On the other hand, MS patients' blood often are deficient in iron [2,3]
What gives?
_**About the anemia:**_ Not that clear, but many chronic illnesses bring some level of anemia [4]. In a nutshell, inflammation is part of many chronic diseases, particularly autoimmune diseases. Inflammation-associated proteins [cytokines] disturb the mechanisms that regulate iron levels in the blood, and can bring about the type of anemia called Anemia of Chronic Disorders (ACD). This in turn has impact on the immune system, since "…Both iron deficiency and iron overload may influence the proliferation of B and T lymphocytes.." [5]
_**About the iron deposits in the brain and and MS:**_ The (vocal) proponents of Chronic Cerebrospinal Veinous Insufficiency( CCSVI) as the culprit for MS propose that the poor blood circulation causes MS by depositing iron in the brain [7] . Others [9] are less sanguine about causality, but still point towards inflammation as a major factor in MS.Quoting [9] : "…Nevertheless, what cannot be fully excluded from this study is whether a condition like CCSVI may contribute to increased iron deposition in MS, and if iron induced endothelial damage at the level of blood-brain-barrier may further lead to increased inflammation and neurodegeneration…" CCSVI is still not accepted as the MS "Smoking Gun " in the MS literature.
**The main question for the MSer is: If they take iron supplements against their anemia, will that iron end up in their brain and worsen MS? **
We did not find an answer to that question in research papers. So in desperation we turned to MS Forums [8].** Forum consensus**: Lowering your iron intake will not your MS go away, but not taking supplements if you have anemia could land your in serious trouble.
To be continued…
_**Talk to your Doctor**_
Sources:
[1] [PennState ; "The effects of Iron"][1]
[2] [Journal of Nutrition ][2]; "Iron Deficiency Alters Brain Development and Functioning",2003
[3] [WebMD;][3] " Multiple Sclerosis Tied to Iron in Brain. Studies Point to Cause, Location of MS Brain Damage", 2003
[4] [Haematologica.][4] ; "anemia of chronic disease"; 1997 May-Jun;82(3):375-81.
[5] Blood ; bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org by guest on October 12, 2011
[6] [Clin Chem Lab Med][5]. ; " Advancements in anemias related to chronic conditions." ; 2010 Sep;48 (9):1217-26
[7] [CCSVI Foundation][6]
[8] [ThisisMS ; "Diet and Iron Deposits"][7] ; forum, 2009
[9] [BiomedCentral][8] ; "Iron deposition and inflammation in multiple sclerosis. Which one comes first?", 2011
Technorati Tags: [Anemia][9], [Brain Iron Deposits][10], [CCSVI][11], [multiple sclerosis][12]
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[1]: http://www.rps.psu.edu/0005/iron.html
[2]: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/133/5/1468S.full
[3]: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/news/20031022/multiple-sclerosis-tied-to-iron-in-brain
[4]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9234597
[5]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20618092
[6]: http://www.ccsvifoundation.org/about-us.php
[7]: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/chronic-cerebrospinal-venous-insufficiency-ccsvi-f40/topic8846.html
[8]: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2202/12/60
[9]: http://technorati.com/tag/Anemia
[10]: http://technorati.com/tag/Brain+Iron+Deposits
[11]: http://technorati.com/tag/CCSVI
[12]: http://technorati.com/tag/multiple+sclerosis
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