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UK scientists believe they may have uncovered an
important clue to the mystery of multiple sclerosis.
According to new research from Britain's Keele University, excessive exposure to aluminum may be associated with multiple sclerosis risk. This is reportedly the first evidence of such a link. The Keele team found that MS patients tended to have extremely high urinary excretion of aluminum, particularly among patients who have the relapsing-remitting form of MS. About one-quarter of MS patients fall into this category, which is characterized by relapses of existing symptoms, sometimes accompanied by new symptoms, followed by further periods of remission and relapses. Lead researcher, Dr. Christopher Exley, told Medical News Today that "elevated excretion of aluminum suggests that exposure to aluminum may be the hitherto unrecognized environmental factor in MS." Aluminum is a natural component of food and water, but aluminum intake increases sharply with the use of certain cosmetics, antiperspirants and toothpastes. Processed foods such as cake mixes, pickled vegetables, baking powders and processed cheeses also may contain aluminum, as do some over-the-counter medications such as buffered aspirin and antacids. And to top it all off, animal studies have shown that a regular intake of fluoride (which most of us get through our drinking water, like it or not) enhances the body's absorption of aluminum. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences
Institute
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