Author: dr.vanta

Pandemic Weight Gain: Here is How To Lose Those Extra Pounds

Posted by | Jul 28, 2020 | |

Just finished an awesome workout (HIIT on the rebounder was on the menu today), and I am ready to tell you my tips on losing those extra pounds. Rebounding is one of the best workouts you could have at home, with documented benefits for weight loss, heart, lymphatic system, and bone health. Plus, it is great for your mood, too.    Let’s face it. It is easy to gain weight. The aging process itself makes you more likely to gain weight over time. But now we have another problem: the pandemic  weight gain, aka  “quarantine 15”. In a poll of over 1,000 Americans, almost 50% of the women and almost 1 in 4 of the men said they’d gained weight “due to COVID restrictions.” Another survey based on the opinion of 900 participants found more than 50% of men and about 1 in 3 women reporting weight gain. [R] There are several factors involved in this pandemic weight gain. The stress factor (nr 1, in my opinion), followed by lockdown restrictions, which meant staying home and working from home, frequent snacking, less exercise, changes in the diet, and more sleeping troubles.  Since I’ve got some extra pounds as well, not the expected “quarantine 15”, but about 10 pounds, including a few pounds gained during the winter. So I had to take some action. Here are my key tips to...

Read More

June/July 2020 MS News- The Benefits Of Some Diets, Supplements, Exercise, Stress Management & More

Posted by | Jul 26, 2020 | , |

Herbs & Supplements  Medical cannabis. There is evidence that cannabis has therapeutic symptomatic effects in MS, according to this new study that reviews the pros and cons of using cannabinoids for MS and other conditions. A second study found that a spray (CBD-THC combo) helps reduce pain and spasticity associated with MS.  Olive leaf polyphenols. Olive leaf polyphenols show some potential to help manage MS, suggests this new study (animal models of MS). Technical:  attenuated the clinical course of EAE; reduced the oxidative stress (by decreasing the concentration of MDA); upregulated antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, SOD2, and GPX1), SIRT1 (overall and microglial), and anti-inflammatory M2 microglia; downregulated proinflammatory M1 type; and preserved myelin integrity.  Curcumin and other herbal ingredients. Medicinal plants that can help in MS/ other neurodegenerative conditions. Although this new study focuses on curcumin, other beneficial plants include Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Bacopa monnieri,  Salvia officinalis, and Hypericum perforatum. Saffran. Saffran back in the news. Saffron syrup can be effective as an adjunct therapy for fatigue reduction in those with MS due to effectiveness and good safety profile, according to this new study.  Yarrow and other related herbs. The health benefits of the achillea genus (which includes) 100 species, including yarrow, are reviewed in this study– for MS, and many other conditions. If you check past MS news you will find a few well-designed studies on the benefits...

Read More

April/May 2020 MS News- Risks For COVID-19, The Benefits of Meditation, Light Therapy, Saffron, Sativex & More

Posted by | May 24, 2020 | |

  Are you worried about being at a higher risk to get COVID-19? This new study (not peer-reviewed yet) looked at the COVID outcome in those with MS (76 participants involved in the study. Good news, here is the conclusion: most MS patients with COVID-19 do not require hospitalization despite being on DMTs (disease-modifying therapy). Factors linked with critical illness were similar to the general at-risk patient population. DMT use did not seem to predict poor COVID-19 outcome.  MS itself does not increase the risk of getting COVID-19 however, certain factors associated with your MS may increase the risk of infection or complications: certain disease-modifying therapies, other chronic health conditions, age greater than 60. More details in this article from St Michael’s Hospital – Toronto Massage, Neuromodulation Stimulators, Mindfulness Meditation, Light Therapy  Helius Medical Technologies announced in May 2020 that its Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) device, short-term treatment for gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms of MS used in conjunction with supervised physical therapy, has received a breakthrough designation by the FDA. More details here.  This new randomized trial shows that 6 weeks of massage in water therapy had a significant effect on walking speed, postural control (static and dynamic balance), pain intensity, fatigue, and quality of life in women with MS.   Cognitive improvement (working memory and verbal learning skills) can be achieved with a cognitive rehab...

Read More

March 2020 MS News- March 2020 MS News- The Benefits of Exercise, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Meditation, Paleo Diet & More

Posted by | Apr 23, 2020 | |

tDCS, Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness Meditation  Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an emerging non-invasive brain stimulation technique -may help reduce fatigue in individuals with MS, suggests this new study. Hypnotherapy helps promote the psychological well-being of those affected by MS, according to this new randomized clinical trial.  Using mindfulness meditation for one year may help improve cognitive and emotional well being, according to this new study.  Exercise  Pilates training along with massage could be proposed as a complementary treatment alongside medications to prevent disease progression in MS patients, suggests this new study.  Exercise improves muscle strength, motor function, and decreasing depression and anxiety in women with MS, according to this new study that used an 8-week training program, using a combination of rhythmic aerobic and resistance training by bodyweight, Theraband, and TRX  Aquatic exercises help improve postural control and hand function, in those with MS, according to this new randomized trial– which used two forms of aqua therapy  Halliwick (Hallw) and an Aquatic Plyometric Exercise (APE).  Diet and Supplements A modified Paleo diet shows more benefits (improvement in fatigue, cognitive scores) than an MCT based keto diet for MS management, according to this new randomized pilot study. Note: Dr. Terry Wahls is one of the authors of this study.  A new book: Nutraceuticals and Human Health: The Food-to-supplement Paradigm includes the benefits of various plant compounds (flavonoids like quercetin,...

Read More

February 2020 MS News- The Benefits of Dietary Compounds, Vitamin D, NAC, Melatonin, Medical Cannabis, Exercise,Benson Techniques and More

Posted by | Mar 20, 2020 | , |

Diet & Supplements This new study looked at the benefits of dietary compounds that can help manage neurodegenerative conditions like MS, and delay symptoms.  Plant chemicals (e.g., polyphenols), as well as acetyl-L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, and omega 3 fatty acids showed the most promising results.  In this review, researchers looked at the link between MS and diet -particularly dietary phytoestrogens and the impact of these compounds on the gut flora, immune cells, and nervous system. Vitamin D. This new study investigated the link between low vitamin D levels and disease activity in cases of (RRMS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).Conclusion: Most individuals were vitamin D deficient. Higher D vitamin levels were associated with positive findings- fewer MRI lesions and lower disability scores. Vitamin B3  may promote myelin repair, according to this new study.  NAC (the amino acid n-acetyl cysteine) positively affects cerebral glucose metabolism in those with MS, which is associated with patient-reported improvements in cognition and attention, according to this new study. Nano curcumin. The benefits of nano curcumin were assessed in this new study, where various markers (Th17 and Treg cells frequency, cytokines secretion, and expression of transcription factors of these cells) were compared before/after treatment. Melatonin. A review of its benefits for MS and other autoimmune diseases:  regulates the circadian rhythm, is anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant. Although it shows positive effects for MS and diabetes type 1,...

Read More