Multiple sclerosis is an infectious disease caused by a parasitic infestation. As parasites are treated effectively, people recover from MS. This post discusses the findings of two randomized double blind placebo controlled studies where MS patients who were treated with a specific parasite drug over 3 – 4 years had less MS attacks and more stable neurological function.
A bias is an error that can cause false conclusions in research, thus affecting its validity.
The following are important criteria that reduce bias in research:
- Double-blind – where neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment.
- Placebo controlled – where one group of participants receive the treatment and a second group of participants receive a placebo or sugar pill.
- Randomized – where participants are put into one of two groups randomly.
- Longer term studies improve the validity of study findings and the understanding of drug safety.
The following two double-blind placebo controlled randomized long-term studies were published in peer reviewed journals Their findings are very insightful and provide more evidence that multiple sclerosis is an infectious disease caused by a parasitic infestation.
This three year study was published in the Journal of Neurology in 1982 and was conducted from January 1976 – September 1979. Eighty five patients were involved in the trial, but fifty four patients participated. Participants were diagnosed with both relapsing remitting and progressive MS.
Patients received either levamisole or a placebo daily for the first year. The treatment plan was then changed to one dose each week versus each day. The patients were assessed at the start of the study and then every 3 to 4 months. Minor adverse effects included skin rash, nausea and vomiting.
Study findings:
Researchers found that levamisole restored T cell function.
This double blind controlled study reported that both neurological function and disability became significantly worse in the placebo treated patients but remained fairly stable in the levamisole treated group. During this study, both annual relapse rate and disability score remained more stable in the levamisole treated patients with severe disability.
Study #2 Four year double blind controlled study of Levamisole in multiple sclerosis
This four year, long term double-blind placebo controlled randomized study was published in the journal Neurological Sciences in 1991.
Forty one patients completed the study where twenty two were treated with levamisole once per week for four years and nineteen patients were in the placebo group and received the same treatment schedule.
Adverse effects included nausea, insomnia, dizziness, agitation, constipation and diarrhea. At least one of these side effects was present in 67% of the patients but rarely more than one of them was present at any one time. The adverse effects never caused a patient to withdraw from the study and it rarely lasted for more than 24 hours after taking the drug.
This study did not include patients with progressive multiple sclerosis.
Study findings:
In the group treated with levamisole, 8 patients (36%) had an MS attack during the study, and 14 (64%) did not.
The group treated with the placebo, 14 patients (74%) had an MS attack and 5 (26%) patients did not.
The difference between the two groups was statistically significant.
This study showed that levamisole significantly reduced the number of acute relapses in MS patients during the 4 year period of treatment.
It is important to emphasize that both studies did not find any serious side effects in MS participants who took levamisole for 3 – 4 years.
Levamisole
Levamisole was first marketed as a deworming medication in 1968. It treats large roundworms and hookworms.
The first evidence of levamisole being an immune modulator was observed in 1971.
Because of its immunomodulatory effects, this drug has been studied in the treatment of various immune-mediated diseases. It has also been used in combination with other drugs to treat various cancers and has been reported to improve rheumatoid arthritis and lupus symptoms.
The FDA withdrew levamisole from the US market in 2000 due to adverse effects, which were mostly associated with the use of cocaine contaminated with levamisole. It is known to cause agranulocytosis or low white blood cell count in cocaine users. It is not available commercially in the US, but is available in other countries.
The following medications also commonly cause agranulocytosis:
- Cancer chemotherapies
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory (gold, naproxen, and penicillamine)
- Anti-thyroid (carbimazole, propylthiouracil)
- Anti-arrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide)
- Anti-hypertensives (captopril, enalapril, nifedipine)
- Anti-depressants/psychotropics (clozapine, amitriptyline, dosulepin, mianserin)
- Anti-malarials (pyrimethamine, dapsone, sulfadoxine, chloroquine)
- Anticonvulsants (phenytoin, sodium valproate, carbamazepine)
- Antibiotics (sulphonamides, penicillin, cephalosporins)
- Miscellaneous (cimetidine, ranitidine, chloropropamide, zidovudine).
These medications are not banned even though they can cause low white blood cell count in people who are not using cocaine.
If MS patients are not using cocaine, the FDA’s concern should not impact them. These two studies confirm that MS patients tolerate levamisole very well and it’s been very helpful for them.
Why is levamisole banned in the US if it is tolerated well and, when used properly, it has helped people with so many medical conditions?
Why has this research been ignored?
Why has this drug not been researched further?
These studies provided important evidence that MS is an infectious disease caused by a parasitic infestation. They were well done, long term studies which showed that the parasite drug levamisole significantly reduced the number of acute relapses in MS patients and stabilized both neurological function and disability score.
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:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2081685/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00313411
http://www.tsccm.org.tw/Magazine/Folder/11_3/05.pdf
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00848#reference-A178117
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00848#reference-A178123
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00848
https://www.medicinenet.com/levamisole-oral/article.htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/levamisole
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.
