The correct form of DHEA and other suggestions for myotonic dystrophy
I am not too keen on HGH or regular DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) as treatments, HOWEVER, the sulfated version of DHEA, DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) is a different story altogether.
The study quoted in the above post used the regular DHEA instead of the form effective against muscular dystrophy/myotonic dystrophy, DHEAS (which is all too typical when it comes to studies about supplements that other studies have demonstrated likely or proven effectiveness). Likely the study is wrongly being used to advise against using any form of DHEA or else falsely indicate that no form of DHEA is effective when clearly that is not the case.
Here are some of the studies on the correct form, DHEAS, which tell an entirely different story:
1. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) on myotonia: intracellular studies.
Nakazora H, Kurihara T.
Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
CONCLUSION: Since myotonic dystrophy shows progressive muscle weakness in addition to myotonia, medications like DHEAS are more favorable than the typical Na channel blocker.
Intern Med.
2005 Dec;44(12):1247-51.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16415544?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSyst...
2. A pilot study of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in myotonic dystrophy.
First Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki-City, Japan.
We studied the effect of i.v. administration of a dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) preparation (200 mg/day for 8 weeks) in 11 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MyD). After DHEAS, activities of daily living improved, muscle strength increased, and myotonia decreased. Conduction block and premature beats also improved in the four patients with cardiac involvement. This pilot study may provide a rationale for a controlled study of DHEAS in MyD.
PMID: 9710041 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2005 Dec;44(12):1247-51.
Neurology.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9710041?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSyste...
3. Specific binding and effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) on skeletal muscle cells: possible implication for DHEA-S replacement therapy in patients with myotonic dystrophy.
The First Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki City, Japan.
Our results suggest that DHEA-S might act directly on skeletal muscles under normal physiological conditions in humans.
PMID: 10403489 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
1998 Aug;51(2):586-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10403489?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSyst...
Muscular dystrophy, including myotonic dystrophy, is a group of diseases where much of the research indicates a nutritional origin in that the body is unable to properly break down and utilize protein. Though difficult to treat, especially via mainstream methods, it is entirely possible to have at least partial recovery and significant improvements in the associated symptoms and there have been instances of complete recovery.
Here are some of the most common elements that have resulted in improvements and even some complete recoveries:
- Quality digestive enzymes with each meal.
- Iodine (including potassium iodine and elemental iodine) and selenium
- Vitamin B complex - especially choline
- Vitamin E (with mixed tocopherols)
- Only whole grain bread and cereal (sprouted or boiled is even better).
- Certified raw milk, rather than pasteurized or evaporated milk. Raw goats’ milk is best.
- Fresh raw fruits and vegetables daily and extra vegetable and fruit juices. We suspect that most mothers these days try their best to get their children to eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables. But we might as well face it: a child who has filled up on candy, ice cream and soda pop simply cannot be interested in a raw vegetable. But note that the child who was cured ate not only fresh fruits and vegetables every day, but fruit and vegetable juices, in addition, every day.
- Frequent raw fresh calves’ liver (juice or rare broiled liver)
- Lean meat (lamb is the best of red meat), fish, or fowl to supply protein.
- Desiccated liver capsules.
- Multiple vitamins derived from whole food sources (including all the B vitamins, as well as vitamins C, A, and D)
In addition, if it were me I would take:
- a good supergreens mix that included chlorella and spirulina
- plant derived trace minerals
- foods or supplements with omega 3's such as Dr. Mercola's Krill oil
- highly bioavailable curcumin and blackseed oil (Nigella Sativa) which have many healthy and curative qualitives and are both noted immuno-modulators
As a final note, remember to avoid chlorinated water, refined sugar, bleached flour and fried foods. Chlorine destroys vitamin E. Most of us are eating many foods that have been bleached with chlorine compounds. Rancid fats destroy vitamin E. Foods fried in fats used over and over again are bound to contain rancid fats.