Multiple Sclerosis News

Every now and then I do a little searching for news about MS. Here are my latest results:

• A new US drug trial for secondary progressive MS. This link is to a drug company so, of course, they are biased and you have to take what they say with a grain of salt. It's always good to hear about drugs that target the progressive element of this disease so those of us with relaxing and remitting MS don't feel like we in a race and if we pass on to secondary or primary progressive, we are shit out of luck for treatment.
• Can I just say again how grateful I am to President Barack Obama for reversing the ban on embryonic stem cell research? This study shows incredibly promising news for the use of embryonic stem cells and something called "oligodendrocytes" which is used to create myelen--an incredibly important substance that is hard to come by in people with MS. According to this second article, this same embryonic stem cell research could also lead to repairs of nerve damage in people with MS--something I am personally REALLY excited about.
  
• Phil Keoghan, the host of the only my absolute favorite reality show, The Amazing Race, is biking across the United States to raise money for the National MS Society. Follow his progress, donate, and find out when he'll be near you at this site.
• A man with MS from Sebastopol, Pontypool (say that three times fast, if you can even pronounce it), is being recognized for his amazing fundraising and advocacy on behalf of MS causes. Read all about Ian Williams in the South Wales Argus.
• The drug news is good but the FDA bureaucratic bullshit is not. Regulatory delays result in shares dropping which results in drug companies moving on to drugs that can make them money faster. Judge for yourself.
• Can you say "no more MS shots?" I can! Well, not yet, but soon, according to this news.
• I love cats and I am truly enjoying my new kitty, Bella. I must admit, though, that I despise the smell of cat food. I am rethinking this intolerance after learning that cat food could lead to a cure for MS! I hope I don't have to eat it, but I wouldn't totally rule it out either.
• I recently learned that a woman who goes to the UU church is an acupuncturist and has worked with people with MS. I've found a lot of relief in the past with other things through acupuncture so I am definitely going to give her a call. This article appears to concur with my decision.
• This article discusses the possibility of worm research helping scientists figure out how to regenerate nerve cells in people with MS. And, no, we definitely will not have to eat worms.
  
• This article discuss a Texas firefighter who discovered that his plant-based diet has been shown to improve symptoms in a number of diseases, including MS. I did feel very good during the week of my nutritionist-led Spring Cleanse where I ate only veggies (raw and steamed), potatoes, no dairy, no meat, no sugar, legumes, and natural grains like Kasha, quinoa, and brown rice.. Check out Jennifer Howe's website to learn more about signing up for the next Cleanse.
• I found a few different articles about using Yoga to help with MS symptoms. This one is from the Yoga Journal.
  
• And, finally, here's a video produced by the National MS Society that is one of many videos featuring a doctor at a prominent MS center. In this one he talks about research into treatment for advanced MS. The second article at About.com references a research study showing that a small group of people with MS showed improvements with fatigue and other symptoms when they practices yoga regularly.