Author: dr.vanta

  Exercise training   Vibration training. Vibration training could be an effective alternative training to enhance cognition and quality of life in individuals with MS, according to a small randomized controlled study.  Exercise training has a positive influence on MS disease MS by improving the gut flora, according to this new study. I wrote more about the importance of the gut microbiota here and its changes associated with MS here. Aerobic exercise seems to have a positive effect -ie improve motor function when compared to conventional physiotherapy. The results are seen after six weeks of exercise, two-three times weekly,suggests this new review of multiple studies. Different massage approaches help relieve symptoms of MS. According to this review, fatigue may improve with reflexology,  therapeutic massage, and Swedish massage. Pain, anxiety, and depression can effectively be improved with reflexology, while spasticity may be reduced by Swedish massage and reflexology.  Aerobic exercise ( 3 days a week, 25-40 minutes/day at 50-70% of HRMax  for eight weeks, and vitamin D (50000 IU weekly) supplementation for 8 weeks-  help improve BDNF and NGF levels in individuals with MS, according to this new randomized placebo-controlled study. Even better results were seen in the group that combined exercise with vitamin D supplements. Note: BDNF and NGF levels are often impaired in MS, and improving these levels helps promote brain repair, regeneration and maintain proper function. Scientists are...

COVID 19 & MS This new Brazilian  study (11,560 people with MS) evaluated  the incidence, clinical outcome, and impact of COVID-19. The results:  the incidence of COVID-19 in  participants with MS was not different from those observed for the general population. The majority (87% ) were mild cases. Most of them were on  MS disease-modifying treatment and continued the treatment during the pandemic.  Diet & Gut Microbiota  This new study from Australia assessed the benefits of a healthy diet in participants with MS. The conclusion:  A healthier diet score was associated with better mental, physical and total quality of life, and lower depression, and pain scores, and fewer cognition, vision and bowel symptoms. Higher reported fibre, fruit, vegetable and healthy fat scores were positively associated with most health outcomes.  Gut microbiome as a therapeutic target for MS. This study found that  supplementation with  the short fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate has a protective effect against CNS autoimmunity in animal models.  I wrote about gut microbiome and MS here.  Obesity, inflammation and autoimmunity. Previous studies found that obesity induces a chronic low‐grade inflammatory state. There is a correlation between obesity and higher prevalence, or worse prognosis, of several autoimmune diseases including: MS, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel diseases, type‐1‐diabetes and  psoriasis. This new study further supports this idea, showing that  leptin promotes autoreactive T‐cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion,...