Last Updated on September 6, 2024 by Cathy
The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is due to environmental chronic inflammation. For decades, researchers have suspected Epstein-Barr virus may play a role in MS. In January 2022, researchers released a 20-year study confirming that theory.
Out of 10 million people in the study, they found there was a 32-fold increase in MS risk after infection with EBV. They found there is no increase in risk after any other viral infections. Out of the 801 people who developed MS, 800 had EBV.
Without EBV, MS does not evolve.
This is exciting news because for the first time ever, this could be the end of MS. Currently there are two EBV vaccine trials, one by Moderna and the other by NIH.
To learn more about the study read: Epstein-Barr Virus Is The Leading Cause Of MS
Epstein-Barr Virus and MS
Although this is very exciting news, about 95% of adults have EBV and only a small percentage have MS. This proves something else has to be a factor and what that is exactly is unclear.
Other possible factors:
- Fungi infections
- HLA-DR gene (a risk factor for MS and fungi infections)
- Vitamin D deficiency
- X chromosome (women have two and men have one, more women have MS and long COVID)
EBV is a member of the herpes viruses. It is well known for causing mononucleosis (mono), also known as the kissing disease. Although, most people don’t know they have EBV. The reason is that it causes mild cold-like symptoms.
Once infected, EBV infects the white blood cells, known as the B cells. And, once you’re infected it lives in your B cells for the rest of your life. Stress can reactivate EBV otherwise it stays dormant for the life of its host.
“EBV is necessary for developing MS.” – Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Link Between EBV and COVID-19
A 2021 study found, that people with “long COVID” (symptoms lasting more than 30 days) also had EBV. So you may be wondering what does this have to do with MS?
Researchers are looking into why a small percentage of people have long COVID and most don’t. They are comparing the 20-year EBV study of why a small percentage get MS as a comparison.
They found people who ended up with MS contacted EBV 5 to 10 years prior. If EBV happens before MS then developing a vaccine could be the answer. If long COVID also happens due to EBV a vaccine would help.
EBV Vaccine
In the 1980s a doctor found EBV was the cause of certain cancers. This led him to develop a vaccine to prevent EBV and cancers. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies stopped this from happening. They didn’t think it would be economically profitable.
Today, EBV is affecting millions of people through long COVID, MS, and some cancers. Plus, the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is cheaper. This gives pharmaceutical companies more of an incentive.
Vaccines normally take years to develop. If it takes up to 10 years for MS to develop after an EBV infection it could take decades for a vaccine.
Just under 3 million people worldwide have MS. And, about 27 million people worldwide have long COVID. That puts the importance of finding an answer to long COVID on the top of the list for an answer. If EBV has something to do with long COVID, this would speed up the process of getting a vaccine.
MS Symptoms Similar to Long COVID Symptoms
Interestingly, some long COVID symptoms are similar to MS symptoms including:
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Numbness
- Tingling
It makes you wonder if these are actually symptoms of EBV, not MS or long COVID. A 2021 study found the most common long COVID symptom for people with MS was fatigue. However, like MS, long COVID affects everyone differently.
One study found COVID was causing flares in more than half of MS patients. It also causes inflammation of the nervous system. It is important to take precautions so you don’t catch COVID.
How to Heal from EBV
Fortunately, there are natural ways you can start healing from EBV starting today. The easiest is by what you eat. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet will help lower inflammation which will kill EBV.
To start an anti-inflammatory diet read: Anti-Inflammatory Diet For Beginners
Here are some of the best foods to eat and kill EBV:
- Asparagus – stops EBV from reproducing
- Cilantro – binds to EBV neurotoxins
- Celery juice – inhibits the growth of EBV
- Coconut oil – anti-inflammatory and antivirus
- Cucumbers – flush out neurotoxins from the bloodstream
- Garlic – a powerful antibacterial and antiviral which fights EBV
- Ginger – powerful antiviral against EBV
- Kale – protects against viruses such as EBV
- Lettuce – helps cleanse EBV from the liver and lymphatic system
- Parsley – removes high levels of aluminum and copper, which feeds EBV
- Raspberries – rich in antioxidants that remove EBV byproducts
- Spinach – binds onto and removes EBV
- Sprouts – strengthen the immune system against EBV
- Wild blueberries – restore the central nervous system
Supplements for EBV
Vitamin C is a powerful vitamin that fights off colds, it also fights viral infections such as EBV in high doses. Vitamin C also affects nervous system function in a good way. It also protects the brain and spinal cord from free-radical damage.
- Olive Leaf Extract has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral effects.
- Vitamin D helps with proper immune function.
- Zinc has anti-viral compounds which inhibit viral replication. It also lowers the inflammatory response in the body. It helps keep the immune system functioning properly.
When my husband caught COVID and brought it home to me, I recovered after one day. My husband didn’t think I had COVID so I tested a second time and again it came out positive. I’m not sure if it was thanks to me eating and living a healthy lifestyle or not (my husband doesn’t eat a healthy diet all the time).
Multiple Sclerosis, EBV, and Long COVID
COVID changed the world for the worse to how we live. But, if you look at the positives, if EBV causes long COVID an EBV vaccine would also possibly end MS. I have been living with MS for decades, and for the first time ever, I have hope for a possible cure.
It is still unknown if a person with MS could be “cured” with an EBV vaccine. Only time will tell.
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Photo by Cedric Fauntleroy and FRANK MERIÑO at Pexels.com.
Resources:
Why do people get long COVID? A virus that may cause MS could reveal clues
The Link Between Epstein Barr Virus, Multiple Sclerosis, and Long COVID
Multiple Sclerosis, EBV, and Long COVID
