Natural Compounds Used in Supplements

     Dietary supplementation in people living with MS is increasing, as adjuncts and alternatives to conventional medications are being sought. Interest has focused largely on disease mechanisms, symptoms, and the influence of certain natural compounds. While the cause of MS remains unknown and the influence of some popular dietary supplements in humans is as yet unclear, a growing body of research is strengthening the rationale behind complementary care^1-8. Provided for the following compounds is guidance for application in adults, including information on use during pregnancy and/or nursing where available:

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine

• Apigenin

• Ashwagandha

• Astragalus

• Bacopa

• Biotin

• Black Seed Oil

• Burdock Root

• Cannabis

• Citicoline

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

• Curcumin

• Ginkgo biloba

• Gotu Kola

• Grape Seed Extract

• Green Tea

• Lemon Verbena 

• Lion’s Mane

• Lipoic Acid

• Luteolin

• Melatonin

• N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Palmitoylethanolamine/Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)

• Panax Ginseng

• Phytosterols

• Piperine

• Pomegranate

• Probiotics

• Pterostilbene

• Quercetin

• Resveratrol

• Taurine

• Ursolic Acid

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

• Vitamin B3 (Niacin/Niacinamide)

• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

• Vitamin D (Calciferols)

• Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone)

Since much of the research has been conducted in small animal models, caution should be used when applying results to humans, especially with regard to safety overall and during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Of note, the following table may be helpful in translating some animal doses to those for human use⁹:

References

1.Marx W, Hockey M, McGuinness AJ, et al. The effect of emerging nutraceutical interventions for clinical and biological outcomes in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Mult Scler Relat Disord. Jan 2020;37:101486. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.101486

2.Namaka M, Crook A, Doupe A, et al. Examining the evidence: complementary adjunctive therapies for multiple sclerosis. Neurol Res. Sep 2008;30(7):710-9. doi:10.1179/174313208X325038

3.Namjooyan F, Ghanavati R, Majdinasab N, Jokari S, Janbozorgi M. Uses of complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis. J Tradit Complement Med. Jul 2014;4(3):145-52. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.136543

4.Plemel JR, Juzwik CA, Benson CA, Monks M, Harris C, Ploughman M. Over-the-counter anti-oxidant therapies for use in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Mult Scler. Oct 2015;21(12):1485-95. doi:10.1177/1352458515601513

5.Pogacnik L, Ota A, Ulrih NP. An Overview of Crucial Dietary Substances and Their Modes of Action for Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells. Feb 28 2020;9(3)doi:10.3390/cells9030576

6.Sanadgol N, Zahedani SS, Sharifzadeh M, Khalseh R, Barbari GR, Abdollahi M. Recent Updates in Imperative Natural Compounds for Healthy Brain and Nerve Function: A Systematic Review of Implications for Multiple Sclerosis. Curr Drug Targets. 2017;18(13):1499-1517. doi:10.2174/1389450118666161108124414

7.Tredinnick AR, Probst YC. Evaluating the Effects of Dietary Interventions on Disease Progression and Symptoms of Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: An Umbrella Review. Adv Nutr. Nov 16 2020;11(6):1603-1615. doi:10.1093/advances/nmaa063

8.Tryfonos C, Mantzorou M, Fotiou D, et al. Dietary Supplements on Controlling Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms and Relapses: Current Clinical Evidence and Future Perspectives. Medicines (Basel). Sep 12 2019;6(3)doi:10.3390/medicines6030095

9.Nair AB, Jacob S. A simple practice guide for dose conversion between animals and human. J Basic Clin Pharm. Mar 2016;7(2):27-31. doi:10.4103/0976-0105.177703

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