There will be much in the news about the new "super drug" coming out from Biogen.
"BG-12"--is a new oral drug for MS.
What is BG-12?
BG 12 is dimethyl fumarate- currrently approved as a psoriasis medication. It's also a fungicide which was used on upholstered furniture. It was banned in the EU after people had terrible, burn-like allergic reactions to this compound.
link to ban on dimethyl fumarate
This article has pictures of the rashes and burns which caused a huge lawsuit, and got dimethyl fumarate banned as a fungicide.
link
This is what Biogen would like you to swallow.
Many of you have heard about this new oral drug in your neurologists' offices.
I feel it's important for people with MS and those that love them to understand what this drug is.
How does it work?
BG-12 is a synthetic replication of natural Nrf2 activators we find in plants, called "phytochemicals."
Phytochemicals introduce a protein (Nrf2) in your body to fight oxidative stress by activating your own enzymes, and they are not toxic.
First, let me explain -- an Nrf2 activator means that this compound turns on or activates the enzymes in your own cells to fight oxidative stress in your body.
These enzymes protect your oligodendrocytes (myelin forming cells), and keep them from dying during an attack of oxidative stress.
For those who love science and want to dig deeper:
link to Nrf2 signaling paper
Not surprisingly, oral BG-12 is not without side effects-
The main side effect that causes a high dropout rate in most clinical trials is gastrointestinal complaints, which occur in up to 60% of patients. Gastrointestinal problems manifest as diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps and pains. In addition, flushing occurs in 30% of patients and is worse at the onset of therapy.
Other more serious side effects that have occurred include kidney disturbance and reduced function and white blood cell abnormality. It is essential that kidney function and blood count should be monitored regularly when taking FAEs. These changes appear to be reversible when treatment is stopped and to date there are no reports of severe long-term toxicity.
Very small molecules such as BG-12 (molecular weight = 144) are notoriously tough to use as drugs: they hit lots of enzymatic targets, not just the intended ones, and tend to have unpredictable side effects.
more must-read info on BG-12 and MS
Mechanism of Action of BG-12
BG-12 activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway, a new MS therapy target central to cellular defenses against toxic, metabolic, and inflammation-associated stress.
Important for us to note that this new drug is not primarily going after a rogue immune system.
This new MS drug is going after oxidative stress.
Just like the Endothelial Health program--a lifestyle and nutrition program I created for Jeff four years ago, and give away for free.
link to Endothelial Health program
Are there other products that are like BG-12?
Yes.
Here is a study, presented at ECTRIMS last year, that shows how a natural supplement, made up of plants and called "protandim," did better than BG-12 at activating the antioxidant cells. What's really funny to me, is that Biogen paid for this study....and it shows another product is better.
Nrf2 activators are able to protect oligodendrocytes against ROS-induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that several Nrf2 activators are able to significantly increase antioxidant enzyme production in oligodendrocytes. Interestingly, protandim, a dietary supplement consisting of herbal ingredients, was the most potent inducer and therefore may be the most suited as a therapeutic strategy. Importantly, Nrf2-mediated antioxidant enzyme expression in oligodendrocytes resulted in enhanced oligodendrocyte survival during an oxidative attack.
link to abstract presented at ECTRIMS
Now, before you get all excited and go and buy protandim from Montel WIlliams....
STOP! Please, give me five minutes to explain. The active ingredients in protandim are plants.
The dietary supplement (675 mg) Protandim (LifeVantage Corp.,Littleton, CO, USA) consists of ?ve ingredients:
150 mg W. somnifera powder (ashwagandha),
150 mg B. monniera (45% bacosides),
225 mg S. marianum (70-80% silymarin),
75 mg Ca. sinesis (greentea, 98% polyphenols and 45% (epigallocatechin-3-gallate),
75 mg curcumin (95%) from turmeric (Cu. longa).
Three of the plants I have recommended, that have published research as Nrf2 activators-
Curcumin--the golden plant that gives Indian curry its color, also called tumeric.
link to research on tumeric
Silymarin--or milk thiste, know to protect liver cells and produce glutathione
link to research on silymarin
and EGCG, or green tea. Know for its antioxidizing and metal chelating effects.
link to research on EGCG
Readers on this page will know I've been recommending plants for a while now.
Here's the link where I learned about protandim's ingredients.
(For those who are interested in learning more about this science, read the whole paper.
It is illuminating.)
link to protandim ingredients
Here is Dr. Perlmutter's Nrf2 activator supplement. It contains tumeric, EGCG and broccoli seed.
link to Xymogen
What does this mean?
It means that companies will continue to look for ways to make money off of chronic illness. That's their job. Some salesmen will be wearing white coats. Some salesmen will be dressed in designer suits and have TV shows. But I believe the truth should be free. And the truth is, there are plants that can help you be healthier. The companies will tell you only they have the special, proprietary blend. They will use incredibly confusing scientific language to make you believe only they understand this. That they have formulated this, it has cost them millions, and they deserve to patent it. If you feel better purchasing from these people and can afford to, go ahead :) But I would like to save you some money. I would also like this medicalese to be understood in the vernacular--the language of the people.
Print this info out and bring it to your doctor, functional doctor, naturopath. They can help you.
There are many other nutritional and lifestyle changes Jeff and I suggest.
Remember, it's not just one pill. THERE IS NO ONE MIRACLE PILL.
It's a new lifestyle. Read the whole Endothelial Health program for this lifestyle.
And always talk to your own doctor before beginning a new nutritional or exercise regimen.
link to Endothelial Health
Keep asking the big questions.
Why is oxidative stress a problem in MS in the first place?
Why did Biogen decide to pursue this area of research, instead of continuing to pursue immune ablation?
How does this fit in with Dr. Zamboni's discovery of CCSVI? Slowed blood flow (hypoperfusion) through the brain creates oxidative stress.
Hope that explains some of the science of Nrf2 activators---if there are more specific questions, please ask below.
be well (and save your $)
Joan
