Author: dr.vanta

January 2020 MS News – The Benefits of Coconut Oil+ EGCG, Vitamin D, Melatonin, Physiotherapy, HIIT & More

Posted by | Feb 21, 2020 | |

  Featured News How do Canadians with MS feel about MS treatments? This study was conducted in Ontario, Canada. Here are the main results: participants tend to avoid seeking healthcare services until they felt threatened by their health state, and use emergency services. They feel traditional healthcare services fail to meet their complex care needs. Many are completely disengaging from traditional healthcare services in favor of alternative treatments.  This new study evaluated the benefits of the prescription drug glatiramer acetate on memory and cognition problems associated with MS. Researchers found this drug has a positive effect on cognitive function, information processing speed, and working memory.  Exercise, Physio, Robot Glove & Virtual Reality Training An 8-week exercise program (combined aquatic plyometrics and Pilates, twice weekly)  helps improve postural control, legs, and arm functions in individuals with MS, according to this new study.  Exercise improves MS symptoms,  body weight, slows down the myelin break down and has a positive impact on brain gene expression, according to this study (animal models of MS) This new study is a randomized controlled trial. The results:  HIIT (high-intensity interval training) has a stronger impact on the quality of life and performance skills when compared with moderate training in those with MS.  Physiotherapy works. This new study evaluated specific exercise programs for MS symptoms. Some exercises were linked with improved gait performance, while others with a...

Read More

Podcast Guest Having Positive Expectations Is Super Important For Optimal Health

Posted by | Feb 17, 2020 | , |

What if you could revolutionize your life from top to bottom by altering your mindset in just one way? Art Costello has the answer and it’s quite simple: mastering your expectations.  He explains that expectations are not just a word, but a framework for living. When you operate through faith and not fear, you create higher expectations and create self-fulfilling prophesies for the life you have always wanted.     Thank you, Art Costello, for choosing me to be your guest for this episode on your podcast.  We talked about many things, and why having positive expectations is super important for optimal health. Here is the episode. The transcript is available....

Read More

13% Of All Cancer Caused By Treatable Infections. How To Prevent& Manage Infection Nr #1 On The List.

Posted by | Jan 23, 2020 | |

You don’t think of cancer as being contagious, do you? It’s time to reconsider this idea. Here are some stats, from this new article published on Jan 20, 2020, in Medscape. Roughly 13% of all cancer cases in 2018, which means about 2.2 million cancer cases- may be attributable to infections, concludes this new global survey. On top of the list:  H Pylori infections responsible for 810,000 new cancer cases-causing stomach cancer  Followed by: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), responsible for 690,000 new cases-causing cervical cancer; Hepatitis virus B and C contributed to 360,000 new cases and 160,000 new cases of cancer, respectively- causing liver cancer.  Let’s focus on H pylori infections because it is very common- as many as 50% of North-Americans have this infection.  It is not tested or treated unless it causes symptoms- and guess what…. most people do not have symptoms!  While I agree on the fact that antibiotics should not be used when there are no symptoms (to avoid overusing these prescription meds and reduce the risk of H pylori strains resistant to antibiotics), I highly recommend eliminating H pylori overgrowth with natural supplements.  Now, for H pylori infections associated with symptoms: I can tell from my own experience that when you get symptoms they can have a huge impact on your life. Beyond stomach discomfort and many food sensitivities, you can get brain fog,...

Read More

DECEMBER 2019 MS NEWS- Mediterranean Diet Helps SPMS, Best Supplements For Pain, Benefits of Cannabis & More

Posted by | Jan 21, 2020 | |

Featured News Best supplements for neuropathic pain. This new study evaluates both prescription meds and alternative options. Neurostimulation methods such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)deep brain stimulation (DBS), epidural muscle lobe stimulated (MCS) and repeated transcranial electric stimuli (rTMS) were found to be effective in treating acute neuropathic pain  Among natural supplements, the following three show the most benefits to manage neuropathic pain (in this study): the aminoacid L-acetyl carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid and benfotiamine (the highly bioavailable form of vitamin B1, which is already used in Japan and Europe for neuropathy).  Diet & The Gut Microbiome The link between changes in gut flora and MS had been studied previously. This new study shows a relationship between progressive MS and altered gut bacterial diversity.  A few more new studies exploring changes in the gut microbiome and MS/other neurological conditions here, here and here. Mediterranean diet and supplementation with symbiotics (probiotic-prebiotic combo) for 12 months was found beneficial to manage secondary progressive MS, according to this new study.  Chronic high fat diet impairs nerve function and mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cells), according to this new study. Note: this study is not about keto diet (high fat very low carb)- just the chronic high-fat diets (think about Western diet filled with high fat processed foods).  The many benefits of fasting for MS and other autoimmune diseases (a review of animal...

Read More

NOVEMBER 2019 MS NEWS- On Benefits of Reflexology, Vitamin D, Cannabis, The Mind-Body Connection & More

Posted by | Dec 27, 2019 | |

Featured News Foot reflexology can help manage constipation associated with MS, according to this new randomized controlled study.  The severity of constipation significantly decreased in the group who received reflexology treatments twice a week for 6 weeks. The best treatment for pain associated with MS (no drugs involved!)? This new review of multiple studies suggest the benefits of non-drug interventions: water exercises, yoga, and cannabis. More trials are being conducted on other modalities like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Exercise, Mindfulness Meditation, AI, And Other Therapies  Exercise. A new review of multiple studies shows that exercise- in the form of aerobic or resistance training -benefits individuals with MS, especially related to the quality of life and function (ie muscle strength, balance, flexibility, walking ability, disability status). Mindfulness meditation. This new review of multiple randomized controlled studies shows that mindfulness meditation can help improve fatigue associated with MS. Some of the studies also show improvement in pain. Non-drug options for managing MS? This is another new study(review of 40 research studies) looking at the benefits of 6 types of interventions:  physical activity, technology, rehabilitation, alternative, resistance training, and psychological therapies. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be useful to diagnose conditions like MS, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, according to this new study. Dr.Zamboni’s ‘liberation therapy’ (venoplasty) in the new again. With positive results. ...

Read More