainly involved in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and has only a low-affinity high-capacity 25-hydroxylase activity. CYP27A1 null mice and men therefore, exhibit (near) normal 25-OHD concentrations.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

36. James Eckburg and MS Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis

James Eckburg and MS

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: an Update.

Abstract

Observational studies document a positive relationship between vitamin D from the environment (sunlight or diet), circulating vitamin D status, and improved symptoms or prevention of multiple sclerosis (MS). Experimental animal models of MS reproduce the beneficial effects of vitamin D and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The geographical distribution of MS can be explained by both the hygiene hypothesis and the vitamin D hypothesis. It therefore seems more likely that both hypotheses may be correct and that there are interactions between multiple environmental factors like vitamin D and the rate of infection that might explain the etiology of MS. The effects of vitamin D on the immune system and in the CNS have begun to be described and there is some information on the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in MS. A need exists for better understanding of the interactions of the environmental factors on MS, communication with the physicians treating MS patients as to the benefits of vitamin D, and clinical interventions with both vitamin D and analogs of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3).

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis:

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis.
Hayes CE, Cantorna MT, DeLuca HF.
Source

Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA.
Abstract

Recently, it has been clearly demonstrated that exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the hormonal form of vitamin D3, can completely prevent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely accepted mouse model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). This finding has focused attention on the possible relationship of this disease to vitamin D. Although genetic traits certainly contribute to MS susceptibility, an environmental factor is also clearly involved.

It is our hypothesis that one crucial environmental factor is the degree of sunlight exposure catalyzing the production of vitamin D3 in skin, and, further, that the hormonal form of vitamin D3 is a selective immune system regulator inhibiting this autoimmune disease. Thus, under low-sunlight conditions, insufficient Vitamin D3 is produced, limiting production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, providing a risk for MS. Although the evidence that vitamin D3 is a protective environmental factor against MS is circumstantial, it is compelling. This theory can explain the striking geographic distribution of MS, which is nearly zero in equatorial regions and increases dramatically with latitude in both hemispheres.

It can also explain two peculiar geographic anomalies, one in Switzerland with high MS rates at low altitudes and low MS rates at high altitudes, and one in Norway with a high MS prevalence inland and a lower MS prevalence along the coast. Ultraviolet (UV) light intensity is higher at high altitudes, resulting in a greater vitamin D3 synthetic rate, thereby accounting for low MS rates at higher altitudes. On the Norwegian coast, fish is consumed at high rates and fish oils are rich in vitamin D3. Further, experimental work on EAE provides strong support for the importance of vitamin D3 in reducing the risk and susceptibility for MS. If this hypothesis is correct, then 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or its analogs may have great therapeutic potential in patients with MS.

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qh-wXN578&feature=colike

More importantly, current research together with data from migration studies opens the possibility that MS may be preventable in genetically
susceptible individuals with early intervention strategies that provide adequate levels of hormonally active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or its analogs.

Little is known about the regulation of these (putative) 25-hydroxylases, but serum 25-OHD generally reflects the vitamin D nutritional status, and thus little feedback regulation is assumed. By contrast, there seems to be only one 25-OHD-1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), which is expressed at the highest concentration in the kidney, where its activity is regulated by calcium and phosphate as well as by their regulating hormones [calcium, PTH, calcitonin, GH, and IGF-I being positive regulators; phosphate, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and 1,25-(OH)2D itself being negative regulators] (reviewed in Ref. 13)

Vitamin D derives from nutritional origin or is synthesized in the skin under influence of UV-B light. This is a purely photochemical reaction, and no enzymes are involved. However, the reaction requires a sufficiently large concentration of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) and UV-B 290–315 nm light. This 7DHC is the normal last step in the de novo synthesis of cholesterol and is usually present in low concentrations, unless the activity of 7DHC-Δ7-reductase is high. Information on the regulation of this enzyme is limited, except that total absence causes cholesterol deficiency and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Increased activity of this enzyme (e.g., in feline species) eliminates the photoproduction of vitamin D, which then becomes a true vitamin. Vitamin D needs both 25- and 1α-hydroxylation to become the active hormone 1,25-(OH)2D. At least four enzymes, all microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms (CYP2DII, CYP2D25, CYP3A4, and CYP2R1), can accomplish the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D in human liver cells, but the low-capacity, high-affinity microsomal CYP2R1 is most likely the key enzyme because a homozygous mutation was found in a patient with classical rickets and low circulating 25-OHD levels (23). The first putative liver 25-hydroxylase was purified by Russell’s group (24) and later cloned and renamed as CYP27A1. This mitochondrial enzyme is, however, mainly involved in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and has only a low-affinity high-capacity 25-hydroxylase activity. CYP27A1 null mice and men therefore, exhibit (near) normal 25-OHD concentrations.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

37. James Eckburg and MS Teleconference

James Eckburg and MS

On Monday night I listen to a teleconference about Research: Where are We Now, Where are We Going??

The topic of the conference was Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Yesterday, Today and Tomlorrow. The Docotr that was doing the conference was
Dr. Rana K. Zabad. She was an Assistant Professor Director, Multiple Sclerosis Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has received fellowship grants from:

- The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

- Biogen-Idec Canada

She also recieved honoraria for consultattions from Biogen-Idec, Bayer and Teva Neuroscience.

The Dr. Rana K. Zabad objectives for the conference was to bring up to date the new treatments and also give abrief history of how MS was treated. She explain what is happening in Multiple Sclersois research and what is new on the horizon. Learn what we know now about treatments that have come on the market in the last year. Learn how to connec with the clinical trails.

The First- Line of Therapies and Long Term Safety was talked about the "Oldies" and Goldies". The Dr. stress the safety was use in all of these trails that used the treatments.

The first one was Autoimmune thyroid disease in patients treated with interferon beta

Liver toxicity (5-20x Normal) in 1.4% treated patients

Hepatic failure in interferon beta < handful

No apparent increeased risks of malignancy

Than she talked about Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)

Let me give you some information about Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) as it has to do with Multiple Sclersois. Novantrone belongs to the general group
of medicines called antineoplastics. Prior to its approval for use in MS, it was used only to treat certain forms of cancer. It acts in MS by
suppressing the activity of T cells, B cells, and macrophages that are thought to lead the attack on the myelin sheath.

The use of Novantrone for the treatment of MS has been evaluated in a series of European studies over a period of ten years. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial involving patients with secondary-progressive or progressive-relapsing disease, participants received 12mg/m2 of Novantrone by short IV infusion once every three months for 24 months. Novantrone was found to delay the time to first treated relapse and time to disability progression. It also reduced the number of treated relapses and number of new lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

She talked about two parts the first one being:
Acute and chronic heart failure, cumulative dose 140 mg/m2:
--The risk is about 12 percent for Heart damage and less thatn 50% percent for failure.
--For every eight people given Mitoxantrone for Multiple Sclerosis, one will develop heart damage. The Heart damage may lead to Heart failute.

FDA recommendations:
--Base line echocardiogram
--Echocardiofram prior to each infusion
--Yearly echocardiogram indefinitely

Now I will shasre with you some more information from FDA.

Approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Based on findings from these studies, the FDA approved Novantrone in for reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses (attacks) in:
Patients with secondary progressive MS (disease that has changed from relapsing-remitting to progressive at a variable rate) Progressive-relapsing MS (disease characterized by gradual increase in disability from onset with clear, acute relapses along the way); Worsening relapsing-remitting MS (disease characterized by clinical attacks without complete remission, resulting in a step-wise worsening of disability.

Note: Novantrone has not been approved for the treatment of primary-progressive MS (characterized by progression from disease onset with no acute attacks or remissions).

Now she talked about Therapy-related acute Leukemia can occur:
-- While patients is receiving Mitox years after receiving mitox
-- For every 123 patients treated with mitox, 1 will develop leukemia.

Approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Based on findings from these studies, the FDA approved Novantrone in for reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses (attacks) in:
Patients with secondary progressive MS (disease that has changed from relapsing-remitting to progressive at a variable rate) Progressive-relapsing MS (disease characterized by gradual increase in disability from onset with clear, acute relapses along the way); Worsening relapsing-remitting MS (disease characterized by clinical attacks without complete remission, resulting in a step-wise worsening of disability.

Note: Novantrone has not been approved for the treatment of primary-progressive MS (characterized by progression from disease onset with no acute attacks or remissions).

Proper Usage

Warnings and Precautions

In response to post-marketing findings, the FDA has added a black box warning to the prescribing information for this medication:
Cardiotoxicity
Prior to the start of treatment, a person should be carefully evaluated (by examination and medical history) for signs and symptoms of heart disease.
A baseline evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) should be performed.
A person whose LVEF is lower than 50% should not be given Novantrone.
LVEF should be re-tested prior to each dose of Novantrone.
Any person whose LVEF changes significantly or drops below 50% should have no further Novantrone treatments.
The factors that are known to increase a person’s risk for cardiotoxicity with Novantrone are:
1. Current or prior history of heart disease
2. Simultaneous use of other medications that can damage the heart
3. previous therapy with certain kinds of chemotherapies (anthracyclines or anthracenediones)

Secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
AML, a type of cancer, has been reported in MS patients and cancer patients treated with Novantrone. In one group of MS patients treated with Novantrone, two out of 802 patients (.25%) developed AML. The risk of leukemia following treatment with Novantrone is increased for patients who have been treated with other types of chemotherapies called anthracyclines. Because post-marketing data collection is not controlled in any way,it is not possible to determine the exact risk for a person with MS of developing AML following treatment with Novantrone.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular intervals to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

While being treated with this medication, and during the period following treatment, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) with live virus vaccines without your doctor’s approval. Mitoxantrone may lower your body’s resistance to infection, making you susceptible to the infection that the immunization is designed to help you avoid. Neither you nor anyone in your household should take the oral polio vaccine.

If possible, avoid people with infections. Contact your physician if you think you are getting an infection, or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

When receiving Novantrone, it is important for your physician to know if you are taking any of the following:
Amphotericin B by injection
Antithyroid agents
Azathioprine
Chloramphenicol
Colchicine
Flucytosine
Ganciclovir
Plicamycin
Probenecid
Sulfinpyrazone
Zidovudine
or if you have previously been treated with:
-radiation
-other cancer medications

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Novantrone. Let your doctor know if you have any of the following:
chicken pox or recent exposure to it
herpes zoster (shingles)
gout or history of gout
kidney stones
heart disease
liver disease

The fluid for infusion is dark blue and may cause your urine to become blue-green in color for a period of 24 hours after each administration.

The whites of the eyes may also appear bluish in color.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intending to have children. This medicine may cause birth defects if either the man or woman is receiving it at the time of conception. A pregnancy test is recommended prior to each treatment for women of child-bearing age. Many medications of this type can cause permanent sterility. Be sure you have discussed this with your physician before taking this medication.

Novantrone is excreted in human milk. Breast-feeding should be discontinued before a woman starts treatment.

A higher incidence of leukemia has been reported in cancer patients, previously treated with chemotherapy, who were then treated with higher doses of Novantrone than is prescribed for treating MS.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

38. James Eckburg and MS Teleconference

James Eckburg and MS

On Monday night I listen to a teleconference about Research: Where are We Now, Where are We Going??

The topic of the conference was Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Yesterday, Today and Tomlorrow. The Docotr that was doing the conference was
Dr. Rana K. Zabad. She was an Assistant Professor Director, Multiple Sclerosis Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has received fellowship grants from:

- The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

- Biogen-Idec Canada

She also recieved honoraria for consultattions from Biogen-Idec, Bayer and Teva Neuroscience.

The Dr. Rana K. Zabad objectives for the conference was to bring up to date the new treatments and also give abrief history of how MS was treated. She explain what is happening in Multiple Sclersois research and what is new on the horizon. Learn what we know now about treatments that have come on the market in the last year. Learn how to connec with the clinical trails.

The First- Line of Therapies and Long Term Safety was talked about the "Oldies" and Goldies". The Dr. stress the safety was use in all of these trails that used the treatments.

The first one was Autoimmune thyroid disease in patients treated with interferon beta

Liver toxicity (5-20x Normal) in 1.4% treated patients

Hepatic failure in interferon beta < handful

No apparent increeased risks of malignancy

Than she talked about Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)

Let me give you some information about Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) as it has to do with Multiple Sclersois. Novantrone belongs to the general group
of medicines called antineoplastics. Prior to its approval for use in MS, it was used only to treat certain forms of cancer. It acts in MS by
suppressing the activity of T cells, B cells, and macrophages that are thought to lead the attack on the myelin sheath.

The use of Novantrone for the treatment of MS has been evaluated in a series of European studies over a period of ten years. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial involving patients with secondary-progressive or progressive-relapsing disease, participants received 12mg/m2 of Novantrone by short IV infusion once every three months for 24 months. Novantrone was found to delay the time to first treated relapse and time to disability progression. It also reduced the number of treated relapses and number of new lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

She talked about two parts the first one being:
Acute and chronic heart failure, cumulative dose 140 mg/m2:
--The risk is about 12 percent for Heart damage and less thatn 50% percent for failure.
--For every eight people given Mitoxantrone for Multiple Sclerosis, one will develop heart damage. The Heart damage may lead to Heart failute.

FDA recommendations:
--Base line echocardiogram
--Echocardiofram prior to each infusion
--Yearly echocardiogram indefinitely

Now I will shasre with you some more information from FDA.

Approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Based on findings from these studies, the FDA approved Novantrone in for reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses (attacks) in:
Patients with secondary progressive MS (disease that has changed from relapsing-remitting to progressive at a variable rate) Progressive-relapsing MS (disease characterized by gradual increase in disability from onset with clear, acute relapses along the way); Worsening relapsing-remitting MS (disease characterized by clinical attacks without complete remission, resulting in a step-wise worsening of disability.

Note: Novantrone has not been approved for the treatment of primary-progressive MS (characterized by progression from disease onset with no acute attacks or remissions).

Now she talked about Therapy-related acute Leukemia can occur:
-- While patients is receiving Mitox years after receiving mitox
-- For every 123 patients treated with mitox, 1 will develop leukemia.

Approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Based on findings from these studies, the FDA approved Novantrone in for reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses (attacks) in:
Patients with secondary progressive MS (disease that has changed from relapsing-remitting to progressive at a variable rate) Progressive-relapsing MS (disease characterized by gradual increase in disability from onset with clear, acute relapses along the way); Worsening relapsing-remitting MS (disease characterized by clinical attacks without complete remission, resulting in a step-wise worsening of disability.

Note: Novantrone has not been approved for the treatment of primary-progressive MS (characterized by progression from disease onset with no acute attacks or remissions).

Proper Usage

Warnings and Precautions

In response to post-marketing findings, the FDA has added a black box warning to the prescribing information for this medication:
Cardiotoxicity
Prior to the start of treatment, a person should be carefully evaluated (by examination and medical history) for signs and symptoms of heart disease.
A baseline evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) should be performed.
A person whose LVEF is lower than 50% should not be given Novantrone.
LVEF should be re-tested prior to each dose of Novantrone.
Any person whose LVEF changes significantly or drops below 50% should have no further Novantrone treatments.
The factors that are known to increase a person’s risk for cardiotoxicity with Novantrone are:
1. Current or prior history of heart disease
2. Simultaneous use of other medications that can damage the heart
3. previous therapy with certain kinds of chemotherapies (anthracyclines or anthracenediones)

Secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
AML, a type of cancer, has been reported in MS patients and cancer patients treated with Novantrone. In one group of MS patients treated with Novantrone, two out of 802 patients (.25%) developed AML. The risk of leukemia following treatment with Novantrone is increased for patients who have been treated with other types of chemotherapies called anthracyclines. Because post-marketing data collection is not controlled in any way,it is not possible to determine the exact risk for a person with MS of developing AML following treatment with Novantrone.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular intervals to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

While being treated with this medication, and during the period following treatment, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) with live virus vaccines without your doctor’s approval. Mitoxantrone may lower your body’s resistance to infection, making you susceptible to the infection that the immunization is designed to help you avoid. Neither you nor anyone in your household should take the oral polio vaccine.

If possible, avoid people with infections. Contact your physician if you think you are getting an infection, or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

When receiving Novantrone, it is important for your physician to know if you are taking any of the following:
Amphotericin B by injection
Antithyroid agents
Azathioprine
Chloramphenicol
Colchicine
Flucytosine
Ganciclovir
Plicamycin
Probenecid
Sulfinpyrazone
Zidovudine
or if you have previously been treated with:
-radiation
-other cancer medications

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Novantrone. Let your doctor know if you have any of the following:
chicken pox or recent exposure to it
herpes zoster (shingles)
gout or history of gout
kidney stones
heart disease
liver disease

The fluid for infusion is dark blue and may cause your urine to become blue-green in color for a period of 24 hours after each administration.

The whites of the eyes may also appear bluish in color.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intending to have children. This medicine may cause birth defects if either the man or woman is receiving it at the time of conception. A pregnancy test is recommended prior to each treatment for women of child-bearing age. Many medications of this type can cause permanent sterility. Be sure you have discussed this with your physician before taking this medication.

Novantrone is excreted in human milk. Breast-feeding should be discontinued before a woman starts treatment.

A higher incidence of leukemia has been reported in cancer patients, previously treated with chemotherapy, who were then treated with higher doses of Novantrone than is prescribed for treating MS.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

39. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS

Marketing Also posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Is the End Near for Traditional Advertising?
Original article at Entrepreneur
By Mikal E. Belicove

The demise of in-your-face marketing and advertising is close at hand, to be replaced by what Facebooks Paul Adams terms a form of advertising that depends on many lightweight interactions over time.

Adams is Facebooks Global Brand Experience Manager, a job that allows him to spend the balance of his day researching and designing better ways for businesses and people to communicate and interact. Before that, he was a senior user experience researcher at Google.

Adams claims that to really reach todays consumers, companies and brands will need to build relationships with them rather than simply grabbing their attention or utilizing disruptions as an advertising tool. In other words, marketers should be progressive rather than aggressive, adding a fifth P, and stands for Participation, to the traditional marketing mix of Product, Price, Place and Promotion.

Much like the way we develop friendships over a period of time, an entire generation of advertisers will need to plan their marketing scenarios around the concept of building relationships. We often meet new acquaintances through friends. We chat them up, maybe catch them later at a party with other mutual acquaintances, discover we have similar interests, and, before you know it, we are all packed up and off on a weekend ski trip together in Vermont.

We should build our relationships with potential clients and customers the same way. And we can begin that process by subtly promoting our brands in passing, as an aside to a bigger discussion or conversation. Like Adams says, lightweight, not heavyweight. With the advent of the World Wide Web, there is so much information out there for us to absorb and so little time to absorb it. As a result, the best way to introduce new products, content or ideas to consumers will be seamlessly, naturally and subtly through word-of-mouth interactions.

Adams believes, as I do, that within a few years, the web will need to evolve to become more personalized to our own requirements. Websites need to contain information that is more relevant to our very particular wants, desires and needs. This personalization, fostered by a social fabric that is woven throughout the user experience online, needs to seamlessly greet visitors with information about what their friends and associates are watching, reading, recommending, commenting on and more. Further, it should move to replace random display ads, pop-up messages or banner advertisements. Those direct, heavyweight, ads will fall by the wayside, like so many other obsolete processes and technologies.

Adams goes so far as to say heavy-handed commercial content does not sit well with consumers, because it is not part of real life. While I would not go that far (think about Clint Eastwoods, Halftime in America Super Bowl commercial), I do believe that personalized interactions, especially ones that reflect a trust and a willingness to listen to one anothers opinions, will go a long way toward sealing the deal.

Community

And here is some community information for people who think outside the box. You will gain valuable information on marketing.

Marketing can happen for you, if you are motivated. Now, this marketing community that is where you can work and gather as much information that you need to succeed. The community name is Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community and is located at this address http://tomorrowshomebusiness.ning.com.

In this marketing community, the business entrepreneur will be able to read blogs and watch videos for business, or just for pleasure. With a few RSS feeds coming to the main page, the entrepreneur can even stay informed of what is happening in marketing and around the world. There is something here in this community for everyone.

Groups like the Maniac Marketers come in and post their blogs in the community, giving valuable information for their Health and Wellness businesses. If you would rather watch videos of the TriVita videos, you can do that, too. Or if you just want to hang out and relax, you can do that, too! There are many music videos like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and Seasick Steve! Or if you want to learn about handcrafts or see the equally oldest Ford antique car, a 1903 Model A Ford, you can do that, too! Or maybe you need an inspirational video clip! There are many choices of inspirational clips, such as Al Pacinos locker room speech in Any Given Sunday, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace motivating the Scottish men men before battle in Braveheart; or Sylvester Stalone as Rocky and how he motivates himself in the boxing ring, or even his inspirational conversation with his son, and who can forget those chants for Rudy in the movie Rudy!

A marketing community for people wanting to find out more information on how to market their own work at home business.

After doing some research I found this atricle on the web by my frieind Terry Allison and I think he did a great job with this article. I do not think it could have been said any better. This isthe leadership you will find in tomorowshomebusiness.ning.com.

Reposted by James Eckburg

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

40. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS

Marketing Also posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Is the End Near for Traditional Advertising?
Original article at Entrepreneur
By Mikal E. Belicove

The demise of in-your-face marketing and advertising is close at hand, to be replaced by what Facebooks Paul Adams terms a form of advertising that depends on many lightweight interactions over time.

Adams is Facebooks Global Brand Experience Manager, a job that allows him to spend the balance of his day researching and designing better ways for businesses and people to communicate and interact. Before that, he was a senior user experience researcher at Google.

Adams claims that to really reach todays consumers, companies and brands will need to build relationships with them rather than simply grabbing their attention or utilizing disruptions as an advertising tool. In other words, marketers should be progressive rather than aggressive, adding a fifth P, and stands for Participation, to the traditional marketing mix of Product, Price, Place and Promotion.

Much like the way we develop friendships over a period of time, an entire generation of advertisers will need to plan their marketing scenarios around the concept of building relationships. We often meet new acquaintances through friends. We chat them up, maybe catch them later at a party with other mutual acquaintances, discover we have similar interests, and, before you know it, we are all packed up and off on a weekend ski trip together in Vermont.

We should build our relationships with potential clients and customers the same way. And we can begin that process by subtly promoting our brands in passing, as an aside to a bigger discussion or conversation. Like Adams says, lightweight, not heavyweight. With the advent of the World Wide Web, there is so much information out there for us to absorb and so little time to absorb it. As a result, the best way to introduce new products, content or ideas to consumers will be seamlessly, naturally and subtly through word-of-mouth interactions.

Adams believes, as I do, that within a few years, the web will need to evolve to become more personalized to our own requirements. Websites need to contain information that is more relevant to our very particular wants, desires and needs. This personalization, fostered by a social fabric that is woven throughout the user experience online, needs to seamlessly greet visitors with information about what their friends and associates are watching, reading, recommending, commenting on and more. Further, it should move to replace random display ads, pop-up messages or banner advertisements. Those direct, heavyweight, ads will fall by the wayside, like so many other obsolete processes and technologies.

Adams goes so far as to say heavy-handed commercial content does not sit well with consumers, because it is not part of real life. While I would not go that far (think about Clint Eastwoods, Halftime in America Super Bowl commercial), I do believe that personalized interactions, especially ones that reflect a trust and a willingness to listen to one anothers opinions, will go a long way toward sealing the deal.

Community

And here is some community information for people who think outside the box. You will gain valuable information on marketing.

Marketing can happen for you, if you are motivated. Now, this marketing community that is where you can work and gather as much information that you need to succeed. The community name is Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community and is located at this address http://tomorrowshomebusiness.ning.com.

In this marketing community, the business entrepreneur will be able to read blogs and watch videos for business, or just for pleasure. With a few RSS feeds coming to the main page, the entrepreneur can even stay informed of what is happening in marketing and around the world. There is something here in this community for everyone.

Groups like the Maniac Marketers come in and post their blogs in the community, giving valuable information for their Health and Wellness businesses. If you would rather watch videos of the TriVita videos, you can do that, too. Or if you just want to hang out and relax, you can do that, too! There are many music videos like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and Seasick Steve! Or if you want to learn about handcrafts or see the equally oldest Ford antique car, a 1903 Model A Ford, you can do that, too! Or maybe you need an inspirational video clip! There are many choices of inspirational clips, such as Al Pacinos locker room speech in Any Given Sunday, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace motivating the Scottish men men before battle in Braveheart; or Sylvester Stalone as Rocky and how he motivates himself in the boxing ring, or even his inspirational conversation with his son, and who can forget those chants for Rudy in the movie Rudy!

A marketing community for people wanting to find out more information on how to market their own work at home business.

After doing some research I found this atricle on the web by my frieind Terry Allison and I think he did a great job with this article. I do not think it could have been said any better. This isthe leadership you will find in tomorowshomebusiness.ning.com.

Reposted by James Eckburg

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

41. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and MS

Inflammation in Multiptle Sclerosis

Inflammation appears at diseased area.

Just how inflammation relates to numerous conditions, whether it is a cause, effect, or innocent bystander, is nevertheless unclear. However, we see that elevated inflammation markers are a threat factor for a lot of of the most usual diseases of aging. And research suggests that dietary manipulation and other lifestyle changes can lowerinflammation and additional risk factors for disease.

Most of the time, in the early stages of MS, these inflammatory attacks occur over short intervals of acutely heightened disease activity. These episodes are followed by periods of recovery and remission. During the remission period, the local swelling in the nervous system lesion resolves, the immune cells become less active or inactive, and the myelin-producing cells remyelinate the axons. Nerve signaling improves, and the disability caused by the inflammation becomes less severe or goes away entirely. This phase of the disease is called relapsing-remitting MS(RRMS). The lesions do not all heal completely, though. Some remain as “chronic” lesions, which usually have a demyelinated core region which lacks immune cells. Over time, the cells in the center of such lesions mostly die, although inflammation often continues at their edges. People believed for many years that mainly the myelin was destroyed during the acute attacks and the axons were spared. Recent research has shown this is not the case. Even from the very beginning of MS onset, some of the nerve fibers that cross the lesion are damaged to the point that the axons are severed. This is fatal to the neuron. Broken axons in the brain cannot grow back. The axon eventually degenerates, and the cell body of the neuron may die.

Inflammation, according to scientific wisdom, is one common thread in a body's response to a painful injury.

Inflammation could be classified as both acute or chronic.

Acute inflammation is the first answer of the body to injurious stimuli and is achieved by the amplified movement of plasma and leukocytes (especially granulocytes ) from the blood into the injured tissues. A cascade of biochemical actions propagates and matures the inflammatory reaction, concerning the local vascular system, the immune system, and countless cells within the injured tissue.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Most MS patients follow a relapsing-remitting course (RR-MS) for 8 to 15 years that transforms into a secondary progressive disease course (SP-MS). In this review, we discuss current data that describe MS as a neurodegenerative disease in which axonal loss is the major cause of irreversible neurological disability in MS patients. Neurological deficits in MS patients have two pathogeneses: acute inflammatory demyelination and axonal degeneration. Disability caused by inflammatory demyelination clinically dominates the early stages of RR-MS and is reversible. Axonal transection occurs at sites of inflammation and begins at disease onset but is clinically silent in RR-MS because the CNS compensates for neuronal loss. Once a threshold of axon loss is ex ceeded, MS patients enter an irreversible secondary progressive stage. In SP-MS, axonal degeneration is caused by chronic demyelination and may be irreversibly progressive. This view of MS provides a concep tional framework that explains conversion of RR-MS to SP-MS and provides a rationale for early aggressive anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective therapies. NEUROSCIENTIST 5:48-57, 1999

Chronic inflammation or prolonged inflammation leads to a progressive change in the kind of cells existing at the location of inflammation and is characterized by immediate destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory procedure. Multiple Sclerosis: this is a tough one. MS has been described as an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. According to Professor V Hugh Perry, the macrophage population in MS brains are much more activated than in others, and that inflammations can be further amplified with age, injuries, infections, and surgeries.

Devoid of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal. Likewise, progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the creature. However, chronic inflammation can also advance to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, periodontitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer (e.g., gallbladder carcinoma). It is for that reason that inflammation is normally closely regulated by the body.

< inflammation="" is="" characterized="" by="" the="" following="" quintet="" of="" symptoms:="" redness,="" heat,="" swelling,="" pain="" and="" dysfunction="" organs="" involved.="" Several conditions, such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, and auto-immune disorders, have an obvious inflammatory component. However, chronic, low-level inflammation (sometimes referred to as systemic or silent inflammation) has now been associated with diseases ranging from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to depression, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis. Inflammation also appears to be a important factor in skin aging and other noticeable signs of aging.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

42. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckbugr and MS

Reposted by James Eckburg

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

How to Lose Those Winter Blues

Tis the Season...

Winter is the season for an especially disabling form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is characterized by sadness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, as are many forms of depression. But SAD is not triggered by loss or conflicted thinking. Rather, SAD is brought on by a change in brain chemistry associated with insufficient sunlight.

Sunlight promotes health in our body and mind. It is intrinsically linked to sleep, the more bright sunshine you get in the morning, the better you will sleep at night. Sunshine connects with cholesterol in your skin to form Vitamin D. Good sleep and sufficient Vitamin D are associated with true wellness.

Is the sun our enemy?

Humans have existed on Earth for many thousands of years. Until recently, we spent our days in the sun. Humans are diurnal; we are awake in the daytime and asleep at night. We are designed to live in sunlight. Our skin interacts with sunlight to create Vitamin D, our eyes interact with sunlight to deepen the sleep cycle, and our brain interacts with sunlight to balance brain chemistry and promote a happy mood.

Healthy levels of Vitamin D, deep sleep and a happy mood are all good for us. So it stands to reason that sunlight would be good for us too, right?

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The dark side of light Sunlight activates melanocytes. These are pigment-containing cells in our skin that help protect us from too much sun by turning dark. Most people will tan or darken in the sun. If sun exposure is prolonged or too intense for this melanocyte system, we will burn.

Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative stress similar to radiation burns from a nuclear bomb. And why not? The sun itself is a huge nuclear furnace. This radiation burn will start a chain reaction in the melanocyte and other cells. This may lead to cancer in a year or two or in a decade or two. Oxidative stress from sunburn is insidious and relentless.

Where is the balance The increase in insomnia and seasonal depression tells us that we are not getting enough early morning sun. We need more sunlight. So, how do we make it safe?

First, recognize the need for sun and the need for caution. Plan your sun exposure so that you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. For instance, get your sunlight early in the day. Early morning sunlight does not have the intense ultra-violet rays that midday sun does. So, take a 20-minute walk in the early part of the day with your skin exposed to sunlight. This will give you the benefits without the risks of overexposure.

Alternately, take a 20-minute walk in the evening with your skin exposed to sunlight. There are fewer UV rays in the evening than at midday, though more than in the morning. This will have a less dramatic effect than morning sun but will still provide you with many of the same benefits.

Never expose your skin to midday sun for long periods of time. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Light and other therapies Under the direction of a competent physician, light boxes, exercise and certain medications can be used to treat SAD. A light box is a bright, full-spectrum light that triggers the same response in your brain as early morning sunlight. Exercise also works well. An exercise prescription often has a person doing an aerobic workout for an hour or more in indirect sunlight. Medications have not been shown to effectively treat serious cases of SAD, though one drug may help prevent relapses once the problem is in remission.

Nutrients have a role in recovery from SAD as well. For example, melatonin in the afternoon is helpful in relieving SAD. Other nutrients of interest are Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D. All three nutrients are contained in TriVitas Bone Growth Factor, though most adults will need to take their B-12 sublingually to gain much benefit. Exercise produces chemicals in your brain called endorphins. These anti-depressant chemicals are built upon the amino acid l-Phenylalanine (LPA). LPA is contained in Energy Now.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea are also useful in many forms of depression. However, nothing is as important for relieving SAD as sunlight. For most of us, sunlight may be the difference between vitality and poor health, even between life and death! Get your sunlight, but be careful: too much of a good thing can always turn out bad.

Take Control of Your Health

Get your sun exposure early in the day Alternately, get your sun exposure in the evening Never get sunburned Use a light box when directed by your physician Take melatonin supplements in the afternoon Perform aerobic exercise for one hour in indirect sunlight Take LPA with a little juice Use EFA and Rhodiola for a healthy foundation

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Other health related articles.

Posted by

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

43. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckbugr and MS

Reposted by James Eckburg

B-12 Vitamins

Originally posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

How to Lose Those Winter Blues

Tis the Season...

Winter is the season for an especially disabling form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is characterized by sadness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, as are many forms of depression. But SAD is not triggered by loss or conflicted thinking. Rather, SAD is brought on by a change in brain chemistry associated with insufficient sunlight.

Sunlight promotes health in our body and mind. It is intrinsically linked to sleep, the more bright sunshine you get in the morning, the better you will sleep at night. Sunshine connects with cholesterol in your skin to form Vitamin D. Good sleep and sufficient Vitamin D are associated with true wellness.

Is the sun our enemy?

Humans have existed on Earth for many thousands of years. Until recently, we spent our days in the sun. Humans are diurnal; we are awake in the daytime and asleep at night. We are designed to live in sunlight. Our skin interacts with sunlight to create Vitamin D, our eyes interact with sunlight to deepen the sleep cycle, and our brain interacts with sunlight to balance brain chemistry and promote a happy mood.

Healthy levels of Vitamin D, deep sleep and a happy mood are all good for us. So it stands to reason that sunlight would be good for us too, right?

Take the Wellness Challenge.

The dark side of light Sunlight activates melanocytes. These are pigment-containing cells in our skin that help protect us from too much sun by turning dark. Most people will tan or darken in the sun. If sun exposure is prolonged or too intense for this melanocyte system, we will burn.

Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative stress similar to radiation burns from a nuclear bomb. And why not? The sun itself is a huge nuclear furnace. This radiation burn will start a chain reaction in the melanocyte and other cells. This may lead to cancer in a year or two or in a decade or two. Oxidative stress from sunburn is insidious and relentless.

Where is the balance The increase in insomnia and seasonal depression tells us that we are not getting enough early morning sun. We need more sunlight. So, how do we make it safe?

First, recognize the need for sun and the need for caution. Plan your sun exposure so that you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. For instance, get your sunlight early in the day. Early morning sunlight does not have the intense ultra-violet rays that midday sun does. So, take a 20-minute walk in the early part of the day with your skin exposed to sunlight. This will give you the benefits without the risks of overexposure.

Alternately, take a 20-minute walk in the evening with your skin exposed to sunlight. There are fewer UV rays in the evening than at midday, though more than in the morning. This will have a less dramatic effect than morning sun but will still provide you with many of the same benefits.

Never expose your skin to midday sun for long periods of time. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears.

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Light and other therapies Under the direction of a competent physician, light boxes, exercise and certain medications can be used to treat SAD. A light box is a bright, full-spectrum light that triggers the same response in your brain as early morning sunlight. Exercise also works well. An exercise prescription often has a person doing an aerobic workout for an hour or more in indirect sunlight. Medications have not been shown to effectively treat serious cases of SAD, though one drug may help prevent relapses once the problem is in remission.

Nutrients have a role in recovery from SAD as well. For example, melatonin in the afternoon is helpful in relieving SAD. Other nutrients of interest are Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D. All three nutrients are contained in TriVitas Bone Growth Factor, though most adults will need to take their B-12 sublingually to gain much benefit. Exercise produces chemicals in your brain called endorphins. These anti-depressant chemicals are built upon the amino acid l-Phenylalanine (LPA). LPA is contained in Energy Now.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea are also useful in many forms of depression. However, nothing is as important for relieving SAD as sunlight. For most of us, sunlight may be the difference between vitality and poor health, even between life and death! Get your sunlight, but be careful: too much of a good thing can always turn out bad.

Take Control of Your Health

Get your sun exposure early in the day Alternately, get your sun exposure in the evening Never get sunburned Use a light box when directed by your physician Take melatonin supplements in the afternoon Perform aerobic exercise for one hour in indirect sunlight Take LPA with a little juice Use EFA and Rhodiola for a healthy foundation

Take the Wellness Challenge.

Other health related articles.

Posted by

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

44. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and MS

Marketing Blog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DUqWkvzI7U&feature=colike

On the Marketing Blog, How to Grow a Business, we dig in deep to find out different aspects of marketing and advertising a business that can, and will amplify your success rate, no matter what type of business that you are trying to create. There are specific and simple ways that you can implement right now today, and not have to be some type of Internet marketing legend to make that happen.

The key to all of the processes that we teach and mentor people in how to do is based on just one thing. SIMPLICITY! The old saying of "Keep It Simple Stupid!" applies very well to marketing any business on the Internet, or even an offline business, as well. It is amazing to watch people over analyze, over work, over advertise and over do almost every aspect of marketing. They seem to be drawn to the art of self destruction and burnout. They may believe that they must work 20 hour days to achieve great results. It does not have to be this way at all, and as a matter of fact, just a few simple posts to you Twitter,Facebook, target="new page">MySpace or other social media that you happen to like, will prove more effective that simply blasting out your ads to two billion locations for free! Well thought out articles on subjects that people like to read about, or watch videos concerning, will lead many people to you naturally and almost effortlessly.

Many people in this business are susceptible to the age old disease called "Internet Over Analyzing." I have seen this malady affect intelligent people so badly, that they will literally quit and not make one progressive move simply because they are out there on the Internet reading, studying, evaluation and analyzing what the gurus are doing and saying, but in reality, they are not DOING anything at all! Hey, even if you do this wrong, you can be a success. You do not have to do anything but just jump right in with the rest of us, and take your best shot. You may find out that you do have a niche market that someone is looking for.

As we say at the Internet Marketing Agency, "anyone can learn to build a business." We are here to help anyone with that type of desire to take their shot and become a success on the net. As a matter of fact, if you have just 184 pennies to spend per day, we will teach and provide you everything you need to know!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

45. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and MS

Marketing Blog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DUqWkvzI7U&feature=colike

On the Marketing Blog, How to Grow a Business, we dig in deep to find out different aspects of marketing and advertising a business that can, and will amplify your success rate, no matter what type of business that you are trying to create. There are specific and simple ways that you can implement right now today, and not have to be some type of Internet marketing legend to make that happen.

The key to all of the processes that we teach and mentor people in how to do is based on just one thing. SIMPLICITY! The old saying of "Keep It Simple Stupid!" applies very well to marketing any business on the Internet, or even an offline business, as well. It is amazing to watch people over analyze, over work, over advertise and over do almost every aspect of marketing. They seem to be drawn to the art of self destruction and burnout. They may believe that they must work 20 hour days to achieve great results. It does not have to be this way at all, and as a matter of fact, just a few simple posts to you Twitter,Facebook, target="new page">MySpace or other social media that you happen to like, will prove more effective that simply blasting out your ads to two billion locations for free! Well thought out articles on subjects that people like to read about, or watch videos concerning, will lead many people to you naturally and almost effortlessly.

Many people in this business are susceptible to the age old disease called "Internet Over Analyzing." I have seen this malady affect intelligent people so badly, that they will literally quit and not make one progressive move simply because they are out there on the Internet reading, studying, evaluation and analyzing what the gurus are doing and saying, but in reality, they are not DOING anything at all! Hey, even if you do this wrong, you can be a success. You do not have to do anything but just jump right in with the rest of us, and take your best shot. You may find out that you do have a niche market that someone is looking for.

As we say at the Internet Marketing Agency, "anyone can learn to build a business." We are here to help anyone with that type of desire to take their shot and become a success on the net. As a matter of fact, if you have just 184 pennies to spend per day, we will teach and provide you everything you need to know!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

46. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and MS

Reposted by James Eckburg

Marketing

Also posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Great Customer Service Captures a Consumer

Original article at About.com

By Laura Lake

Customer service is the key to turning a prospective buyer into a customer. Often, people think that the buying choice is made via price, but nothing could be further from the truth.

When you provide exceptional customer service a customer is willing to pay more for that service.

Take for example BMW, the BMW vehicle is an amazing car and let me put a disclaimer here. And yes, I own one. Now, with the disclaimer out there let me explain to you why I bought a BMW. It is true I went and test drove the car because of the amazing reviews, but I purchased the car because of the service. When I go to my local BMW dealership to have service done, I pull the car into the service garage, they take the key and I am escorted into the service area where I am greeted promptly. Everyone in that dealership smiles and says hello. They always take care of me and my car and they never return my car back to me dirty.

I could have purchased a car that was a lot less expensive than a BMW, but I bought the BMW experience and this is my second one and I have no regrets.

That is just one example of how great customer service can sell a consumer on your product or service and make the price a secondary thought rather than the primary.

How is your customer service? Are you creating loyal customers or pushing them into the arms of your competitor?

Community

And here is some community information for people who think outside the box. You will gain valuable information on marketing.

Marketing can happen for you, if you are motivated. Now, this marketing community that is where you can work and gather as much information that you need to succeed. The community name is Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community and is located at this address http://tomorrowshomebusiness.ning.com.

In this marketing community, the business entrepreneur will be able to read blogs and watch videos for business, or just for pleasure. With a few RSS feeds coming to the main page, the entrepreneur can even stay informed of what is happening in marketing and around the world. There is something here in this community for everyone.

Groups like the Maniac Marketers come in and post their blogs in the community, giving valuable information for their Health and Wellness businesses. If you would rather watch videos of the TriVita videos, you can do that, too. Or if you just want to hang out and relax, you can do that, too! There are many music videos like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and Seasick Steve! Or if you want to learn about handcrafts or see the equally oldest Ford antique car, a 1903 Model A Ford, you can do that, too! Or maybe you need an inspirational video clip! There are many choices of inspirational clips, such as Al Pacinos locker room speech in Any Given Sunday, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace motivating the Scottish men men before battle in Braveheart; or Sylvester Stalone as Rocky and how he motivates himself in the boxing ring, or even his inspirational conversation with his son, and who can forget those chants for Rudy in the movie Rudy!

When you become a member of Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community, there is a profile created just for you. You can use the standard set-up on your page. Or you can be as creative as you want to be. For an example check out my profile page at Terry Allisons Profile Page. I use my profile page as a dream-building tool. I have always wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I have learned to keep this dream in front of me.

A marketing community for people wanting to find out more information on how to market their own work at home business.

Posted by

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

47. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and MS

Reposted by James Eckburg

Marketing

Also posted at Tomorrows Home Business Community

Great Customer Service Captures a Consumer

Original article at About.com

By Laura Lake

Customer service is the key to turning a prospective buyer into a customer. Often, people think that the buying choice is made via price, but nothing could be further from the truth.

When you provide exceptional customer service a customer is willing to pay more for that service.

Take for example BMW, the BMW vehicle is an amazing car and let me put a disclaimer here. And yes, I own one. Now, with the disclaimer out there let me explain to you why I bought a BMW. It is true I went and test drove the car because of the amazing reviews, but I purchased the car because of the service. When I go to my local BMW dealership to have service done, I pull the car into the service garage, they take the key and I am escorted into the service area where I am greeted promptly. Everyone in that dealership smiles and says hello. They always take care of me and my car and they never return my car back to me dirty.

I could have purchased a car that was a lot less expensive than a BMW, but I bought the BMW experience and this is my second one and I have no regrets.

That is just one example of how great customer service can sell a consumer on your product or service and make the price a secondary thought rather than the primary.

How is your customer service? Are you creating loyal customers or pushing them into the arms of your competitor?

Community

And here is some community information for people who think outside the box. You will gain valuable information on marketing.

Marketing can happen for you, if you are motivated. Now, this marketing community that is where you can work and gather as much information that you need to succeed. The community name is Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community and is located at this address http://tomorrowshomebusiness.ning.com.

In this marketing community, the business entrepreneur will be able to read blogs and watch videos for business, or just for pleasure. With a few RSS feeds coming to the main page, the entrepreneur can even stay informed of what is happening in marketing and around the world. There is something here in this community for everyone.

Groups like the Maniac Marketers come in and post their blogs in the community, giving valuable information for their Health and Wellness businesses. If you would rather watch videos of the TriVita videos, you can do that, too. Or if you just want to hang out and relax, you can do that, too! There are many music videos like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and Seasick Steve! Or if you want to learn about handcrafts or see the equally oldest Ford antique car, a 1903 Model A Ford, you can do that, too! Or maybe you need an inspirational video clip! There are many choices of inspirational clips, such as Al Pacinos locker room speech in Any Given Sunday, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace motivating the Scottish men men before battle in Braveheart; or Sylvester Stalone as Rocky and how he motivates himself in the boxing ring, or even his inspirational conversation with his son, and who can forget those chants for Rudy in the movie Rudy!

When you become a member of Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community, there is a profile created just for you. You can use the standard set-up on your page. Or you can be as creative as you want to be. For an example check out my profile page at Terry Allisons Profile Page. I use my profile page as a dream-building tool. I have always wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I have learned to keep this dream in front of me.

A marketing community for people wanting to find out more information on how to market their own work at home business.

Posted by

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

48. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis Call to Action

Marketing Service - Copy and Paste

I don't know if you are a computer savvy or not. Now days many employers take for granted
that their employed are in that situation. However in my experience, this is not the truth.
I have meet young adults with very little knowledge about the most crucial daily computer tasks.
So this is not always an issue for us elderly users, it's a common problem.

As marketers we tend to do much hours and tasks behind our computers.
In promoting my business I have a very common task which I will show you some shortcuts to speed up your work. Copy and paste.

Copy and Paste allows you to copy (or cut) what is on your computers screen, and paste it into another document, such as web page text or HTML code, or text in an email message.

1. To copy, place your cursor at the beginning of the data that you want to copy

2. Hold down the left mouse button, And drag the cursor to the
end of the data (text) you want to copy.

3. And release.

4. The data (text) should now be highlighted.

5. Right click your mouse with your cursor over the highlighted data (text).
A drop down menu will now& appear.

6. In this menu. Left click the text 'COPY'.

7. Then go to your document, (or new mail) and place your cursor at the beginning where you want the copied data to appear.

8. Right click again, from the menu select 'PASTE' and left click. The data you copied should now appear at your wanted space.

As I say often, if you have a problem you often find an instruction to solve your problem at YouTube. So below is a video showing how to copy and paste using your mouse. For MAC users you will also find a similar instruction by a search.

If you don't see the YouTube video, here's the link:

Test the instructions above!
Now you can speed up the process even more by using some key shortcuts.
Highlight the text as above but:

Copy: "Ctrl" plus "c"
Paste: "Ctrl" plus "v"
Copy all text (objects) in a window: "Ctrl" plus "a"
Boost it more! Often you have two or more windows to copy and paste between. You can browse through these windows by using: "Alt left" plus "Tab" Release the keys when the right windows is on your screen.
There are even more shortcuts, but these are what I use everyday with a speed that surprises the spectator. So with some practice you can impress your bystander and save time.
This Marketing Service article is brought to you by:

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

49. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis Call to Action

Marketing Service - Copy and Paste

I don't know if you are a computer savvy or not. Now days many employers take for granted
that their employed are in that situation. However in my experience, this is not the truth.
I have meet young adults with very little knowledge about the most crucial daily computer tasks.
So this is not always an issue for us elderly users, it's a common problem.

As marketers we tend to do much hours and tasks behind our computers.
In promoting my business I have a very common task which I will show you some shortcuts to speed up your work. Copy and paste.

Copy and Paste allows you to copy (or cut) what is on your computers screen, and paste it into another document, such as web page text or HTML code, or text in an email message.

1. To copy, place your cursor at the beginning of the data that you want to copy

2. Hold down the left mouse button, And drag the cursor to the
end of the data (text) you want to copy.

3. And release.

4. The data (text) should now be highlighted.

5. Right click your mouse with your cursor over the highlighted data (text).
A drop down menu will now& appear.

6. In this menu. Left click the text 'COPY'.

7. Then go to your document, (or new mail) and place your cursor at the beginning where you want the copied data to appear.

8. Right click again, from the menu select 'PASTE' and left click. The data you copied should now appear at your wanted space.

As I say often, if you have a problem you often find an instruction to solve your problem at YouTube. So below is a video showing how to copy and paste using your mouse. For MAC users you will also find a similar instruction by a search.

If you don't see the YouTube video, here's the link:

Test the instructions above!
Now you can speed up the process even more by using some key shortcuts.
Highlight the text as above but:

Copy: "Ctrl" plus "c"
Paste: "Ctrl" plus "v"
Copy all text (objects) in a window: "Ctrl" plus "a"
Boost it more! Often you have two or more windows to copy and paste between. You can browse through these windows by using: "Alt left" plus "Tab" Release the keys when the right windows is on your screen.
There are even more shortcuts, but these are what I use everyday with a speed that surprises the spectator. So with some practice you can impress your bystander and save time.
This Marketing Service article is brought to you by:

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

50. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Vitamin D

James Eckburg and MS and Call to Action

Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis: an update.

Abstract

Observational studies document a positive relationship between vitamin D from the environment (sunlight or diet), circulating vitamin D status, and improved symptoms or prevention of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Experimental animal models of MS reproduce the beneficial effects of vitamin D and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The geographical distribution of MS can be explained by both the hygiene hypothesis and the vitamin D hypothesis. It therefore seems more likely that both hypotheses may be correct and that there are interactions between multiple environmental factors like vitamin D and the rate of infection that might explain the etiology of MS.

The effects of vitamin D on the immune system and in the CNS have begun to be described and there is some information on the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in MS.

A need exists for better understanding of the interactions of the environmental factors on MS, communication with the physicians treating MS patients as to the benefits of vitamin D, and clinical interventions with both vitamin D and analogs of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Vitamin D: its role and uses in immunology 1 HECTOR F. DELUCA2 and MARGHERITA T. CANTORNA*

Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA; and * Department of Nutrition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA

2Correspondence: Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706-1544, USA. E-mail: deluca@biochem.wisc.edu

ABSTRACT

In recent years there has been an effort to understand possible noncalcemic roles of vitamin D, including its role in the immune system and, in particular, on T cell-medicated immunity. Vitamin D receptor is found in significant concentrations in the T lymphocyte and macrophage populations. However, its highest concentration is in the immature immune cells of the thymus and the mature CD-8 T lymphocytes. The significant role of vitamin D compounds as selective immunosuppressants is illustrated by their ability to either prevent or markedly suppress animal models of autoimmune disease. Results show that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can either prevent or markedly suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type I diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. In almost every case, the action of the vitamin D hormone requires that the animals be maintained on a normal or high calcium diet. Possible mechanisms of suppression of these autoimmune disorders by the vitamin D hormone have been presented. The vitamin D hormone stimulates transforming growth factor TGFß-1 and interleukin 4 (IL-4) production, which in turn may suppress inflammatory T cell activity. In support of this, the vitamin D hormone is unable to suppress a murine model of the human disease multiple sclerosis in IL-4-deficient mice. The results suggest an important role for vitamin D in autoimmune disorders and provide a fertile and interesting area of research that may yield important new therapies.—DeLuca, H. F., Cantorna, M. T. Vitamin D: its role and uses in immunology.

Key Words: autoimmune diseases • vitamin D as immunomodulator • inflammatory disease • vitamin D and immunity

INTRODUCTION

UNTIL 1980, NO ONE had imagined that vitamin D might play a role in the functioning of the immune system. The function of vitamin D was largely considered to be in the area of calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism. It prevents rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and hypocalcemic tetany. The major thrust of research until 1980 was to determine how vitamin D functions in these important processes of mineral metabolism regulation.

In 1968, the idea appeared that vitamin D itself is biologically inactive and must be metabolically activated before it can function (1 , 2) . This led to the isolation and chemical identification of the active forms of vitamin D in 1968–1971 (3) . Continued pursuit of the metabolism of vitamin D resulted in the understanding that vitamin D must first be hydroxylated in the liver to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3), the major circulating form of the vitamin. This form of vitamin D was subsequently found to be metabolically inactive and must be further converted to a final active form, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) (3 , 4) . This last step occurs predominantly if not exclusively in the proximal convoluted tubule cells of the kidney to produce the metabolically active form of vitamin D, 1,25-(OH)2D3. This major calcium mobilizing hormone then functions directly on the enterocyte of the small intestine to markedly increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the lumen into the plasma compartment. It also plays a major role in the mobilization of calcium from bone when parathyroid hormone is present. Together with parathyroid hormone, it markedly improves the renal reabsorption of calcium in the distal tubule (3 , 4) . These actions result in the elevation of plasma calcium and phosphorus levels to supersaturating conditions that are necessary to support mineralization of the skeleton on the one hand and prevent hypocalcemic tetany on the other (3 , 4) . The production of the vitamin D hormone is regulated by the need for calcium and phosphorus (4 5 6) . Slightly low levels of plasma calcium will stimulate the parathyroids to produce and secrete the parathyroid hormone. This hormone binds to osteoblasts of bone and the entire length of the nephron of the kidney (3 4 5) . In the kidney, parathyroid hormone stimulates the 1α-hydroxylase enzyme that produces the final vitamin D hormone. If calcium in plasma rises to very high levels, calcitonin is secreted from the c cells of the thyroid gland. This peptide hormone binds to the osteoblasts and osteoclasts to prevent the mobilization of calcium from bone; thus causing a reduction in plasma calcium levels. The exact details of this elegant endocrine system are reported elsewhere (1 2 3 4 5)

The attempt to understand how the active form of vitamin D carries out its functions led to the discovery of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in 1974 and 1975 (6 , 7) . Before this, however, synthesis of radiolabeled 1,25-(OH)2D3 of high specific activity allowed for frozen section autoradiography of physiological doses of this hormone. It became clear that this hormone localized almost entirely in the nucleus in a specific fashion in target tissues. This localization was also found in other tissues not previously considered targets (8 , 9) . For example, keratinocytes of skin, islet cells of the pancreas, lymphocytes, and promyelocytes showed specific nuclear localization of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and the presence of the VDR. The discovery of the VDR in these tissues resulted in the idea that the vitamin D hormone had functions beyond calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which prompted investigations into the noncalcemic actions of the vitamin D hormone (10) . Perhaps the most important was the discovery of the VDR in the parathyroid glands (9 , 11 , 12) and the demonstration that the vitamin D hormone functions through its receptor to suppress the preproparathyroid gene (13) and parathyroid cell proliferation (14) . This, then, is the basis of the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism found in the dialysis patients and constitutes a major therapeutic application of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and its analogs.

Noting VDR in promyelocytes, Abe et al. and Tanaka et al. demonstrated that the vitamin D hormone can suppress proliferation of promyelocytes and cause their differentiation into the monocyte (15 , 16) . Similar effects of the vitamin D hormone on several cancerous cell lines ensued (17) . A role for the vitamin D hormone in cellular differentiation thus became known. These findings prompted a search to use vitamin D analogs to treat cancer and underscored the idea that the vitamin D hormone has functions beyond calcium, phosphorus, and bone. Table 1 provides a list of possible target cells of the vitamin D hormone including the classical sites of intestine, kidney, and bone.

View this table:
Table 1.a

Proven Putative
1. Intestinal enterocyte 1. Islet cell, pancreas 2. Osteoblast 2. Endocrine cells, stomach 3. Distal renal cells 3. Pituitary cells 4. Parathyroid cells 4. Ovarian cells 5. Keratinocytes of skin 5. Placenta 6. Promyelocytes, monocytes 6. Epididymis 7. Lymphocytes 7. Brain (hypothalamus) 8. Colon enterocytes 8. Myoblasts (developing) 9. Shell gland 10. Aortic endothelial cells 10. Chick chorioallantoic membrane 11. Skin fibroblasts

a List of cells showing nuclear localization of 1,25-(OH)2D3, followed by verification of the presence of receptor by either the ligand binding assay, radioimmune sandwich assay, or ELISA assay.

Table 1. 1,25-(OH)2D3 target cellsa

The work of Manolagas and his group provided the first strong evidence that activated lymphocytes contain significant quantities of the VDR (18 19 20) . Numerous in vitro studies followed in which the vitamin D hormone could be shown to increase proliferation or suppress proliferation, depending on the experiment and how it was conducted (21) . It is undeniable that peripheral lymphocytes, macrophages, and thymus tissue contain the VDR. In fact, calf thymus proved to be an excellent source of the VDR to be used for competitive binding assays in the measurement of the vitamin D hormone (22) . These findings then raised the question of what effect vitamin D might have on the immune system.

In our own laboratory we determined which cells of the lymphocyte population contain the largest amounts of the VDR (21) . By purifying lymphocytes to homogeneity, we were able to demonstrate that the CD-8 lymphocytes have the highest concentrations of the VDR, whether or not they were activated. Most important, the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 increases the amount of measurable receptor, probably because it improves the longevity and stability of the receptor in vivo as well as in vitro (23) .The CD4 lymphocytes and macrophages contain relatively small but significant amounts of the VDR. Figure 1 illustrates the VDR levels in cells of the immune system.

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Figure 1. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels in the immune cells from mice. Mice were fed the Purina chow 5008 diet; lymphocytes were harvested from the spleen and separated into 95% plus pure cells as described by Veldman et al. (21) .

The next important advance in the role of vitamin D in the immune system came from studies of vitamin D-deficient mice (24) . Making mice vitamin D deficient proved not to be a trivial matter, and two generations of mice reproducing under low vitamin D conditions were required. Having accomplished this, S. Yang in my group demonstrated that delayed hypersensitivity response to dinitrobenzene is impaired under conditions of vitamin D deficiency (24) . This same response was also suppressed with supplemental 1,25-(OH)2D3 (25) . It became evident, therefore, that T cell-mediated immunity is under modulatory control of 1,25-(OH)2D3. In its absence, T cell-mediated immune responses were blunted; with high doses of the vitamin D hormone, the same response could also be blunted. Similar immunosuppression was reported with interesting analogs of the vitamin D hormone including 22-oxa-1,25-(OH)2D3 (26) and the 16-ene-23-yne-1,25-(OH)2D (27) . These vitamin D compounds began to be known as immunosuppressants.

Based on the reported immunosuppressant activities of the vitamin D hormone, we decided to test the idea that certain autoimmune diseases involving hyperactive T cell-mediated immunity might be suitable for further study (28) . We focused on the disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. We selected B10.PL mice as the model because the sequence of neural degenerative symptoms that result in these mice after myelin basic protein injection is similar to human multiple sclerosis (MS). We succeeded in establishing EAE and showed there was an incidence of 100% in B10.PL mice fed a 0.87% calcium diet containing dietary vitamin D. However, the provision of 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50–200 ng/day could prevent the appearance of the EAE lesions. If the vitamin D compound was given postimmunization, it prevented further development of the disease (28) . By now we have carried out extensive experiments on this experimental model of autoimmune disease and have found that the vitamin D compounds (including some important potent analogs) are extremely effective in blocking the development of EAE.

In our attempt to reduce the hypercalcemic effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3, we provided this compound to animals maintained on a very low calcium diet (29) . To our surprise, the low calcium diet produced a lower incidence of disease that was resistant to treatment with the vitamin D hormone (29) (see Fig. 2 ). On the other hand, when similar examinations were followed in the high calcium diet, the vitamin D compounds were effective (Fig. 3 ). Thus, it became clear that calcium is required for the vitamin D suppression of the autoimmune disease, EAE. Our initial clinical trial with the analog 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 (30) revealed little effectiveness in preventing new MS lesions primarily because we failed to simultaneously provide a normal to high calcium intake. The results, therefore, imply that a high calcium diet is required for the vitamin D hormone to be effective in the treatment of EAE.

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Figure 2. Female B10.PL mice were fed the 0.02% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus-purified diet and immunized with myelin basic protein together with pertussis toxin. The animals simultaneously received a daily intake of 1,25-(OH)2D3 or vehicle. Even 200 ng/day of 1,25-(OH)2D3 does not markedly reduce the incidence of EAE under low dietary calcium conditions.

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Figure 3. 1,25-(OH)2D3 is fully effective in preventing EAE in mice fed a 1% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet. A detailed description of the methods is found in Cantorna et al. (27) .

The success with EAE suggested that vitamin D compounds could be used to treat other autoimmune disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis proved to be another example of an autoimmune disorder that can be largely prevented by the administration of the 1-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds, including 1,25-(OH)2D3 (31) . Two autoimmune models of rheumatoid arthritis were used. One is the disorder caused by Lyme’s disease or the organism Borrelia burgdorferi; the other is collagen-induced arthritis. An example of collagen-induced arthritis and its prevention by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is illustrated in Fig. 4 . Although little more was done in studying this disorder, high calcium intakes were not required for vitamin D compounds to prevent the lesions.

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Figure 4. 1,25-(OH)2D3 prevents collagen-induced arthritis. Male DBA/1LacJ mice were fed a 0.02% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet. Following the immunization procedure with bovine collagen type II, animals were treated with either vehicle or vehicle containing 50 ng/day of 1,25-(OH)2D3 mixed in the diet. Mice were observed daily and began to show symptoms ∼30 days postimmunization. Treated animals showed no symptoms (see Cantorna et al., ref 30 ).

Another example not yet reported in the literature from our group is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 1992, Lemire et al. described an attenuation of this disorder by 1,25-(OH)2D3 injected three times a week to MRL mice (32) . However, they were unable to attenuate the rising proteinuria characteristic of this disorder and reduced the dietary calcium level in the group of mice receiving 1,25-(OH)2D3. Therefore, it is unclear whether the low calcium diet, the 1,25-(OH)2D3, or both caused the minimal improvement reported. In our research group, MRL mice were placed on either a 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet or a 0.02% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus-purified diet. As shown in Fig. 5 , nearly 75% of the MRL mice developed proteinuria by 17 wk on the 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet; 50 ng/day of 1,25-(OH)2D3 incorporated into the diet prevented the proteinuria. As shown in Fig. 5 , the severity of the MRL symptoms was also markedly prevented by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3. In the 0.02% calcium diet, however, the animals receiving 1,25-(OH)2D3 developed SLE symptoms earlier and appeared to be more severely affected than animals on the 0.02% calcium diet alone (Fig. 6 ). Again, the results illustrate that a high calcium background is required for the vitamin D hormone to prevent the development of this autoimmune disorder in the MRL mice. This, then, agrees with the results obtained with EAE.

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Figure 5. MRL/MJP mice were fed the 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus-purified diet throughout. Controls received vehicle incorporated into the diet or the indicated dose of 1,25-(OH)2D3 dissolved in the vehicle and added to the diet to provide 50 ng/day/mouse or 100–200 ng/day. Symptoms of lupus and proteinuria were prevented by this treatment.

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Figure 6. MRL/MJP mice fed a 0.02% calcium diet were not protected by treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 100 ng/mouse/day. This treatment in fact accelerated the appearance of lesions.

The laboratory of Margherita Cantorna has investigated the possible treatment or prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by vitamin D (33) . Vitamin D deficiency accelerated the appearance of symptoms and increased the severity of IBD in interleukin 10 (IL-10) knockout (KO) mice. Vitamin D-deficient IL-10 knockout mice developed symptoms of IBD within 6–8 wk (Fig. 7 ). This was essentially prevented by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3, again under conditions of high calcium intakes.

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Figure 7. IL-10 knockout mice were fed the 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet for 10 wk and the small intestine was weighed at the end of the experiment. The data are supported by histology scores and declines in body weight. The results illustrate that 1,25-(OH)2D3 prevents the enterocolitis produced by a deficiency of IL-10.

In our own laboratory, we have investigated the development of type I diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model (34) . These experiments were performed with animals on a 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet. Vitamin D deficiency markedly accelerated the appearance and increased the incidence of type I diabetes in the NOD mice (Fig. 8 ). Administration of ordinary vitamin D partially protected the mice from developing diabetes but the rate of incidence was still on the order of 30–40%. Addition to the diet of 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50 ng/day for females and 200 ng/day for males prevented the appearance of the diabetic lesions. Mathieu et al. also studied the appearance of diabetes in NOD mice and have reported some partial benefit by the injection of 1,25-(OH)2D3 three times a week together with a low calcium diet (35) . It is not clear whether the improvement was due to the vitamin D or due to the low calcium diet from these studies. Furthermore, the protection appeared minimal. Another major difference was that we incorporated 1,25-(OH)2D3 into the diet at all meals vs. three times a week. With a half-life of between 2 and 4 h in animals, it seems unlikely that i.p. dosing three times/wk is sufficient. In any case, the autoimmune disorder in the NOD mice can be prevented by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 if animals are receiving a normal to high calcium diet.

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Figure 8. Incidence and severity of type I diabetes developed in NOD mice. Weanling NOD mice were fed the purified 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet for the entire period and, where indicated, were supplemented with either vitamin D3 at 625 ng/day or 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50 ng/day. Type I diabetes was diagnosed by blood glucose rising above 300 mg/100 ml. The results illustrate that vitamin D administration reduces the incidence and severity of the disease, whereas 1,25-(OH)2D3 essentially blocks diabetes in these susceptible mice (33) .

Hypercalcemia continues to be a problem and so there is an ongoing search for a true in vivo noncalcemic analog that is still able to prevent the autoimmune disorders. So far, this has not been successful but we are only now beginning to try to prepare true noncalcemic analogs that are effective in vivo. It is possible that the calcemic action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is also required for treatment of these autoimmune disorders.

Another important development has been the use of vitamin D compounds to suppress or prevent transplant rejection (36 , 37) . The work of Lemire et al. with a low calcium diet and 1,25-(OH)2D3 three times a week showed some improvement in maintaining transplanted organs (38) . We have used the ear/heart transplant model to look at the effects of vitamin D compounds on transplant rejection. The donor mice differed from the recipient mice by two major histocompatability complex differences (allografts). After transplantation, the heart tissue in this model begins to beat at 7 days. In the isografts, no rejection took place in any of the animals; within 27 days, allograft rejection was complete. Cyclosporin A at relatively low doses appeared not to protect whereas 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50 ng/day in the diet (again, along with 0.87% calcium) protected the animal for as long as 100 days. Vitamin D compounds may be useful in preventing transplant rejection.

The sum of these findings in whole animals clearly illustrates that T cell-mediated immunity can be regulated by exogenous administration of 1-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds. The absence of vitamin D from the diet might also increase the incidence and severity of autoimmune diseases, pointing to important regulatory actions of the vitamin D hormone.

The action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 as an immunosuppressant appears to be specific since it does not appear to interfere with the ability of the animal to act defensively against opportunist infection (37) . We have tested whether vitamin D treatment of mice makes them more susceptible to two infectious diseases. One was an infection caused by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, a common infection found in transplant patients; the other was susceptibility to a viral herpes infection. In both cases, no interference by the vitamin D compounds was found in the disease course brought about by these organisms, whereas identical vitamin D doses were fully effective in preventing transplant rejection. It is also important to realize that vitamin D does not appear to act on the B lymphocyte, primarily because the B lymphocyte does not contain VDR in appreciable amounts (21) .

There have been numerous studies of in vitro behavior of a variety of T cells and macrophages, all actors in the immune system. Although these have been contradictory and difficult to interpret, we are beginning to see some progress in understanding the mechanism whereby vitamin D acts as an immunosuppressant in vivo. We have measured the mRNAs encoding cytokines in the lymphocytes found in the lymph nodes of control mice and those treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (39) . As illustrated in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 , vitamin D administration markedly increases TGFß-1 and IL-4 transcripts whereas there is a reduction, if anything, in interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α gene expression. These results do not differentiate between the direct effects of vitamin D on cytokine gene expression and the indirect effects of vitamin D as regulators of other cells and genes that result in a net change in cytokine expression. With the availability of the IL-4 KO mice, we bred IL-4 KO mice onto the EAE susceptible B10.PL background. In the absence of IL-4, EAE was more severe. IL-4 KO mice with EAE are also resistant to treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (40) . Clearly, we are just beginning to probe the mechanisms whereby vitamin D hormone and its analogs can act as selective immunosuppressants. We do not understand the mechanism whereby the vitamin D hormone can act as an immunosuppressant especially of T cell-mediated inflammatory responses.

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Figure 9. 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment of B10.PL mice immunized with myelin basic protein and pertussis toxin were given either vehicle added to the diet or vehicle with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (50 ng/day for females and 200 ng/day for males). Upon the appearance of EAE symptoms in the control group, the animals were killed and lymph nodes were removed for measurement of TGFß-1 transcripts.

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Figure 10. 1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation markedly increases the transcripts for IL-4 in the lymph nodes of B10.PL mice immunized with myelin basic protein and pertussis toxin as described in Fig. 9 legend.

Despite reports to the contrary, there are no in vivo analogs that seem to act without hypercalcemia. Suppression of autoimmune disease requires not only the active form of vitamin D and its analogs, but also adequate or high calcium intakes. Further complicating the picture, little has been done to understand how vitamin D deficiency influences delayed type hypersensitivity. It is not clear whether the suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity response seen during vitamin D deficiency is due to the secondary effect of hypocalcemia or is a direct action of vitamin D on certain components of the immune system. This is a complicated and fertile area of investigation, from which may emerge important new therapies for autoimmune disease.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported in part by funds from the National Foundation for Cancer Research and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

FOOTNOTES

1 From the FASEB 2001 Symposium "Nutrients as Regulators of the Immune System." Chairs: S. Meydani and K. Erickson.

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James Eckburg
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51. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Vitamin D

James Eckburg and MS and Call to Action

Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis: an update.

Abstract

Observational studies document a positive relationship between vitamin D from the environment (sunlight or diet), circulating vitamin D status, and improved symptoms or prevention of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Experimental animal models of MS reproduce the beneficial effects of vitamin D and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The geographical distribution of MS can be explained by both the hygiene hypothesis and the vitamin D hypothesis. It therefore seems more likely that both hypotheses may be correct and that there are interactions between multiple environmental factors like vitamin D and the rate of infection that might explain the etiology of MS.

The effects of vitamin D on the immune system and in the CNS have begun to be described and there is some information on the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in MS.

A need exists for better understanding of the interactions of the environmental factors on MS, communication with the physicians treating MS patients as to the benefits of vitamin D, and clinical interventions with both vitamin D and analogs of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Vitamin D: its role and uses in immunology 1 HECTOR F. DELUCA2 and MARGHERITA T. CANTORNA*

Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA; and * Department of Nutrition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA

2Correspondence: Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706-1544, USA. E-mail: deluca@biochem.wisc.edu

ABSTRACT

In recent years there has been an effort to understand possible noncalcemic roles of vitamin D, including its role in the immune system and, in particular, on T cell-medicated immunity. Vitamin D receptor is found in significant concentrations in the T lymphocyte and macrophage populations. However, its highest concentration is in the immature immune cells of the thymus and the mature CD-8 T lymphocytes. The significant role of vitamin D compounds as selective immunosuppressants is illustrated by their ability to either prevent or markedly suppress animal models of autoimmune disease. Results show that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can either prevent or markedly suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type I diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. In almost every case, the action of the vitamin D hormone requires that the animals be maintained on a normal or high calcium diet. Possible mechanisms of suppression of these autoimmune disorders by the vitamin D hormone have been presented. The vitamin D hormone stimulates transforming growth factor TGFß-1 and interleukin 4 (IL-4) production, which in turn may suppress inflammatory T cell activity. In support of this, the vitamin D hormone is unable to suppress a murine model of the human disease multiple sclerosis in IL-4-deficient mice. The results suggest an important role for vitamin D in autoimmune disorders and provide a fertile and interesting area of research that may yield important new therapies.—DeLuca, H. F., Cantorna, M. T. Vitamin D: its role and uses in immunology.

Key Words: autoimmune diseases • vitamin D as immunomodulator • inflammatory disease • vitamin D and immunity

INTRODUCTION

UNTIL 1980, NO ONE had imagined that vitamin D might play a role in the functioning of the immune system. The function of vitamin D was largely considered to be in the area of calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism. It prevents rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and hypocalcemic tetany. The major thrust of research until 1980 was to determine how vitamin D functions in these important processes of mineral metabolism regulation.

In 1968, the idea appeared that vitamin D itself is biologically inactive and must be metabolically activated before it can function (1 , 2) . This led to the isolation and chemical identification of the active forms of vitamin D in 1968–1971 (3) . Continued pursuit of the metabolism of vitamin D resulted in the understanding that vitamin D must first be hydroxylated in the liver to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3), the major circulating form of the vitamin. This form of vitamin D was subsequently found to be metabolically inactive and must be further converted to a final active form, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) (3 , 4) . This last step occurs predominantly if not exclusively in the proximal convoluted tubule cells of the kidney to produce the metabolically active form of vitamin D, 1,25-(OH)2D3. This major calcium mobilizing hormone then functions directly on the enterocyte of the small intestine to markedly increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the lumen into the plasma compartment. It also plays a major role in the mobilization of calcium from bone when parathyroid hormone is present. Together with parathyroid hormone, it markedly improves the renal reabsorption of calcium in the distal tubule (3 , 4) . These actions result in the elevation of plasma calcium and phosphorus levels to supersaturating conditions that are necessary to support mineralization of the skeleton on the one hand and prevent hypocalcemic tetany on the other (3 , 4) . The production of the vitamin D hormone is regulated by the need for calcium and phosphorus (4 5 6) . Slightly low levels of plasma calcium will stimulate the parathyroids to produce and secrete the parathyroid hormone. This hormone binds to osteoblasts of bone and the entire length of the nephron of the kidney (3 4 5) . In the kidney, parathyroid hormone stimulates the 1α-hydroxylase enzyme that produces the final vitamin D hormone. If calcium in plasma rises to very high levels, calcitonin is secreted from the c cells of the thyroid gland. This peptide hormone binds to the osteoblasts and osteoclasts to prevent the mobilization of calcium from bone; thus causing a reduction in plasma calcium levels. The exact details of this elegant endocrine system are reported elsewhere (1 2 3 4 5)

The attempt to understand how the active form of vitamin D carries out its functions led to the discovery of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in 1974 and 1975 (6 , 7) . Before this, however, synthesis of radiolabeled 1,25-(OH)2D3 of high specific activity allowed for frozen section autoradiography of physiological doses of this hormone. It became clear that this hormone localized almost entirely in the nucleus in a specific fashion in target tissues. This localization was also found in other tissues not previously considered targets (8 , 9) . For example, keratinocytes of skin, islet cells of the pancreas, lymphocytes, and promyelocytes showed specific nuclear localization of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and the presence of the VDR. The discovery of the VDR in these tissues resulted in the idea that the vitamin D hormone had functions beyond calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which prompted investigations into the noncalcemic actions of the vitamin D hormone (10) . Perhaps the most important was the discovery of the VDR in the parathyroid glands (9 , 11 , 12) and the demonstration that the vitamin D hormone functions through its receptor to suppress the preproparathyroid gene (13) and parathyroid cell proliferation (14) . This, then, is the basis of the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism found in the dialysis patients and constitutes a major therapeutic application of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and its analogs.

Noting VDR in promyelocytes, Abe et al. and Tanaka et al. demonstrated that the vitamin D hormone can suppress proliferation of promyelocytes and cause their differentiation into the monocyte (15 , 16) . Similar effects of the vitamin D hormone on several cancerous cell lines ensued (17) . A role for the vitamin D hormone in cellular differentiation thus became known. These findings prompted a search to use vitamin D analogs to treat cancer and underscored the idea that the vitamin D hormone has functions beyond calcium, phosphorus, and bone. Table 1 provides a list of possible target cells of the vitamin D hormone including the classical sites of intestine, kidney, and bone.

View this table:
Table 1.a

Proven Putative
1. Intestinal enterocyte 1. Islet cell, pancreas 2. Osteoblast 2. Endocrine cells, stomach 3. Distal renal cells 3. Pituitary cells 4. Parathyroid cells 4. Ovarian cells 5. Keratinocytes of skin 5. Placenta 6. Promyelocytes, monocytes 6. Epididymis 7. Lymphocytes 7. Brain (hypothalamus) 8. Colon enterocytes 8. Myoblasts (developing) 9. Shell gland 10. Aortic endothelial cells 10. Chick chorioallantoic membrane 11. Skin fibroblasts

a List of cells showing nuclear localization of 1,25-(OH)2D3, followed by verification of the presence of receptor by either the ligand binding assay, radioimmune sandwich assay, or ELISA assay.

Table 1. 1,25-(OH)2D3 target cellsa

The work of Manolagas and his group provided the first strong evidence that activated lymphocytes contain significant quantities of the VDR (18 19 20) . Numerous in vitro studies followed in which the vitamin D hormone could be shown to increase proliferation or suppress proliferation, depending on the experiment and how it was conducted (21) . It is undeniable that peripheral lymphocytes, macrophages, and thymus tissue contain the VDR. In fact, calf thymus proved to be an excellent source of the VDR to be used for competitive binding assays in the measurement of the vitamin D hormone (22) . These findings then raised the question of what effect vitamin D might have on the immune system.

In our own laboratory we determined which cells of the lymphocyte population contain the largest amounts of the VDR (21) . By purifying lymphocytes to homogeneity, we were able to demonstrate that the CD-8 lymphocytes have the highest concentrations of the VDR, whether or not they were activated. Most important, the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 increases the amount of measurable receptor, probably because it improves the longevity and stability of the receptor in vivo as well as in vitro (23) .The CD4 lymphocytes and macrophages contain relatively small but significant amounts of the VDR. Figure 1 illustrates the VDR levels in cells of the immune system.

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Figure 1. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels in the immune cells from mice. Mice were fed the Purina chow 5008 diet; lymphocytes were harvested from the spleen and separated into 95% plus pure cells as described by Veldman et al. (21) .

The next important advance in the role of vitamin D in the immune system came from studies of vitamin D-deficient mice (24) . Making mice vitamin D deficient proved not to be a trivial matter, and two generations of mice reproducing under low vitamin D conditions were required. Having accomplished this, S. Yang in my group demonstrated that delayed hypersensitivity response to dinitrobenzene is impaired under conditions of vitamin D deficiency (24) . This same response was also suppressed with supplemental 1,25-(OH)2D3 (25) . It became evident, therefore, that T cell-mediated immunity is under modulatory control of 1,25-(OH)2D3. In its absence, T cell-mediated immune responses were blunted; with high doses of the vitamin D hormone, the same response could also be blunted. Similar immunosuppression was reported with interesting analogs of the vitamin D hormone including 22-oxa-1,25-(OH)2D3 (26) and the 16-ene-23-yne-1,25-(OH)2D (27) . These vitamin D compounds began to be known as immunosuppressants.

Based on the reported immunosuppressant activities of the vitamin D hormone, we decided to test the idea that certain autoimmune diseases involving hyperactive T cell-mediated immunity might be suitable for further study (28) . We focused on the disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. We selected B10.PL mice as the model because the sequence of neural degenerative symptoms that result in these mice after myelin basic protein injection is similar to human multiple sclerosis (MS). We succeeded in establishing EAE and showed there was an incidence of 100% in B10.PL mice fed a 0.87% calcium diet containing dietary vitamin D. However, the provision of 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50–200 ng/day could prevent the appearance of the EAE lesions. If the vitamin D compound was given postimmunization, it prevented further development of the disease (28) . By now we have carried out extensive experiments on this experimental model of autoimmune disease and have found that the vitamin D compounds (including some important potent analogs) are extremely effective in blocking the development of EAE.

In our attempt to reduce the hypercalcemic effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3, we provided this compound to animals maintained on a very low calcium diet (29) . To our surprise, the low calcium diet produced a lower incidence of disease that was resistant to treatment with the vitamin D hormone (29) (see Fig. 2 ). On the other hand, when similar examinations were followed in the high calcium diet, the vitamin D compounds were effective (Fig. 3 ). Thus, it became clear that calcium is required for the vitamin D suppression of the autoimmune disease, EAE. Our initial clinical trial with the analog 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 (30) revealed little effectiveness in preventing new MS lesions primarily because we failed to simultaneously provide a normal to high calcium intake. The results, therefore, imply that a high calcium diet is required for the vitamin D hormone to be effective in the treatment of EAE.

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Figure 2. Female B10.PL mice were fed the 0.02% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus-purified diet and immunized with myelin basic protein together with pertussis toxin. The animals simultaneously received a daily intake of 1,25-(OH)2D3 or vehicle. Even 200 ng/day of 1,25-(OH)2D3 does not markedly reduce the incidence of EAE under low dietary calcium conditions.

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Figure 3. 1,25-(OH)2D3 is fully effective in preventing EAE in mice fed a 1% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet. A detailed description of the methods is found in Cantorna et al. (27) .

The success with EAE suggested that vitamin D compounds could be used to treat other autoimmune disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis proved to be another example of an autoimmune disorder that can be largely prevented by the administration of the 1-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds, including 1,25-(OH)2D3 (31) . Two autoimmune models of rheumatoid arthritis were used. One is the disorder caused by Lyme’s disease or the organism Borrelia burgdorferi; the other is collagen-induced arthritis. An example of collagen-induced arthritis and its prevention by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is illustrated in Fig. 4 . Although little more was done in studying this disorder, high calcium intakes were not required for vitamin D compounds to prevent the lesions.

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Figure 4. 1,25-(OH)2D3 prevents collagen-induced arthritis. Male DBA/1LacJ mice were fed a 0.02% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet. Following the immunization procedure with bovine collagen type II, animals were treated with either vehicle or vehicle containing 50 ng/day of 1,25-(OH)2D3 mixed in the diet. Mice were observed daily and began to show symptoms ∼30 days postimmunization. Treated animals showed no symptoms (see Cantorna et al., ref 30 ).

Another example not yet reported in the literature from our group is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 1992, Lemire et al. described an attenuation of this disorder by 1,25-(OH)2D3 injected three times a week to MRL mice (32) . However, they were unable to attenuate the rising proteinuria characteristic of this disorder and reduced the dietary calcium level in the group of mice receiving 1,25-(OH)2D3. Therefore, it is unclear whether the low calcium diet, the 1,25-(OH)2D3, or both caused the minimal improvement reported. In our research group, MRL mice were placed on either a 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet or a 0.02% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus-purified diet. As shown in Fig. 5 , nearly 75% of the MRL mice developed proteinuria by 17 wk on the 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet; 50 ng/day of 1,25-(OH)2D3 incorporated into the diet prevented the proteinuria. As shown in Fig. 5 , the severity of the MRL symptoms was also markedly prevented by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3. In the 0.02% calcium diet, however, the animals receiving 1,25-(OH)2D3 developed SLE symptoms earlier and appeared to be more severely affected than animals on the 0.02% calcium diet alone (Fig. 6 ). Again, the results illustrate that a high calcium background is required for the vitamin D hormone to prevent the development of this autoimmune disorder in the MRL mice. This, then, agrees with the results obtained with EAE.

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Figure 5. MRL/MJP mice were fed the 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus-purified diet throughout. Controls received vehicle incorporated into the diet or the indicated dose of 1,25-(OH)2D3 dissolved in the vehicle and added to the diet to provide 50 ng/day/mouse or 100–200 ng/day. Symptoms of lupus and proteinuria were prevented by this treatment.

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Figure 6. MRL/MJP mice fed a 0.02% calcium diet were not protected by treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 100 ng/mouse/day. This treatment in fact accelerated the appearance of lesions.

The laboratory of Margherita Cantorna has investigated the possible treatment or prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by vitamin D (33) . Vitamin D deficiency accelerated the appearance of symptoms and increased the severity of IBD in interleukin 10 (IL-10) knockout (KO) mice. Vitamin D-deficient IL-10 knockout mice developed symptoms of IBD within 6–8 wk (Fig. 7 ). This was essentially prevented by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3, again under conditions of high calcium intakes.

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Figure 7. IL-10 knockout mice were fed the 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet for 10 wk and the small intestine was weighed at the end of the experiment. The data are supported by histology scores and declines in body weight. The results illustrate that 1,25-(OH)2D3 prevents the enterocolitis produced by a deficiency of IL-10.

In our own laboratory, we have investigated the development of type I diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model (34) . These experiments were performed with animals on a 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet. Vitamin D deficiency markedly accelerated the appearance and increased the incidence of type I diabetes in the NOD mice (Fig. 8 ). Administration of ordinary vitamin D partially protected the mice from developing diabetes but the rate of incidence was still on the order of 30–40%. Addition to the diet of 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50 ng/day for females and 200 ng/day for males prevented the appearance of the diabetic lesions. Mathieu et al. also studied the appearance of diabetes in NOD mice and have reported some partial benefit by the injection of 1,25-(OH)2D3 three times a week together with a low calcium diet (35) . It is not clear whether the improvement was due to the vitamin D or due to the low calcium diet from these studies. Furthermore, the protection appeared minimal. Another major difference was that we incorporated 1,25-(OH)2D3 into the diet at all meals vs. three times a week. With a half-life of between 2 and 4 h in animals, it seems unlikely that i.p. dosing three times/wk is sufficient. In any case, the autoimmune disorder in the NOD mice can be prevented by the administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 if animals are receiving a normal to high calcium diet.

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Figure 8. Incidence and severity of type I diabetes developed in NOD mice. Weanling NOD mice were fed the purified 0.87% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus diet for the entire period and, where indicated, were supplemented with either vitamin D3 at 625 ng/day or 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50 ng/day. Type I diabetes was diagnosed by blood glucose rising above 300 mg/100 ml. The results illustrate that vitamin D administration reduces the incidence and severity of the disease, whereas 1,25-(OH)2D3 essentially blocks diabetes in these susceptible mice (33) .

Hypercalcemia continues to be a problem and so there is an ongoing search for a true in vivo noncalcemic analog that is still able to prevent the autoimmune disorders. So far, this has not been successful but we are only now beginning to try to prepare true noncalcemic analogs that are effective in vivo. It is possible that the calcemic action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is also required for treatment of these autoimmune disorders.

Another important development has been the use of vitamin D compounds to suppress or prevent transplant rejection (36 , 37) . The work of Lemire et al. with a low calcium diet and 1,25-(OH)2D3 three times a week showed some improvement in maintaining transplanted organs (38) . We have used the ear/heart transplant model to look at the effects of vitamin D compounds on transplant rejection. The donor mice differed from the recipient mice by two major histocompatability complex differences (allografts). After transplantation, the heart tissue in this model begins to beat at 7 days. In the isografts, no rejection took place in any of the animals; within 27 days, allograft rejection was complete. Cyclosporin A at relatively low doses appeared not to protect whereas 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 50 ng/day in the diet (again, along with 0.87% calcium) protected the animal for as long as 100 days. Vitamin D compounds may be useful in preventing transplant rejection.

The sum of these findings in whole animals clearly illustrates that T cell-mediated immunity can be regulated by exogenous administration of 1-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds. The absence of vitamin D from the diet might also increase the incidence and severity of autoimmune diseases, pointing to important regulatory actions of the vitamin D hormone.

The action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 as an immunosuppressant appears to be specific since it does not appear to interfere with the ability of the animal to act defensively against opportunist infection (37) . We have tested whether vitamin D treatment of mice makes them more susceptible to two infectious diseases. One was an infection caused by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, a common infection found in transplant patients; the other was susceptibility to a viral herpes infection. In both cases, no interference by the vitamin D compounds was found in the disease course brought about by these organisms, whereas identical vitamin D doses were fully effective in preventing transplant rejection. It is also important to realize that vitamin D does not appear to act on the B lymphocyte, primarily because the B lymphocyte does not contain VDR in appreciable amounts (21) .

There have been numerous studies of in vitro behavior of a variety of T cells and macrophages, all actors in the immune system. Although these have been contradictory and difficult to interpret, we are beginning to see some progress in understanding the mechanism whereby vitamin D acts as an immunosuppressant in vivo. We have measured the mRNAs encoding cytokines in the lymphocytes found in the lymph nodes of control mice and those treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (39) . As illustrated in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 , vitamin D administration markedly increases TGFß-1 and IL-4 transcripts whereas there is a reduction, if anything, in interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α gene expression. These results do not differentiate between the direct effects of vitamin D on cytokine gene expression and the indirect effects of vitamin D as regulators of other cells and genes that result in a net change in cytokine expression. With the availability of the IL-4 KO mice, we bred IL-4 KO mice onto the EAE susceptible B10.PL background. In the absence of IL-4, EAE was more severe. IL-4 KO mice with EAE are also resistant to treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (40) . Clearly, we are just beginning to probe the mechanisms whereby vitamin D hormone and its analogs can act as selective immunosuppressants. We do not understand the mechanism whereby the vitamin D hormone can act as an immunosuppressant especially of T cell-mediated inflammatory responses.

View larger version (22K):

Figure 9. 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment of B10.PL mice immunized with myelin basic protein and pertussis toxin were given either vehicle added to the diet or vehicle with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (50 ng/day for females and 200 ng/day for males). Upon the appearance of EAE symptoms in the control group, the animals were killed and lymph nodes were removed for measurement of TGFß-1 transcripts.

View larger version (21K):

Figure 10. 1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation markedly increases the transcripts for IL-4 in the lymph nodes of B10.PL mice immunized with myelin basic protein and pertussis toxin as described in Fig. 9 legend.

Despite reports to the contrary, there are no in vivo analogs that seem to act without hypercalcemia. Suppression of autoimmune disease requires not only the active form of vitamin D and its analogs, but also adequate or high calcium intakes. Further complicating the picture, little has been done to understand how vitamin D deficiency influences delayed type hypersensitivity. It is not clear whether the suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity response seen during vitamin D deficiency is due to the secondary effect of hypocalcemia or is a direct action of vitamin D on certain components of the immune system. This is a complicated and fertile area of investigation, from which may emerge important new therapies for autoimmune disease.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported in part by funds from the National Foundation for Cancer Research and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

FOOTNOTES

1 From the FASEB 2001 Symposium "Nutrients as Regulators of the Immune System." Chairs: S. Meydani and K. Erickson.

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Abe, J., Takita, Y., Nakano, T., Miyaura, C., Suda, T., Nishii, Y. (1989) ) A synthetic analogue of vitamin D3, 22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is a potent modulator of in vivo immunoregulating activity without inducing hypercalcemia in mice. Endocrinology 124,2645-2647[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Uskokovic, M. R., Studzinski, G. P., Reddy, S. G. (2000) The 16-ene vitamin D analogs. Feldman, D. Glorieux, F. H. Pike, J. W. eds. Vitamin D ,1045-1070 Academic Press San Diego. chap. 62 Cantorna, M. T., Hayes, C. E., DeLuca, H. F. (1996) 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 reversibly blocks the progression of relapsing encephalomyelitis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93,7861-7864[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Cantorna, M. T., Humpal-Winter, J., DeLuca, H. F. (1999) Dietary calcium is a major factor in 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice. J. Nutr. 129,1966-1971[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Fleming, J. O., Hummel, A. L., Beinlich, B. R., Borowski, B. J., Peebles, T., Colburn, M., Cook, T. D., Wendt, G. J., DeLuca, H. F. (2000) Vitamin D treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a MRI-based pilot study. Neurology 54(Suppl. 3),A338 (abstr.) Cantorna, M. T., Hayes, C. E., DeLuca, H. F. (1998) 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol inhibits the progression of arthritis in murine models of human arthritis. J. Nutr. 128,68-72[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Lemire, J. M., Ince, A., Takashima, M. (1992) 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 attenuates the expression of experimental murine lupus of MRL/1 mice. Autoimmunity 12,143-148[Medline]
Cantorna, M. T., Munsick, C., Bemiss, C., Mahon, B. C. (2000) 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol prevents and ameliorates symptoms of experimental murine inflammatory bowel disease. J. Nutr. 130,2648-2652[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Zella, J. B., DeLuca, H. F. (2001) Vitamin D status and autoimmune diabetes in NOD/LtJ mice. FASEB J 15,A959(abstr.)
Mathieu, C., Waer, M., Laureys, J., Rutgeerts, O., Bouillon, R. (1994) Prevention of type I diabetes in NOD mice by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Diabetologia 37,552-558[Medline]
Hullett, D. A., Cantorna, M., Redaelli, C., Humpal-Winter, J., Hayes, C. E., Sollinger, H. W., DeLuca, H. F. (1998) Prolongation of allograft survival by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Transplantation 66,824-828[Medline]
Cantorna, M. T., Hullett, D. A., Redaelli, C., Brandt, C. R., Humpal-Winter, J., Sollinger, H. W., DeLuca, H. F. (1998) 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 prolongs graft survival without compromising host resistance to infection or bone mineral density. Transplantation 66,828-831[Medline]
Lemire, J. M., Archer, D. C., Khulkorni, A., Ince, A., Uskokovic, M. R., Stepkowski, S. (1991) Prolongation of the survival of murine cardiac allografts by the vitamin D3 analogue 1,25-dihydroxy-L16-cholecalciferol. Transplantation 54,762-763
Cantorna, M. T., Woodward, W. D., Hayes, C. E., DeLuca, H. F. (1998) 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a positive regulator for the two anti-encephalitogenic cytokines TGF-ß1 and IL-4. J. Immunol. 160,5314-5319[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Cantorna, M. T., Humpal-Winter, J., DeLuca, H. F. (2000) In vivo up-regulation of interleukin 4 is one mechanism underlying the immunoregulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 377,135-138[Medline]

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

52. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Are There Natural Remedies for Multiple Sclerosis?

I have asked this question a lot when I first got diagnoise. So I went and will give you some of the information that I have found on this question.

The following is from the site of Dr. Weil.

The information thati'm going to write on was first (Published on February 14, 2002).Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most baffling of all diseases - we know very little about what causes it and what factors influence its progression and outcome. MS begins with localized inflammatory damage of the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerve fibers due to an attack by the immune system. The resulting damage interferes with nerve impulses and can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of vision, and a variety of other neurological impairments.

Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet! - Everything you need to get started eating a healthful, satisfying diet is here - including eating and shopping guides, over 200 recipes, and an exclusive version of Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid! Start your 14-day free trial now - and start eating anti-inflammatory today!

Although considered an autoimmune disease, it is not clear what causes the immune system to attack nerve sheaths. Researchers have been studying a possible viral trigger, but this would not explain why MS is more common among those who live in northern latitudes and uncommon in those near the equator. Additionally, scientists are unable to explain why there are so many different forms of MS, why some people have transient symptoms that never return, while others experience cycles of exacerbation and remission. In some people MS is relentless, leading to complete disability and death.

A drug called beta-interferon has become the conventional treatment for MS patients, especially those with the remitting variety. It can slow the progression of the disease, but is expensive and produces unpleasant side effects. Really effective medical treatment is still not available for most patients. I like to work with patients who have MS because of its variability and potential to go into remission, as well as its responsiveness to stress reduction, mind/body treatments and changes in lifestyle.

These are a list of suggestions I recommend for my new patients to experiment with, so give it a try and see what works best for you.

Decrease protein toward 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein.

Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible as well as organic products made from wheat and soy.
Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all foods (such as deep-
fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish, walnuts, or flax and hemp seeds.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eat ginger and turmeric regularly.
Take acidophilus culture and psyllium if constipation is a problem, or use the ayurvedic herbal bowel regulator, triphala.
Take my antioxidant and daily multivitamin formula and a B-50 complex vitamin, and a multi-mineral supplement daily.
Take 5 grams of soy lecithin granules daily (store this in the refrigerator).
Take 30 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) two or three times a day.
Do some kind of light aerobic exercise on a regular basis. Choose something you enjoy but do not push your self to the point of
exhaustion.
Visualization, meditation, and hypnotherapy can redirect your mental energies in positive directions.
Experiment with traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine from qualified practitioners.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
Supporting the Weil Foundation for Integrative Medicine Dr. Weil donates all of his after-tax profits from royalties from the sale of vitamins, multivitamins, and nutritional supplements on the Vitamin Advisor to the Weil Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting integrative medicine through training, education and research.

53. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Are There Natural Remedies for Multiple Sclerosis?

I have asked this question a lot when I first got diagnoise. So I went and will give you some of the information that I have found on this question.

The following is from the site of Dr. Weil.

The information thati'm going to write on was first (Published on February 14, 2002).Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most baffling of all diseases - we know very little about what causes it and what factors influence its progression and outcome. MS begins with localized inflammatory damage of the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerve fibers due to an attack by the immune system. The resulting damage interferes with nerve impulses and can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of vision, and a variety of other neurological impairments.

Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet! - Everything you need to get started eating a healthful, satisfying diet is here - including eating and shopping guides, over 200 recipes, and an exclusive version of Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid! Start your 14-day free trial now - and start eating anti-inflammatory today!

Although considered an autoimmune disease, it is not clear what causes the immune system to attack nerve sheaths. Researchers have been studying a possible viral trigger, but this would not explain why MS is more common among those who live in northern latitudes and uncommon in those near the equator. Additionally, scientists are unable to explain why there are so many different forms of MS, why some people have transient symptoms that never return, while others experience cycles of exacerbation and remission. In some people MS is relentless, leading to complete disability and death.

A drug called beta-interferon has become the conventional treatment for MS patients, especially those with the remitting variety. It can slow the progression of the disease, but is expensive and produces unpleasant side effects. Really effective medical treatment is still not available for most patients. I like to work with patients who have MS because of its variability and potential to go into remission, as well as its responsiveness to stress reduction, mind/body treatments and changes in lifestyle.

These are a list of suggestions I recommend for my new patients to experiment with, so give it a try and see what works best for you.

Decrease protein toward 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein.

Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible as well as organic products made from wheat and soy.
Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all foods (such as deep-
fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish, walnuts, or flax and hemp seeds.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eat ginger and turmeric regularly.
Take acidophilus culture and psyllium if constipation is a problem, or use the ayurvedic herbal bowel regulator, triphala.
Take my antioxidant and daily multivitamin formula and a B-50 complex vitamin, and a multi-mineral supplement daily.
Take 5 grams of soy lecithin granules daily (store this in the refrigerator).
Take 30 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) two or three times a day.
Do some kind of light aerobic exercise on a regular basis. Choose something you enjoy but do not push your self to the point of
exhaustion.
Visualization, meditation, and hypnotherapy can redirect your mental energies in positive directions.
Experiment with traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine from qualified practitioners.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
Supporting the Weil Foundation for Integrative Medicine Dr. Weil donates all of his after-tax profits from royalties from the sale of vitamins, multivitamins, and nutritional supplements on the Vitamin Advisor to the Weil Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting integrative medicine through training, education and research.

54. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Are There Natural Remedies for Multiple Sclerosis?

I have asked this question a lot when I first got diagnoise. So I went and will give you some of the information that I have found on this question.

The following is from the site of Dr. Weil.

The information thati'm going to write on was first (Published on February 14, 2002).Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most baffling of all diseases - we know very little about what causes it and what factors influence its progression and outcome. MS begins with localized inflammatory damage of the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerve fibers due to an attack by the immune system. The resulting damage interferes with nerve impulses and can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of vision, and a variety of other neurological impairments.

Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet! - Everything you need to get started eating a healthful, satisfying diet is here - including eating and shopping guides, over 200 recipes, and an exclusive version of Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid! Start your 14-day free trial now - and start eating anti-inflammatory today!

Although considered an autoimmune disease, it is not clear what causes the immune system to attack nerve sheaths. Researchers have been studying a possible viral trigger, but this would not explain why MS is more common among those who live in northern latitudes and uncommon in those near the equator. Additionally, scientists are unable to explain why there are so many different forms of MS, why some people have transient symptoms that never return, while others experience cycles of exacerbation and remission. In some people MS is relentless, leading to complete disability and death.

A drug called beta-interferon has become the conventional treatment for MS patients, especially those with the remitting variety. It can slow the progression of the disease, but is expensive and produces unpleasant side effects. Really effective medical treatment is still not available for most patients. I like to work with patients who have MS because of its variability and potential to go into remission, as well as its responsiveness to stress reduction, mind/body treatments and changes in lifestyle.

These are a list of suggestions I recommend for my new patients to experiment with, so give it a try and see what works best for you.

Decrease protein toward 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein.

Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible as well as organic products made from wheat and soy.
Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all foods (such as deep-
fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish, walnuts, or flax and hemp seeds.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eat ginger and turmeric regularly.
Take acidophilus culture and psyllium if constipation is a problem, or use the ayurvedic herbal bowel regulator, triphala.
Take my antioxidant and daily multivitamin formula and a B-50 complex vitamin, and a multi-mineral supplement daily.
Take 5 grams of soy lecithin granules daily (store this in the refrigerator).
Take 30 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) two or three times a day.
Do some kind of light aerobic exercise on a regular basis. Choose something you enjoy but do not push your self to the point of
exhaustion.
Visualization, meditation, and hypnotherapy can redirect your mental energies in positive directions.
Experiment with traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine from qualified practitioners.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
Supporting the Weil Foundation for Integrative Medicine Dr. Weil donates all of his after-tax profits from royalties from the sale of vitamins, multivitamins, and nutritional supplements on the Vitamin Advisor to the Weil Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting integrative medicine through training, education and research.

55. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Breaking News

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

MS blog material on 3-03-21

From Medscape Medical News Neurology

FDA Approves Interferon Autoinjector for Multiple Sclerosis

March 2, 2012 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new autoinjector system and titration regimen for patients receiving once-a-week treatment with interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Biogen Idec) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

In a statement, Biogen announced FDA approval for their Avonex Pen, an intramuscular autoinjector that integrates the currently approved prefilled syringe with a smaller needle, which at 25 gauges and 5/8 of an inch, is thinner and much shorter than what's available now. The aim is to reduce anxiety about self-injection, the company notes.

Avonex Pen

The new titration regimen, also approved by the FDA, incorporates an escalating dose designed to reduce the incidence and severity of flu-like symptoms commonly experienced when therapy with interferon begins. The optional schedule is based on data from an 8-week randomized, healthy-volunteer study of 234 people. After a 3-week titration period, the study showed the regimen reduced flu-like symptoms by 76%.

Interferon has been an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years.

The interferon pen, which is already available in Europe and Canada, received regulatory approval in the United States on the basis of data from a phase 3 study. Investigators studied the efficacy and safety in an open-label, multicenter study of 70 patients. Approximately 9 of 10 patients used the autoinjector successfully. Of these, 94% expressed a preference for the 30 mcg/0.5 mL pen over the interferon prefilled syringe.

According to the prescribing information, interferon should be used with caution in patients with depression or mood disorders or seizures. Patients should also be monitored for signs of hepatic injury. Those with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment. Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported.

Complete prescribing information is available online.

"Interferon has been an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years," Douglas Williams, PhD, Biogen Idec's executive vice president of research and development, said in a news release issued Tuesday. "Data have shown it to have the highest adherence rate among currently marketed injectable therapies," he pointed out. "However, anxiety around administration and the potential for flu-like symptoms can be a barrier for some patients."

Analysts say that with new oral therapies for MS entering the market, Biogen is working to hold on to its current market share for Avonex.

New Drug Application for BG-12

However, Biogen also announced Tuesday it has submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for its own oral agent for MS, oral dimethyl fumarate, also known as BG-12.

A similar application to the European Medicines Agency is scheduled for the product in the coming days, the company notes.

BG-12 is the only investigational compound that has experimentally demonstrated activation of the Nrf-2 pathway, the Biogen statement says.

Although there have been significant advances in MS treatment in the past 15 years, "there is still a significant unmet need for new and innovative therapies that target the disease in different ways," Dr. Williams said in the statement. "Based on the robust clinical efficacy and safety data seen in our phase 3 studies, we believe BG-12 has the potential to become an important oral treatment option for multiple sclerosis patients."

As previously reported by Medscape Medical News, trial results from the DEFINE and CONFIRM studies were both positive.

The first study, Determination of the Efficacy and safety of oral Fumarate IN rElapsing-remitting MS (DEFINE) included 1234 patients and found treatment reduced by roughly half the proportion of patients who relapsed at 2 years compared with placebo.

In the second study, Results of the Comparator and an Oral Fumarate in RRMS (CONFIRM) trial included 1430 patients and showed the drug significantly reduced annualized relapse rates vs placebo and compared favorably with a reference group treated with glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Teva Pharmaceuticals).

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

56. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Breaking News

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

MS blog material on 3-03-21

From Medscape Medical News Neurology

FDA Approves Interferon Autoinjector for Multiple Sclerosis

March 2, 2012 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new autoinjector system and titration regimen for patients receiving once-a-week treatment with interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Biogen Idec) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

In a statement, Biogen announced FDA approval for their Avonex Pen, an intramuscular autoinjector that integrates the currently approved prefilled syringe with a smaller needle, which at 25 gauges and 5/8 of an inch, is thinner and much shorter than what's available now. The aim is to reduce anxiety about self-injection, the company notes.

Avonex Pen

The new titration regimen, also approved by the FDA, incorporates an escalating dose designed to reduce the incidence and severity of flu-like symptoms commonly experienced when therapy with interferon begins. The optional schedule is based on data from an 8-week randomized, healthy-volunteer study of 234 people. After a 3-week titration period, the study showed the regimen reduced flu-like symptoms by 76%.

Interferon has been an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years.

The interferon pen, which is already available in Europe and Canada, received regulatory approval in the United States on the basis of data from a phase 3 study. Investigators studied the efficacy and safety in an open-label, multicenter study of 70 patients. Approximately 9 of 10 patients used the autoinjector successfully. Of these, 94% expressed a preference for the 30 mcg/0.5 mL pen over the interferon prefilled syringe.

According to the prescribing information, interferon should be used with caution in patients with depression or mood disorders or seizures. Patients should also be monitored for signs of hepatic injury. Those with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment. Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported.

Complete prescribing information is available online.

"Interferon has been an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years," Douglas Williams, PhD, Biogen Idec's executive vice president of research and development, said in a news release issued Tuesday. "Data have shown it to have the highest adherence rate among currently marketed injectable therapies," he pointed out. "However, anxiety around administration and the potential for flu-like symptoms can be a barrier for some patients."

Analysts say that with new oral therapies for MS entering the market, Biogen is working to hold on to its current market share for Avonex.

New Drug Application for BG-12

However, Biogen also announced Tuesday it has submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for its own oral agent for MS, oral dimethyl fumarate, also known as BG-12.

A similar application to the European Medicines Agency is scheduled for the product in the coming days, the company notes.

BG-12 is the only investigational compound that has experimentally demonstrated activation of the Nrf-2 pathway, the Biogen statement says.

Although there have been significant advances in MS treatment in the past 15 years, "there is still a significant unmet need for new and innovative therapies that target the disease in different ways," Dr. Williams said in the statement. "Based on the robust clinical efficacy and safety data seen in our phase 3 studies, we believe BG-12 has the potential to become an important oral treatment option for multiple sclerosis patients."

As previously reported by Medscape Medical News, trial results from the DEFINE and CONFIRM studies were both positive.

The first study, Determination of the Efficacy and safety of oral Fumarate IN rElapsing-remitting MS (DEFINE) included 1234 patients and found treatment reduced by roughly half the proportion of patients who relapsed at 2 years compared with placebo.

In the second study, Results of the Comparator and an Oral Fumarate in RRMS (CONFIRM) trial included 1430 patients and showed the drug significantly reduced annualized relapse rates vs placebo and compared favorably with a reference group treated with glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Teva Pharmaceuticals).

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

57. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Breaking News

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

MS blog material on 3-03-21

From Medscape Medical News Neurology

FDA Approves Interferon Autoinjector for Multiple Sclerosis

March 2, 2012 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new autoinjector system and titration regimen for patients receiving once-a-week treatment with interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Biogen Idec) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

In a statement, Biogen announced FDA approval for their Avonex Pen, an intramuscular autoinjector that integrates the currently approved prefilled syringe with a smaller needle, which at 25 gauges and 5/8 of an inch, is thinner and much shorter than what's available now. The aim is to reduce anxiety about self-injection, the company notes.

Avonex Pen

The new titration regimen, also approved by the FDA, incorporates an escalating dose designed to reduce the incidence and severity of flu-like symptoms commonly experienced when therapy with interferon begins. The optional schedule is based on data from an 8-week randomized, healthy-volunteer study of 234 people. After a 3-week titration period, the study showed the regimen reduced flu-like symptoms by 76%.

Interferon has been an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years.

The interferon pen, which is already available in Europe and Canada, received regulatory approval in the United States on the basis of data from a phase 3 study. Investigators studied the efficacy and safety in an open-label, multicenter study of 70 patients. Approximately 9 of 10 patients used the autoinjector successfully. Of these, 94% expressed a preference for the 30 mcg/0.5 mL pen over the interferon prefilled syringe.

According to the prescribing information, interferon should be used with caution in patients with depression or mood disorders or seizures. Patients should also be monitored for signs of hepatic injury. Those with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment. Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported.

Complete prescribing information is available online.

"Interferon has been an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years," Douglas Williams, PhD, Biogen Idec's executive vice president of research and development, said in a news release issued Tuesday. "Data have shown it to have the highest adherence rate among currently marketed injectable therapies," he pointed out. "However, anxiety around administration and the potential for flu-like symptoms can be a barrier for some patients."

Analysts say that with new oral therapies for MS entering the market, Biogen is working to hold on to its current market share for Avonex.

New Drug Application for BG-12

However, Biogen also announced Tuesday it has submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for its own oral agent for MS, oral dimethyl fumarate, also known as BG-12.

A similar application to the European Medicines Agency is scheduled for the product in the coming days, the company notes.

BG-12 is the only investigational compound that has experimentally demonstrated activation of the Nrf-2 pathway, the Biogen statement says.

Although there have been significant advances in MS treatment in the past 15 years, "there is still a significant unmet need for new and innovative therapies that target the disease in different ways," Dr. Williams said in the statement. "Based on the robust clinical efficacy and safety data seen in our phase 3 studies, we believe BG-12 has the potential to become an important oral treatment option for multiple sclerosis patients."

As previously reported by Medscape Medical News, trial results from the DEFINE and CONFIRM studies were both positive.

The first study, Determination of the Efficacy and safety of oral Fumarate IN rElapsing-remitting MS (DEFINE) included 1234 patients and found treatment reduced by roughly half the proportion of patients who relapsed at 2 years compared with placebo.

In the second study, Results of the Comparator and an Oral Fumarate in RRMS (CONFIRM) trial included 1430 patients and showed the drug significantly reduced annualized relapse rates vs placebo and compared favorably with a reference group treated with glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Teva Pharmaceuticals).

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

58. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Stem Cells

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Stem Cells

Posted by James Eckburg

This is a report on the newest treatment for Multiple Sclerosis anddoes seemed tobr promissing.

Small Trial of Patients’

Own Adult Stem Cells Appears Safe and Hints of Benefit

Feb 15, 2012

Results of a clinical trial involving 10 people with secondary-progressive MS suggest that injecting a person’s own bone marrow stem cells (mesenchymal cells) appears safe and may be beneficial in helping to protect the nervous system from injury from MS. Further trials now underway should further establish the safety and potential benefit of this approach for treating MS. The study, by Drs. Peter Connick (University of Cambridge), Siddharthan Chandran (University of Edinburgh) and colleagues, was published in the February Lancet Neurology (2012; 11:150-156).

Background: There are many types of stem cells that are undergoing varying degrees of research and which are producing knowledge about their potential usefulness for treating MS. Further study is necessary to determine what kind of cells might prove optimal for treating some or all people with MS.

One approach to stem cell research in MS relates to efforts to repair nervous system damage, or to protect against the damage (neuroprotection). This research is in its infancy, and there is no evidence yet that any type of stem cells can reverse MS damage or protect against it. Adult mesenchymal (pronounced messENkimmul) stem cells are present in many tissues of the body, including the bone marrow and fat. These cells potentially have the ability both to treat immune disorders and promote tissue repair. Studies in rodent models of MS have suggested that injections of mesenchymal stem cells may have benefit, and a few trials are testing this approach in MS and in spinal cord injury.

Since there is an unmet need for therapies for progressive MS, the United Kingdom investigators chose to do this clinical trial focusing on people with secondary-progressive MS. The study was funded by many sources including the Medical Research Council, MS Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Wellcome Trust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-YZCqoKXY0&feature=colike

The Study: Designing a clinical trial to show neuroprotection is difficult because, for one reason, the course of MS is so variable. To work around this difficulty, the research team recruited people who had very specific signs of myelin damage in the optic nerve. Participants included women and men ages 40 to 53 who had lived with MS for an average of 14.4 years. The procedure involved removing the individuals’ own bone marrow cells, which were then sorted, multiplied in lab dishes and eventually infused into the vein. Participants received a single infusion of cells based on their body weight.

The team’s primary goal was to assess feasibility and safety, but they also evaluated other outcomes such as visual function, MRI scans and disability. They observed participants for at least 12 months before the infusion and at least 6 months afterward. This small proof-of-concept trial was not placebo controlled, and the investigators compared the condition of participants for the 12 months before treatment against their condition after treatment.

Results: The procedure was found to be safe, with no serious adverse events identified. Several aspects of vision appeared to improve after treatment, including visual acuity, sensitivity to contrast, visual signal conduction (visual evoked response latency and amplitude), and optic nerve area. There was also a reduction in the rate of progression on the EDSS, a standard scale that measures physical disability. Other aspects of visual function did not change, including color vision and visual field, and imaging measures of disease activity, such as lesion volumes, retinal fiber layer thickness, and brain volume did not change significantly.

Comment: As the authors point out, the small, uncontrolled nature of the study make it important to verify the results in larger, controlled trials. In an accompanying editorial, Drs. Mark Freedman and Antonio Uccelli, who established the International Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Study Group, note that although the study is not definitive, it raises substantial interest because of the signs of repair shown in participants with secondary-progressive MS. Further trials now underway should further establish the safety and potential benefit of this approach for treating MS.

This study emphasizes the importance of research to restore function in MS by repairing and protecting the nervous system. Read more

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

59. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Stem Cells

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Stem Cells

Posted by James Eckburg

This is a report on the newest treatment for Multiple Sclerosis anddoes seemed tobr promissing.

Small Trial of Patients’

Own Adult Stem Cells Appears Safe and Hints of Benefit

Feb 15, 2012

Results of a clinical trial involving 10 people with secondary-progressive MS suggest that injecting a person’s own bone marrow stem cells (mesenchymal cells) appears safe and may be beneficial in helping to protect the nervous system from injury from MS. Further trials now underway should further establish the safety and potential benefit of this approach for treating MS. The study, by Drs. Peter Connick (University of Cambridge), Siddharthan Chandran (University of Edinburgh) and colleagues, was published in the February Lancet Neurology (2012; 11:150-156).

Background: There are many types of stem cells that are undergoing varying degrees of research and which are producing knowledge about their potential usefulness for treating MS. Further study is necessary to determine what kind of cells might prove optimal for treating some or all people with MS.

One approach to stem cell research in MS relates to efforts to repair nervous system damage, or to protect against the damage (neuroprotection). This research is in its infancy, and there is no evidence yet that any type of stem cells can reverse MS damage or protect against it. Adult mesenchymal (pronounced messENkimmul) stem cells are present in many tissues of the body, including the bone marrow and fat. These cells potentially have the ability both to treat immune disorders and promote tissue repair. Studies in rodent models of MS have suggested that injections of mesenchymal stem cells may have benefit, and a few trials are testing this approach in MS and in spinal cord injury.

Since there is an unmet need for therapies for progressive MS, the United Kingdom investigators chose to do this clinical trial focusing on people with secondary-progressive MS. The study was funded by many sources including the Medical Research Council, MS Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Wellcome Trust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-YZCqoKXY0&feature=colike

The Study: Designing a clinical trial to show neuroprotection is difficult because, for one reason, the course of MS is so variable. To work around this difficulty, the research team recruited people who had very specific signs of myelin damage in the optic nerve. Participants included women and men ages 40 to 53 who had lived with MS for an average of 14.4 years. The procedure involved removing the individuals’ own bone marrow cells, which were then sorted, multiplied in lab dishes and eventually infused into the vein. Participants received a single infusion of cells based on their body weight.

The team’s primary goal was to assess feasibility and safety, but they also evaluated other outcomes such as visual function, MRI scans and disability. They observed participants for at least 12 months before the infusion and at least 6 months afterward. This small proof-of-concept trial was not placebo controlled, and the investigators compared the condition of participants for the 12 months before treatment against their condition after treatment.

Results: The procedure was found to be safe, with no serious adverse events identified. Several aspects of vision appeared to improve after treatment, including visual acuity, sensitivity to contrast, visual signal conduction (visual evoked response latency and amplitude), and optic nerve area. There was also a reduction in the rate of progression on the EDSS, a standard scale that measures physical disability. Other aspects of visual function did not change, including color vision and visual field, and imaging measures of disease activity, such as lesion volumes, retinal fiber layer thickness, and brain volume did not change significantly.

Comment: As the authors point out, the small, uncontrolled nature of the study make it important to verify the results in larger, controlled trials. In an accompanying editorial, Drs. Mark Freedman and Antonio Uccelli, who established the International Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Study Group, note that although the study is not definitive, it raises substantial interest because of the signs of repair shown in participants with secondary-progressive MS. Further trials now underway should further establish the safety and potential benefit of this approach for treating MS.

This study emphasizes the importance of research to restore function in MS by repairing and protecting the nervous system. Read more

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

60. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Marketing

James Eckburg and MS Call to Acton

Reposted by James Eckburg

Online Advertising

One System Fits All!

The Veretekk Platinum Control Panel is the all in one online advertising system for Fortune 500 companies or the small business owner. This powerful system allows your business the flexibility of dividing up your marketing campaign to delegate specific tasks. By utilizing the strengths of your marketing team and allowing them to use their specific expertise will maximize your online advertising results.

Inside the Platinum Control Panel you will find the Veretekk Gold Marketing System where you begin your process of delegation. To begin you will bring your marketing team together for a web conference utilizing the VereConference Room Technology to introduce this powerful online advertising system to them.

VereConference Room Features

This conference room can be used for mentoring hundreds of your associates or one on one meetings. Create your own slide shows, use the screen casting technology or show videos. Superior white board features and Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind. You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors. Perform live online training sessions for your team. Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in! Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers! Text chat for your guests without a microphone! Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation! Keyboard commands for visually impaired users! Supports IFRAMES in html web pages. 100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed. Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms) Unlimited monthly usage! Customize the look and feel of your room. Live customer support - just when you need it! Room rates available upon request.

Veremail

Who is your best copy writer they will love this stealth e-mail autoresponder system, create unlimited sequential responder letters for your customers. Veremail Gold firmly surpasses the best emailing systems on the market with one very important benefit none of the others have: 3rd party verification validation and MAPs endorsement.

Other systems have come and gone, but only Veremail has stood the test time (online since 1996). Why? Simple - Veremail continues to be the world's only double opt-in, fully verified and verifiable, online bulk emailing system. The system is 100% spam free, allowing Internet marketers a legal, ethical, and responsible means for conducting their business online. Better yet, with Veremail you have no liability risk since all incoming and outgoing email flows through our massive email server farm - not your ISP. That is why you get a POP account. The system is packed with valuable features and functionality to both explode your business and let you monitor detailed statistical results - all delivered to you for a small fraction of the cost of other email systems.

You have the ability to create an unlimited number of Groups in Veremail. These can also be considered "CAMPAIGNS". Each group is listed separately in your Veretekk Bully Pulpit so that you can send out specialized emails to each one. You can use these groups to divide and organize the contacts that you manually enter and verify through the system. However, the real reason for having groups is that the system will automatically generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into your own web sites in order to offer a signup form for your visitors to subscribe to your mailing list. The code used for each group is a little different.

Send it all out from your very own Bully Pulpit

This is the tool you use to actually perform your email marketing. The Bully Pulpit contains a categorized list of all of your verified contacts. This includes your basic verified leads (e.g. Veremail leads, Veremail Form Code leads, CPT leads, Vanity Email Capture leads, etc.) as well as all of your Premium Leads (i.e. those generated by one of your 40 plus traffic portals included). You can select one of more of these groups and then view the list of contacts and/or send out an email.

RSS Feed ----- this is like giving your business a shot of steroids.

Blogging made simple and powerful. With the Veretekk RSS FEED system you can add timely content to all of your traffic portals and control that content from one location.

But even more important you can use the Veretekk blog and forum scripts to set up on your own domains and control the content on them remotely from one location! Your Veretekk RSS feed system is the most powerful blogging system on the Internet.

If you do nothing else but write keyword rich timely content consistently here, you will achieve stellar results! And yes, we have great training on doing this, both recorded and live.

This is just a little taste of what you get for your investment of around a whopping $1.84 per day for your Veretekk Gold Online Advertising System. I have no clue why Tom Prendergast offers this incredible value.

For more insights on the Veretekk Gold System click this link to watch this video The Total SEO Package.

Once you understand what you have your hands on you will want to upgrade to the Platinum Control Panel where you have the option to create up to 10 different marketing campaigns. For example if you have several different products or services you can build separate online advertising campaigns for each one.

YOU CAN`T BEAT THAT!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

61. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS New Treatments

New Drug for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

I would like to share some informmation on the new drug for Multiple Sclerosis called Gilenya. Only certin people will be able to take this drug. The person would have to see their Doctor and have a full evaluation done to see if they can get this drug. GILENYA is the first once–daily* pill for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis ( MS). While it does not cure MS, GILENYA gives people with MS something to talk to their doctor about – fewer relapses, a slowing down of the physical problems that MS causes, and freedom from injections.

GILENYA was proven effective in clinical trials of more than 2500 people. Find out if GILENYA is right for you. How GILENYA works

GILENYA lowers the number of lymphocytes (a type white blood cell) in your blood. How GILENYA works in MS is unknown, but it is thought that GILENYA keeps more lymphocytes inside the lymph nodes,** so that fewer can be released to attack nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and to the eyes. These lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and in the blood continue to function with GILENYA treatment.

Fortunately, GILENYA only keeps the lymphocytes inside the lymph nodes from leaving. It doesn't destroy them. If your doctor decides to stop your GILENYA treatment for any reason, the number of lymphocytes circulating in your body increases over the first few days and gradually returns to normal within 1 to 2 months.

GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. Your first dose will be given in a doctor's office or clinic, where you will be watched for 6 hours. If you stop taking GILENYA for 2 weeks or more, you will need to repeat this observation.

This effect was only observed in animal models.

GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. Your first dose will be given in a doctor's office or clinic, where you will be watched for 6 hours. If you stop taking GILENYA for 2 weeks or more, you will need to repeat this observation.

GILENYA is the first once-daily* pill for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

GILENYA – fewer relapses

GILENYA significantly reduced the number of relapses by:

GILENYA – kept many people relapse-free

People taking GILENYA remained relapse-free: 83% at 1 year versus 70% taking IM interferon beta-1a 70% at 2 years versus 46% taking placebo

GILENYA – delayed physical disability progression

After 2 years, people taking GILENYA were 30% less likely to have physical disability progression

GILENYA – reduced the number of new T2*** lesions as seen on MRI

GILENYA reduced the average number of new or newly enlarged lesions:

GILENYA – was proven effective in clinical trials of more than 2500 people

GILENYA – provides freedom from injections GILENYA is not an injectable medicine, so there are no injections, or injection-site reactions A highly effective treatment can have advantages — like being easier to take*

GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. Your first dose will be given in a doctor's office or clinic, where you will be watched for 6 hours. If you stop taking GILENYA for 2 weeks or more, you will need to repeat this observation.

Physical disability progression was scored every 3 months.

T2 is a type of MRI imaging that allows for greater image contrast, to help diagnose and monitor MS.

Register

Receive the
GILENYA Brochure
and news updates.
gilenya
Find out what other people have to say about GILENYA.

View GILENYA testimonials

Related topics Multiple sclerosis diagnosis First-Dose FAQs After your first dose

Important Safety Information

Want to talk to someone about GILENYA? Call 1-800 GILENYA (1-800-445-3692).

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

62. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS New Treatments

New Drug for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

I would like to share some informmation on the new drug for Multiple Sclerosis called Gilenya. Only certin people will be able to take this drug. The person would have to see their Doctor and have a full evaluation done to see if they can get this drug. GILENYA is the first once–daily* pill for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis ( MS). While it does not cure MS, GILENYA gives people with MS something to talk to their doctor about – fewer relapses, a slowing down of the physical problems that MS causes, and freedom from injections.

GILENYA was proven effective in clinical trials of more than 2500 people. Find out if GILENYA is right for you. How GILENYA works

GILENYA lowers the number of lymphocytes (a type white blood cell) in your blood. How GILENYA works in MS is unknown, but it is thought that GILENYA keeps more lymphocytes inside the lymph nodes,** so that fewer can be released to attack nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and to the eyes. These lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and in the blood continue to function with GILENYA treatment.

Fortunately, GILENYA only keeps the lymphocytes inside the lymph nodes from leaving. It doesn't destroy them. If your doctor decides to stop your GILENYA treatment for any reason, the number of lymphocytes circulating in your body increases over the first few days and gradually returns to normal within 1 to 2 months.

GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. Your first dose will be given in a doctor's office or clinic, where you will be watched for 6 hours. If you stop taking GILENYA for 2 weeks or more, you will need to repeat this observation.

This effect was only observed in animal models.

GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. Your first dose will be given in a doctor's office or clinic, where you will be watched for 6 hours. If you stop taking GILENYA for 2 weeks or more, you will need to repeat this observation.

GILENYA is the first once-daily* pill for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

GILENYA – fewer relapses

GILENYA significantly reduced the number of relapses by:

GILENYA – kept many people relapse-free

People taking GILENYA remained relapse-free: 83% at 1 year versus 70% taking IM interferon beta-1a 70% at 2 years versus 46% taking placebo

GILENYA – delayed physical disability progression

After 2 years, people taking GILENYA were 30% less likely to have physical disability progression

GILENYA – reduced the number of new T2*** lesions as seen on MRI

GILENYA reduced the average number of new or newly enlarged lesions:

GILENYA – was proven effective in clinical trials of more than 2500 people

GILENYA – provides freedom from injections GILENYA is not an injectable medicine, so there are no injections, or injection-site reactions A highly effective treatment can have advantages — like being easier to take*

GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. Your first dose will be given in a doctor's office or clinic, where you will be watched for 6 hours. If you stop taking GILENYA for 2 weeks or more, you will need to repeat this observation.

Physical disability progression was scored every 3 months.

T2 is a type of MRI imaging that allows for greater image contrast, to help diagnose and monitor MS.

Register

Receive the
GILENYA Brochure
and news updates.
gilenya
Find out what other people have to say about GILENYA.

View GILENYA testimonials

Related topics Multiple sclerosis diagnosis First-Dose FAQs After your first dose

Important Safety Information

Want to talk to someone about GILENYA? Call 1-800 GILENYA (1-800-445-3692).

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

63. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Online Advertising

James Eckburg and MS Call to Acton

Reposted by James Eckburg

Online Advertising

One System Fits All!

The Veretekk Platinum Control Panel is the all in one online advertising system for Fortune 500 companies or the small business owner. This powerful system allows your business the flexibility of dividing up your marketing campaign to delegate specific tasks. By utilizing the strengths of your marketing team and allowing them to use their specific expertise will maximize your online advertising results.

Inside the Platinum Control Panel you will find the Veretekk Gold Marketing System where you begin your process of delegation. To begin you will bring your marketing team together for a web conference utilizing the VereConference Room Technology to introduce this powerful online advertising system to them.

VereConference Room Features

This conference room can be used for mentoring hundreds of your associates or one on one meetings. Create your own slide shows, use the screen casting technology or show videos. Superior white board features and Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind. You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors. Perform live online training sessions for your team. Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in! Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers! Text chat for your guests without a microphone! Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation! Keyboard commands for visually impaired users! Supports IFRAMES in html web pages. 100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed. Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms) Unlimited monthly usage! Customize the look and feel of your room. Live customer support - just when you need it! Room rates available upon request.

Veremail

Who is your best copy writer they will love this stealth e-mail autoresponder system, create unlimited sequential responder letters for your customers. Veremail Gold firmly surpasses the best emailing systems on the market with one very important benefit none of the others have: 3rd party verification validation and MAPs endorsement.

Other systems have come and gone, but only Veremail has stood the test time (online since 1996). Why? Simple - Veremail continues to be the world's only double opt-in, fully verified and verifiable, online bulk emailing system. The system is 100% spam free, allowing Internet marketers a legal, ethical, and responsible means for conducting their business online. Better yet, with Veremail you have no liability risk since all incoming and outgoing email flows through our massive email server farm - not your ISP. That is why you get a POP account. The system is packed with valuable features and functionality to both explode your business and let you monitor detailed statistical results - all delivered to you for a small fraction of the cost of other email systems.

You have the ability to create an unlimited number of Groups in Veremail. These can also be considered "CAMPAIGNS". Each group is listed separately in your Veretekk Bully Pulpit so that you can send out specialized emails to each one. You can use these groups to divide and organize the contacts that you manually enter and verify through the system. However, the real reason for having groups is that the system will automatically generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into your own web sites in order to offer a signup form for your visitors to subscribe to your mailing list. The code used for each group is a little different.

Send it all out from your very own Bully Pulpit

This is the tool you use to actually perform your email marketing. The Bully Pulpit contains a categorized list of all of your verified contacts. This includes your basic verified leads (e.g. Veremail leads, Veremail Form Code leads, CPT leads, Vanity Email Capture leads, etc.) as well as all of your Premium Leads (i.e. those generated by one of your 40 plus traffic portals included). You can select one of more of these groups and then view the list of contacts and/or send out an email.

RSS Feed ----- this is like giving your business a shot of steroids.

Blogging made simple and powerful. With the Veretekk RSS FEED system you can add timely content to all of your traffic portals and control that content from one location.

But even more important you can use the Veretekk blog and forum scripts to set up on your own domains and control the content on them remotely from one location! Your Veretekk RSS feed system is the most powerful blogging system on the Internet.

If you do nothing else but write keyword rich timely content consistently here, you will achieve stellar results! And yes, we have great training on doing this, both recorded and live.

This is just a little taste of what you get for your investment of around a whopping $1.84 per day for your Veretekk Gold Online Advertising System. I have no clue why Tom Prendergast offers this incredible value.

For more insights on the Veretekk Gold System click this link to watch this video The Total SEO Package.

Once you understand what you have your hands on you will want to upgrade to the Platinum Control Panel where you have the option to create up to 10 different marketing campaigns. For example if you have several different products or services you can build separate online advertising campaigns for each one.

YOU CAN`T BEAT THAT!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

64. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Online Advertising

James Eckburg and MS Call to Acton

Reposted by James Eckburg

Online Advertising

One System Fits All!

The Veretekk Platinum Control Panel is the all in one online advertising system for Fortune 500 companies or the small business owner. This powerful system allows your business the flexibility of dividing up your marketing campaign to delegate specific tasks. By utilizing the strengths of your marketing team and allowing them to use their specific expertise will maximize your online advertising results.

Inside the Platinum Control Panel you will find the Veretekk Gold Marketing System where you begin your process of delegation. To begin you will bring your marketing team together for a web conference utilizing the VereConference Room Technology to introduce this powerful online advertising system to them.

VereConference Room Features

This conference room can be used for mentoring hundreds of your associates or one on one meetings. Create your own slide shows, use the screen casting technology or show videos. Superior white board features and Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind. You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors. Perform live online training sessions for your team. Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in! Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers! Text chat for your guests without a microphone! Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation! Keyboard commands for visually impaired users! Supports IFRAMES in html web pages. 100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed. Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms) Unlimited monthly usage! Customize the look and feel of your room. Live customer support - just when you need it! Room rates available upon request.

Veremail

Who is your best copy writer they will love this stealth e-mail autoresponder system, create unlimited sequential responder letters for your customers. Veremail Gold firmly surpasses the best emailing systems on the market with one very important benefit none of the others have: 3rd party verification validation and MAPs endorsement.

Other systems have come and gone, but only Veremail has stood the test time (online since 1996). Why? Simple - Veremail continues to be the world's only double opt-in, fully verified and verifiable, online bulk emailing system. The system is 100% spam free, allowing Internet marketers a legal, ethical, and responsible means for conducting their business online. Better yet, with Veremail you have no liability risk since all incoming and outgoing email flows through our massive email server farm - not your ISP. That is why you get a POP account. The system is packed with valuable features and functionality to both explode your business and let you monitor detailed statistical results - all delivered to you for a small fraction of the cost of other email systems.

You have the ability to create an unlimited number of Groups in Veremail. These can also be considered "CAMPAIGNS". Each group is listed separately in your Veretekk Bully Pulpit so that you can send out specialized emails to each one. You can use these groups to divide and organize the contacts that you manually enter and verify through the system. However, the real reason for having groups is that the system will automatically generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into your own web sites in order to offer a signup form for your visitors to subscribe to your mailing list. The code used for each group is a little different.

Send it all out from your very own Bully Pulpit

This is the tool you use to actually perform your email marketing. The Bully Pulpit contains a categorized list of all of your verified contacts. This includes your basic verified leads (e.g. Veremail leads, Veremail Form Code leads, CPT leads, Vanity Email Capture leads, etc.) as well as all of your Premium Leads (i.e. those generated by one of your 40 plus traffic portals included). You can select one of more of these groups and then view the list of contacts and/or send out an email.

RSS Feed ----- this is like giving your business a shot of steroids.

Blogging made simple and powerful. With the Veretekk RSS FEED system you can add timely content to all of your traffic portals and control that content from one location.

But even more important you can use the Veretekk blog and forum scripts to set up on your own domains and control the content on them remotely from one location! Your Veretekk RSS feed system is the most powerful blogging system on the Internet.

If you do nothing else but write keyword rich timely content consistently here, you will achieve stellar results! And yes, we have great training on doing this, both recorded and live.

This is just a little taste of what you get for your investment of around a whopping $1.84 per day for your Veretekk Gold Online Advertising System. I have no clue why Tom Prendergast offers this incredible value.

For more insights on the Veretekk Gold System click this link to watch this video The Total SEO Package.

Once you understand what you have your hands on you will want to upgrade to the Platinum Control Panel where you have the option to create up to 10 different marketing campaigns. For example if you have several different products or services you can build separate online advertising campaigns for each one.

YOU CAN`T BEAT THAT!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

65. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Inflammation

What Is Reactive Arthritis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcUZ3Zn3KSc&feature=colike

Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, that occurs as a reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body. Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease and is marked by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Besides this joint inflammation, reactive arthritis is associated with two other symptoms: redness and inflammation of the eyes conjunctivitis and inflammation of the urinary tract urethritis. These symptoms may occur alone, together, or not at all.

Reactive arthritis is also known as Reiters syndrome, and your doctor may refer to it by yet another term, as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a group of disorders that can cause inflammation throughout the body, especially in the spine. Examples of other disorders in this group include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and the kind of arthritis that sometimes accompanies inflammatory bowel disease.

In many patients, reactive arthritis is triggered by a venereal infection in the bladder, the urethra, or, in women, the vagina the urogenital tractthat is often transmitted through sexual contact. This form of the disorder is sometimes called genitourinary or urogenital reactive arthritis. Another form of reactive arthritis is caused by an infection in the intestinal tract from eating food or handling substances that are contaminated with bacteria. This form of arthritis is sometimes called enteric or gastrointestinal reactive arthritis.

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually last 3 to 12 months, although symptoms can return or develop into a long term disease in a small percentage of people.

What Causes Reactive Arthritis?

Reactive arthritis typically begins about 1 to 3 weeks after infection. The bacterium most often associated with reactive arthritis is Chlamydia trachomatis, commonly known as chlamydia pronounced kla MID ea. It is usually acquired through sexual contact. Some evidence also shows that respiratory infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae may trigger reactive arthritis.

Infections in the digestive tract that may trigger reactive arthritis include Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter. People may become infected with these bacteria after eating or handling improperly prepared food, such as meats that are not stored at the proper temperature.

Doctors do not know exactly why some people exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis and others do not, but they have identified a genetic factor, human leukocyte antigen HLAB27, that increases a persons chance of developing reactive arthritis. Approximately 80 percent of people with reactive arthritis test positive for HLAB27. However, inheriting the HLAB27 gene does not necessarily mean you will get reactive arthritis. Eight percent of healthy people have the HLAB27 gene, and only about one fifth of them will develop reactive arthritis if they contract the triggering infections.

Resource: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases NIAMS Information Clearinghouse National Institutes of Health

Visit This Link And Learn How Other Reduce Inflammation

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

66. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Inflammation

What Is Reactive Arthritis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcUZ3Zn3KSc&feature=colike

Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, that occurs as a reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body. Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease and is marked by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Besides this joint inflammation, reactive arthritis is associated with two other symptoms: redness and inflammation of the eyes conjunctivitis and inflammation of the urinary tract urethritis. These symptoms may occur alone, together, or not at all.

Reactive arthritis is also known as Reiters syndrome, and your doctor may refer to it by yet another term, as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a group of disorders that can cause inflammation throughout the body, especially in the spine. Examples of other disorders in this group include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and the kind of arthritis that sometimes accompanies inflammatory bowel disease.

In many patients, reactive arthritis is triggered by a venereal infection in the bladder, the urethra, or, in women, the vagina the urogenital tractthat is often transmitted through sexual contact. This form of the disorder is sometimes called genitourinary or urogenital reactive arthritis. Another form of reactive arthritis is caused by an infection in the intestinal tract from eating food or handling substances that are contaminated with bacteria. This form of arthritis is sometimes called enteric or gastrointestinal reactive arthritis.

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually last 3 to 12 months, although symptoms can return or develop into a long term disease in a small percentage of people.

What Causes Reactive Arthritis?

Reactive arthritis typically begins about 1 to 3 weeks after infection. The bacterium most often associated with reactive arthritis is Chlamydia trachomatis, commonly known as chlamydia pronounced kla MID ea. It is usually acquired through sexual contact. Some evidence also shows that respiratory infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae may trigger reactive arthritis.

Infections in the digestive tract that may trigger reactive arthritis include Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter. People may become infected with these bacteria after eating or handling improperly prepared food, such as meats that are not stored at the proper temperature.

Doctors do not know exactly why some people exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis and others do not, but they have identified a genetic factor, human leukocyte antigen HLAB27, that increases a persons chance of developing reactive arthritis. Approximately 80 percent of people with reactive arthritis test positive for HLAB27. However, inheriting the HLAB27 gene does not necessarily mean you will get reactive arthritis. Eight percent of healthy people have the HLAB27 gene, and only about one fifth of them will develop reactive arthritis if they contract the triggering infections.

Resource: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases NIAMS Information Clearinghouse National Institutes of Health

Visit This Link And Learn How Other Reduce Inflammation

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

67. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Inflammation

What Is Reactive Arthritis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcUZ3Zn3KSc&feature=colike

Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, that occurs as a reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body. Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease and is marked by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Besides this joint inflammation, reactive arthritis is associated with two other symptoms: redness and inflammation of the eyes conjunctivitis and inflammation of the urinary tract urethritis. These symptoms may occur alone, together, or not at all.

Reactive arthritis is also known as Reiters syndrome, and your doctor may refer to it by yet another term, as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a group of disorders that can cause inflammation throughout the body, especially in the spine. Examples of other disorders in this group include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and the kind of arthritis that sometimes accompanies inflammatory bowel disease.

In many patients, reactive arthritis is triggered by a venereal infection in the bladder, the urethra, or, in women, the vagina the urogenital tractthat is often transmitted through sexual contact. This form of the disorder is sometimes called genitourinary or urogenital reactive arthritis. Another form of reactive arthritis is caused by an infection in the intestinal tract from eating food or handling substances that are contaminated with bacteria. This form of arthritis is sometimes called enteric or gastrointestinal reactive arthritis.

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually last 3 to 12 months, although symptoms can return or develop into a long term disease in a small percentage of people.

What Causes Reactive Arthritis?

Reactive arthritis typically begins about 1 to 3 weeks after infection. The bacterium most often associated with reactive arthritis is Chlamydia trachomatis, commonly known as chlamydia pronounced kla MID ea. It is usually acquired through sexual contact. Some evidence also shows that respiratory infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae may trigger reactive arthritis.

Infections in the digestive tract that may trigger reactive arthritis include Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter. People may become infected with these bacteria after eating or handling improperly prepared food, such as meats that are not stored at the proper temperature.

Doctors do not know exactly why some people exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis and others do not, but they have identified a genetic factor, human leukocyte antigen HLAB27, that increases a persons chance of developing reactive arthritis. Approximately 80 percent of people with reactive arthritis test positive for HLAB27. However, inheriting the HLAB27 gene does not necessarily mean you will get reactive arthritis. Eight percent of healthy people have the HLAB27 gene, and only about one fifth of them will develop reactive arthritis if they contract the triggering infections.

Resource: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases NIAMS Information Clearinghouse National Institutes of Health

Visit This Link And Learn How Other Reduce Inflammation

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

68. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Inflammation

What Is Reactive Arthritis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcUZ3Zn3KSc&feature=colike

Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, that occurs as a reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body. Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease and is marked by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Besides this joint inflammation, reactive arthritis is associated with two other symptoms: redness and inflammation of the eyes conjunctivitis and inflammation of the urinary tract urethritis. These symptoms may occur alone, together, or not at all.

Reactive arthritis is also known as Reiters syndrome, and your doctor may refer to it by yet another term, as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a group of disorders that can cause inflammation throughout the body, especially in the spine. Examples of other disorders in this group include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and the kind of arthritis that sometimes accompanies inflammatory bowel disease.

In many patients, reactive arthritis is triggered by a venereal infection in the bladder, the urethra, or, in women, the vagina the urogenital tractthat is often transmitted through sexual contact. This form of the disorder is sometimes called genitourinary or urogenital reactive arthritis. Another form of reactive arthritis is caused by an infection in the intestinal tract from eating food or handling substances that are contaminated with bacteria. This form of arthritis is sometimes called enteric or gastrointestinal reactive arthritis.

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually last 3 to 12 months, although symptoms can return or develop into a long term disease in a small percentage of people.

What Causes Reactive Arthritis?

Reactive arthritis typically begins about 1 to 3 weeks after infection. The bacterium most often associated with reactive arthritis is Chlamydia trachomatis, commonly known as chlamydia pronounced kla MID ea. It is usually acquired through sexual contact. Some evidence also shows that respiratory infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae may trigger reactive arthritis.

Infections in the digestive tract that may trigger reactive arthritis include Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter. People may become infected with these bacteria after eating or handling improperly prepared food, such as meats that are not stored at the proper temperature.

Doctors do not know exactly why some people exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis and others do not, but they have identified a genetic factor, human leukocyte antigen HLAB27, that increases a persons chance of developing reactive arthritis. Approximately 80 percent of people with reactive arthritis test positive for HLAB27. However, inheriting the HLAB27 gene does not necessarily mean you will get reactive arthritis. Eight percent of healthy people have the HLAB27 gene, and only about one fifth of them will develop reactive arthritis if they contract the triggering infections.

Resource: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases NIAMS Information Clearinghouse National Institutes of Health

Visit This Link And Learn How Other Reduce Inflammation

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

69. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Online Marketing

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Online Advertising

One System Fits All!

The Veretekk Platinum Control Panel is the all in one online advertising system for Fortune 500 companies or the small business owner. This powerful system allows your business the flexibility of dividing up your marketing campaign to delegate specific tasks. By utilizing the strengths of your marketing team and allowing them to use their specific expertise will maximize your online advertising results.

Inside the Platinum Control Panel you will find the Veretekk Gold Marketing System where you begin your process of delegation. To begin you will bring your marketing team together for a web conference utilizing the VereConference Room Technology to introduce this powerful online advertising system to them.

VereConference Room Features

This conference room can be used for mentoring hundreds of your associates or one on one meetings. Create your own slide shows, use the screen casting technology or show videos. Superior white board features and Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind.
You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors.
Perform live online training sessions for your team.
Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in!
Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers!
Text chat for your guests without a microphone!
Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation!
Keyboard commands for visually impaired users!
Supports IFRAMES in html web pages.
100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed.
Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms)
Unlimited monthly usage!
Customize the look and feel of your room.
Live customer support - just when you need it!
Room rates available upon request.

Veremail

Who is your best copy writer they will love this stealth e-mail autoresponder system, create unlimited sequential responder letters for your customers. Veremail Gold firmly surpasses the best emailing systems on the market with one very important benefit none of the others have: 3rd party verification validation and MAPs endorsement.

Other systems have come and gone, but only Veremail has stood the test time (online since 1996). Why? Simple - Veremail continues to be the world's only double opt-in, fully verified and verifiable, online bulk emailing system. The system is 100% spam free, allowing Internet marketers a legal, ethical, and responsible means for conducting their business online. Better yet, with Veremail you have no liability risk since all incoming and outgoing email flows through our massive email server farm - not your ISP. That is why you get a POP account. The system is packed with valuable features and functionality to both explode your business and let you monitor detailed statistical results - all delivered to you for a small fraction of the cost of other email systems.

You have the ability to create an unlimited number of Groups in Veremail. These can also be considered "CAMPAIGNS". Each group is listed separately in your Veretekk Bully Pulpit so that you can send out specialized emails to each one. You can use these groups to divide and organize the contacts that you manually enter and verify through the system. However, the real reason for having groups is that the system will automatically generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into your own web sites in order to offer a signup form for your visitors to subscribe to your mailing list. The code used for each group is a little different.

Send it all out from your very own Bully Pulpit

This is the tool you use to actually perform your email marketing. The Bully Pulpit contains a categorized list of all of your verified contacts. This includes your basic verified leads (e.g. Veremail leads, Veremail Form Code leads, CPT leads, Vanity Email Capture leads, etc.) as well as all of your Premium Leads (i.e. those generated by one of your 40 plus traffic portals included). You can select one of more of these groups and then view the list of contacts and/or send out an email.

RSS Feed ----- this is like giving your business a shot of steroids.

Blogging made simple and powerful. With the Veretekk RSS FEED system you can add timely content to all of your traffic portals and control that content from one location.

But even more important you can use the Veretekk blog and forum scripts to set up on your own domains and control the content on them remotely from one location! Your Veretekk RSS feed system is the most powerful blogging system on the Internet.

If you do nothing else but write keyword rich timely content consistently here, you will achieve stellar results! And yes, we have great training on doing this, both recorded and live.

This is just a little taste of what you get for your investment of around a whopping $1.84 per day for your Veretekk Gold Online Advertising System. I have no clue why Tom Prendergast offers this incredible value.

For more insights on the Veretekk Gold System click this link to watch this video The Total SEO Package.

Once you understand what you have your hands on you will want to upgrade to the Platinum Control Panel where you have the option to create up to 10 different marketing campaigns. For example if you have several different products or services you can build separate online advertising campaigns for each one.

YOU CAN`T BEAT THAT!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

70. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Online Marketing

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Online Advertising

One System Fits All!

The Veretekk Platinum Control Panel is the all in one online advertising system for Fortune 500 companies or the small business owner. This powerful system allows your business the flexibility of dividing up your marketing campaign to delegate specific tasks. By utilizing the strengths of your marketing team and allowing them to use their specific expertise will maximize your online advertising results.

Inside the Platinum Control Panel you will find the Veretekk Gold Marketing System where you begin your process of delegation. To begin you will bring your marketing team together for a web conference utilizing the VereConference Room Technology to introduce this powerful online advertising system to them.

VereConference Room Features

This conference room can be used for mentoring hundreds of your associates or one on one meetings. Create your own slide shows, use the screen casting technology or show videos. Superior white board features and Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind.
You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors.
Perform live online training sessions for your team.
Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in!
Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers!
Text chat for your guests without a microphone!
Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation!
Keyboard commands for visually impaired users!
Supports IFRAMES in html web pages.
100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed.
Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms)
Unlimited monthly usage!
Customize the look and feel of your room.
Live customer support - just when you need it!
Room rates available upon request.

Veremail

Who is your best copy writer they will love this stealth e-mail autoresponder system, create unlimited sequential responder letters for your customers. Veremail Gold firmly surpasses the best emailing systems on the market with one very important benefit none of the others have: 3rd party verification validation and MAPs endorsement.

Other systems have come and gone, but only Veremail has stood the test time (online since 1996). Why? Simple - Veremail continues to be the world's only double opt-in, fully verified and verifiable, online bulk emailing system. The system is 100% spam free, allowing Internet marketers a legal, ethical, and responsible means for conducting their business online. Better yet, with Veremail you have no liability risk since all incoming and outgoing email flows through our massive email server farm - not your ISP. That is why you get a POP account. The system is packed with valuable features and functionality to both explode your business and let you monitor detailed statistical results - all delivered to you for a small fraction of the cost of other email systems.

You have the ability to create an unlimited number of Groups in Veremail. These can also be considered "CAMPAIGNS". Each group is listed separately in your Veretekk Bully Pulpit so that you can send out specialized emails to each one. You can use these groups to divide and organize the contacts that you manually enter and verify through the system. However, the real reason for having groups is that the system will automatically generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into your own web sites in order to offer a signup form for your visitors to subscribe to your mailing list. The code used for each group is a little different.

Send it all out from your very own Bully Pulpit

This is the tool you use to actually perform your email marketing. The Bully Pulpit contains a categorized list of all of your verified contacts. This includes your basic verified leads (e.g. Veremail leads, Veremail Form Code leads, CPT leads, Vanity Email Capture leads, etc.) as well as all of your Premium Leads (i.e. those generated by one of your 40 plus traffic portals included). You can select one of more of these groups and then view the list of contacts and/or send out an email.

RSS Feed ----- this is like giving your business a shot of steroids.

Blogging made simple and powerful. With the Veretekk RSS FEED system you can add timely content to all of your traffic portals and control that content from one location.

But even more important you can use the Veretekk blog and forum scripts to set up on your own domains and control the content on them remotely from one location! Your Veretekk RSS feed system is the most powerful blogging system on the Internet.

If you do nothing else but write keyword rich timely content consistently here, you will achieve stellar results! And yes, we have great training on doing this, both recorded and live.

This is just a little taste of what you get for your investment of around a whopping $1.84 per day for your Veretekk Gold Online Advertising System. I have no clue why Tom Prendergast offers this incredible value.

For more insights on the Veretekk Gold System click this link to watch this video The Total SEO Package.

Once you understand what you have your hands on you will want to upgrade to the Platinum Control Panel where you have the option to create up to 10 different marketing campaigns. For example if you have several different products or services you can build separate online advertising campaigns for each one.

YOU CAN`T BEAT THAT!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

71. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Online Marketing

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Online Advertising

One System Fits All!

The Veretekk Platinum Control Panel is the all in one online advertising system for Fortune 500 companies or the small business owner. This powerful system allows your business the flexibility of dividing up your marketing campaign to delegate specific tasks. By utilizing the strengths of your marketing team and allowing them to use their specific expertise will maximize your online advertising results.

Inside the Platinum Control Panel you will find the Veretekk Gold Marketing System where you begin your process of delegation. To begin you will bring your marketing team together for a web conference utilizing the VereConference Room Technology to introduce this powerful online advertising system to them.

VereConference Room Features

This conference room can be used for mentoring hundreds of your associates or one on one meetings. Create your own slide shows, use the screen casting technology or show videos. Superior white board features and Synchronized web browsing allows you to push web pages for 1000's of viewers to see.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection of any kind.
You can use it to provide live, online support for your existing customers and website visitors.
Perform live online training sessions for your team.
Clean interface. Extremely easy to use! Just click the link and you're in!
Rich, quality sound. All you need is a headset and speakers!
Text chat for your guests without a microphone!
Private text chat conversations on the side of the main presentation!
Keyboard commands for visually impaired users!
Supports IFRAMES in html web pages.
100% Internet based - no phone line or teleconference needed.
Recording feature - archive your meetings and post them on the web! (not included with free rooms)
Unlimited monthly usage!
Customize the look and feel of your room.
Live customer support - just when you need it!
Room rates available upon request.

Veremail

Who is your best copy writer they will love this stealth e-mail autoresponder system, create unlimited sequential responder letters for your customers. Veremail Gold firmly surpasses the best emailing systems on the market with one very important benefit none of the others have: 3rd party verification validation and MAPs endorsement.

Other systems have come and gone, but only Veremail has stood the test time (online since 1996). Why? Simple - Veremail continues to be the world's only double opt-in, fully verified and verifiable, online bulk emailing system. The system is 100% spam free, allowing Internet marketers a legal, ethical, and responsible means for conducting their business online. Better yet, with Veremail you have no liability risk since all incoming and outgoing email flows through our massive email server farm - not your ISP. That is why you get a POP account. The system is packed with valuable features and functionality to both explode your business and let you monitor detailed statistical results - all delivered to you for a small fraction of the cost of other email systems.

You have the ability to create an unlimited number of Groups in Veremail. These can also be considered "CAMPAIGNS". Each group is listed separately in your Veretekk Bully Pulpit so that you can send out specialized emails to each one. You can use these groups to divide and organize the contacts that you manually enter and verify through the system. However, the real reason for having groups is that the system will automatically generate HTML code that you can copy and paste into your own web sites in order to offer a signup form for your visitors to subscribe to your mailing list. The code used for each group is a little different.

Send it all out from your very own Bully Pulpit

This is the tool you use to actually perform your email marketing. The Bully Pulpit contains a categorized list of all of your verified contacts. This includes your basic verified leads (e.g. Veremail leads, Veremail Form Code leads, CPT leads, Vanity Email Capture leads, etc.) as well as all of your Premium Leads (i.e. those generated by one of your 40 plus traffic portals included). You can select one of more of these groups and then view the list of contacts and/or send out an email.

RSS Feed ----- this is like giving your business a shot of steroids.

Blogging made simple and powerful. With the Veretekk RSS FEED system you can add timely content to all of your traffic portals and control that content from one location.

But even more important you can use the Veretekk blog and forum scripts to set up on your own domains and control the content on them remotely from one location! Your Veretekk RSS feed system is the most powerful blogging system on the Internet.

If you do nothing else but write keyword rich timely content consistently here, you will achieve stellar results! And yes, we have great training on doing this, both recorded and live.

This is just a little taste of what you get for your investment of around a whopping $1.84 per day for your Veretekk Gold Online Advertising System. I have no clue why Tom Prendergast offers this incredible value.

For more insights on the Veretekk Gold System click this link to watch this video The Total SEO Package.

Once you understand what you have your hands on you will want to upgrade to the Platinum Control Panel where you have the option to create up to 10 different marketing campaigns. For example if you have several different products or services you can build separate online advertising campaigns for each one.

YOU CAN`T BEAT THAT!

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

72. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

Inflammation points to many conditions.

Just how inflammation relates to a lot of conditions, whether it is a cause, effect, or innocent bystander, is nevertheless unclear. Yet, we see that elevated inflammation markers are a risk factor for a lot of of the most usual diseases of aging. And exploration suggests that dietary manipulation and other lifestyle changes can decrease inflammation and other risk factors for disease.

Inflammation, according to scientific data, is one common thread in a body's answer to a painful injury.

Inflammation can be classified as both acute or chronic.

Acute inflammation is the early reaction of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the improved movement of plasma and leukocytes (especially granulocytes ) from the blood into the injured tissues. A torrent of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory reaction, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and numerous cells inside the injured tissue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suCKm97yvyk&feature=colike

Chronic inflammation or prolonged inflammation leads to a progressive change in the sort of cells present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by immediate destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC2LRYSB2AM&feature=colike

Lacking inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal. Equally, progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the creature. However, chronic inflammation can also advance to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, periodontitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer (e.g., gallbladder carcinoma). It is for that reason that inflammation is naturally closely regulated by the body.

< inflammation="" is="" characterized="" by="" the="" following="" quintet="" of="" symptoms:="" redness,="" heat,="" swelling,="" pain="" and="" dysfunction="" organs="" involved.="" Several conditions, such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, and auto-immune disorders, hold an obvious inflammatory component. However, chronic, low-level inflammation (sometimes referred to as systemic or silent inflammation) has now been associated with diseases ranging from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to depression, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis. Inflammation also appears to be a key factor in skin aging and other noticeable signs of aging.

More research about Inflammation can be found at the web site http://inflammationis.com

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

73. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Inflammation

Inflammation points to many conditions.

Just how inflammation relates to a lot of conditions, whether it is a cause, effect, or innocent bystander, is nevertheless unclear. Yet, we see that elevated inflammation markers are a risk factor for a lot of of the most usual diseases of aging. And exploration suggests that dietary manipulation and other lifestyle changes can decrease inflammation and other risk factors for disease.

Inflammation, according to scientific data, is one common thread in a body's answer to a painful injury.

Inflammation can be classified as both acute or chronic.

Acute inflammation is the early reaction of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the improved movement of plasma and leukocytes (especially granulocytes ) from the blood into the injured tissues. A torrent of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory reaction, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and numerous cells inside the injured tissue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suCKm97yvyk&feature=colike

Chronic inflammation or prolonged inflammation leads to a progressive change in the sort of cells present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by immediate destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC2LRYSB2AM&feature=colike

Lacking inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal. Equally, progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the creature. However, chronic inflammation can also advance to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, periodontitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer (e.g., gallbladder carcinoma). It is for that reason that inflammation is naturally closely regulated by the body.

< inflammation="" is="" characterized="" by="" the="" following="" quintet="" of="" symptoms:="" redness,="" heat,="" swelling,="" pain="" and="" dysfunction="" organs="" involved.="" Several conditions, such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, and auto-immune disorders, hold an obvious inflammatory component. However, chronic, low-level inflammation (sometimes referred to as systemic or silent inflammation) has now been associated with diseases ranging from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to depression, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis. Inflammation also appears to be a key factor in skin aging and other noticeable signs of aging.

More research about Inflammation can be found at the web site http://inflammationis.com

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

74. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Marketing
02.27.2012

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Internet Marketing Agency

I just received an email in my spam box this morning that represents a lot of happenings in motion around the Internet. The email read something like "I just found your email address, and I am looking for someone just like you to join my exclusive business for free." Out of curiosity, I click over to the site to see what new and innovative way these people had to yet again sucker people into buying something. I went to the site, and was a little surprised when I saw the Alexa.com rank of about 22,000. I explored a little further and found numerous sites linking to this latest and greatest craze.

For all intents and purposes, the program, free to join, looked good; however, upon further investigations concerning the business model, it turns out the majority of the backlinks come from auto surf programs. If you have ever been involved with one of these you will know exactly what I am talking about. So many people looking to build a business are not willing to do one thing to work that business other than buying email lists, blasting out their ads to billions for free, and setting in motion the auto surf for hits programs. For a professional like myself, it makes the whole scope of Internet marketing look rather plastic and unappealing.

I will have to say that I literally absorb the good of the Internet. I find nothing better for finding out information, conducting marketing research and then setting about the path to advertise a business effectively and efficiently. I know that the whole job of discovering and breaking new ground in this business does require work, effort, knowledge, and a a never say quit attitude. I dare say that I have logged more articles over the past years than most people can fathom; however, I enjoyed doing just that, as writing and creating is my natural passion in life.

If one were to dig deeper on Alexa.com for the Internet Marketing Agency, one would uncover some very interesting facts about the domain. The sites linking into EWAV.NET are substantial authority sites. Unlike our site listed above, the auto surf ways of gaining traffic, needless and worthless traffic, to a site to show an increase on Alexa.com, are not there. This tells the story of a stable and long lasting domain name that has been in the progress of being honed over years. The domain itself is many years old, and this longevity speaks loudly on the Internet as being trusted site to view and learn from as well.

This is my world of the Internet, the world of taking business models, digging deep into marketing, research, evaluation and then setting about the path to advertise said business models for others. Admittedly, there are legitimate business models to pursue online, but believe me when I tell you this, MOST of them are nothing but lies and scams. At our Internet Marketing Agency we also teach others how to arm themselves with knowledge and information about business models that look too good to be true.

We are not popular, catchy, cute or new. We have been in this game before the Internet was a game! Experience, dedication, knowledge and determination have all played an integral role of getting our business model where we want it to be. Anyone with an interest in becoming professional in their approach to the Internet is encouraged to lay down the small subscription fee today, and become part of our thriving business on the Internet.

Butch Hamilton
Director of Marketing Veretekk
View Butch Hamilton's profile on LinkedIn
© 2012 Veretekk.com

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

75. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Marketing
02.27.2012

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Internet Marketing Agency

I just received an email in my spam box this morning that represents a lot of happenings in motion around the Internet. The email read something like "I just found your email address, and I am looking for someone just like you to join my exclusive business for free." Out of curiosity, I click over to the site to see what new and innovative way these people had to yet again sucker people into buying something. I went to the site, and was a little surprised when I saw the Alexa.com rank of about 22,000. I explored a little further and found numerous sites linking to this latest and greatest craze.

For all intents and purposes, the program, free to join, looked good; however, upon further investigations concerning the business model, it turns out the majority of the backlinks come from auto surf programs. If you have ever been involved with one of these you will know exactly what I am talking about. So many people looking to build a business are not willing to do one thing to work that business other than buying email lists, blasting out their ads to billions for free, and setting in motion the auto surf for hits programs. For a professional like myself, it makes the whole scope of Internet marketing look rather plastic and unappealing.

I will have to say that I literally absorb the good of the Internet. I find nothing better for finding out information, conducting marketing research and then setting about the path to advertise a business effectively and efficiently. I know that the whole job of discovering and breaking new ground in this business does require work, effort, knowledge, and a a never say quit attitude. I dare say that I have logged more articles over the past years than most people can fathom; however, I enjoyed doing just that, as writing and creating is my natural passion in life.

If one were to dig deeper on Alexa.com for the Internet Marketing Agency, one would uncover some very interesting facts about the domain. The sites linking into EWAV.NET are substantial authority sites. Unlike our site listed above, the auto surf ways of gaining traffic, needless and worthless traffic, to a site to show an increase on Alexa.com, are not there. This tells the story of a stable and long lasting domain name that has been in the progress of being honed over years. The domain itself is many years old, and this longevity speaks loudly on the Internet as being trusted site to view and learn from as well.

This is my world of the Internet, the world of taking business models, digging deep into marketing, research, evaluation and then setting about the path to advertise said business models for others. Admittedly, there are legitimate business models to pursue online, but believe me when I tell you this, MOST of them are nothing but lies and scams. At our Internet Marketing Agency we also teach others how to arm themselves with knowledge and information about business models that look too good to be true.

We are not popular, catchy, cute or new. We have been in this game before the Internet was a game! Experience, dedication, knowledge and determination have all played an integral role of getting our business model where we want it to be. Anyone with an interest in becoming professional in their approach to the Internet is encouraged to lay down the small subscription fee today, and become part of our thriving business on the Internet.

Butch Hamilton
Director of Marketing Veretekk
View Butch Hamilton's profile on LinkedIn
© 2012 Veretekk.com

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

76. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Marketing
02.27.2012

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Internet Marketing Agency

I just received an email in my spam box this morning that represents a lot of happenings in motion around the Internet. The email read something like "I just found your email address, and I am looking for someone just like you to join my exclusive business for free." Out of curiosity, I click over to the site to see what new and innovative way these people had to yet again sucker people into buying something. I went to the site, and was a little surprised when I saw the Alexa.com rank of about 22,000. I explored a little further and found numerous sites linking to this latest and greatest craze.

For all intents and purposes, the program, free to join, looked good; however, upon further investigations concerning the business model, it turns out the majority of the backlinks come from auto surf programs. If you have ever been involved with one of these you will know exactly what I am talking about. So many people looking to build a business are not willing to do one thing to work that business other than buying email lists, blasting out their ads to billions for free, and setting in motion the auto surf for hits programs. For a professional like myself, it makes the whole scope of Internet marketing look rather plastic and unappealing.

I will have to say that I literally absorb the good of the Internet. I find nothing better for finding out information, conducting marketing research and then setting about the path to advertise a business effectively and efficiently. I know that the whole job of discovering and breaking new ground in this business does require work, effort, knowledge, and a a never say quit attitude. I dare say that I have logged more articles over the past years than most people can fathom; however, I enjoyed doing just that, as writing and creating is my natural passion in life.

If one were to dig deeper on Alexa.com for the Internet Marketing Agency, one would uncover some very interesting facts about the domain. The sites linking into EWAV.NET are substantial authority sites. Unlike our site listed above, the auto surf ways of gaining traffic, needless and worthless traffic, to a site to show an increase on Alexa.com, are not there. This tells the story of a stable and long lasting domain name that has been in the progress of being honed over years. The domain itself is many years old, and this longevity speaks loudly on the Internet as being trusted site to view and learn from as well.

This is my world of the Internet, the world of taking business models, digging deep into marketing, research, evaluation and then setting about the path to advertise said business models for others. Admittedly, there are legitimate business models to pursue online, but believe me when I tell you this, MOST of them are nothing but lies and scams. At our Internet Marketing Agency we also teach others how to arm themselves with knowledge and information about business models that look too good to be true.

We are not popular, catchy, cute or new. We have been in this game before the Internet was a game! Experience, dedication, knowledge and determination have all played an integral role of getting our business model where we want it to be. Anyone with an interest in becoming professional in their approach to the Internet is encouraged to lay down the small subscription fee today, and become part of our thriving business on the Internet.

Butch Hamilton
Director of Marketing Veretekk
View Butch Hamilton's profile on LinkedIn
© 2012 Veretekk.com

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

77. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Marketing

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Internet Marketing Agency Under Promises and Over Delivers

by Manuel Washington

There is a tendency of agency to sell their products and according to a price and usually over promises and under delivers. Since I have been with the Internet Marketing Agency of CEO Tom Prendergast can speak with assurance

that he always has in his mind of under promising and over delivering. Everything he does is an over delivery because of his tremendous interest in the little guy trying to make a living on the internet. This is a trade mark of the Internet Marketing Agency. However, other agency will have fingers-crossed and several promises generally are given for their clients. They will pass along ads and words like super fast download times and many other attached promises. But when

you do some research you will probably find those fiqures they use are maximums not averages as mentioned. Plus I don't they will have any quaranteed. The Internet Marketing Agency is a company that over delivers time in and time out. They are packed with superior knowledge of trainers that are unmatched online today. There is a 24/7 support system and always someone

ready to help and everyone gives their all in solving what problem you might have. I have never seen such support ever. The CEO is always around and easy to contact and his team is constantly on task working to make the Internet Marketing Agency the best. I believe we have the best Maketing Director online today as well as the best tech group headed by Mariuz and others. Within the massive system is everything a client needs to become an elite marketing of

his products/services/company in the world of the internet. In my opinion, it is a huge Family and I like to call it the Internet Marketing Agency City because of the number of superior help and cooperation of all in caring, sharing, and NOT comparing in all they do. Internet Marketing Agency

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

78. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action Marketing

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Internet Marketing Agency Under Promises and Over Delivers

by Manuel Washington

There is a tendency of agency to sell their products and according to a price and usually over promises and under delivers. Since I have been with the Internet Marketing Agency of CEO Tom Prendergast can speak with assurance

that he always has in his mind of under promising and over delivering. Everything he does is an over delivery because of his tremendous interest in the little guy trying to make a living on the internet. This is a trade mark of the Internet Marketing Agency. However, other agency will have fingers-crossed and several promises generally are given for their clients. They will pass along ads and words like super fast download times and many other attached promises. But when

you do some research you will probably find those fiqures they use are maximums not averages as mentioned. Plus I don't they will have any quaranteed. The Internet Marketing Agency is a company that over delivers time in and time out. They are packed with superior knowledge of trainers that are unmatched online today. There is a 24/7 support system and always someone

ready to help and everyone gives their all in solving what problem you might have. I have never seen such support ever. The CEO is always around and easy to contact and his team is constantly on task working to make the Internet Marketing Agency the best. I believe we have the best Maketing Director online today as well as the best tech group headed by Mariuz and others. Within the massive system is everything a client needs to become an elite marketing of

his products/services/company in the world of the internet. In my opinion, it is a huge Family and I like to call it the Internet Marketing Agency City because of the number of superior help and cooperation of all in caring, sharing, and NOT comparing in all they do. Internet Marketing Agency

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

79. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Doug Mitchell Healthy Body Specialist

What is Creatine

What is creatine you purchase as a supplement compared to creatine you have naturally produced in your body? Creatine supplementation simply takes a natural process to the next level by allowing one to consume more creatine than he or she could via a normal diet. In essence, what the athletic community was waiting for was the development of an inexpensive way of mass-producing creatine in the laboratory for human consumption, which happened approximately one decade ago.

What is Creatine without the advent of efficient commercial synthesis helping creatine monohydrate exploding onto the scene? In the year 2000 alone 2,500 metric tons or 5.5 million pounds of creatine were sold worldwide while consumer demand continued to swell. During the height of the Creatine Boom it seemed as if everyone was trying to get in on the action. Creatine manufacturers started appearing in some of the least expected regions of the world. Creatine monohydrate is by far the most commonly used form of synthetically derived creatine. Accordingly, the vast majority of scientific studies examining the effects of creatine have employed the monohydrate salt.

What is Creatine compared to other synthetic forms of creatine including creatine ethyl ester, creatine pyruvate, creatine citrate, dicreatine citrate, creatine malate, and creatine phosphate? Unfortunately, much less is known about the true efficacy of these alternative forms of creatine, as they have not been the topic of scientific study.

Rumors about creatine abound and often stem from the public confusing creatine with anabolic steroids and not from factual occurrences. On the other hand, some unexplained side effects may be real, but may have escaped detection in the scientific arena. Unsubstantiated side effects sometimes attributed to creatine use include increased aggressiveness, anxiety, acne, male breast formation otherwise known as gynecomastia, hair loss in men and body hair growth in women. Of these, aggressiveness, acne and hair loss are the most frequently reported. But because the the fact that creatine is not a steroid and has not been reported to effect the pituitary gland, I have trouble believing the validaty of such claims.

Doug Mitchell
Skype: dmitchell757
Catskill, New York 12414
Phone: 518-722-8203
dougmitchell73@gmail.com

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Doug Mitchell Healthy Body Specialist

What is Creatine

What is creatine you purchase as a supplement compared to creatine you have naturally produced in your body? Creatine supplementation simply takes a natural process to the next level by allowing one to consume more creatine than he or she could via a normal diet. In essence, what the athletic community was waiting for was the development of an inexpensive way of mass-producing creatine in the laboratory for human consumption, which happened approximately one decade ago.

What is Creatine without the advent of efficient commercial synthesis helping creatine monohydrate exploding onto the scene? In the year 2000 alone 2,500 metric tons or 5.5 million pounds of creatine were sold worldwide while consumer demand continued to swell. During the height of the Creatine Boom it seemed as if everyone was trying to get in on the action. Creatine manufacturers started appearing in some of the least expected regions of the world. Creatine monohydrate is by far the most commonly used form of synthetically derived creatine. Accordingly, the vast majority of scientific studies examining the effects of creatine have employed the monohydrate salt.

What is Creatine compared to other synthetic forms of creatine including creatine ethyl ester, creatine pyruvate, creatine citrate, dicreatine citrate, creatine malate, and creatine phosphate? Unfortunately, much less is known about the true efficacy of these alternative forms of creatine, as they have not been the topic of scientific study.

Rumors about creatine abound and often stem from the public confusing creatine with anabolic steroids and not from factual occurrences. On the other hand, some unexplained side effects may be real, but may have escaped detection in the scientific arena. Unsubstantiated side effects sometimes attributed to creatine use include increased aggressiveness, anxiety, acne, male breast formation otherwise known as gynecomastia, hair loss in men and body hair growth in women. Of these, aggressiveness, acne and hair loss are the most frequently reported. But because the the fact that creatine is not a steroid and has not been reported to effect the pituitary gland, I have trouble believing the validaty of such claims.

Doug Mitchell
Skype: dmitchell757
Catskill, New York 12414
Phone: 518-722-8203
dougmitchell73@gmail.com

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Reposted by James Eckburg and MS

Doug Mitchell Healthy Body Specialist

What is Creatine

What is creatine you purchase as a supplement compared to creatine you have naturally produced in your body? Creatine supplementation simply takes a natural process to the next level by allowing one to consume more creatine than he or she could via a normal diet. In essence, what the athletic community was waiting for was the development of an inexpensive way of mass-producing creatine in the laboratory for human consumption, which happened approximately one decade ago.

What is Creatine without the advent of efficient commercial synthesis helping creatine monohydrate exploding onto the scene? In the year 2000 alone 2,500 metric tons or 5.5 million pounds of creatine were sold worldwide while consumer demand continued to swell. During the height of the Creatine Boom it seemed as if everyone was trying to get in on the action. Creatine manufacturers started appearing in some of the least expected regions of the world. Creatine monohydrate is by far the most commonly used form of synthetically derived creatine. Accordingly, the vast majority of scientific studies examining the effects of creatine have employed the monohydrate salt.

What is Creatine compared to other synthetic forms of creatine including creatine ethyl ester, creatine pyruvate, creatine citrate, dicreatine citrate, creatine malate, and creatine phosphate? Unfortunately, much less is known about the true efficacy of these alternative forms of creatine, as they have not been the topic of scientific study.

Rumors about creatine abound and often stem from the public confusing creatine with anabolic steroids and not from factual occurrences. On the other hand, some unexplained side effects may be real, but may have escaped detection in the scientific arena. Unsubstantiated side effects sometimes attributed to creatine use include increased aggressiveness, anxiety, acne, male breast formation otherwise known as gynecomastia, hair loss in men and body hair growth in women. Of these, aggressiveness, acne and hair loss are the most frequently reported. But because the the fact that creatine is not a steroid and has not been reported to effect the pituitary gland, I have trouble believing the validaty of such claims.

Doug Mitchell
Skype: dmitchell757
Catskill, New York 12414
Phone: 518-722-8203
dougmitchell73@gmail.com

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Original Article @ Lose Weight USA

Reposted by James Eckburg

Healthy Weight Loss

Rapid Weight Loss Risks

Losing weight is good if you are overweight but experts suggest that people should go for healthy weight loss instead of a rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss will not only make you look unattractive but can also prove to be risky for your health and life.

If you are overweight, then losing excess weight is good for your health. But experts suggest that the way you lose weight also matters a lot when it comes to good health. People intent on losing weight quickly often take recourse to unhealthy methods of weight loss. Experts warn that though rapid weight loss measures may help you lose weight fast, it comes at a huge cost to your health. Unhealthy weight loss measures pose serious risks to your health and instead of making you look attractive, it can spoil your looks. Discussed below are the key disadvantages of rapid weight loss.

Loose skin – When you achieve rapid weight loss, you may be able to lose extra inches but if you expect to look attractive, you may be over expecting. Studies show that when you lose weight rapidly, your skin does not get enough time to shrink down to the size of your newly trim body. While it may be easier for people in their 20s to get their skin in shape, those in their 40s will find it tough as the skin loses elasticity with age.

Vitamin deficiencies – Strict and restricted diet plans may help you knock off several pounds from your body, but it will also do much damage to your internal systems. Our Bodies require a balanced diet, by consuming very few calories for a long period, your nutrient and vitamin intake becomes negligible and as a result you suffer from vitamin deficiencies. Problems related to vitamin deficiencies include diarrhoea, weakness, impaired vision and acne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuFH3uBMdIc&feature=colike

Hair loss – Diets aiming at rapid weight loss are dangerously low in calories. When you take a low calorie diet for a long time, your body gets an insufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients, leading to hair loss. This is because a lack of vitamins and nutrients weaken the hair follicles and cause your hair to become brittle. And, if you continue to take a vitamin deficient diet, the weakened hair follicles will eventually fall out making you suffer from hair loss.

Muscle loss – To carry out normal bodily functions, you need calories. But when you take in insufficient calories to achieve rapid weight loss, your body tries to grab energy from other internal energy resources. As a result, your body starts feeding off lean muscle mass. This in turn leads to depletion in your lean muscle mass making you feel weak and lethargic. Gradually, you lack the energy to lose weight through healthy weight loss methods such as exercise.

Insomnia – This is a commonly reported complaint from people who try to achieve rapid weight loss. Because of a lack of vitamin and nutrient intake their body’s hormonal and electrolyte balance gets disturbed which leads to insomnia. In addition, people on restricted diets often feel hungry. When trying to sleep on an empty stomach, a good night’s sleep is often difficult to achieve.

Weight gain following dieting – This is one of the biggest problems related to rapid weight loss. Strict dieting slows down your metabolism. After completing your diet program, when your start eating normally your body burns fewer calories and the excess calories are stored as body fat. As a result, you gain more fat than what you lost through your rapid weight loss program.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

83. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Original Article @ Lose Weight USA

Reposted by James Eckburg

Healthy Weight Loss

Rapid Weight Loss Risks

Losing weight is good if you are overweight but experts suggest that people should go for healthy weight loss instead of a rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss will not only make you look unattractive but can also prove to be risky for your health and life.

If you are overweight, then losing excess weight is good for your health. But experts suggest that the way you lose weight also matters a lot when it comes to good health. People intent on losing weight quickly often take recourse to unhealthy methods of weight loss. Experts warn that though rapid weight loss measures may help you lose weight fast, it comes at a huge cost to your health. Unhealthy weight loss measures pose serious risks to your health and instead of making you look attractive, it can spoil your looks. Discussed below are the key disadvantages of rapid weight loss.

Loose skin – When you achieve rapid weight loss, you may be able to lose extra inches but if you expect to look attractive, you may be over expecting. Studies show that when you lose weight rapidly, your skin does not get enough time to shrink down to the size of your newly trim body. While it may be easier for people in their 20s to get their skin in shape, those in their 40s will find it tough as the skin loses elasticity with age.

Vitamin deficiencies – Strict and restricted diet plans may help you knock off several pounds from your body, but it will also do much damage to your internal systems. Our Bodies require a balanced diet, by consuming very few calories for a long period, your nutrient and vitamin intake becomes negligible and as a result you suffer from vitamin deficiencies. Problems related to vitamin deficiencies include diarrhoea, weakness, impaired vision and acne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuFH3uBMdIc&feature=colike

Hair loss – Diets aiming at rapid weight loss are dangerously low in calories. When you take a low calorie diet for a long time, your body gets an insufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients, leading to hair loss. This is because a lack of vitamins and nutrients weaken the hair follicles and cause your hair to become brittle. And, if you continue to take a vitamin deficient diet, the weakened hair follicles will eventually fall out making you suffer from hair loss.

Muscle loss – To carry out normal bodily functions, you need calories. But when you take in insufficient calories to achieve rapid weight loss, your body tries to grab energy from other internal energy resources. As a result, your body starts feeding off lean muscle mass. This in turn leads to depletion in your lean muscle mass making you feel weak and lethargic. Gradually, you lack the energy to lose weight through healthy weight loss methods such as exercise.

Insomnia – This is a commonly reported complaint from people who try to achieve rapid weight loss. Because of a lack of vitamin and nutrient intake their body’s hormonal and electrolyte balance gets disturbed which leads to insomnia. In addition, people on restricted diets often feel hungry. When trying to sleep on an empty stomach, a good night’s sleep is often difficult to achieve.

Weight gain following dieting – This is one of the biggest problems related to rapid weight loss. Strict dieting slows down your metabolism. After completing your diet program, when your start eating normally your body burns fewer calories and the excess calories are stored as body fat. As a result, you gain more fat than what you lost through your rapid weight loss program.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

84. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

Original Article @ Lose Weight USA

Reposted by James Eckburg

Healthy Weight Loss

Rapid Weight Loss Risks

Losing weight is good if you are overweight but experts suggest that people should go for healthy weight loss instead of a rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss will not only make you look unattractive but can also prove to be risky for your health and life.

If you are overweight, then losing excess weight is good for your health. But experts suggest that the way you lose weight also matters a lot when it comes to good health. People intent on losing weight quickly often take recourse to unhealthy methods of weight loss. Experts warn that though rapid weight loss measures may help you lose weight fast, it comes at a huge cost to your health. Unhealthy weight loss measures pose serious risks to your health and instead of making you look attractive, it can spoil your looks. Discussed below are the key disadvantages of rapid weight loss.

Loose skin – When you achieve rapid weight loss, you may be able to lose extra inches but if you expect to look attractive, you may be over expecting. Studies show that when you lose weight rapidly, your skin does not get enough time to shrink down to the size of your newly trim body. While it may be easier for people in their 20s to get their skin in shape, those in their 40s will find it tough as the skin loses elasticity with age.

Vitamin deficiencies – Strict and restricted diet plans may help you knock off several pounds from your body, but it will also do much damage to your internal systems. Our Bodies require a balanced diet, by consuming very few calories for a long period, your nutrient and vitamin intake becomes negligible and as a result you suffer from vitamin deficiencies. Problems related to vitamin deficiencies include diarrhoea, weakness, impaired vision and acne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuFH3uBMdIc&feature=colike

Hair loss – Diets aiming at rapid weight loss are dangerously low in calories. When you take a low calorie diet for a long time, your body gets an insufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients, leading to hair loss. This is because a lack of vitamins and nutrients weaken the hair follicles and cause your hair to become brittle. And, if you continue to take a vitamin deficient diet, the weakened hair follicles will eventually fall out making you suffer from hair loss.

Muscle loss – To carry out normal bodily functions, you need calories. But when you take in insufficient calories to achieve rapid weight loss, your body tries to grab energy from other internal energy resources. As a result, your body starts feeding off lean muscle mass. This in turn leads to depletion in your lean muscle mass making you feel weak and lethargic. Gradually, you lack the energy to lose weight through healthy weight loss methods such as exercise.

Insomnia – This is a commonly reported complaint from people who try to achieve rapid weight loss. Because of a lack of vitamin and nutrient intake their body’s hormonal and electrolyte balance gets disturbed which leads to insomnia. In addition, people on restricted diets often feel hungry. When trying to sleep on an empty stomach, a good night’s sleep is often difficult to achieve.

Weight gain following dieting – This is one of the biggest problems related to rapid weight loss. Strict dieting slows down your metabolism. After completing your diet program, when your start eating normally your body burns fewer calories and the excess calories are stored as body fat. As a result, you gain more fat than what you lost through your rapid weight loss program.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

85. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action.

Work at Home

How to Make the Move From Big-Business Employee to Small-Business Owner

Original article at Entrepreneur

Within just three months, Avi Yashchin went from helping manage a 42 billion dollars Lehman Brothers portfolio to working out of a makeshift office wedged between two of his four roommates beds. After the Lehman Brothers collapse left him jobless in 2008, Yashchin started CleanEdison, a New York-based job-training company that focuses on the green-building industry. It was a move that forced him to revamp his approach to business. You always have someone else to do things for you in a big corporation, he says. The pendulum really quickly (swung) the other way.

To avoid running into his roommates girlfriend in her towel, Yashchin interviewed potential hires at the Starbucks across the street from his apartment. He became a pro at assembling furniture and replaced the legal counsel he had had at his beck and call at Lehman with a 200 dollar database of legal documents. We did everything on a shoestring, he says. But over three years, Yashchin grew his revenue to more than 3.5 million dollars last year and hired 22 full-time employees.

To make the move from corporate employee to entrepreneur, you need to develop a new mindset. Here are six steps to help ease the transition:

1. Read the fine print on your corporate employment agreement. When leaving a company to start your own, closely review your written employment agreement, says Ross Kimbarovsky, a former attorney who worked with small businesses on intellectual property issues for 13 years before starting his own company in 2007. Some companies will include confidentiality and noncompete provisions that bar you from disclosing their proprietary information and from working in a certain market or geographic radius for a period of time. Just because such restrictions are in writing, does not mean they are valid or that you can not change them, Kimbarovsky says. In such cases, professional legal help is advisable. The last thing you want is your former employer threatening to sue you when you are starting your (company), he says.

2. Leverage your former employer. Before Richard Palmer co-founded Nehemiah Manufacturing Co., a Cincinnati-based maker of baby-care and yard maintenance products in 2009, he had worked for Procter and Gamble, Ernst and Young and Deloitte. Although he had not worked at P and G for eight years, Palmer and his business partner, also a former P and G employee, had stayed in touch with contacts there. Their connections enabled them to partner with P and G on a licensing agreement that today is Nehemiahs primary revenue source. Maintaining relationships with former corporate colleagues is one of the best ways to expand your business, says Palmer, who also leveraged his connections at Deloitte to get clients when he worked as an independent consultant before starting Nehemiah.

3. Be prepared to put in even longer hours. Often, people want to become their own boss because they are tired of the long thankless hours in a corporate job. But be wary. If you are making this change because you are fed up with the corporate world and no longer want to work 12 hours a day. You might be in for a shock, says Kimbarovsky, who often worked through the weekend when starting crowdSPRING, a Chicago-based design and writing services company. You are going to be doing a lot of stuff on your own.

4. Look outside for help. Because you no longer have vast corporate resources at your disposal, everything falls on your shoulders in a small business. That means it is important to seek outside help and expertise. Palmer often looks to suppliers for product ideas. We can be faster and have a lot higher quality when we are willing to team with others to bring things to market, he says. Making outside connections also means leaving the office and picking up the phone more often than you did in your corporate job. I went from somebody who people were calling all day to (making) a hundred phone calls a day, says Yashchin.

5. Choose a target market wisely. In a large corporation, it is easy to think in terms of capturing very large markets, but as a small-business owner, you will probably need to zero in on a specific consumer segment. In the corporate world, you really have the power to get the entire market, says Diego Saenz who left Wackenhut Corporation in 2000 to run PetPlace.com, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based pet health and information site. As a start-up you are going to get a subset of the entire market. Choosing that subset may require some trial and error. In the early stages, PetPlace.com focused on the veterinarian market until Saenz recognized there are a lot more pet owners than veterinarians. In 2006, he and his partner sold the veterinary website and focused on the pet owner market, a move that tripled revenue to 3 million dollars in 2010.

6. Take risks. In large corporate bureaucracies, major decisions are seldom made in a hurry. But as an entrepreneur, be ready to take more risks and make more decisions on the fly. Nine years into running PetPlace.com, for example, Saenz realized the company needed to improve its cash flow. Without a business plan or a warehouse to store inventory, he bought a thousand bags of kitty litter to sell online as an e-commerce experiment. A year later, after expanding its product selection, the e-commerce site generated sales of 1 million dollars and today accounts for a significant part of the business. When you are building a startup, you need to be more aggressive about taking risks to build your brand, Saenz says. We did not have the answers, but we figured it out along the way.

Community And here is some community information for people who think outside the box. You will gain valuable information on a work at home business.

Work at home can happen for you, if you are motivated. Now, there is a work at home community that you can work with and gather as much information that you need to succeed. The community name is Tomorrow's Home Business social community and is located at this address http://tomorrowshomebusiness.ning.com.

In this work at home community, the business entrepreneur will be able to read blogs and watch videos for business, or just for pleasure. With a couple of RSS feeds coming to the main page, the entrepreneur can even stay informed of what is happening in the world. There is something here in this community for everyone.

Groups like the Maniac Marketers come in and post their blogs in the community, giving valuable information for their Health and Wellness businesses. If you would rather watch videos of the TriVita videos, you can do that, too. Or if you just want to hang out and relax, you can do that, too! There are many music videos like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and Seasick Steve! Or if you want to learn about handcrafts or see the equally oldest Ford antique car, a 1903 Model A Ford, you can do that, too! Or maybe you need an inspirational video clip! There are many choices of inspirational clips, such as Al Pacinos locker room speech in Any Given Sunday, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace motivating the Scottish men men before battle in Braveheart; or Sylvester Stalone as Rocky and how he motivates himself in the boxing ring, or even his inspirational conversation with his son, and who can forget those chants for Rudy in the movie Rudy!

When you become a member of Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community, there is a profile created just for you. You can use the standard set-up on your page. Or you can be as creative as you want to be. For an example check out my profile page at Terry Allisons Profile Page. I use my profile page as a dream-building tool. I have always wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I have learned to keep this dream in front of me.

A work at home community for people wanting to find out more information on starting their own work at home business.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

86. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action

James Eckburg and MS Call to Action.

Work at Home

How to Make the Move From Big-Business Employee to Small-Business Owner

Original article at Entrepreneur

Within just three months, Avi Yashchin went from helping manage a 42 billion dollars Lehman Brothers portfolio to working out of a makeshift office wedged between two of his four roommates beds. After the Lehman Brothers collapse left him jobless in 2008, Yashchin started CleanEdison, a New York-based job-training company that focuses on the green-building industry. It was a move that forced him to revamp his approach to business. You always have someone else to do things for you in a big corporation, he says. The pendulum really quickly (swung) the other way.

To avoid running into his roommates girlfriend in her towel, Yashchin interviewed potential hires at the Starbucks across the street from his apartment. He became a pro at assembling furniture and replaced the legal counsel he had had at his beck and call at Lehman with a 200 dollar database of legal documents. We did everything on a shoestring, he says. But over three years, Yashchin grew his revenue to more than 3.5 million dollars last year and hired 22 full-time employees.

To make the move from corporate employee to entrepreneur, you need to develop a new mindset. Here are six steps to help ease the transition:

1. Read the fine print on your corporate employment agreement. When leaving a company to start your own, closely review your written employment agreement, says Ross Kimbarovsky, a former attorney who worked with small businesses on intellectual property issues for 13 years before starting his own company in 2007. Some companies will include confidentiality and noncompete provisions that bar you from disclosing their proprietary information and from working in a certain market or geographic radius for a period of time. Just because such restrictions are in writing, does not mean they are valid or that you can not change them, Kimbarovsky says. In such cases, professional legal help is advisable. The last thing you want is your former employer threatening to sue you when you are starting your (company), he says.

2. Leverage your former employer. Before Richard Palmer co-founded Nehemiah Manufacturing Co., a Cincinnati-based maker of baby-care and yard maintenance products in 2009, he had worked for Procter and Gamble, Ernst and Young and Deloitte. Although he had not worked at P and G for eight years, Palmer and his business partner, also a former P and G employee, had stayed in touch with contacts there. Their connections enabled them to partner with P and G on a licensing agreement that today is Nehemiahs primary revenue source. Maintaining relationships with former corporate colleagues is one of the best ways to expand your business, says Palmer, who also leveraged his connections at Deloitte to get clients when he worked as an independent consultant before starting Nehemiah.

3. Be prepared to put in even longer hours. Often, people want to become their own boss because they are tired of the long thankless hours in a corporate job. But be wary. If you are making this change because you are fed up with the corporate world and no longer want to work 12 hours a day. You might be in for a shock, says Kimbarovsky, who often worked through the weekend when starting crowdSPRING, a Chicago-based design and writing services company. You are going to be doing a lot of stuff on your own.

4. Look outside for help. Because you no longer have vast corporate resources at your disposal, everything falls on your shoulders in a small business. That means it is important to seek outside help and expertise. Palmer often looks to suppliers for product ideas. We can be faster and have a lot higher quality when we are willing to team with others to bring things to market, he says. Making outside connections also means leaving the office and picking up the phone more often than you did in your corporate job. I went from somebody who people were calling all day to (making) a hundred phone calls a day, says Yashchin.

5. Choose a target market wisely. In a large corporation, it is easy to think in terms of capturing very large markets, but as a small-business owner, you will probably need to zero in on a specific consumer segment. In the corporate world, you really have the power to get the entire market, says Diego Saenz who left Wackenhut Corporation in 2000 to run PetPlace.com, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based pet health and information site. As a start-up you are going to get a subset of the entire market. Choosing that subset may require some trial and error. In the early stages, PetPlace.com focused on the veterinarian market until Saenz recognized there are a lot more pet owners than veterinarians. In 2006, he and his partner sold the veterinary website and focused on the pet owner market, a move that tripled revenue to 3 million dollars in 2010.

6. Take risks. In large corporate bureaucracies, major decisions are seldom made in a hurry. But as an entrepreneur, be ready to take more risks and make more decisions on the fly. Nine years into running PetPlace.com, for example, Saenz realized the company needed to improve its cash flow. Without a business plan or a warehouse to store inventory, he bought a thousand bags of kitty litter to sell online as an e-commerce experiment. A year later, after expanding its product selection, the e-commerce site generated sales of 1 million dollars and today accounts for a significant part of the business. When you are building a startup, you need to be more aggressive about taking risks to build your brand, Saenz says. We did not have the answers, but we figured it out along the way.

Community And here is some community information for people who think outside the box. You will gain valuable information on a work at home business.

Work at home can happen for you, if you are motivated. Now, there is a work at home community that you can work with and gather as much information that you need to succeed. The community name is Tomorrow's Home Business social community and is located at this address http://tomorrowshomebusiness.ning.com.

In this work at home community, the business entrepreneur will be able to read blogs and watch videos for business, or just for pleasure. With a couple of RSS feeds coming to the main page, the entrepreneur can even stay informed of what is happening in the world. There is something here in this community for everyone.

Groups like the Maniac Marketers come in and post their blogs in the community, giving valuable information for their Health and Wellness businesses. If you would rather watch videos of the TriVita videos, you can do that, too. Or if you just want to hang out and relax, you can do that, too! There are many music videos like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and Seasick Steve! Or if you want to learn about handcrafts or see the equally oldest Ford antique car, a 1903 Model A Ford, you can do that, too! Or maybe you need an inspirational video clip! There are many choices of inspirational clips, such as Al Pacinos locker room speech in Any Given Sunday, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace motivating the Scottish men men before battle in Braveheart; or Sylvester Stalone as Rocky and how he motivates himself in the boxing ring, or even his inspirational conversation with his son, and who can forget those chants for Rudy in the movie Rudy!

When you become a member of Tomorrow's Home Business Social Community, there is a profile created just for you. You can use the standard set-up on your page. Or you can be as creative as you want to be. For an example check out my profile page at Terry Allisons Profile Page. I use my profile page as a dream-building tool. I have always wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I have learned to keep this dream in front of me.

A work at home community for people wanting to find out more information on starting their own work at home business.

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist

www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com

87. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action
James ?Eckburg and MS

What is a call to action

Let’s start with a clear understanding of what a call to action actually is. A call to action is an element or something that entices a reader or viewer to take note or make a decision based upon it.

Relating this directly to the Internet and websites and blogs, a website call to action could be something like "Add to Shopping Cart", "Buy Now" or "Subscribe to Newsletter". The main goal of a call to action is to persuade the visitor to click on or interact further with your website or blog, hopefully ending in the visitor buying a product or service or another conversion goal.

It is often seen that blue underlined text (URL) is clicked on more by website visitors when given a choice because these have been the default standard for many years. It is also believed that the blue text is associated with calming and trust so it more likely to be clicked.

Having described what a call to action is it should be clear that every good business website or blog have at least one call to action on every single page within the website. Given the nature of websites it is often important to give a couple of call to action options to users.

When a visitor progresses through your website, you should be able to follow the path your website visitors have made along the path of persuasion towards your conversion goal. Ideally this would give you a clear idea on what calls to action are working and what ones are not along the desired flow of your conversion process.

A good website will be laid out in such a way that when a visitor wants to make a slight detour to find out more information correctly placed and worded calls to action are there to guide them back on your conversion path.

So, why do you need a call to action on your website or blog? Many studies have shown that if a website visitor does not find what they are looking for within 3 seconds they will exit your website.

Many SEO experts will only focus on getting a website into the top few results but there should also be focus on the overall online marketing strategy. Any good SEO and Online Marketing company will be able to guide you in a complete online marketing strategy. It is important to know that selling the websites product or service and using calls to action to get visitors through your conversion path is of equal importance to the overall SEO plan.

A well thought out call to action in an overall online marketing campaign will provide you with more sales, lead generation and constant predictable results.

When choosing an SEO and Online Marketing company it is important to take some time and do your own research. The simplest form of research is to search in Google for SEO or Online Marketing and see how good the SEO firm is at selling their own products and services. If they are positioned well for their own services then they are likely to be able to successfully market your products and services online.

Until the Next Time

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1


88. James Eckburg and MS Call to Action
James ?Eckburg and MS

What is a call to action

Let’s start with a clear understanding of what a call to action actually is. A call to action is an element or something that entices a reader or viewer to take note or make a decision based upon it.

Relating this directly to the Internet and websites and blogs, a website call to action could be something like "Add to Shopping Cart", "Buy Now" or "Subscribe to Newsletter". The main goal of a call to action is to persuade the visitor to click on or interact further with your website or blog, hopefully ending in the visitor buying a product or service or another conversion goal.

It is often seen that blue underlined text (URL) is clicked on more by website visitors when given a choice because these have been the default standard for many years. It is also believed that the blue text is associated with calming and trust so it more likely to be clicked.

Having described what a call to action is it should be clear that every good business website or blog have at least one call to action on every single page within the website. Given the nature of websites it is often important to give a couple of call to action options to users.

When a visitor progresses through your website, you should be able to follow the path your website visitors have made along the path of persuasion towards your conversion goal. Ideally this would give you a clear idea on what calls to action are working and what ones are not along the desired flow of your conversion process.

A good website will be laid out in such a way that when a visitor wants to make a slight detour to find out more information correctly placed and worded calls to action are there to guide them back on your conversion path.

So, why do you need a call to action on your website or blog? Many studies have shown that if a website visitor does not find what they are looking for within 3 seconds they will exit your website.

Many SEO experts will only focus on getting a website into the top few results but there should also be focus on the overall online marketing strategy. Any good SEO and Online Marketing company will be able to guide you in a complete online marketing strategy. It is important to know that selling the websites product or service and using calls to action to get visitors through your conversion path is of equal importance to the overall SEO plan.

A well thought out call to action in an overall online marketing campaign will provide you with more sales, lead generation and constant predictable results.

When choosing an SEO and Online Marketing company it is important to take some time and do your own research. The simplest form of research is to search in Google for SEO or Online Marketing and see how good the SEO firm is at selling their own products and services. If they are positioned well for their own services then they are likely to be able to successfully market your products and services online.

Until the Next Time

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com,
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1


89. James Eckburg and MS

James Eckburg and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, an Autoimmune Inflammatory Disease:

Inflammation characteristics

Inflammation is identified by the following five characteristics: redness, heat, swelling, pain and dysfunction of the organs affected.

Inflammation is usually classified as either acute or chronic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24mppmfEGlc&feature=colike

Acute inflammation is the first reaction of the body to injurious stimuli and is accomplished by a fast movement of plasma and leukocytes (especially granulocytes ) from the blood into the harmed tissues. A cascade of biochemical occurrences propagates and matures the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the harmed tissue.

Chronic inflammation or prolonged inflammation leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC2LRYSB2AM&feature=colike

Inflammation, according to scientific awareness, is one common thread in a body's reaction to a painful injury.

Without inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal. Similarly, progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the organism. However, chronic inflammation can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, periodontitis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer (e.g., gallbladder carcinoma). It is because of this that inflammation is usually closely regulated by the body.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiE-XSH2ppU&feature=colike

Obvious conditions, like asthma, allergies, arthritis, and auto-immune disorders, have an obvious inflammatory component. However, chronic, low-level inflammation (sometimes referred to as "systemic" or "silent" inflammation) has now been linked with diseases ranging from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to depression, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis. Inflammation also appears to be a related factor in skin aging and other outward signs of aging.

Exactly how inflammation relates to many of these conditions: whether it is a cause, effect, or innocent bystander'is still unclear. Still, we know that elevated inflammation markers are a risk factor for many of the most common diseases of aging. And research suggests that dietary manipulation and other lifestyle changes can reduce inflammation and other risk factors for disease.

More research and information about Inflammation can be found at the web site http://inflammationis.com

James Eckburg
Senior Health and Wellness Strategist
www.Jamescornershop.com
www.eckburgjoe.veretekk.com
114 E. Franklin St.
Lanark, Illinois 61046
skype: jamesoeck1
joeckburg@gmail.com