Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is caused by the erosion of myelin, a substance which helps the brain send messages to the body. Metal ions in the body can bind to myelin. For those who are hypersensitive, this new structure can trigger an attack from the immune system. By stopping exposure to an allergy causing metal, inflammation in the body will be lowers and symptoms may improve or the progression of MS possibly halted.

The role of myelin is one of the few facts which those who study MS agree on. It is not known why the myelin is attacked – and what, if anything, can be done to stop this attack.

Allergy causes autoimmunity

Hypersensitive reactions are triggered by metal particles entering the body of someone genetically susceptible to the metal in question. These particles then bind to the myelin, slightly changing its protein structure. In hypersensitive people, the new structure is falsely identified as a foreign invader and is attacked. This, the body attacking itself, is known as autoimmunity.

Scientific evidence

A study published in 2004 examines the health impact of amalgam replacement in mercury-allergic patients with autoimmunity. The patients, who suffered from different autoimmune diseases including MS, were selected on the basis of an existing allergy to mercury (diagnosed with MELISA testing) and also that they had amalgam fillings as the single restorative material in their teeth. The amalgam was replaced with composites and ceramic materials. Half a year later, MELISA was re-done to see if there had been any change in the original positive response. Also, the health status was measured by objective tests and the patients gave a subjective opinion on whether their health had improved.
Download the full article HERE

Reactivity after the replacement of amalgam decreased significantly to inorganic mercury, silver, organic mercury and lead. Out of 35 patients, 71% showed improvement of health. The remaining patients exhibited either unchanged health or worsening of symptoms. Interestingly enough, responses to mercury in patients who didn’t improve didn’t decrease – which suggests that there exists a different source of exposure to mercury than amalgam. Patients with MS observed the highest rate of improvement while the lowest rate was noted in patients with eczema.
We do not suggest that metal allergy causes MS. But anyone with MS can take a MELISA test to see if hypersensitivity to metals may be contributing to their symptoms. Please remember that the use of steroids or anti-inflammatory medication may affect the test results as MELISA measures the response of the immune system.
We have seen MS patients make a partial and, in some cases, full recovery by removing the source of metal they were reacting to – often found in dental restorations. The MELISA Foundation is keen to work with any MS charity which would like to test what we believe is a breakthrough.

Two such case studies have been published in the article Diagnosis and treatment of metal-induced side-effects.