Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of voluntary muscles of body. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Muscles that control eye and eyelid movements, facial expression, chewing, talking and swallowing are often, but not always, involved. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Normally when impulses travel down nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies produced by body's own immune system block, alter, or destroy receptors for acetylcholine. The first noticeable symptoms of myasthenia gravis may be weakness of eye muscles, difficulty in swallowing, or slurred speech. Symptoms vary in type and severity. Myasthenia gravis is not directly inherited nor is it contagious.
Pathophysiology of Myasthenia gravis and Role of Divine Noni
Myasthenia gravis affects the neuromuscular junction, or the area where nerve endings communicate with skeletal muscles. At the neuromuscular junction, nerve endings transmit impulses across a tiny space (called a synapse) to the muscle, causing the muscle to contract. When a nerve impulse travels down the nerve, a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine is released from vesicles in the nerve ending into the synapse and bathes acetylcholine receptors located on the muscle side of the synapse, causing the muscle to be stimulated and contract. Among people with myasthenia gravis, this normal impulse transmission is disrupted by T-cell-mediated autoantibodies that target the body's own acetylcholine receptors and block them. Some forms of the antibody impair the ability of acetylcholine to bind to receptors. Others lead to destruction of receptors. If enough receptors are blocked by autoantibodies, then the muscle contraction will be weak, causing principal symptoms of myasthenia gravis. Divine Noni contains its alkaloid named xeronine. The Xeronine helps to modulate any protein molecules of its improper configuration to normal molecular configuration to carry its normal activity. Many acetylcholine (Ach) receptors have blocked due to the effect of that autoantibody. That 'blocked' means their molecular configurations get changed due to the effect of that autoantibody .The receptors are also made up of protein and thus its altered molecular configuration caused by the antibody can be brought back to normal form by action of xeronine. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is also made up of protein molecule. When its ability to bind to receptor impair i.e. its molecular configuration gets altered due to effect of the auto antibody, thence in that condition it can be brought back to its normal form by the action of xeronine. In normal muscle contraction, cumulative activation of the ACh receptor leads to intracellular influx of sodium and calcium. Only when levels of these electrolytes inside muscle cell is high enough then it will contract. Divine Noni contains abudant quantity of calcium and sodium and thus helps to intracellular influx of those minerals by activating ACh receptors and helps in muscles contraction.
Role of Noni on Musk Receptors
During development, the growing end of motor neuron axons secrete a protein called agrin. This protein binds to several receptors on the surface of skeletal muscle. The receptor which seems to be required for formation of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is called MuSK (Muscle specific kinase).Upon activation by its ligand again, MuSK signals via the proteins called Casein kinase 2 (CK2), Dok-7 and rapsyn, to induce "clustering" of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) i.e neuro muscular junction (NMJ). Both CK2 and Dok-7 are required for MuSK induced formation of the neuromuscular junction. It has recently been realized that a second category of gravis is due to auto-antibodies against MuSK. Antibodies against MuSK inhibit the signaling of MuSK i.e blocking CK2, Dok7 and rapsyn. Divine Noni helps to activate those signal promoting proteins to get back their normal molecular configuration to act in a normal way and keep signaling process of MuSK intact to produce clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChR), the formation of neuro muscular junction (NMJ). Thus Divine Noni increases the patency of NMJ and thus helps in MG.
Genetic predisposition for MG and Divine Noni
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease It features antibodies directed against the body's own proteins.There is a slight genetic predisposition: particular HLA types seem to predispose for MG. The term gene refers to a specific sequence of DNA. Genetic information stored in the DNA is transmitted to an RNA molecule through transcription and protein molecules are obtained from the RNA using translation techniques. The biological effects of that gene are manifested through its expression as a protein or peptide product. Some nutrients and micronutrients may affect gene expression by taking part in these complex processes. Nutrients are required for the synthesis and packaging of DNA. Some have specific effects on the synthesis of messenger RNA (i.e. either suppress or enhance transcription). Others affect the synthesis of the pyrimidine and purine base used for DNA and RNA synthesis. Some nutrients have an overall effect on protein synthesis, whereas others influence translation of the m RNA into protein or the post translational modification of the newly synthesized protein. These phenomena may have come about through the adaptation of the primitive beings to the various changes in the nourishment available. The successive changes over centuries led to the determination of individuals' phenotypes not only by their genotype but also by environmental factors such as diet. Our genes adap to the changing sources of nourishment surrounding our ancestors; modern diets are, however, very different from those of the past. The inability of our genetic store to adapt to modern diets may be the reason for appearance of many chronic diseases and genetic disposition to certain diseases like Myasthenia gravis. The nutrients and micronutrients have the effect on our genes and thus they may help to modify the genetic condition. Divine Noni, the most natural food supplement which is rich with all the essential important nutrients and micronutrients may alter the genetic disposition to many genetic linked diseases like MG.
Role of various nutrients and micronutrients of Divine Noni in MG.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) : DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that can be converted into estrogen and testosterone. One study sought to detect a possible effect of DHEA in the pathogenesis of experimental myasthenia gravis. DHEA administered to rats resulted in a decrease in antibodies against acetylcholine receptors and an inhibition of the antibody-secreting cells. These results encourage future study of DHEA treatment in human myasthenia gravis. DHEA is almost always low in patients with autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis. Phytosterols are the precursor of human sterols such as DHEA. Divine Noni contains all the three phytosterols in abundant quantity. Thus Divine Noni enhances concentration of this hormone DHEA in your body and helps a lot in myasthenia gravis.
Potassium : The weakness of myasthenia gravis may be improved by potassium consumption, if dietary potassium is low. Divine Noni contains high potassium and thus may help the weakness of MG.
Essential fatty acids : Essential fatty acids suppress autoimmune attacks in general and to help protect myelin sheaths. A blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids provides supportive benefit in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Divine Noni contains all the essential fatty acids. Thus it may prove beneficial for the condition of MG.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) : To enhance acetylcholine levels, sufficient amount of vitamin B12 should be taken. Divine Noni contains all the vitamins in natural form including Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) : To enhance acetylcholine levels take pantothenic acid daily. There is sufficient evidence to believe that coenzyme A, which is the physiologically active form of pantothenic acid in animals, is in limited supply in cases of myasthenia gravis. Divine Noni contains all the vitamins in natural form including Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Hence it is very helpful in MG
Thiamine : To enhance acetylcholine levels, thiamine role is very important. Divine Noni contains thiamine and vitamins.
Recommended Dosage
Divine Noni Concentrate
5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then
10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then
15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.
