IN YOUR DAILY DOSE today is research that affects those with Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Your environment and the length of your days affects you more than you might think.

IN MAKING CHANGES today you’ll discover some of the daily things you can add to your routine that will help reduce your risk of MS and improve your symptoms if you have it.

IN FACT OR FICTION you’ll discover that although it was just the title of a column in Reader’s Digest, they were absolutely correct in their assumption.

In The News

Researchers know that Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases have both genetic and environmental factors that affect the progression and symptoms of the diseases. In the past decade, with the progress of technology and computer assisted evaluation, more research has been aimed at the genetic component.

Researchers at the Ann Romney Center for Neurological Disease at Brigham and Women’s Hospital took a different approach. Researchers are cautioning that patients with MS or other autoimmune disorders should not reflexively take Melatonin in response to their findings. More research is needed, and the results may point to new treatment modalities and protocols to improve outcomes.

The researchers worked with a group of individuals suffering from relapsing, remitting MS and their environment that may influence the evolution of their symptoms. The team was able to link symptoms of MS to vitamin D levels, UV incidence and upper respiratory tract infections. However, the factor that appeared to more consistently be associated with more severe symptoms was melatonin.

Levels of the hormone melatonin are known to correlate with the length of the day and light exposure. During the longer days of spring and summer the levels are lower and the symptoms were more severe. Based on this observation, the research team tested the role that melatonin plays on the cellular level, using both mouse and human cells.

They found that melatonin appeared to have a protective effect as it dampens the immune response and kept the pathogenic cells at bay.

SOURCE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150910131612.htm

Daily Health Tip

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the myelin sheath in the central nervous system so that signals from the brain don’t reach the spinal cord and other nerves. The disease is unpredictable and disabling. The exact cause has not been identified, but researchers believe there are environmental, genetic, lifestyle choices and infectious triggers that can increase the risk of developing MS symptoms.

While researchers are identifying other environmental factors that may improve treatment protocols, it’s important to assess the factors that we now know affect your symptoms. Food, mood and exercise all have significant effect on the severity of your symptoms and your prognosis.

Making Changes

Consider making life-long choices that will improve your health outcomes, whether you suffer from a life-alter disease or not. The choices you make today will improve your overall health and improve your health overall.

1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. You don’t want to sleep too long, but also don’t want to go beneath 7 hours each evening either. Your brain needs the rest to reduce the amount of toxins in the brain and recover from the day’s activities.

2. Obesity plays a big role in how your symptoms manifest and how severe they will be. Try to maintain a normal weight limit to reduce your disability.

3. Vitamin D and sodium appear to play a big role in the development and severity of MS.  Use Pink Himalayan sea salt, high in minerals and optimize your vitamin D intake through sun exposure or supplementation.

4. Moderate amounts of exercise will help reduce obesity and improve your functioning level if you have MS. Exercise will increase aerobic capacity, muscle strength, mobility and reduce symptoms of fatigue and depression.

5. Use natural techniques to raise your mood, such as getting 30 minutes of sunshine, exercise, smiling, watching a comedy, laughter and spending time with good friends.

My Daily Affirmation

I am proud to make an honest living.

There are few things that outdo the pride of earning an honest living. There is an element of satisfaction that comes from toiling and seeing the results of that work.

Fact Or Fiction?

Reader’s Digest aptly named a column in their magazine many years ago. Although it was just a title, it turns out that it was rather prophetic.

Reader’s Digest had it right all those years they ran their “Laughter is the Best Medicine” column. Laughing does more than just make you feel good.  It can lower your blood pressure, reduce your levels of cortisol (stress hormone), fun exercise for your abs, improves your cardiac health, boosts your T-cells that supports your immune system, and triggers the release of endorphins or painkillers in your body. So, the next time you pass up a good comedy show, think twice - laughter really is good medicine.

Have a wonderful day!

Your Healthy Life America Team