Scleroderma

Scleroderma or Systemic Sclerosis is a chronic multisystem disorder which is manifested by thickening of the skin caused by an accumulation of connective tissue and by involvement in visceral organs including the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, and kidneys.

This disease involves the immune system, the vascular endothelial cells, and activation of fibroblasts which cause excessive collagen production. This excessive connective tissue leads to injury of the vascular lining, decreased circulation and ischemia. There is evidence that cell mediated immunity attacks the vascular endothelium leading to fibrosis and scarring.

In the lower 2/3 of the esophagus is found increased collagen and fibrosis scarring. There is atrophy of the muscular lining, which effects motility of the esophagus. Ulcers form as a result of the superimposed peptic esophagitis and scleroderma. With chronic acid reflux, there is a progression of the esophageal mucosa to metaplasia known as Barrett's esophagitis, which is a premalignant state.

A case study was done at the University of Texas-Health Science Center in San Antonio. They studied 13 young women who had been diagnosed with Scleroderma.

The study involved sipping plain aloe vera juice three times daily for 6-8 weeks. They found the biopsied esophageal tissue had returned to normal. They also found that the reflux esophagitis, heartburn, and motility problems had resolved as well.

Aloe Vera contains mucopolysaccharides. This large sugar molecule includes monosaccharides such as glucose, galactose, mannose, fucose and several others simple sugars. Clinical studies have shown that there are special mannose receptors within the gastrointestinal wall and that these receptors will engulf these large mucopolysaccharides without breaking them into smaller pieces. These large molecules then act on the immune system to modulate the over active components that have been found to adversely effect Scleroderma and other autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

There are several medical treatment modalities which include corticosteroids and other chemotherapeutic agents. These pharmaceuticals have significant side effects, which will need to be addressed for long-term use.

Ask your health care professional about new and beneficial supplements.