Eds -- New Strategy Proposed

[kmpower]

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Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(2):279-83.

A novel therapeutic strategy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome based on

nutritional supplements.

* Mantle D,

* Wilkins RM,

* Preedy V.

Pharma Nord (UK), Telford Court, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2DB, UK.

pharma.nord4@btconnect.com

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare disorder, comprising a group of

related inherited disorders of connective tissue, resulting from underlying

abnormalities in the synthesis and metabolism of collagen. This proposal

is specifically concerned with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome classic type

(formerly Types I-III), which is characterized by joint hypermobility and

susceptibility to injury/arthritis, skin and vascular problems

(including easy bruising, bleeding, varicose veins and poor tissue healing),

cardiac mitral valve prolapse, musculo-skeletal problems (myopathy,

myalgia, spinal scoliosis, osteoporosis), and susceptibility to

periodontitis. No treatment is currently available for this disorder. The novel

aspect of this proposal is based on: (i) increasing scientific evidence

that nutrition may be a major factor in the pathogenesis of many disorders

once thought to result from defective genes alone; (ii) the recognition

that many of the symptoms associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are

also characteristic of nutritional deficiencies; (iii) the synergistic

action within the body of appropriate combinations of nutritional

supplements in promoting normal tissue function. We therefore hypothesize that

the symptoms associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may be successfully

alleviated using a specific (and potentially synergistic) combination

of nutritional supplements, comprising calcium, carnitine, coenzyme

Q(10), glucosamine, magnesium, methyl sulphonyl methane, pycnogenol,

silica, vitamin C, and vitamin K, at dosages which have previously been

demonstrated to be effective against the above symptoms in other disorders.