Back when I started writing about the endothelium (the lining of our blood vessels) and MS, before Marie and I started discussing Dr. Zamboni's research in 2008, I made a fun quiz for folks on This Is MS.  It's meant to help you get an idea of how healthy your endothelium is, and how potential lifestyle changes might help your blood flow.

I thought it might be fun to bring it over here from TIMS, and see how everyone does.  If you want, take the quiz and share your score with us....it's also a good way to see how life changes might help your endothelium and your general health.

Here's the quiz from TIMS---

Before you begin the game- a caveat...I am not a doctor, not a scientist, not even good at math. But if you like those magazine surveys (“How good a friend are you?” “What’s your EQ?” “What’s your real age?”) then feel free to play this, too. 

Damage to the endothelium.... 

Add up your points for each of the following in the plus (+) column: 

I smoke (everyday) +3 

I smoke a few times a week +2 

I’m a heavy drinker (everyday) +3 

I’m a moderate drinker (3 times a week) +2 

I’m a veteran +2 

I’ve had/still have mono/EBV +3 

I’ve had/still got cpn +3 

I’ve got high blood pressure +3 

I’ve got high cholesterol +3 

I’m a diabetic +3 

I have coeliac disease +2 

I’ve got gingivitis +2 

I’ve got mercury/amalgam fillings +2 

I never see the sun +3 

I never exercise +3 

I have sleep apnea/insomnia +3 

I get migraines +2 

I have petechiae (leg spots) variscose veins, funny spots +2 

I’ve had high liver enzymes +1 

I eat red meat (yum!) +1 

I have a major sweet tooth (and indulge) +1 

I am under constant stress from life/work +3 

I live within 5 miles of a major freeway/highway +2 

I use chemical pesticides/fertilizers +2 

I live within 5 miles of a smelting mine,oil refinery, superfund site +3  

I live near high power lines +2 

I use plastic products regularly (to eat from/drink/etc.) +1 

Now for the minus column (-) 

I exercise everyday -4

I exercise 3 times a week -3

I exercise 2 times a week -2

I use antioxidant supplements -2 

I meditate/practice yoga/tai chi -2 

I take a vitamin D supplement -2 

I take a B-12 supplement -2 

I take a vasodilator (LDN, bloodpressure med., herbs) -2 

I eat organic produce -2 

I am gluten free -2

I use a liver cleanse -2

I laugh regularly -2

I don't let stuff get to me -2

I don’t eat red meat or bad saturated fats -4

I don’t smoke, drink, only eat nuts and berries, live in the wilderness, work outside making arts and crafts projects while small animals do my housework and we sing lovely melodies and dance!!! -25 

There, now add up your columns. I'm at +4 for endothelial dysfunction and Jeff is at +5, even with all we've been doing. Still some more work to do. Maybe I can find some small animals to help us. 

Remember, the theory is that endothelial dysfunction is a modern disease of our industrialized society- which allows a breech in the blood brain barrier. What ends up leaking thru the vessels can still vary from MS patient to MS patient. The amount of endothelial dysfunction (as measured by microparticles in the blood) is higher in MSers during relapse or in the progressive phase. ED does not cause MS...but it allows it to progress.

What's your score?  How can you do better?

share and let us all know!

Joan 

Snow White doing housework in the sun, singing with the animals.  Now, that girl had a healthy endothelium...(except for maybe the whole poisoned apple/evil stepmom stuff...)