LifeCare Chiropractic

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multiple sclerosis

MODERATE AMOUNT OF SUN EXPOSURE DAILY IS PART OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE – (08-14-03)

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Past exposure to sun, skin phenotype, and risk of multiple sclerosis

With sun exposure being villified in today’s society due to the perceived increased risk of all sun exposure on melanoma, there will be lowered vitamin D and melatonin production. Here we may see a glimpse of some of the skeletons in the closet of sunlight avoidance. While I’m not advocating lying for hours on the beach coating in Crisco, a moderate amount of sun exposure on a daily basis is part of a healthy lifestyle.

bmj.com Abstracts: van der Mei et al. 327 (7410): 316 –

Read entire article here

Multiple Sclerosis Prognosis–Improve Treatment With This Vitamin

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Multiple sclerosis prognosis can be bleak, especially for progressive forms. Interferon is a common drug but does not always work. What if a vitamin could help?

It should come as no surprise that this vitamin would be vitamin D.  We already know that it plays a role in the risk for development of multiple sclerosis.  Two studies have highlighted just how important vitamin D’s role is.

  1. Those with higher sun exposure prior to age 20 had a particularly strong protection against the development of MS
  2. A study done on twins found that the risk of MS was 75% lower in any twins with greater sun exposure

It does seem that vitamin D plays its strongest role in the prevention of multiple sclerosis rather than for treatment, which makes it of critical importance for anyone afflicted with MS to make sure they supplement their kids with this this vitamin  just to make sure they have all the protection they can.

However, the reason we believe it doesn’t play as strong of a role in treatment or management of MS may be merely because we’ve been asking the wrong questions.

This particular study looked at the interactions between the use of interferon beta (think Betaseron) and vitamin D levels (as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D).

The results are nothing short of shocking.

  • Those using IFN-β got nearly three times high blood vitamin D levels per hour of sun exposure then persons not on therapy
  • Higher vitamin D levels lowered the risk of a relapse only in patients on IFN-β
  • IFN-β was ONLY protective against relapse among persons with higher vitamin D levels, lowering risk by 42%
  • In those with lower levels of vitamin D, IFN-β use actually DOUBLED the risk of relapse

Let me clarify this.  This study suggests that it is absolutely essential for anyone using interferon beta to be taking vitamin D.  NOT doing so may actually cause the drug to flare up your MS rather than help.  Additionally, this study may suggest that interferon may confer part of its benefits by raising vitamin D levels.

Wow.

Did I say “Wow?”

This is potentially life-changing information for those whose MS is problematic enough to turn to interferon beta for treatment.  Given the association of vitamin D with MS risk, it would already make sense for you to be taking vitamin D anyway, but if, after the publishing of this study, your neurologist does not strongly recommend vitamin D, then maybe it’s time to find a new one that stays current with the medical literature.

Sure–maybe a single study is not enough to take out a Superbowl add, but if your neurologist can write a prescription for a drug that costs at least $1,000 per month and has a long list of possible side effects but can’t recommend vitamin D at about $2 per month with virtually no side effects at safe levels, then it’s really time to reconsider your relationship.

As an aside, do not forget that studies have found that whole body vibration and mediation may be able to help with MS as well as additional lifestyle changes.

So, if you have MS, whether or not you are using interferon, have you been told to take vitamin D?

Meditation Techniques for Beginners Help Protect Your Brain

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Protecting your brain is a high concern as we age, but today’s lifestyles aren’t good for brain health. Luckily, there are things you can do to make sure your brain outlives your body.

Without a doubt, stress destroys the brain.  Multiple studies have demonstrated damage to the brain with long term stress.  Damage to the rest of the body is just as great.

So, with this knowledge, why is it that our population is so darn stressed out??

Sure—there is work, family and financial stress, but everyone has these.  There have been times when I have employees who are stressed over financial issues, but if they had seen my checkbook they may have a better understanding of what it’s like to manage a company with employees.  Any self employed person likely dreams about the day of being broke, rather than in a hole of debt deep enough to bury the bodies from the deaths caused by the drug companies in any given year.

So we all have stress—but obviously some of us manage it better than others.  Or rather, should I say that some manage it not at all.

Stress has always been an adaptive response.  Our bodies would undergo changes from stress that would allow us to adapt to the new situation (drought, moving the tribe, fighting off predators, etc…).  But this chronic stress that our society is collectively dealing with is destroying us.

So what tools can we use to manage stress?  Obviously, the long term answer is to adjust our lives so that we can reduce future stress.  For the short-term solution, we need to use tools to help our bodies survive until the long term stressors are managed:

Meditation is arguably one of the most powerful tools for helping us manage stress and protect our brain. But just how good is it?

This particular study looked at the changes in the white matter of the brain after just 4 weeks of meditation training.  We are not talking about Transcendental Meditation practioners with years of experience.  These were beginners.  Researchers found improvements in the overall function of the white matter in the brain of the participants.

Interestingly, they were also able to demonstrate increased myelin surrounding the brain cells.  Myelin is the material that makes up the sheath that surrounds the nerve cells. This is the material that breaks down in multiple sclerosis patients, leading to the symptoms associated with MS.

So, could meditation be powerful enough to help MS patients begin to heal some of the damage to their brains? Certainly we can see the benefits to all of us from the use of meditation to protect our brain, whether we have MS or not.

Further, studies have even shown that stress management techniques can reduce the number of brain lesions in MS patients.

Have you tried meditation before, and, if so, why types of benefits have you seen in your life and health?

VITAMIN D AND RISK OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS – (07-30-07)

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Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

We have known for some time now that Vit D and sun exposure was very protective against multiple sclerosis (not quite as effective for treatment, however).

What was surprising about this study, and maybe actually not so surprising given that most chronic diseases start long before onset of symptoms…was that higher levels of serum 25 hydroxyVit D were MOST protective prior to 20 years of age. How much will current recommendations to avoid sun exposure at all costs going to impact future rates of MS? Expect higher rates in the near future, as well as ever increasing rates of certain cancers, diabetes and hypertension (all of which Vit D is very protective for…). Of note is that the protective effect was noted only in whites.

Read entire article here

RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASE DUE TO VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY – (02-04-08)

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Childhood sun exposure influences risk of multiple sclerosis in monozygotic twins

We unquestionably need a re-evalution of the public health guidance to avoid sun exposure at all costs. It’s created a major issue with widespread Vit D deficiency and subsequent risk of chronic disease.

In this study, they compared twins (fraternal) who were determined to have more sun exposure as a child. The higher sun exposed child could have up to a 75% less risk for developing MS compared to their sibling. We have seen similar amazing differences in rates of breast cancer as well. It’s time to either change our policy on sun exposure are move towards supplementing real doses of Vit D (minimum 2,000 IU / day).

Read entire article here

POWERFUL AND SAFE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TREATMENT

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There is no doubt that mutiple sclerosis has the potential to be a devastating condition that seems to strike down those in the prime of their lives. While latitude and vitamin D exposure may play a very large role in the devlopment of MS, the realm of treatment is still very limited.  Any natural approaches to MS are always very welcome.

Whole body vibration involves the use of a specialized platform that vibrates at a very high frequency as the patient stands on the platform.  The initial research on whole body vibration seemed to be focused on improving bone density, and the studies continue to demonstrate a pretty strong effect in this regard with no noted side effects. As we started to understand more, researchers confirmed that, since cells that make bone (osteoblasts) and fat cells come from the same stem cell precursor, more bone mass may mean less fat mass.  Although this research started in mice, it seems to be played out in physician experiences with the use of whole body vibration in their offices.

Given that WBV can have a strong effect on the nervous system without putting any strain on joints, it has been shown to have a positive benefit on neurological conditions like post stroke and Parkinson’s disease. In line with prior experiences, this study found improvements in both timed get up and go as well as the 10 minute walk test in MS patients. While this was a small study, no side effects were noted. Further, benefits were maintained for at least 2 wks after the last vibration session.