Myasthenia Gravis

A study investigated the transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with Myasthenia Gravis.  The researchers found a decreased mitogen responsiveness of lymphocytes, suggesting that part of the lymphocyte function is subnormal in Myasthenia Gravis. [J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1979 Aug; 42(8): pp.734-40]

Very cold (or very hot) weather may increase weakness in myasthenia gravis patients.

Very cold (or very hot) weather may increase weakness in myasthenia gravis patients.

Although Myasthenia Gravis (MG) can affect any of the voluntary muscles, certain muscle groups are more often affected than others.  More than half of patients experience eye symptoms; 1-in-7 have face and throat muscle symptoms; MG affects the arms more often than the legs.

In cases of Myasthenia Gravis, a neurologist will often test reflexes, muscle strength, muscle tone, senses of touch and sight, coordination, and balance.

Myasthenia Gravis can only be confirmed by having a medical professional perform the recommended diagnostic tests.

About 15% of patients with myasthenia gravis are found to have a tumor of the thymus gland, known as a thymoma.  Most thymomas are benign.  Also, about 50% of patients with thymoma are found to have myasthenia gravis.

About 5-10% of patients with myasthenia gravis also have other autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases in general have a higher prevalence of gluten intolerance.  A one-month trial period of avoiding dairy products and foods containing gluten/gliadin should indicate whether there is going to be any change in symptoms or lab values in individual patients.  If there are improvements then these foods will need to be avoided on a permanent basis.

Autoimmune conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis can be greatly affected by what we eat.  It is advisable to consume preservative-free, hormone-free, chemical-free and unprocessed foods – this is especially important when it comes to dairy.  An average cow can now produce 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of milk per year, compared to the 2,000 pounds produced by its counterpart in the mid-1900s.  This production increase is generally achieved through the use of drugs, antibiotics, and hormones, so non-organic dairy products are not recommended for suffers of Myasthenia Gravis.

Stomach acid levels are generally lower in patients with autoimmune diseases.  Inadequate digestion can add to the immune system malfunction.

Conventional medicine can control myasthenia gravis.  Some medications improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength, and some suppress the production of abnormal antibodies.  These medications must be used with careful medical supervision because they may cause major side effects.

Dr. Fred Klenner, MD claims that patients with myasthenia gravis will hinder their progress if they use tobacco.

Available literature indicates that patients with myasthenia gravis may benefit from both a strengthening as well as an aerobic/cardiovascular fitness program.  Patients should be taught a home exercise program that is individualized for their limitations and tolerance.  Physical training is safe for patients with mild myasthenia gravis and does produce some improvement in overall muscle strength.

Walking for short periods at a slow pace is a good way to start a walking program.  Increase the exercise time slowly until you build up to 30 minutes of continuous walking.  If you are comfortable with this, then your speed can slowly be increased.  Before beginning any exercise program, please check with your doctor for advice on whether this is appropriate for you, and what form of exercise is preferred.

The thymus is thought to play an important role in the development of the disease by supplying helper T cells sensitized against thymic nicotinic receptors.  In most patients with myasthenia gravis, the thymus is enlarged, and 10-15% have thymomas.  Thymectomy is indicated if a thymoma is suspected.  In patients with generalized myasthenia without thymoma, thymectomy induces remission in 35% and improves symptoms in another 45%.

The thymus is the master gland of immunity, and removing this gland weakens the body's ability to fight infections and cancer.  The thymus normally shrinks and becomes less useful with age.  It would seem logical that thymectomy in a younger person could have greater negative long term consequences than thymectomy in an older person.

DHEA is almost always low in patients with autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis.

The weakness of myasthenia gravis may be improved by potassium consumption, if dietary potassium is low.

Manganese deficiency has been linked to myasthenia gravis.  Manganese activates several enzyme systems and supports the utilization of vitamin C, E, choline, and other B-vitamins.  Inadequate choline utilization reduces acetylcholine synthesis, contributing to conditions such as myasthenia gravis.

Sufferers should get plenty of rest and adjust their activities to avoid unnecessary fatigue.  This may include resting frequently as necessary during the day.

Emotional stress, excessive heat and cold, fever, and exposure to infections can worsen symptoms and should be avoided whenever possible.

Essential fatty acids have been shown to suppress autoimmune attacks in general and to help protect myelin sheaths.  A blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may provide supportive benefit in the treatment of myasthenia gravis

To increase acetylcholine levels add phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) 1gm bid.

To enhance acetylcholine levels take vitamin B12 1000mcg sublingually each day.

To enhance acetylcholine levels take pantothenic acid 100mg daily.  There is sufficient evidence to believe that coenzyme A, which is the physiologically active form of pantothenic acid in animals, is in limited supply in cases of myasthenia gravis.

To enhance acetylcholine levels take thiamine 100mg daily.  Additionally, Dr Fred Klenner, MD stresses the importance of thiamin in treating myasthenia gravis and recommends its use by injection.  From 30 years of experimentation he concludes that this is not a vitamin deficiency disease but one of several vitamin-dependent diseases, where the successful treatment requires dosages up to 1,000 times the minimal daily requirement that has been established for thiamin.