Magnesium is an important supplement for anyone with MS as magnesium is needed to help linoleic acid convert to gamma linoleic acid and a deficiency of magnesium will affect this conversion process. A magnesium deficiency upsets the nerve muscle functions and can be associated with tremors, convulsions, twitching, and an inability to control the bladder. Studies have shown that people with MS are low in magnesium which is vital in the digestion of essential fatty acids and in helping transmit nerve impulses to muscles.
Selenium is a mineral and is one of the bodies protectors as an antioxidant and is present in an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase (GTP). The purpose of GTP in your body is to destroy substances which attack your cells before they can cause any damage and a deficiency in selenium reduces the efficiency of GTP leaving your cells open to attack. Selenium increases the effectiveness of white blood cells to fight disease and many people with MS are low in selenium.
Manganese can sometimes be confused with magnesium but the reason for taking a manganese supplement is to counterbalance the zinc supplements because as your zinc level goes up, the manganese goes down. Manganese is one of the main supporters of the nervous system and is active in combating autoimmune diseases. A deficiency in manganese has been found to lead to balance problems, fatigue, depression and allergies.
Magnesium can be found naturally in foods such as almonds, sunflower and sesame seeds and also be taken as a supplement. Selenium can be found naturally in shellfish along with tuna, onions, tomatoes, broccoli and bran. Manganese can be found naturally in nuts, cereals, tropical fruit, egg yolk and in a number of spices such as ginger, turmeric, cloves, cardamom and black pepper. As an antioxidant, selenium should be taken together with vitamins C and vitamins E.
Whilst supplements are important to anyone with MS they will only work to their maximum when combined with a healthy diet. As well as the supplements I now have a great diet plan and am eating all of the right foods to combat my MS. Over the last few years this has resulted in a lessening of my symptoms and a complete reversal of some symptoms. You are in complete control of your diet and to me it made perfect sense to do something about the things that I had control over, as opposed to dwelling on things that I had no control of.