Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to many diseases including MS. Researchers believe that increasing the number of healthy mitochondria may help MS patients. In this post, I will discuss this new research and whether the use of mitochondrial transplantation could be helpful for MS patients.
Story at a glance:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in many neurological diseases, including MS.
- Chronic inflammation in disease leads to mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Infections cause inflammation and therefore, infections cause mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Companies are funding research to investigate if mitochondria therapy could be helpful for patients who suffer from neurological diseases, strokes and brain injuries.
- Researchers believe that mitochondrial transplantation may treat the symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction and help regenerate damaged nerve cells.
- This newly proposed therapy would not treat the cause of disease, but it may offer symptom management. Ongoing treatment would be necessary.
- It would be a costly treatment and take years to prove its safety.
- The best approach is to treat the infections effectively so the body can heal and the mitochondria can function normally again. Treating the cause allows us to recover from disease, rather than manage it!
Chronic inflammation is present in all diseases. It is the war zone where our immune system is fighting an enemy – infections or the toxins produced by infections.
Chronic inflammation leads to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Common symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction:
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Pain
- Loss of muscle coordination, muscle weakness
- Neurological symptoms, including seizures
- Exercise intolerance
- Vision and/or hearing problems
- Swallowing difficulties
- Gastrointestinal disorders – diarrhea or constipation
- unexplained vomiting, cramping, reflux
- Diabetes
- Increased risk of infection
- Movement disorders
- Thyroid problems
- Respiratory (breathing) disorders
- Lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactate)
- Dementia
Several studies have looked at the possible link between mitochondrial dysfunction and neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers have discovered that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the destruction of nerves in neurological diseases.
This has led researchers to question and investigate if mitochondria therapy might help patients who suffer from these diseases but also patients who have had strokes or brain injuries.
Mitochondrial transplantation is a newer concept where live, healthy mitochondria are transferred into damaged nerve cells. Scientists feel that mitochondrial transplantation may be a new and helpful treatment to support nerve cells to regenerate and / or survive.
What are mitochondria
Mitochondria are small organelles inside the cytoplasm of cells. They are little energy factories that make energy (ATP) and help the body to work properly and stay healthy.
Our brain uses a lot of energy – about 20% of the body’s energy. Our nerve cells have many mitochondria in them.
In MS patients, several studies have shown that when nerves are injured, the mitochondria in the nerve cells don’t work properly. This has been shown to impact the progression of MS.
Spinal cord lesions have dramatically reduced the number of mitochondria.
Researchers believe that mitochondrial transplantation is a new way of treating disease that will support nerve survival and regeneration for people who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and central nervous system injuries. Providing healthy mitochondria to damaged neurons has been shown to promote neuronal viability, activity and the regrowth of nerves.
Pam’s thoughts
Mitochondrial transplantation will be a symptom management therapy. It will be expensive and it won’t cure disease. Patients will need to receive ongoing healthy mitochondria.
I am very concerned about the safety of this procedure. It would take many years to prove this new treatment is is safe.
Many new therapeutics are incorporating gene therapy which raises a red flag for me. When our genetic material is permanently altered, and an adverse effect is discovered, it will be virtually impossible to undue the genetic change. I am not willing to be a Guinea pig
This therapy will not will prevent nerves from being damaged, injured or dying in the future, as inflammation will continue to occur until the infections that cause the inflammation are treated properly.
Safe ways to support healthy mitochondria:
- Follow the Live Disease Free Diet
- Exercise
- Treat infections and restore balance to your microbiome
Real MS Solutions for Today!
If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS, then click on the link below to watch my free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allow myself and many others to live free from MS symptoms.
CLICK Here to watch Pam’s masterclass training
Or take the Health Blocker Quiz to see if you could have chronic infections
References:
Current progress of mitochondrial transplantation that promotes neuronal regeneration
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Multiple Sclerosis
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
