Burnout can take a toll on both your physical and emotional health. Trying to keep up with work demands while trying to live your life to the fullest is a struggle even the most talented workers face. Recovering from burnout may be a long road ahead, but it is a path you should take for your long-term health and for the people you love. In this blog post, we will uncover three different strategies to help support your body’s response to chronic stress that can lead to burnout from within!
Why Burnout Happens
Burnout results from prolonged and unresolved stress which can affect anyone, whether you’re still months into your first job or you have worked in a specific industry for years. This type of stress impairs the connection within the brain, eventually causing your body’s response to be out of balance! This imbalance may reflect as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion, and even irritability. To learn more about why burnout happens and how it can affect the connections that keep your body strong and healthy, we have the perfect blog post for you!
Regimen #1: Mindful Eating
The Goal: nurture healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day
As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is especially true when you are suffering from burnout because eating nourishing meals during breakfast can fuel your entire day and at the same time maintain adequate levels of glucose in the blood. Eating gluten-free and protein-rich foods such as fruits, eggs, dairy products, and meat can help maintain energy levels while reducing inflammation that your body may be experiencing due to stress. Interestingly, burnout has been associated with being addicted to caffeinated drinks!1 Controlling the amount of coffee you drink and monitoring your caffeine intake throughout the day can help prevent your burnout symptoms from worsening. Knowing what you will be eating helps reduce decision-fatigue, leaving you more mental-emotional bandwidth for the decisions that matter. Starting your day with an easy, meal-prepped breakfast can help take some stress off of you and allow you to focus more on what you want to accomplish throughout the day. Click here to learn how to make the Perfect Chia Pudding or our favorite Blueberry Muffin overnight oats for a delicious and healthy treat to fuel you for the day ahead! You can even try Dr. Johnson’s favorite variation (dairy or non-dairy): swap out the blueberries for frozen mixed berries, use 1T+1t chia seeds instead of flax seeds, double the cinnamon (tasty and helps lower blood sugar!) and add ¼ t vanilla extract. So yummy! Regimen #2: Nourish Your Adrenals
Supplementing your meals with vitamins and minerals can help boost your adrenal gland, which is the source of the hormones that drive your body’s stress response.
The Goal: support your meals with supplements
Regimen #3: Prioritize Relaxation
The Goal: give yourself some time out
One of the simplest but most effective approaches in recovering from burnout is by deciding to pause and relax every once in a while. Whether long-term or short-term, your body needs rest. Practicing good sleeping habits, taking on that long overdue vacation, and even taking a 10-minute walk can help clear out your thoughts and turn off your body’s alarm signals against stress. Doing breathing exercises, such as doing longer inhales and shorter exhales for a few minutes can already help enhance your mood and reduce anxiety, and at the same time regulate your heart and respiratory rates.3 
The Naturopathic Approach
Burnout can cause debilitating symptoms and affect your overall quality of life, even after work. The key to managing burnout is holistic and integrated care that focuses on uplifting your psychological mindset while at the same time nurturing your body’s response to prolonged stress. At Natural Path to Wellness, we will help you discover the best holistic regimens for your unique case and preferences. Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
A heavy workload or too much stress from work can lead to burnout, which can make you feel emotionally exhausted, fatigued, and weary. This emotional turmoil eventually affects your professional productivity and efficacy by changing your outlook towards the job you once worked hard to achieve. That being said, this is a reminder that burnout is real and can happen to anyone, even the most productive and exemplary employee or employer. Unfortunately, the diagnostic criteria that clinically distinguishes burnout from other physical and mental health disorders are yet to be established. This is not to be feared, however, because no matter what type of occupation, ethnicity, or culture you’re in, the characteristic features of burnout are universal!
Welcome to the first installment of our burnout series, where we delve into understanding what burnout is and why it happens. Together, we will explore holistic approaches to managing it, ensuring that your health is a priority and your concerns are heard. Join us on this holistic journey towards optimal health! Understanding Burnout
Burnout is a syndrome of emotional and physical symptoms that many of us may be very familiar with, especially with our fast-paced and constantly evolving lives. Burnout can affect anyone, regardless of your job or profession. It can be described as that feeling of being drained and stagnant, where every work day feels like another wave of stress and unfulfillment. This common yet silent epidemic is characterized by emotional exhaustion, detachment, and doubt about one’s abilities and capabilities.1 When burnout sets in, you may lose track of your job’s purpose or even question the values that built your company or workplace to the point that you just find yourself doing the bare minimum to accomplish each task. In the face of burnout, doing what you can to the best of your abilities, even when others consider it bare minimum, is proof of your commitment and responsibility to your job and the people that put their trust on you.
Understanding burnout is very important because it helps us recognize that our bodies also need time to pause and recharge. It is a reminder that no matter your profession, you are a human being whose body will only remain strong with proper balance and care. How Burnout Affects Your Brain
The core signs of burnout happen when our bodies respond maladaptively to stressors that have not been addressed and resolved for so long.2 When faced with stress, special structures in the brain, namely, the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, help us adequately manage it by sending regulatory and calming signals to the amygdala, which is the part of your brain that helps process and control your emotions. Unfortunately, chronic stress or burnout breaks this regulatory mechanism apart by causing damage to the prefrontal cortex. Once damaged, the ability of the prefrontal cortex to soothe and control the amygdala is disrupted, causing it to become hyperactive and hypersensitive, eventually affecting your body’s response to stressors.2 This imbalance can also affect your thinking, emotions, and memory, ultimately causing symptoms such as exhaustion, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue.2
When you are experiencing burnout, you may need to exert more effort into solving problems and working on tasks, proving how an imbalance from external sources affects both your mind and body.
How Burnout Affects Physical Health
Burnout can affect your physical health because prolonged stress can exhaust the body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Once these essential systems become overstimulated in response to stress, their abilities to regulate vital functions become impaired, causing elevated blood pressure and heart rate, as well as impaired metabolism and immune defenses.3 Compounding these damaging effects is the possibility of picking up unhealthy habits when you’re experiencing burnout, such as poor coping mechanisms or vices, or unhealthy lifestyle routines. Over time, the combination of chronic stress and lifestyle practices can trigger the development of cardiovascular problems. In fact, heart-related problems are major causes of absenteeism in individuals experiencing burnout.3 Additionally, a weakened immune function due to burnout can increase your risks of getting infected with respiratory viruses and gastrointestinal pathogens.
The Naturopathic Approach
Managing burnout and preventing its consequences begin with recognizing that it is a reality for many people, no matter their profession, rank, or culture. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you unlock the intricacies behind the burnout phenomenon and guide you in discovering holistic and natural solutions that are especially tailored to your unique case and preferences. Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
Aging is a natural process that everybody will eventually go through and experience. Yes, we are all bound to get wrinkles and experience problems when reading texts! Because of the inevitable and characteristic nature of the aging process, the word “anti-aging” is commonly used to market products and services that are supposedly effective in reversing signs of aging. Here’s the catch: the conventional concept of anti-aging focuses on surface-level signs, such as wrinkles and grey hair to which anti-aging skincare is used to counteract these changes.
It is a sad reality that although life expectancy rates of many countries are higher than ever, healthy life expectancy is not. The foundation of healthy aging actually starts from within! True longevity is more than just looking young and coloring your gray hair, it is about not losing your spark, staying sharp, and nurturing your body’s optimal health as it ages gracefully. In this blog post, we will uncover three (3) naturopathic secrets that address and nurture aging from the cellular level, where every change begins! Secret #1: Tame the "Inflamm-aging" Fire
Your body’s inflammatory response is very important in defending your body against infections and diseases that may cause harm to it. Once triggered, your inflammatory response helps drive out infectious pathogens and release enzymes that not only eliminate the threat, but also repair the damage it caused.1 The problem happens when inflammation continues to persist and activates cascades in the body that cause more harm than good and eventually cause disease. Interestingly, chronic inflammation can accelerate aging and cause age-related disorders. Aging has been associated with persistent elevation of inflammatory markers and enzymes in the body, as well as cellular dysfunction.1 Factors that heighten inflammation and increase your risks of developing age-related disorders include persistent exposure to stressors, gut microbiota dysbiosis, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy food choices. Therefore, a key to healthy aging is managing inflammation at its core.
Naturopathic Solution The most powerful way to prevent chronic inflammation and promote healthy aging is through maintaining your body’s inherent abilities to maintain balance and heal itself. A good start is by becoming conscious of your food choices. Eating meals that are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants can help fight oxidative stress and regulate your body’s inflammatory response. Adding in berries or dark leafy greens to your everyday meals can help slow the aging process! Additionally, supplementing your meals with Omega-3, aside from eating food rich in this nutrient (salmon and nuts), can help reduce inflammation and at the same time nurture your brain!
Secret #2: Manage the Stress Cascade and Protect Your Telomeres
Most cells in the body, except for neurons in the brain, constantly regenerate and reproduce as programmed in the cell’s DNA. To facilitate replication and regeneration, your DNA has a special structure that protects and seals off its ends, known as the telomeres. However, chronic stress can shorten the telomeres, eventually reaching a point where it reaches a critical length that deactivates cell division and causes the cell to become senescent (old).2 This means that although the cell is still active and alive, it has permanently stopped dividing. Once such happens, your cell may undergo harmful changes or release substances that can trigger inflammation, eventually causing health problems while you age.
Naturopathic Solution Managing stress through practicing mind-body techniques and incorporating herbs rich in adaptogens into your daily regimens can help nurture healthy aging. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) is rich in adaptogens that help reduce cortisol levels through regulating the balance of your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, making it less reactive to stressors. Additionally, ashwagandha contains anti-inflammatory properties that prevent sub-clinical chronic inflammation from causing age-related health problems. To learn more about the wonders of ashwagandha for stress, we have the perfect blog post for you! Additionally, gentle, stress-reducing activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and walking have been shown to make your telomeres longer!4 These movements are like a fountain of youth for your cells – not just slowing, but reversing, cellular aging. Secret #3: Unlock the Restorative Power of Quality Sleep
Sleep is the most critical period of the day for brain detoxification and cellular repair. Problems with sleep can increase your risks of developing heart problems, lung disease, and mental health issues.3 Interestingly, lack of sleep has been associated with cognitive problems in the elderly and increase risks of having dementia.3 Sleep is also the time when your body repairs muscle, the organs of detoxification, and other tissues vital for healthy aging. This is precisely why a good night’s rest is very important as it can do wonders for your overall health and help your body age gracefully.
Naturopathic Solution The natural aging process can be nurtured through optimizing your sleep hygiene and following your body’s circadian rhythm. This can be achieved through nutrition and lifestyle changes that help improve your sleep and eliminate factors that can disrupt it. Setting a consistent time within the night for sleep and avoiding screens before bedtime are simple yet effective routines that can help improve sleep. Explore the benefits of a good snooze. The Naturopathic Approach
Aging is a natural process that should be nurtured through holistic practices both in the present and future. Although it is inevitable, different factors can accelerate its effects and predispose you to age-related diseases that can be prevented by taking care of your present self. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you discover the best natural solutions for your optimal health, helping your body nurture its innate balance and supporting it as it undergoes the natural aging process.
Start your naturopathic health journey today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
The world of headaches is vast and associated with different causes. Because of this variety, headaches are classified into primary, secondary, and painful neuropathies (conditions that affect nerves). Having a throbbing sensation in the head does not necessarily mean you are experiencing a migraine attack. In fact, there are different types of primary headaches, with migraine only being one of them! Scroll down to learn more about the different types of headaches and how each one tells a unique story!
Migraine Headaches
Migraine attacks are very common, often causing loss of productivity and temporary disability. In fact, most people often think of their headaches as migraines, even though they are actually experiencing a totally different type of headache. Migraine attacks are typically one-sided, make you feel nauseated, and cause you to become more sensitive to light and sound.1 The pain itself may be throbbing, pulsating, and gradually worsens. These symptoms may happen from hours to days, causing severe disruptions to your daily plans and activities. Additionally, some migraineurs may experience a phenomenon called “aura” which may cause them to experience one or more visual, speech, or sensory disturbance before experiencing the migraine attack.1 Because migraines can be debilitating when not properly managed, a holistic plan to target the root cause of your migraine headaches is needed to finally experience migraine-free days. To learn more about the healing power of nature for migraine attacks, we have the perfect blog post for you.
Tension-Type Headache
Tension headaches are considered the most common type of primary headache (yes, more common than migraines). In fact, tension-type headaches can cause greater loss of productivity and disability than migraine attacks!2 Also called stress headache, tension-type headache can cause pressing, band-like, dull pain on both sides of the head, which may happen in episodes or become persistent (chronic). However, people with tension-type headaches are less likely to become nauseated or experience vomiting.2 These headaches may be triggered by stress, sleeping problems, tense muscles (from physical activities and exertions), or bad posture.2
Cluster Headaches
A rarer form of primary headache, cluster headache can cause piercing, stabbing, or burning pain on one side of the head that may last for 15-180 minutes and radiate to the cheeks, temple, ear, or neck. The pain and discomfort are recurrent and occur in clusters. You may also experience tearing, stuffy nostrils, or redness in the eye, all happening on the same side as the headache.3 Cluster headaches typically happen on the same time each day. The most intriguing part is that cluster headaches commonly happen a few hours after falling asleep! Cluster headaches most commonly affect the male gender (three times more than women), middle adults, people with alcohol abuse disorder, and those with previous trauma.3
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Relax & Focus |
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Calm & Think |
Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis L.)
Because sleep plays a vital role in regulating optimal brain and body functioning, having problems with sleep can cause detrimental effects to your health, especially towards your body’s abilities to handle stress. In fact, lack of sleep can significantly affect your mood, memory, daily performance, and metabolic health, eventually causing hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.2 Hence, solving sleeping problems is an important step in achieving optimal health and wellness!
As easy as it sounds, achieving good quality sleep can be difficult, with the environment, thought processes, and health status playing heavy roles. These factors are some of the many reasons why people may lean towards taking sedative-hypnotic medications to finally get adequate sleep. Although initially beneficial, the use of these medications can affect cognition and damage daytime performances.2 Valerian root is a special herb that effectively helps you get a good night’s rest after a long and tiring day, without that next-day hangover feeling pharmaceuticals leave you with. This plant promotes the action of adenosine, which is a chemical present in the body to maintain balance within the brain by preventing it from getting overexcited, as well as regulating the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.2
It is important, however, that the use of valerian root should be examined and monitored, as unregulated doses may increase anxiety levels, which is opposite to its intended purpose. A few people actually find valerian stimulating, so we recommend you don’t test it out for the first time the night before an important meeting! While many people love to use it as part of a nighttime tea, it is known for a rather funky taste and odor, so we’ve added a link for a capsule form we love that helps you avoid this taste.
As easy as it sounds, achieving good quality sleep can be difficult, with the environment, thought processes, and health status playing heavy roles. These factors are some of the many reasons why people may lean towards taking sedative-hypnotic medications to finally get adequate sleep. Although initially beneficial, the use of these medications can affect cognition and damage daytime performances.2 Valerian root is a special herb that effectively helps you get a good night’s rest after a long and tiring day, without that next-day hangover feeling pharmaceuticals leave you with. This plant promotes the action of adenosine, which is a chemical present in the body to maintain balance within the brain by preventing it from getting overexcited, as well as regulating the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.2
It is important, however, that the use of valerian root should be examined and monitored, as unregulated doses may increase anxiety levels, which is opposite to its intended purpose. A few people actually find valerian stimulating, so we recommend you don’t test it out for the first time the night before an important meeting! While many people love to use it as part of a nighttime tea, it is known for a rather funky taste and odor, so we’ve added a link for a capsule form we love that helps you avoid this taste.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Commonly found in Europe and Asia, St. John's Wort is an effective herbal remedy to boost mood, reduce inflammation, and protect your body against mutations that can cause malignancy. As an anti-depressant, St. John’s Wort inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, all of which help regulate your mood and stress levels. Preventing the reuptake of these essential hormones means maintaining their optimal levels, thereby nurturing their purpose in the body. Additionally, St. John’s Wort works wonders in preventing the binding of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) to its original receptors by competitively binding to GABA instead!1 This action can help prevent central nervous system (CNS) depression, which is a phenomenon that can cause weakness, anxiety, drowsiness, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress.
With all the wonderful benefits that this plant can offer, it is important to keep in mind that St. John’s Wort may not be for everybody! For instance, St John’s Wort may not be effective and can cause adverse side effects when used with other medications, especially blood thinners such as warfarin, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and anti-viral drugs for HIV patients.1 In fact, combining St. John’s Wort with some of the commonly prescribed mental health drugs (like SSRI’s and SNRI’s) can result in a potentially fatal reaction called serotonin syndrome. Hence, it is important for you to talk to your healthcare providers before including St. John’s Wort into your regimen.
At Natural Path to Wellness, our team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you discover the best natural options for optimal mental wellness. Backed up by years of training and experience, we are committed to creating a personalized and holistic approach that includes the use of natural herbs and therapies selected for your unique case and preference.
With all the wonderful benefits that this plant can offer, it is important to keep in mind that St. John’s Wort may not be for everybody! For instance, St John’s Wort may not be effective and can cause adverse side effects when used with other medications, especially blood thinners such as warfarin, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and anti-viral drugs for HIV patients.1 In fact, combining St. John’s Wort with some of the commonly prescribed mental health drugs (like SSRI’s and SNRI’s) can result in a potentially fatal reaction called serotonin syndrome. Hence, it is important for you to talk to your healthcare providers before including St. John’s Wort into your regimen.
At Natural Path to Wellness, our team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you discover the best natural options for optimal mental wellness. Backed up by years of training and experience, we are committed to creating a personalized and holistic approach that includes the use of natural herbs and therapies selected for your unique case and preference.
The Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathic care helps you achieve mental health and wellness by guiding you through natural, holistic options that nurture stress relief, relaxation, and optimal sleep, all of which is important in maintaining balance within. This balance is achieved through herbal medications, nutrient supplements, lifestyle changes, and mind-body techniques, that promote both your mental and physical health.
To learn more about the wonders of naturopathic medicine for you, talk to us today!
To learn more about the wonders of naturopathic medicine for you, talk to us today!
It is important to remember that the use of herbal medications should be thoroughly evaluated and monitored by your naturopathic doctor and communicated to your other healthcare providers to make sure your daily regimen is tailored to your case and preference, and that it does not interact with any prescribed medications. Additionally, it is vital to keep in mind that most herbal medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and their use should be avoided to prevent harm to you and your baby. Talk to your naturopathic doctor to learn more about how to use herbs safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
It is important to remember that the use of herbal medications should be thoroughly evaluated and monitored by your naturopathic doctor and communicated to your other healthcare providers to make sure your daily regimen is tailored to your case and preference, and that it does not interact with any prescribed medications. Additionally, it is vital to keep in mind that most herbal medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and their use should be avoided to prevent harm to you and your baby. Talk to your naturopathic doctor to learn more about how to use herbs safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Peterson B, Nguyen H. St. John's Wort. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 16, 2023.
- Shinjyo N, Waddell G, Green J. Valerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2020;25:2515690X20967323. doi:10.1177/2515690X20967323
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration, both of which affect your brain’s abilities to direct key processes that help your body optimally function everyday. With the currently available conventional regimen focusing on disease modifying therapies (DMTs), which are used to prevent further damage to your brain cells and are unable to fix the damage that was already present before starting therapy, identifying the root cause of immune damage through naturopathic care is important in achieving long-term remission!
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating condition that affects your central nervous system (a.k.a. the mastermind that regulates processes in your body). This irreversible damage occurs due to demyelination and degeneration of neurons, which are cells that make up your brain and peripheral nervous system (how the brain communicates with all the tissues of your body). Although the exact cause behind multiple sclerosis is still unknown, its development and progression occur due to chronic inflammation as a consequence of your immune system attacking the very cells it is supposed to protect. Curious to learn more? We have the perfect blog post for you!
Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs)
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are forms of therapeutic regimens used to manage multiple sclerosis. DMTs help suppress inflammation and decrease disease progression.2 These medications focus on preventing further damage to your brain cells and reduce the progression of your condition. This means that DMTs are not able to fix the damage that was already present before starting therapy, making them a type of preventive regimen to reduce future risks rather than serving as a cure for multiple sclerosis. Additionally, the use of DMTs can increase your risks of developing infections, due to their primary action of suppressing your immune system, thereby decreasing your body’s abilities to protect you from diseases caused by foreign pathogens.2 These two points are precisely why the use of DMTs in people with severe or advanced stages of multiple sclerosis is controversial, since the regimen can do more harm than good.
Support Nerve
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Botanical Medicine Options
The naturopathic approach for people with multiple sclerosis focuses on nurturing your holistic health through a comprehensive and well-rounded regimen that includes lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplementation, mind-body connection, and botanical medicine. Keep scrolling to learn more about the top 4 herbs that can work wonders in managing multiple sclerosis.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils, tarragon is an effective herbal remedy to help modulate the immune response, control markers of inflammation, and prevent demyelination in people with multiple sclerosis, thereby providing adequate protection against rapid disease progression.1 More importantly, tarragon helps reduce the severity of neurologic problems associated with impaired delivery of signals in the brain due to demyelination. This helps nurture the connection between your body and brain.
Rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils, tarragon is an effective herbal remedy to help modulate the immune response, control markers of inflammation, and prevent demyelination in people with multiple sclerosis, thereby providing adequate protection against rapid disease progression.1 More importantly, tarragon helps reduce the severity of neurologic problems associated with impaired delivery of signals in the brain due to demyelination. This helps nurture the connection between your body and brain.
Black Cumin (Nigella sativa)
With extensive antioxidant effects, black cumin has been widely used as an herbal remedy in managing neurodegenerative conditions that affect the health of your nervous system. In people with multiple sclerosis, black cumin can help prevent relapse, improve locomotor movements, nurture a healthy body weight, and reduce damage to neurons (brain and nerve cells).1
With extensive antioxidant effects, black cumin has been widely used as an herbal remedy in managing neurodegenerative conditions that affect the health of your nervous system. In people with multiple sclerosis, black cumin can help prevent relapse, improve locomotor movements, nurture a healthy body weight, and reduce damage to neurons (brain and nerve cells).1
Curcumin (Curcuma longa)
An herb that is well-loved all over the world, curcumin has antioxidant properties that can help protect your brain against oxidative stress that can cause degeneration and problems with delivering signals for optimal functioning.1 Curcumin also contains anti-inflammatory properties that decrease the production of pro-inflammatory markers, while increasing the production of anti-inflammatory markers in your white blood cells, thereby controlling inflammation.1 Interestingly, curcumin also has anti-aging effects that can help nurture your brain and body’s health as you grow older.
An herb that is well-loved all over the world, curcumin has antioxidant properties that can help protect your brain against oxidative stress that can cause degeneration and problems with delivering signals for optimal functioning.1 Curcumin also contains anti-inflammatory properties that decrease the production of pro-inflammatory markers, while increasing the production of anti-inflammatory markers in your white blood cells, thereby controlling inflammation.1 Interestingly, curcumin also has anti-aging effects that can help nurture your brain and body’s health as you grow older.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Effective in preventing fatigue, depression, and oxidative damage, ginseng is considered a majestic plant in most Asian countries. In people with multiple sclerosis or those with other autoimmune disorders, ginseng can effectively control inflammation through maintaining balance between the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms within the body. Ginseng can also help prevent the infiltration of self-destructive white blood cells into the brain, thereby reducing demyelination and degeneration of axons (where electrical impulses from one neuron travels and gets delivered to another).
Effective in preventing fatigue, depression, and oxidative damage, ginseng is considered a majestic plant in most Asian countries. In people with multiple sclerosis or those with other autoimmune disorders, ginseng can effectively control inflammation through maintaining balance between the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms within the body. Ginseng can also help prevent the infiltration of self-destructive white blood cells into the brain, thereby reducing demyelination and degeneration of axons (where electrical impulses from one neuron travels and gets delivered to another).
It is important to remember that the use of herbal medications should be thoroughly evaluated and monitored by your naturopathic doctor and communicated to your other healthcare providers to make sure your daily regimen is tailored to your case and preference, and that it does not interact with any prescribed medications. Additionally, it is vital to keep in mind that most herbal medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and their use should be avoided to prevent harm to you and your baby. Talk to your naturopathic doctor to learn more about how to use herbs safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Ready to learn more about the right herbal remedies for your optimal health? Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Costantini E, Masciarelli E, Casorri L, Di Luigi M, Reale M. Medicinal herbs and multiple sclerosis: Overview on the hard balance between new therapeutic strategy and occupational health risk. Front Cell Neurosci. 2022;16:985943. Published 2022 Nov 10. doi:10.3389/fncel.2022.985943
- Langer-Gould AM, Smith JB, Gonzales EG, Piehl F, Li BH. Multiple Sclerosis, Disease-Modifying Therapies, and Infections. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2023;10(6):e200164. Published 2023 Oct 9. doi:10.1212/NXI.0000000000200164
The use of analgesics, commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to relieve pain has been a practice for many people all over the world. Hence, it is safe to say the analgesics (pain relievers) are considered staples whenever you feel any ache or discomfort, especially when you get headaches. However, growing evidence has proven that your pain relievers can, ironically, trigger your pain! These conditions are also known as medication-overuse headaches, which is a common phenomenon in people who suffer from 15 or more headache days in a month.
The Phenomenon Behind NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of medications that revolutionized the medical management of pain. Due to their wonders in managing pain and inflammation, NSAIDs have become an over-the-counter staple that almost everyone reaches out for whenever feeling sickly or in pain. These drugs inhibit special enzymes in the body that promote the inflammatory cascade, thereby halting the progression of inflammation. However, these key enzymes (cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2) also exert protective and homeostatic effects in the body. To learn more about how NSAIDs can affect your optimal health, we have the perfect blog post for you!
Understanding Medication-Overuse Headaches
Medication-overuse headache (MOH) causes debilitating pain and discomfort from persistent and unregulated use of pain relievers to manage headaches.1 This happens because your brain actually becomes extra sensitive to pain and reacts strongly to signals, thereby changing how it is able to process this painful stimulus. People with MOH often experience headaches for 15 or more days in a month due to an already-present migraine or tension-type headache.1
Signs and Symptoms
Because MOH can cause sensitization in the brain, which is the control center of the body, your headaches may become worse or you may experience hypersensitivity reactions.1 Additionally, you may have runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, because this sensitivity can affect the connection between your brain and gut.
Allopathic Options
Medication-overuse headaches are conventionally managed through a variety of steps, which begin with patient education on the effects of frequent use of medications to relieve headaches.2 A course of medications that prevent migraines, such as topiramate, are then given in people who cannot stop taking anti-headache medications.2 People may also undergo detoxification to remove these substances in the body. Simply put, the only way to stop your headaches is by not taking the medications that caused these in the first place. Unfortunately, this act can be a challenge for people with chronic daily headaches who rely on these medications for pain relief. Discovering the root causes of your daily headaches is therefore crucial to finally achieve headache-free days!
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The Naturopathic Approach
Medication-overuse headaches can be prevented and alleviated by simply eliminating the need for analgesics. Although an easy strategy, this may be difficult for people with debilitating headaches who rely on pain relievers to become productive throughout the day. Additionally, some people may still have headaches despite stopping analgesic use. This is where naturopathic medicine can help. Aiming to help your body regain and nurture its natural abilities to heal itself, naturopathic medicine will help you explore natural holistic solutions that tailors nutritional and lifestyle practices, nutrient supplementation, botanical medicine, and mind-body techniques to nurture your optimal health, helping you finally say goodbye to your daily headaches!
Curious to learn more? Talk to us today!
Curious to learn more? Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Fischer MA, Jan A. Medication-Overuse Headache. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; August 22, 2023.
- Diener HC, Holle D, Solbach K, Gaul C. Medication-overuse headache: risk factors, pathophysiology and management. Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12(10):575-583. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2016.124
As one of the leading causes of pain and discomfort across all age groups, migraine headaches can lead to debilitating effects that may impact your day-to-day activities. These headaches are typically associated with abnormal sensitivity to pain, impaired regulation of blood vessels, and inflammation. Although many, the wide selection of allopathic treatment options available only provide temporary relief and may come with a hefty amount of side effects that will put your overall health at risk. This wide variety may put you in a dilemma on which medication is most effective in relieving your symptoms, diverting focus away from the main issue: over-the-counter and prescription medications only relieve your discomfort temporarily and do not target the root cause of the problem. Owing to such uncertainty, it is crucial to explore a different approach that is effective, cost-efficient, and without added risks to long-term health. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), and ginger (Zingiber officinale), are a handful of herbs proven and tested throughout history to manage and prevent migraine headaches.
Understanding Migraines
Migraine attacks are long-term and recurrent causes of moderate to severe headaches typically occurring on one side of the head, which has been attributed to reduced productivity and well-being. Migraines are believed to have been caused by the activation of the trigeminovascular pathway, which sends signals to the brain. When activated, peptides which dilate blood vessels, cause inflammation to the outer covering of your brain, and modulate pain are released, ultimately triggering a migraine attack. Allopathic treatment options are set to provide quick relief from pain and other migraine-related symptoms, restore functional capability, and prevent recurrence of your migraine attacks. Despite such claims, this treatment approach may impose detrimental effects on your overall health in the long run as its use has been associated with vision changes, cognitive decline, organ damage, and relapse within 48 hours after experiencing relief!
Herbs in History
Botanical medicine has been used for centuries across cultures to manage mild and severe forms of ailments, relying on the healing power of nature for optimal health. Various plants with healing properties have been used by the oldest civilizations to effectively manage different conditions and symptoms. Various Asian traditional medicine systems have used ginger for over 5000 years to manage disease! When properly integrated with the identification and elimination of your personal triggers, butterbur, ginger, and feverfew are effective in not only preventing and managing acute attacks, but also in totally relieving your burden of migraine headaches.
Mechanism of Action
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a staple spice used in many countries to enhance flavors of food. As a medicinal plant, ginger is used in managing stomachache, diarrhea, dizziness, breathing problems, arthritis, and toothache.1 The healing properties of ginger come from its bioactive components which include gingerols and shogaols, as these help prevent nausea, act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, prevent blood clots, and protect nerve cells. As a safer and cost-efficient alternative, ginger acts similarly to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (good old aspirin or ibuprofen) in preventing the formation of inflammatory mediators and decreasing your perception of pain without the added trouble of experiencing unpleasant side effects.1
- Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a safe and effective alternative to prevent and manage migraine attacks. With healing properties due to the anti-inflammatory effects of its active components, such as sesquiterpenes (petasin and isopetasin), butterbur powerfully relieves pain.2 Additionally, this special herb helps keep your blood vessels from constricting and neurons from getting over-excited, effectively stopping the activation of the pathway which can cause your migraine attacks.
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has been used for centuries to relieve fever, problems with women’s health, inflammation, toothache, insect bites, asthma, stomachache, and skin problems.3 Native to Asian countries, feverfew prevents migraine attacks and alleviates associated symptoms through inhibiting the production of prostaglandins which can cause inflammation, as well as regulate constriction and relaxation of blood vessels, through its bioactive component parthenolide.
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Safety and Considerations
Herbal remedies should not be considered one-time pain relievers, just as how you typically would with over-the-counter drugs, because they focus on managing the root cause of your problem rather than masking symptoms. To reach maximum therapeutic potential and alleviate the burden of having migraine headaches altogether, your body must be progressively and safely exposed to the healing properties of chosen herbs simply by taking them regularly under the guidance of your naturopathic doctor. You should start to experience fewer and less intense migraine attacks over time, but achieving total relief and healing typically takes several months with compliance to your personalized dose and schedule!
Although effective in managing mild to moderate disease, self-medicating, not consulting with an expert, and lack of risk awareness when taking herbal medications can be harmful. Butterbur, feverfew, and ginger to manage migraine headaches is not safe for use when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety and efficacy of the herbal remedies you take heavily depend on your understanding as to how they work, what they target, why you need to take them, and when you can expect improvements to your condition. Talking to your naturopathic medicine advisors at Natural Path to Wellness ensures that you are guided as you discover the benefits of herbal medicine according to your personal triggers and symptoms.
Although effective in managing mild to moderate disease, self-medicating, not consulting with an expert, and lack of risk awareness when taking herbal medications can be harmful. Butterbur, feverfew, and ginger to manage migraine headaches is not safe for use when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety and efficacy of the herbal remedies you take heavily depend on your understanding as to how they work, what they target, why you need to take them, and when you can expect improvements to your condition. Talking to your naturopathic medicine advisors at Natural Path to Wellness ensures that you are guided as you discover the benefits of herbal medicine according to your personal triggers and symptoms.
Relieving Your Migraine Headaches
In addition to botanical medicine, identifying and avoiding triggers that can cause your migraine attacks are vital steps to take to help the body as it heals itself. Mindfully choosing what food you eat, following mind-body techniques, removing unhealthy lifestyle practices, and exploring other naturopathic practices help prevent migraine attacks while nourishing and healing your body. While taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat your migraine attacks can potentially cause stomach ulcers, the naturopathic approach positively influences other aspects of your health, with beneficial effects on intestinal health, cognition and memory, nails, skin, and hair, ultimately promoting optimal well-being. Talking with your naturopathic medicine advisors at Natural Path to Wellness fosters meaningful conversations and health-seeking behaviors aimed to assist you in exploring natural options and making conscious decisions to totally alleviate your migraine attacks and maintain optimal well-being.
To learn more about the healing power of nature for migraine relief, talk to us today!
To learn more about the healing power of nature for migraine relief, talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Martins LB, Rodrigues AMDS, Rodrigues DF, Dos Santos LC, Teixeira AL, Ferreira AVM. Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger ( Zingiber officinale Rosc.) addition in migraine acute treatment. Cephalalgia. 2019;39(1):68-76. doi:10.1177/0333102418776016
- Din L, Lui F. Butterbur. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; June 25, 2023.
- Wider B, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Feverfew for preventing migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;4(4):CD002286. Published 2015 Apr 20. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002286.pub3
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neurological problem that affects your muscles, causing them to be frail and weak. This is caused by a reduced number of acetylcholine receptors that receive signals in your neuromuscular junction due to damage caused by an impaired immune system, where your very own immune response attacks these fundamental structures instead of protecting them from harm.4 Because this disease targets the control center of your body, it is important to incorporate natural and holistic care that will not only help you achieve remission, but also nurture your optimal health.
Understanding Myasthenia Gravis
Acetylcholine, a vital hormone in transmitting responses throughout your nervous system, is constantly being synthesized and stored at special sites in your neuromuscular junction (the area where your neurons communicate and interact with your muscles to deliver signals towards and from the brain). Acetylcholine binds with its receptors to open up channels within the cell, facilitating the entry of essential minerals, such as sodium, to trigger a series of action potentials leading to muscle contraction. In people with myasthenia gravis, the number of acetylcholine receptors are not substantial enough to efficiently regulate these processes, thereby causing weakness due to impaired muscle contractions.4
Signs and Symptoms
Myasthenia gravis typically affects women more than men, especially those in their twenties and thirties. People with MG experience weakness and fatigue which worsens with persistent muscle use throughout the day. However, these symptoms are relieved with sleep or rest. Your eye muscles are typically affected first, causing you to experience double vision (diplopia) or droopy eyelids (ptosis). As the condition progresses, you may have facial weakness that will show up as an aggressive or snarling expression every time you try to smile. You may also have problems with chewing for longer periods of time or have difficulty swallowing due to weak oral muscles. Once your speech muscles become affected, your voice quality may change and become mushy. Limb muscles may be affected in some people with myasthenia gravis, leading to proximal and symmetric weakness. Severe cases of myasthenia gravis may lead to a crisis, where your weakness can cause difficulty breathing and even lead to respiratory failure.
Allopathic Options
Myasthenia gravis is conventionally managed with steroids to suppress your immune system and anticholinesterase medications to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which is an enzyme that degrades acetylcholine. Steroids are used to depress your immune system, thereby preventing its activation and attack on your brain. Myasthenia gravis may also be secondary to a thymoma, which is a tumor in the thymus that produces antibodies attacking acetylcholine receptors in the brain.1 Removal of the thymus may be beneficial in people with tumors present in this organ.
The Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathic care for myasthenia gravis focuses on regulating your immune response by addressing the root cause behind why your immune system attacks your own body. These may include holistic counseling sessions, lifestyle modifications, herbal medications, and nutrient supplementation.
Holistic Counseling
The reason behind autoimmune dysfunction is not only limited to the physical domain of health, an imbalance in your emotional, mental, spiritual, or environmental health can also trigger an autoimmune reaction that precipitates the development of myasthenia gravis. This means that your immune system can attack your body because of a psychological strain! As optimal health is a state of holistic well-being and not just the absence of physical disease, holistic counselling can be beneficial in determining and targeting different phenomena that may affect your overall health.
Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
Since myasthenia gravis primarily causes fatigability in your muscles, exercise is an effective way to nurture muscle strength and endurance.1 Exercise also helps improve your work of breathing by improving the strength of your respiratory muscles.
Botanical Medicine
Remedies from nature may be safe and effective adjuncts to your current medication regimens. In fact, the medication you are currently using today may have been developed through studying how medicinal plants work! Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is especially beneficial when you have myasthenia gravis because it protects your brain from degeneration.2 This herb is rich in antioxidants and immunomodulating properties which help maintain a healthy and protective environment within the brain! Aside from ginseng, our team at Natural Path to Wellness will help you discover the best herbal remedies for your case and preferences, talk to us to learn more!
Holistic Counseling
The reason behind autoimmune dysfunction is not only limited to the physical domain of health, an imbalance in your emotional, mental, spiritual, or environmental health can also trigger an autoimmune reaction that precipitates the development of myasthenia gravis. This means that your immune system can attack your body because of a psychological strain! As optimal health is a state of holistic well-being and not just the absence of physical disease, holistic counselling can be beneficial in determining and targeting different phenomena that may affect your overall health.
Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
Since myasthenia gravis primarily causes fatigability in your muscles, exercise is an effective way to nurture muscle strength and endurance.1 Exercise also helps improve your work of breathing by improving the strength of your respiratory muscles.
Botanical Medicine
Remedies from nature may be safe and effective adjuncts to your current medication regimens. In fact, the medication you are currently using today may have been developed through studying how medicinal plants work! Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is especially beneficial when you have myasthenia gravis because it protects your brain from degeneration.2 This herb is rich in antioxidants and immunomodulating properties which help maintain a healthy and protective environment within the brain! Aside from ginseng, our team at Natural Path to Wellness will help you discover the best herbal remedies for your case and preferences, talk to us to learn more!
Nutrient Supplementation
Supplementing your diet with essential vitamins and minerals can help nurture your body’s natural abilities to heal and protect itself. Vitamin D, in particular, can have powerful benefits in people with myasthenia gravis by exerting immunomodulatory effects and nurturing muscle function.3 On the other hand, vitamin B12 supplementation can help nurture healthy nerves! Nutrient supplementation, however, can only work when needed and when combined with supportive therapies that address the root cause of autoimmune dysfunction.
Supplementing your diet with essential vitamins and minerals can help nurture your body’s natural abilities to heal and protect itself. Vitamin D, in particular, can have powerful benefits in people with myasthenia gravis by exerting immunomodulatory effects and nurturing muscle function.3 On the other hand, vitamin B12 supplementation can help nurture healthy nerves! Nutrient supplementation, however, can only work when needed and when combined with supportive therapies that address the root cause of autoimmune dysfunction.
Nurturing Your Brain Health
Myasthenia gravis can cause debilitating effects when not adequately managed. Since the disease targets the neuromuscular junction, which is responsible for maintaining the connection between your brain and muscles, its progression can affect your everyday activities, senses, and breathing (in worst cases). Therefore, managing myasthenia gravis through holistic integrative care is important. This type of approach does not rely on conventional medications for symptom management. Instead, it targets the root cause of autoimmune dysfunction to help your body regain and nurture its inherent ability to heal itself.
Curious to learn more? Talk to us today!
Curious to learn more? Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Huang EJ, Wu MH, Wang TJ, Huang TJ, Li YR, Lee CY. Myasthenia Gravis: Novel Findings and Perspectives on Traditional to Regenerative Therapeutic Interventions. Aging Dis. 2023;14(4):1070-1092. Published 2023 Aug 1. doi:10.14336/AD.2022.1215
- Kim KH, Lee D, Lee HL, Kim CE, Jung K, Kang KS. Beneficial effects of Panax ginseng for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases: past findings and future directions. J Ginseng Res. 2018;42(3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2017.03.011
- Zhang T, Zhong J, Ji X, Sun J, Cui Y, Wang S. Vitamin D add on the standard treatment for myasthenia gravis symptoms following total gastrectomy: a case report. BMC Neurol. 2024;24(1):188. Published 2024 Jun 5. doi:10.1186/s12883-024-03687-z
- Dresser L, Wlodarski R, Rezania K, Soliven B. Myasthenia Gravis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations. J Clin Med. 2021;10(11):2235. Published 2021 May 21. doi:10.3390/jcm10112235
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects your central nervous system (a.k.a., the entirety of your brain), causing problems associated with vision, movement, thinking, and other regulatory processes that allow your body to function effectively everyday! The main problem that triggers the development of this debilitating disease is inflammation that attacks your central nervous system in what appears to be a form of autoimmune dysfunction. Multiple sclerosis is tricky in that its clinical course is extremely variable. It may initially cause mild, un-alarming symptoms that rapidly progress into an incapacitating disease that requires an extensive, holistic health plan targeting your lifestyle choices, maintenance supplements and medications, and whole body routines that nurture your brain and the functions it is responsible for everyday.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
The exact cause behind multiple sclerosis is yet to be discovered. However, its progression is severely affected by inflammation that causes demyelination of nerves (damage to the protective layer of myelin wrapped around the nerve to help deliver signals fast and accurately to organs and cells within the body) and neurodegeneration (a.k.a., destruction of the very cells that make up your nervous system). This inflammation begins when your T-helper cells, a specific type of white blood cell, become activated, causing them to attach to the lining of your central nervous system, cross the blood-brain barrier which filters out toxins from the blood and supplies the brain with nutrients, and attack the very cells they were supposed to protect, eventually causing damage and destruction.1 Different factors can affect the progression of multiple sclerosis, including environmental elements, genetic predisposition, infection, chemical or environmental toxin exposure, and immune dysfunction.
Signs and Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis may occur abruptly or insidiously. This means that people with multiple sclerosis may experience sudden bouts of severe symptoms, while others may have very mild symptoms to the point that they may not think of these as needing appropriate medical attention! Since your brain is responsible for regulating a wide variety of processes everyday, symptoms of multiple sclerosis generally depend on the location and severity of lesions within the brain. These may include vision problems or loss, vertigo, dizziness, impaired swallowing, difficulty speaking, weakness, tremors, tingling sensations, problems with urinating or having a bowel movement, and difficulty concentrating or recalling snippets of your past memories.1 These symptoms can be transient, waxing and waning over a period of days to months. Often, this is followed by a period with no symptoms at all, which can last months to years.
Allopathic Treatments
Multiple sclerosis is conventionally managed with disease modifying therapies (DMT) consisting of medications that can help decrease lesions and damage within the brain.1 Additionally, supportive management is also used to manage your unique symptoms. This includes the use of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and discomfort. However, people with severe disease or those having neurodegenerative cases may not fully benefit from this therapeutic regimen.
The Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathic care for multiple sclerosis aims to nurture optimal well-being through incorporating different strategies that target multiple aspects of your health.
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Mitochondrial
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Supports Healthy Nerves
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Helps Reduce Inflammation
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Nutrient Supplementation
- Essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have immunomodulatory properties that will help regulate your immune response and reduce inflammation that can promote the progression of multiple sclerosis through stabilizing cytokine levels in the blood.2
- Lipoic acid. This wonderful supplement has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties that can help taper down the progression of multiple sclerosis and reduce chances of relapse.2 Additionally, lipoic acid has wonderful antioxidant properties that can help regenerate vitamin E, glutathione, and vitamin C, which are other forms of antioxidants that can help repair damaged tissues.2
- Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels in the body can increase your risk of experiencing severe symptoms when you have multiple sclerosis. In fact, majority (84%) of people previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis also have deficiencies in vitamin D.2 The benefits of vitamin D supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis is rooted in its abilities to disrupt the abilities of inflammatory cells to enter your brain.2 Since vitamin D can be over-supplemented leading to toxicity, you should have your levels checked prior to, and during, supplementation.
Lifestyle Changes
Did you know? Healthcare providers in the past used to ban people with multiple sclerosis from exercising because they previously believed that higher body temperature and use of nerve fibers from exercise can worsen disease symptoms and affect the course of illness!2 This belief has been debunked as medicine learns more about the nature of multiple sclerosis. Presently, regular physical activity and exercise are known to be beneficial in improving cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis.2
Regular exercise is also critical for helping to maintain function and mobility as you manage your condition. Your exercise routine may need to be optimized to help you maintain or improve your strength and activity levels while preventing increasing inflammation or over-fatiguing your muscles, but there is no need to give up enjoyable physical activities. Additionally, regular exercise can improve your heart health, metabolic functions, bone strength, mood, and blood sugar levels, thereby nurturing other aspects of your health!
Stress Reduction Techniques
Stress can worsen multiple sclerosis symptoms and increase your risks of having disease exacerbations, as this phenomenon creates more lesions in the brain.2 Hence, managing your stress levels through nurturing the connection between your mind and body can help prevent these consequences. Mind-body practices such as yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Take note: Talking to your healthcare provider before exploring different options for your health and changing your treatment regimen is essential. This is to ensure that the regimen you are taking is best for your optimal health. Additionally, this step helps prevent unwanted effects that may cause more harm than good to your body.
Nurturing Your Brain Health
Multiple sclerosis can affect different processes within the body, causing unique sets of symptoms that can inevitably affect your day-to-day lives. This is why following a personalized and holistic approach that targets nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle changes, and medications (whether conventional or botanical) is important to achieve remission and nurture optimal well-being. At Natural Path to Wellness, we will help you in every step of this road to wellness. Talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
REFERENCES:
- Tafti D, Ehsan M, Xixis KL. Multiple Sclerosis. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; March 20, 2024.
- Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Elsevier; 2021.
THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESS
AuthorS
Natural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more.
Medical Reviewer:
Marney Johnson, ND, MSCI-TS is a Naturopathic Doctor and Naturopathic Medicine Advisor with a background in allopathic (standard American medicine) medical research, Dr. Johnson, is uniquely qualified to evaluate current scientific research and offer insight to help you make sense of how you can integrate natural medicine into your health plan. She is passionate about the roles of Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Nature in health and constantly seeks new ways to make these accessible through food as medicine, encouraging new, healthy habits, and promoting interaction with Nature in its many forms.
Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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