Rest and Calm Lifestyle - A Major Part of Dr. Swank’ s Regimen
By Jim Goodwin
The temptation to fill our days with activity is strong, especially at Holiday Season. Our stress levels increase and that means hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin are at higher levels than normal. While at times we may feel like we’ re in a ‘ fight or flight’ situation, we must remember that these hormones have very powerful effects on our bodies. The reduction of stress in our lives, and plenty of rest so that the body can recuperate, is the third essential part of the regimen prescribed by Dr. Swank for his patients. The low-fat diet is the one that we usually focus on, but we must not forget the vitamin supplements (especially adequate vitamin D) and this third one – a daily rest period and reduction of stress points – if relapses are to be minimized.
In his book, Dr. Swank points out that relapses are common after high stress situations as diverse as say a car accident or the birth of a child. He found that infusions of normal plasma to relapsing patients was effective in combatting the symptoms and getting the patient back to control of their health. It appears that few Doctors are aware of how effective this treatment can be in controlling the exacerbation of MS symptoms after a physical trauma has occurred. The idea for the plasma infusion treatment originated from his work on plasma proteins in 1951 in which he identified compositional abnormalities in plasma from his patients with MS.
Over the last ten years or so a lot of information on plasma components found in conjunction with MS, especially during an exacerbation phase, has been obtained. Much of the attention has been focused on the protein Interleukin-17F, or IL-17F in biochemical shorthand. This protein is produced by some activated T-cells. The gene, which governs its production, is found at chromosome 6p12 (1). The expression of IL-17F, which is is a pro-inflammatory soluble protein, is higher in patients with MS (2). Treatment by the drug Interferon has been shown to have spotty results in mediating the levels of IL-17F (3).
These snippets from the literature of the last decade show that we are getting closer to describing the genetic and protein markers for the condition. Cause and Cure are another story and we are currently left with Control and Care of our immune system an important factor. Achieving a low stress lifestyle with adequate rest are essential aspects of this care.
References:
1 . T. Starnes et al. J. Immunology, 2001, 167, 4137
2 . D. Matuseviceus et al. Mult. Scler, 1999, 5, 101
3 . K. Boniface et al. Nature Medicine, 2010, 16, 406