No one knows what causes Multiple Sclerosis. There is no cure. However, medical researchers know that Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. Something causes the body’s immune system to go into over drive and attack healthy tissues in the body. In the case of MS, the myelin around the nerve cells is attacked.

There are several theories as to what causes the immune system to rev itself up. Many of these theories are controversial and not supported by standard, allopathic medicine.

Many people in alternative medicine believe MS is caused by toxins in our food and environment. Mercury fillings and food additives such as MSG are at the top of that list. There are people who have had reduction in symptoms by having fillings removed or changing their diet to eliminate all foods that contain MSG.

Other people think MS is caused by an over growth of bacteria in the body. The theory is that the body’s immune system works too hard to fight off these bacteria and it starts attacking healthy tissue, as well. There is some anecdotal evidence that this may be the case in some people.

Some people think MS is caused by being exposed to the EPV virus in childhood. This is the virus that causes mononucleosis, and Epstein Bar. It is thought the EPV virus could stay dormant in the system. Those who support this theory say that the EPV virus replicates itself similar to myelin, and the body’s immune system can not tell the difference.

Still others believe lack of nutrition causes the immune system to malfunction and attack healthy tissue in the body. These people maintain that over the centuries the minerals have been leeched out of the soil we use to grow food, and that genetic engineering of food products has reduced or made vitamins and minerals biochemically unavailable to our bodies. This group advocates organic, raw food and whole food supplements.

What ever your theory about the causes of multiple sclerosis, it is important that both medical researchers and the general population continue to research the causes of the disease so that we can find a cure or and effective preventive plan.