01/13/2010: Abby from Cincinnati, Ohio: "Charcot Marie-Tooth Disease

My husband's family has a history of Charcot's. He is now 60 and in the last few years I have noticed a change in his gait (walks slower with possible footdrop). He has no pain as yet but has some tingling and weakness in his legs. Charcot's is described as a degeneration of the mylin of the nerves. He has not seen a doctor for this as yet but we are looking for supplements or other therapies that might slow or stop the degeneration of the mylin. I would appreciate Ted's advice on this but any information from anyone would also be appreciated."

03/11/2010: Lutie from Louisville, Ky replies: "Ted, Ted, Ted!!!!

My sibling and first cousins from the same grandmother all have Charcot Marie Tooth, my aunt died from complications of Trigeminal Neuralgia and my mother has terrible pain from TA...another cousin has died from ALS...my children have Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis...HELP, Ted! Could you please tell me how to help them naturally? I have found that these diseases are found on the chromosome gene P22...how can we naturally get rid of the MS, RA, Charcot Marie Tooth, and TN? This is not for one person, but for a whole family! What, in your professional opinion, can we do?

I have some of the symptoms, but believe these can be controlled with natural products (all of them are on either Neurotin, Beta Seron Shots, RA drugs, etc.)...and now they want to get off of the drugs (after thinking I was a little "weird" believing there were alternatives out there).

So...what do you suggest to help save my children, mother, and sister...plus, the rest of my family?"

03/12/2010: Lutie from Louisville, Kentucky replies: "A correction on my typing late at night...that is the Chromosome PMP22...not P22..."

01/21/2012: Ruth from Glendora, California, Usa replies: "For Charcot Marie Tooth's disease, since the problem is degeneration of the myelin sheath which is mostly made of lecithin, you should eat lecithin rich foods the richest of which is soybeans. I don't know which is the most help, foods or supplements, but I would do both."

02/21/2012: Kay from Destin, Fl replies: "Turmeric has proven to prevent destruction of the myelin sheath and treats the gene mutations found in CMT... Here are the findings, abstract, and related/other references of note:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1271391/

http://now.aapmr.org/peds/neurological/Pages/Hereditary-Motor-Sensory-Neuropathy-(HMSN).aspx

http://elaine-moore.suite101.com/cidp-a2752

http://quest.mda.org/news/curcumin-helps-mice-cmt-disease"

05/04/2012: Eastet from Batonrouge, La, Usa replies: "I've a parent with similar disorder called HSP (Hereditary spastic paraplegia). Here's a paste from a 2002 study which may interest you; and you can google the text to pull up the entire article:

Paste from Google:

"Tumeric Herb extract "Curcumin" used to treat demyelination.

Annual Experimental Biology 2002 Conference New Orleans, LA April 23, 2002

Potential neuroprotective properties of curcumin (found in
turmeric spice) - Curcumin, confirmed as potent inflammatory agent, and believed to interrupt immune system attack on myelin sheath

Nashville researchers believe curcumin may interrupt the production of IL-12, a protein that plays a key role in signaling immune cells to launch their assault on the myelin sheath. - Mice with EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis – an immune condition used as a model for MS, since it results in myelin erosion) recover movement after curcumin injections – in a 30-day study injecting mice with curcumin doses 3 times/week at doses roughly equivalent to the amount eaten in a typical Indian diet (E. G. In curry); In Asian
countries, where spicy foods, including yellow compounds like curcumin are eaten quite regularly, reports of M. S. Are rare;

NOTE: Dr. Mercola recommends adding black pepper capsules for better absorption (digestion).""

05/04/2012: Eastet from Batonrouge, La, Usa replies: "Here are three more related articles:

In 2010, a study published in the Journal Science indicated that scientists had identified those proteins that control the thickness of myelin sheath. This discovery is expected to open the avenue to new treatments in the coming years.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100518112649.htm

Something else interesting that I found on google, is that Vitamin B3 Niacin flush creates histamines which open up or dilate and oxygenate and clean the blood vessels and capillaries; which reduce inflammation (solvent, detox), improves nerve tissue and cell environment health. Also increases metabolism because it frees fatty deposits, and turns
them into energy. Might be worth a 1 year test trial ?
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/niacin.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin

Mayo Clinic Vitamin B6 Necessary for Myelin Formation
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine and for myelin formation. Pyridoxine deficiency in adults principally affects the peripheral nerves, skin, mucous membranes, and the circulatory (blood cell) system. In children, the central nervous system (CNS) is also affected. Deficiency can occur in people with uremia, alcoholism, cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption syndromes, and congestive heart failure (CHF), and in those taking certain medications. Mild deficiency of vitamin B6 is common.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-b6/NS_patient-b6"

01/26/2013: Andrea C from Cardiff, Wales replies: "as any 1 got infection in their teeth??? it will cause avoc with everything in your body xxxxxxxxx I am gonna have a few teeth pulledout xxxxxxxxxxxxxx I would rathet look like a 'GUMMY BEAR" Than suffer this chroic pain, and unable to live a "NORMAL LIFE????" Best wishes to you and your Family"