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DHEA and recommendations for its use for MS.
DHEA (dehydroepianrosterone) is a steroid hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands. It is sometimes called a "precursor" hormone because it is used by the body to produce other hormones, estrogen and testosterone just to name two.
As we age, the levels of DHEA decline. It has shown to be of some value in some autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and MS. There seems to be an increase in energy and well being.
Unfortunately there are no studies on the long-term effects of chronic use of DHEA. Two of its more prominent side effects have been the development of mild acne and hirsutism (unwanted hair growth, especially in women). I usually suggest that people obtain a blood test to see if the really need to be on it.
Cat's claw, also known as una de gato, is an herbal product from the rain forests of Peru. It has been heralded as being used to treat everything from cancer to ulcers to arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The only problem that I have with it is that there are no reliable data that can substantiate these claims. There are many other herbal and natural products that can help with these conditions that have scientific validation behind them. So my suggestion would be, until we start to see more hard data on cat's claw, seek out other products that have a better track record. Several readers asked about continuing the use of echinacea and/or astragalus, which Steve recommended a few months ago, now that the flu and colds season is over for this year. Here is Steve's response. There is new data coming out regarding the continuous use of echinacea in building up the immune system. It seems that echinacea works best if it is started right when you start to feel like you are coming down with a cold or flu. This could be tiredness, scratchy throat or whatever way our bodies are trying to tell us that something is brewing. Start taking a dose every hour for the first four to six hours, then a dose four times a day for seven days. If you take it only when you need it, then you will not build up a resistance to it. You can use other things to help the immune system such as vitamins C and E, zinc and grape seed extract. Regarding astragalus, another herb that is used to boost the immune system. It is used mostly in Chinese medicine but is now finding a place of its own in Western herbalism. It works by interfering with the cell metabolism by binding to the cell wall of the bacteria or virus. Can you take both astragalus and echinacea together? Since they work differently, I would advise you to take the astragalus daily for 4 weeks with a 2-week rest period and save the echinacea for when you feel like you are coming down with a cold or flu.
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