Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease of the CNS that affects people during early adulthood. Despite several US FDA-approved medications, the treatment options in MS are limited. Many people with MS explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments to help control their MS and treat their symptoms. Surveys suggest that up to 70% of people with MS have tried one or more CAM treatment for their MS. People with MS using CAM generally report deriving some benefit from the therapies. The CAM therapies most frequently used include diet, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. There is very limited research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of CAM in MS. The most promising among CAM therapies that warrant further investigation are a low-fat diet, omega-3 fatty acids, lipoic acid and vitamin D supplementation as potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in both relapsing and progressive forms of MS. There is very limited research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of CAM in MS. However, in recent years, the NIH and the National MS Society have been actively supporting the research in this very important area.

Keywords::

• antioxidants
• complementary and alternative medicine
• dietary supplements
• essential fatty acids
• lipoic acid
• low-fat diet
• multiple sclerosis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Vijayshree Yadav has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as a speaker. Dennis Bourdette has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Pfizer Inc. and Teva Neurosciences as a speaker or faculty member. This study was supported by the National MS Society (PP0921 and CA 1055-A-3), the NIH (P50AT00066–01), the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Nancy Davis Center Without Walls. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.