What if you could take a probiotic to treat MS instead of medications with life-threatening side effects? Harvard has just made this a reality. In a groundbreaking study, researchers engineered a probiotic specifically designed to target inflammation in the brain, offering a promising new approach to managing multiple sclerosis.
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A new era in MS treatment
For years, probiotics have been celebrated for their benefits in gut health and immune support. But now, Harvard is turning the tables by developing a probiotic that not only supports gut health but also treats MS directly. This innovative therapy could reduce the reliance on conventional medications, which often come with significant side effects and may not work for everyone.
Harvard’s research has been a long time in the making. In a study dating back to 2016, scientists suggested that the bacteria living in our gut play a crucial role in controlling brain inflammation and neurodegeneration. They discovered that our diet and gut health could remotely influence the central nervous system – the very battleground of multiple sclerosis. This revelation paved the way for a tailored probiotic treatment that goes beyond mere symptom management.
The science behind the breakthrough
The engineered probiotic is designed to produce lactate, a molecule that acts as a natural brake for the immune system. In essence, it suppresses autoimmunity in the brain, potentially providing lasting benefits with fewer side effects compared to traditional MS medications. With the brain protected by the blood–brain barrier—a defense mechanism that often prevents drugs from reaching their target—this innovative approach could change the way MS is treated.
The potential impact on ms patients
Multiple sclerosis affects millions worldwide, and current treatment options are limited. Harvard’s breakthrough offers hope by directly targeting the root cause of inflammation in the brain. This new treatment could lead to improved quality of life for patients who have long struggled with the debilitating effects of MS. Although the engineered probiotic is still in the lab testing phase, its promising results signal a future where MS treatments are not only more effective but also gentler on the body.
When will it be available?
As exciting as this development is, transitioning from lab tests to market-ready products is a lengthy process. The journey from successful mouse studies to approved human treatments involves rigorous testing and regulatory review. While many are eager to embrace this innovative therapy, patience is required as researchers work through the necessary steps to ensure its safety and efficacy.
Nurturing gut health while we wait
Until the engineered probiotic becomes widely available, maintaining a healthy gut through regular probiotics and a balanced diet remains essential. Harvard’s research reinforces the powerful connection between our gut and brain health, highlighting that even conventional probiotics play a role in reducing inflammation. Embracing a healthy lifestyle now could support better outcomes in managing MS in the future.
Conclusion
Harvard’s study on an engineered probiotic for multiple sclerosis marks a significant milestone in the search for more effective and safer MS treatments. By targeting brain inflammation directly, this breakthrough has the potential to transform the landscape of MS therapy. Stay tuned for further updates as the research progresses and brings us closer to a new era in MS treatment.
Below is a list of valuable resources:
- Harvard Medical School
- Harvard Health Publishing
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- PubMed
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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- Work With Me – Want a personalized approach to managing MS? Apply for my private coaching program here.
S1E3 Harvard Creates a Probiotic to Treat Multiple Sclerosis..mp3
What if you could take a probiotic to treat MS instead of medications with life-threatening side effects? Because that's exactly what Harvard just created. A probiotic specifically designed to treat multiple sclerosis. It won't just make you feel better. It can actually treat the disease. In today's episode of 'In the News', I'm going to break down exactly how Harvard came up with this game-changing treatment and make sure you stay to the end because I'm also going to share with you when you can get your hands on it. And my friend, if you want to be more consistent with the healthy habits that get results, download a free copy of my wellness tracker at ailinebrennan. com.
We've heard about probiotics for years. They're great for gut health. They support our immune system, but treat MS? That's definitely a new one, but that's exactly what Harvard is doing. They engineered a probiotic that targets inflammation in the brain and treats MS. My immediate thought? I'm in. I'm 100% all the way in. Yes, please. Harvard has been researching this connection of gut health and MS for years. They released a study back in 2016, suggesting that the bacteria living in our stomach affects the brain cells that influence inflammation and neurodegeneration. What did I just say? Our gut health influences inflammation in our brain and neurodegeneration. Gut health, brain health. They made the connection. This is coming from Harvard, my friends. But they didn't stop there. They took it a step further.
So they first laid that foundation connecting gut health to brain health, but then they backed it up and looked at the connection of food affecting the gut. So they were able to connect food to gut health and gut health to brain health. It may seem obvious, but I love that they didn't leave anything up to assumptions. Back in 2016, they said, for the first time, we've been able to identify that food has some sort of remote control over the central nervous system inflammation. I love this analogy. Food has a remote control over our central nervous system inflammation. The central nervous system is exactly where MS is happening. So they're suggesting that the health of our gut and the quality of our diet could change our experience with MS. This was back in 2016. But thankfully, they didn't stop there either. They continued their research into the gut-brain connection. And that is where this engineered probiotic was born. What in the world is an engineered probiotic? It's a tailor-made bacteria. Basically, researchers designed a probiotic that produces lactate, a molecule with the potential to act as a brake for our immune system. It's basically a bacteria designed to suppress autoimmunity in the brain. Are you hearing this? This probiotic is designed to suppress autoimmunity in the brain.
This is such a big breakthrough because the reality is we are really limited with MS treatments. Multiple sclerosis affects the brain, one of the most protected organs in the body. Our brain has a protective wall known as the blood-brain barrier, which is basically designed to restrict anything passing through. And this is life-saving in most cases. But when it comes to MS, it means that a lot of medications can't get past this barrier to treat the brain. So a lot of MS medications don't act directly on the brain. They typically work by controlling the immune system, which is a logical alternative because MS is essentially the immune system attacking itself. And I know many of our viewers are benefiting tremendously from current treatment options. And we are so grateful for that.
But it is not without side effects. And the reality is, unfortunately, medications don't work for everyone. That's why this study is so promising. These engineered probiotics not only work with our body, but they also have the potential of far fewer side effects. And what's equally fascinating, I know the list goes on, I'm like, 'but wait there's more These probiotics could give lasting benefits, unlike traditional medications that need repeat doses. So in short, this engineered probiotic is designed to suppress autoimmunity in the brain and could offer lasting benefits with fewer side effects. Again, yes, please. I want to be first in line. Now, before we get too excited, there is a waiting game because I know if you're like me, you're wondering, Moving from lab tests, which is where it currently is to something that we will actually have in hand.
It's going to be a minute, like years. The journey from mouse studies, again, where it is right now, to market shelves is lengthy, meticulous, and has a lot of red tape. And as much as I want these in my hands today, I'm an instant gratification kind of girl too. I'm incredibly grateful to hear that this is a continued focus for Harvard. It's just so encouraging and I'm just filled with so much hope knowing that they are actively researching this and they're making tremendous progress with it. So what do we do in the waiting? Personally, I'm going to keep taking my regular probiotics and prioritizing gut health. They may not be the fancy Harvard engineer probiotic, but they are at least supporting a healthy gut.
Download for free at Alenebrennan. com/ backslash supplements. Well, my friend, we've reached the end of this episode. Pick one lesson from today's discussion and put it into action now. It's time to reclaim your body, mind, and life from multiple sclerosis. And for more resources, events, and programs, head over to Alenebrennan. com. See you on the next episode of my MS podcast.
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