L-Arginine & MS

L-arginine, also called arginine, is an amino acid necessary for cell health, wound healing, hormone production and proper immune function. Your body can make L-arginine, but it’s also available in animals and plants. Its link to multiple sclerosis is through a free radical compound known as nitric oxide. L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, which increases the nerve damage involved in MS.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder affecting the nerves in your brain and spinal cord, which become damaged by chronic inflammation. Inflammation is a necessary part of your body’s immune response, but in autoimmune disorders, it cannot be turned off. Chronic inflammation can damage cells, tissues and organs, and in MS, the inflammation damages the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating around your nerve cells.

Nitric Oxide

L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, which enhances your immune system. In individuals with normal immunity, nitric oxide’s vasodilator action is useful for treating hypertension and angina. But if you already have an autoimmune disease such as MS, a chemical that triggers your immune system’s inflammatory response may cause further damage. A study published in the 2003 issue of the “Journal of Neurology” notes that nitric oxide is a marker for multiple sclerosis and may cause toxic damage to the myelin sheath.

Foods to Avoid

Foods high in L-arginine may contribute to nitric oxide production. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that nuts, seeds, soy foods, legumes and chocolate are sources of arginine. It is also found in foods containing protein, according to MayoClinic.com, so dairy products, meat and seafood are also sources. It’s almost impossible to eliminate all arginine-containing foods from your diet, but foods have varying amounts of the chemical depending on soil and climate conditions. Check with a certified nutritionist for information about the amounts of L-arginine found in specific foods.

Herbs to Avoid

Herbs can be helpful in treating many disorders, but herbs high in L-arginine may increase nitric oxide and MS damage. Chinese foxglove roots, or Rehmannia glutinosa, and black cumin seeds, or Nigella sativa, contain L-arginine and stimulate the production of nitric oxide, according to Dr. James Duke. A report in the 2003 issue of “Alternative Medicine Review” notes that the leaves of aloe vera are also rich in L-arginine. While these herbs may have significant health benefits for many people, you should not use them if you have MS.