Myasthenia gravis is a disease that interferes with the communication between the nerves and muscles, resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue. It occurs when, for unknown reasons, the immune system mistakenly attacks areas of muscles that receive nerve impulses, which signal the muscles to contract (neuromuscular junctions). I have a patient with Myasthenia Gravis who has difficulty swallowing pills. She also needed help deciding which vitamins were appropriate for her taking her condition into account. Here are some ideas for liquid vitamins that are appropriate for her. Complementary nutrients may offer ways to address myasthenia gravis and to attack it from several standpoints while limiting adverse effects. Pills are often easy to find and cheaper, but liquid vitamins are available. These are just some ideas and not a complete list of everything supplement that could be appropriate for this condition. Discuss these supplements with you physician if you have any autoimmune condition, as they may be beneficial in lupus, fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis. In experiments with separately administered vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, pantothenic acid and choline (as from lecithin) were reported to be beneficial in myasthenia gravis. Conversely, myasthenia gravis like symptoms could be produced in monkeys and humans by making them deficient in the vitamins B1, B6 and pantothenic acid.
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin C is another anti-stress vitamin. It is essential for collagen synthesis. Collagen is the connective tissue between muscle cells, cementing them together. Vitamin C is involved with the use of glycogen in muscles, with muscle contractions and exercise tolerance. It affects muscle metabolism and the functioning of muscle membranes. Together with folic acid it is involved with the synthesis of neurotransmitters and steroid hormones. It has a mild anticholinesterase activity and this enhances the action of the reduced amount of acetylcholine that finds a receptor. A study on 2000 smokers revealed that their vitamin C blood levels were 40% lower than those of non-smokers. Myasthenia gravis patients reported increased muscle weakness after smoking.Vitamin C, (with bioflavonoids),
Vitamin D 2000 IU daily
Vitamin E is important to protect cell membranes from damage through oxidation and peroxidation, while a deficiency causes changes in muscle protein with swelling and fragmentation of individual muscle fibres, leading to muscle weakness, dystrophy and paralysis. It is directly involved with the energy metabolism of muscles, deficiency causes increased amounts of muscle protein to break down and be expelled with the urine as it happens in myasthenia gravisVitamin E, 400 IU two times a day.
Lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) is abundant in nerve cell membranes and is required for nerve growth and function.
Lecithin
Omega fatty acids
Manganese and the thymus gland are the keys to the development and treatment of myasthenia gravis. Numerous enzymes are activated by manganese and it is essential for the production of energy from glucose. It is equally important for the growth of bones, the development of the skeleton and the formation of cartilage. It is essential for the development and functioning of nerves and muscles, specifically it is involved with muscular contraction. When muscles are damaged, manganese leaches into the bloodstream and causes its level to rise.
Coenzyme Q10 promotes cellular energy
Myasthenia Gravis is considered an autoimmune disorder. As such, treatment that involves re-balancing or optimizing your immune system may be helpful. Glutathione is an immune system optimizer. A glutathione IV may be helpful. Call your physician to see if this can be ordered. DHEA. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that can be converted into estrogen and testosterone. One study sought to detect a possible effect of DHEA in the pathogenesis of experimental myasthenia gravis. DHEA administered to rats resulted in a decrease in antibodies against acetylcholine receptors and an inhibition of the antibody-secreting cells. The authors concluded that these results encourage future study of DHEA treatment in human myasthenia gravis (Duan RS et al 2003). You can have your DHEA checked by your doctor to see if it is low.
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