Re: ALS-please help!

ALS is a viral autoimmune condition. The hemorrhagic stroke is actually related. In autoimmunity there are two factors involved. First is a microbial trigger, usually a virus or bacteria. Secondly is adrenal dysfunction. Healthy adrenals produce sufficient levels of immune modulating corticosteroids to allow for the production of the normal high affinity antibodies. When the adrenals are shot the lack of corticosteroids decrease, which suppresses the immune system, and leads to the overproduction of nonspecific low affinity antibodies. It is these nonspecific antibodies that mistake healthy tissue for antigens, and tag these tissues for destruction by white blood cells. The reason autoimmune disorders get worse when someone is under stress is because stress weakens the adrenals. This is the same reason stimulants, life caffeine and nicotine, as well as steroids, like Prednisone also make these conditions worse. All of these weaken adrenal function. The steroids can help mask some of the symptoms, but they are actually making the underlying condition worse, which is one of the reasons people with autoimmune conditions tend to deteriorate.

The reason the hemorrhage is related goes back to the most important nutrient for the adrenals, which is vitamin C. The adrenals get priority on vitamin C over the entire rest of the body, followed by the retina, then the brain. Connective tissue, including that in the blood vessels is lower on the list for vitamin C availability. Although vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen, which gives tissues their strength, and elastin, which gives tissues their elasticity. Blood vessels also contain these two proteins. When the adrenals are being overly taxed they have a higher demand for the available vitamin C in the body, so the connective tissue has less vitamin C for collagen and elastin formation. Therefore the blood vessels suffer as a result by thinning out and becoming weaker. This makes them more likely to rupture leading to hemorrhage. Same principle as why smokers bruise easier. Their capillaries thin out and rupture easier leading to leakage of blood in to the surrounding tissue causing the discoloration we call bruising.

Despite this increased need of vitamin C I do not believe in megadosing of vitamin C, especially the synthetic (ascorbic acid) that is commonly sold as vitamin C. I prefer natural sources, such as watercress, kiwis, papaya, berries, etc. These are stronger, more stable, and also contain the synergistic bioflavonoids.

There are actually a lot of things that can be done to treat autoimmunity, but before starting anything it is essential to know what medications they are on, are they able to swallow, what is their current diet, etc. Tweet