Anxiety and/or depression impact one’s quality of life in a profound way and are both very common in multiple sclerosis. Although there is still no standard treatment for depression and anxiety in MS patients, various medications are prescribed to try to manage these conditions. Interestingly, many studies have linked various parasites with depression and anxiety.
This post shares how parasites cause depression, anxiety and other MS symptoms, and the steps to recover from these parasites.
An MS diagnosis is very difficult to process and accept because we are told that there is no cure. We are left to grieve the loss of our health. Yet, there is tremendous hope for recovery because each year, more people are recovering from depression, anxiety and MS.
Depression and anxiety in MS
A recent study showed that anxiety is more common in MS patients than depression. [i]
Because more people are living with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) than progressive MS (PMS), higher numbers of people with RRMS suffer from depression and anxiety.
PMS patients tended to have a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety than RRMS patients because the symptoms of PMS are more sudden and severe.
Antidepressant drugs have many adverse effects. A major concern about treating MS patients with anxiety or depression medications is that they are known to worsen MS symptoms over time. Antidepressants can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
An FDA clinical trial showed that the rate of suicidal thinking or behavior doubled in patients taking SSRIs compared to those assigned to receive placebos.[ii]
Dysbiosis, depression and anxiety
The trillions of microorganisms that live in the gut, including bacteria, viruses, worms, protists, and fungi, all play a role in human health. Recent studies have showed the effects of the gut microbiome on other organs, such as the brain.
The microbes that live in the gut can regulate brain function through the gut-brain axis. Dysbiosis occurs when microbes that live in our body are out of balance – we have too many disease causing microbes and not enough health promoting ones. Intestinal dysbiosis is associated with the onset and progression of depression and anxiety as it impacts the gut-brain axis.
Significant evidence links anxiety and depression disorders to the community of microbes that live in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Drug–microbe interactions in antidepressant treatment exist and are a concern that must be considered and studied further.
Antibiotic use linked to depression and anxiety
Anecdotal evidence shows an increased risk of depression and anxiety following antibiotic use, even 5–10 years after use.
A recent systematic review showed the association between antibiotic use and subsequent development of depression.[iii]
Antibiotics reduce the diversity of gut microbiota.
Diet and the environment impact depression and anxiety
An unhealthy diet and environmental factors that influence the gut microbial composition were proved to be highly associated with the increased incidence of depression.
Specific microbes linked to depression and anxiety
The types of microbes present in the gut of people with depression and anxiety are different than those of healthy people. Increased numbers of pro-inflammatory bacteria and depleted anti-inflammatory bacteria in anxiety or depression have been the most consistent finding in this research.
The increased presence of Bacteroides, Morganella, Mycobacterium and segmented filamentous microbes and other microbes can act synergistically to significantly increase the risk of depression.
Gut fungal dysbiosis has been documented in patients with depression and anxiety.
Microbial metabolites, for example specific neurotransmitters produced by microbes, can influence emotional behavior.
The microbiota and their metabolites act as key modulators in gut-brain signaling.
The increased systemic distribution of gut metabolites, microbial cell fragments, or even the microbes themselves throughout the body because of leaky gut, all increase systemic inflammation.
Microbial signals and depressive emotions can increase the synthesis and release of cortisol, which increases gut permeability and results in a leaky gut.
In addition, mitochondria are reported to be possible key mediators in the relationship between gut dysbiosis and depression.
Drugs, especially when taken orally, have a significant effect on gut microbial composition and function. Interactions between drugs and microbiota can alter bacterial metabolism, drug activity and efficacy. There is evidence that antidepressants have antimicrobial effects, especially on gram-positive bacteria.[iv]
Various antidepressants alter the microbial diversity and types of microbes present. Also, because of the effects of microbes on drug toxicity, the chronic use of most drugs could cause many adverse effects in certain patients, including an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiovascular diseases. Drug–microbiota interactions are complex.
The gut microbiome is dynamic and diverse. Diet, supplementation with live microorganisms (single or mixed species) and fecal transplants can manipulate the microbial composition and function to maintain a healthy balance in the gut and have been shown to improve depression and anxiety.
Researchers believe that the gut microbiota may serve to be a new therapeutic target for new depression and anxiety treatments. They believe there are potential health benefits to use microbial-targeted therapeutics for treating depression and anxiety.
The Live Disease Free plan to recover from parasites that cause depression, anxiety and MS
At Live Disease Free, we understand that microbes and their toxins are the biggest cause of depression, anxiety and all other disease symptoms. Our approach is to treat the parasites that cause these conditions while following a holistic approach to recover from disease and restore vibrant health. The more effectively we restore balance to the microbes that live in our body, the quicker we heal and the greater our recovery will be. Successful recovery from a parasitic infestation requires strategy – The Live Disease Free Plan.
Before parasites are treated, it’s important to follow the prep phase of the Live Disease Free plan to decrease inflammation, promote immune modulation, greatly improve tolerance to the parasite treatments and speed recovery. Preparing to treat includes Step 1 and 2.
Step 1. Follow the Live Disease Free diet
This diet provides lots of nutrition for the body but greatly reduces food to the parasites. Most parasites thrive on carbohydrates so by decreasing carbs enough, parasites are less active and produce less toxins, which results in less inflammation and significant symptom improvement. If a person suffers from inflammatory bowel disease, it is important to avoid raw vegetables and the ones that are not tolerated until their G.I. tract heals. Visit the Live Disease Free Diet Guidelines to learn more.
Step 2. Support the Body
Daily bowel movements, optimal sleep, supporting physiology and removing toxins from the environment must all be addressed before treatments are started so that they will be better tolerated and will work more effectively.
Following steps 1 and 2 of the Live Disease Free plan results in improved bladder function, sleep, energy, mental clarity and mood and less pain, stiffness and muscle spasms.
Step 3. Treat the parasites and rebuild the health-promoting microbes.
The treatment plan is determined by taking into account a person’s health history, disease diagnoses, symptoms, and by energy testing common treatments to determine which therapies will be most effective for the parasites that are infecting a person. The most successful treatment plan includes a layering of therapies: parasite medications, antimicrobial herbs and oxygen therapies. As parasites are treated, it is also vital to rebuild our natural defense: the health promoting microbes.
When parasites are treated effectively:
- Mood improves – people feel happy and peaceful again – Mental clarity and memory come back
- Stiffness and spasticity subside
- Balance returns
- Drop foot resolves
- Tremors diminish
- Pain ends
- Writing, vision and speech improve
- Strength returns in legs and arms
- Mobility improves – Canes, walkers, wheelchairs or scooters may no longer be needed
The sooner parasites are treated, the easier they are to treat and the quicker the recovery will be.
Step 4. Maintain health and prevention.
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes being active, optimizing nutrition, managing stress, nurturing our soul, getting sunshine and staying hydrated. When health is restored, it is wise to treat parasites once or twice per year to prevent disease in the future.
The Live Disease Free plan has allowed me to live an active life free from disease for over 30 years and is allowing many Wellness Champions to recover from disease and get their health and life back.
To live a long, healthy and happy life, we must take responsibility for our health and learn these simple, safe and effective principles. We can’t afford to leave our health solely in the hands of any one expert. Our health is our greatest asset
There are real solutions to recover from parasites today!
To restore health, we must focus on treating the cause of inflammation, which are parasites. First, identify the enemy (parasites), then support the body and treat the parasites while following a holistic approach. When parasitic infections are treated effectively, we can overcome inflammation or disease.
If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS and other diseases, then click on the link below to watch Pam Bartha’s free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allowed Pam and many others to live free from MS and other diseases.
CLICK Here to watch Pam’s masterclass training
Or take the Health Blocker Quiz to see if you could have parasite infections
References:
[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9287158/
[iii] https://discovery.researcher.life/article/antibiotic-use-and-the-development-of-depression-a-systematic-review/dba02c2c3646398783215f5bbb7de4ef
[iv] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(23)00092-0/fulltext#bib60
Additional references:
https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/anxiety-might-be-alleviated-by-regulating-gut-bacteria/
https://gpsych.bmj.com/content/gpsych/32/2/e100056.full.pdf
