The past month, Coronavirus has exploded. In the news, in the population and it feels like it’s coming for everyone.
Now, just because it feels that way, doesn’t mean that it’s actually the case.
We’ve all be hearing the data for weeks, so I’m not going to keep harping on it here. I’m going to focus on what we can do to help ourselves instead. I’ve seen plenty of headlines saying there is no way to help yourself prevent it and no treatment, and not much we can do besides hand washing (yes, that is very effective).
But I believe there is plenty we can be doing to fortify our immune systems to hopefully prevent contracting the illness all together, but in the event we do get sick, it will be less of an impact to our health.
Increasing the overall nutrient density of your meals is going to be super important. Aim for 7-11 cups of veggies a day, and several of fruit as well. Specifically, vegetables belonging to the cruciferous family (including Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale) may help to stop viruses in their tracks; due to a naturally high amount of a compound called indole-3-carbinol (I3C). Clinical studies show that this compound has the potential to interfere with the way many viruses reproduce.
Cooking with garlic and ginger is helpful as well. Both of these have antimicrobial, antiviral effects and also immune-boosting benefits
Usually I say check your vitamin D levels and supplement accordingly. However right now, I would say you’re safe to supplement with 2-5k IU daily. Vitamin D is arguably one of the most powerful nutrients responsible for modulating and coordinating the immune system. Always use a product with D3/K2. The K2 will help the D3 be more bioavailable for your body to use.
Glutathione and Vitamin A can be particularly helpful as well, specifically during flu season and dealing with Coronavirus. Much of the issue with Coronavirus is subsequent pneumonia infections. Low glutathione and low Vitamin A can increase risk of death by pneumonia. Being sufficient in both of these can be incredibly helpful for your overall immune system.
Zinc is also helpful for your immune system. In our bodies, zinc is used to activate T lymphocyte cells. T cells help the body in several ways. One, by controlling and regulating the immune response. Two, by attacking infected cells.
(If you’re in need of high quality supplements, shoot me an email at info@liss-ms.com. I have an online dispensary account at Fullscript, where I can order supplements for you.)
You might be thinking, the what? Or what does the vagus nerve have to do with our immune system? And in fact, is has a lot to do with it! Our nervous system is in constant communication with our immune system- via the vagus nerve. Studies show that the vagus nerve can modulate cytokine production. Most of us, have low vagal tone. We need to be focusing on actively working our vagus nerve to improve the functioning of the nerve, and therefore communication between the vagus nerve and the immune system. A few ways to do that:
Humming
Speaking
Deep breathing, using and activating the diaphragm
Yoga
Meditation
Cold water rinse, either shower or wash your face
A few things to consider with your lifestyle. Getting enough sleep is paramount. Try for 7-9 hours. Magnesium is a great supplement to consider if you struggle with sleep. Melatonin can help, but your body can quickly become dependent on it and stop making its own. Melatonin is best in severe cases of insomnia, and only for a short time.
Reduce stress. I know, I know. Seems impossible right now. But stressing isn’t doing your body and immune system any favors. If you’re struggling with increased anxiety due to Coronavirus, it’s ok to turn off the tv. Only check in with the news once a day. Take some time away from electronics and your phone. Get into nature, talk to loved ones, read, color, play with pets!
Get low to moderate intensity activity. This will give your immune system a nice boost, and help to bust boredom, as we’re all stuck at home.
Wash your nasal passages out several times a day. This is a bit more intense, but if you feel like you’re possibly getting sick, or have been exposed, this is a great step to be taking. This cleans your nasal tissue and reduces the virus’s ability to take hold.
Having MS, doesn’t necessarily make us in a “higher risk” category. Same goes for all autoimmune diseases. Our immune systems are actually going off the charts! However, some autoimmune diseases can also be immune deficiency diseases as well (but not always). HOWEVER, many of the medications we’re on, are immunosuppressants. Which do cause our immune systems to be lowered. Therefore causing those on immunosuppressants to be in the “higher risk” category. A little more about that:
Copaxone, Aubagio, Tecfidera, Beta Interferons, and Tysabri
These are likely to be safer than the other DMTs as they aren’t thought to be general immunosuppressive therapies. They are more immunomodulating therapy.
Lemtrada, Mavenclad, Gilenya and Ocrevus
These are immunosuppressants therapies. They might possibly be putting you at higher risk of contracting Coronavirus (or any virus- as you probably know if you’re on one).
The other thing to consider as MSers is anytime we get sick, we risk the chance of having a relapse or flare. The increased immune activity can often create more inflammation, and therefore a relapse might occur. This would be a secondary consideration for COVID-19, or any cold or flu.
Elderberry: Recent research is coming out saying COVID-19 can cause a cytokine storm, which can lead to multi system organ failure. Elderberry increases cytokine activity, potentially making the cytokine storm worse.
NSAIDS: I know, this isn’t a supplement, but many use NSAIDs with fevers, which is common in the flu and COVID-19. More research is showing that NSAID use can increase your risk of developing pneumonia, if you do contract COVID-19. Ibuprofen (and other anti-inflammatories) may dampen the body’s immune response to infection because it is has anti-inflammatory effects.
If you think you may have COVID-19, call your doctor first before showing up to the office. They will probably have separate instructions for you on where to go, if testing is needed etc.
For treatments, zinc lozenges, preferably zinc acetate lozenges every 3-4 hours. This can help prevent replication of the virus in mouth, throat and respiratory tissue.
If you’re sick enough to be hospitalized, request IV Vitamin C. This is typically given every 4 hours, to total 6-12 grams of vitamin c, over a 24 hour period. China has utilized this treatment effectively, and currently there are 3 clinical trials running using IV Vitamin C.
Obviously this is a very scary and uncertain time. I don’t know what this upcoming week will hold, but if it’s anything like last week, we’re in for a wild ride.
The only things we can control, is our reactions and what we’re doing with our daily life.
In the end, I think we’ll all end up ok.
How are you coping with Coronavirus and COVID-19? What measures have you taken? Have you been significantly impacted? What support do you need right now? Hit reply to this email and let me know. I’ll be answering questions on Instagram and in my FB Group as well. I’d love it if you came over and joined in the conversation!
If you’re interested in learning more about what foods are beneficial for Multiple Sclerosis, get my Best Foods for MS Guide here!
follow along on Instagram:
Or, comment WAITLIST to be notified when it’s ready!!
I’ve been talking to many of you about your questions regarding eating for MS.
There’s lots of confusion about what is “right” and “wrong”.
Lemme tell you, I’ll answer this in the guide for sure- and it prob won’t be the answer you’re expecting?
Drop any other questions below and I’ll answer them!!
Or, comment WAITLIST to be notified when it’s ready!!
I’ve been talking to many of you about your questions regarding eating for MS.
There’s lots of confusion about what is “right” and “wrong”.
Lemme tell you, I’ll answer this in the guide for sure- and it prob won’t be the answer you’re expecting?
Drop any other questions below and I’ll answer them!!
:: first, comment WAITLIST below to be notified when my new Eating for MS Guide is available!::
When I was first diagnosed with MS I didn’t even think to ask if anything else besides medication would help me.
It didn’t even occur to me that changing my diet or managing stress would also play a part in my disease.
It took a few years, several relapses and failed medications for my BOYFRIEND (now hubby) to ask my neurologist if any diet would help.
And even then, my neuros answer was 🤷🏻♂️.
If you also haven’t considered it, let me be the first to tell you:
✨IT’S ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE✨
to decrease your symptoms and influence your long term prognosis by implementing lifestyle changes.
What we eat
How we move
How we manage stress
Our toxin burden
Our hydration status
Etc etc etc
all go a long way in helping us MSers live better with MS.
I lived this transformation; from totally exhausted and unable to get off the couch to hiking mountains or playing golf,
I KNOW it’s possible for you, too.
I’m in the final stages of putting together a comprehensive resource on Eating for MS, comment WAITLIST and I’ll let you know when it’s ready!!
:: first, comment WAITLIST below to be notified when my new Eating for MS Guide is available!::
When I was first diagnosed with MS I didn’t even think to ask if anything else besides medication would help me.
It didn’t even occur to me that changing my diet or managing stress would also play a part in my disease.
It took a few years, several relapses and failed medications for my BOYFRIEND (now hubby) to ask my neurologist if any diet would help.
And even then, my neuros answer was 🤷🏻♂️.
If you also haven’t considered it, let me be the first to tell you:
✨IT’S ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE✨
to decrease your symptoms and influence your long term prognosis by implementing lifestyle changes.
What we eat
How we move
How we manage stress
Our toxin burden
Our hydration status
Etc etc etc
all go a long way in helping us MSers live better with MS.
I lived this transformation; from totally exhausted and unable to get off the couch to hiking mountains or playing golf,
I KNOW it’s possible for you, too.
I’m in the final stages of putting together a comprehensive resource on Eating for MS, comment WAITLIST and I’ll let you know when it’s ready!!
This is one of the most impactful shifts for my clients, to totally reframe their idea of consistency.
Because at one point perfectionism took over and told them the lie that only perfection = consistent.
This shift clears the way for action.
Action that allows for slow change to take place, that changes your life.
Change that allows for your body to start to repair.
Repair that allows for less MS impact on your day.
If you’re ready to change your life but in a way that fits into your life, DM me CHANGE and we’ll chat!!
This is one of the most impactful shifts for my clients, to totally reframe their idea of consistency.
Because at one point perfectionism took over and told them the lie that only perfection = consistent.
This shift clears the way for action.
Action that allows for slow change to take place, that changes your life.
Change that allows for your body to start to repair.
Repair that allows for less MS impact on your day.
If you’re ready to change your life but in a way that fits into your life, DM me CHANGE and we’ll chat!!
I’ve seen this trend with women under 35 and over 35.. so let’s see if we can adapt this for others living with MS!
Those of you who are living with MS for just a few years ask a question and those of us who have been living with it for many years will answer!
Who knows, this may bomb, but the idea is fun!!
Ask away!
I’ve seen this trend with women under 35 and over 35.. so let’s see if we can adapt this for others living with MS!
Those of you who are living with MS for just a few years ask a question and those of us who have been living with it for many years will answer!
Who knows, this may bomb, but the idea is fun!!
Ask away!
Last week I wanted 0 to do with working out.
I love working out,
I love being able to lift heavy things and feel strong.
But last week?
Nah, I was all set.
However.. I have some goals and abilities I want to maintain.
Strength training is one way of the consistent ways I help myself to feel good despite living with MS.
So I made sure that there wasn’t a reason I didn’t want to workout besides my inner toddler, and lo and behold- there wasn’t.
So off I went.
I gave myself permission to go lighter and slower, which helped me be successful in doing it at all.
I often find that when I stop strength training for a while, everything starts to hurt, so that’s obviously not what I’m going for.
I also have a goal of gaining muscle. Muscle decline happens anyway with age, I don’t need to help it along with not moving.
✨Following through with my daily habits is a form of self care.✨
If you’re done with thinking:
“I know what to do, I just can’t seem to do it”
DM me ACTION and we’ll chat
Last week I wanted 0 to do with working out.
I love working out,
I love being able to lift heavy things and feel strong.
But last week?
Nah, I was all set.
However.. I have some goals and abilities I want to maintain.
Strength training is one way of the consistent ways I help myself to feel good despite living with MS.
So I made sure that there wasn’t a reason I didn’t want to workout besides my inner toddler, and lo and behold- there wasn’t.
So off I went.
I gave myself permission to go lighter and slower, which helped me be successful in doing it at all.
I often find that when I stop strength training for a while, everything starts to hurt, so that’s obviously not what I’m going for.
I also have a goal of gaining muscle. Muscle decline happens anyway with age, I don’t need to help it along with not moving.
✨Following through with my daily habits is a form of self care.✨
If you’re done with thinking:
“I know what to do, I just can’t seem to do it”
DM me ACTION and we’ll chat
Instead of being a lump on the couch, now I can go hiking up a mountain with my husband
Or walk 8 miles around NYC with my sister
Or do a workout at the gym
Or shower, go shopping and cook dinner all in the same day
This is possible because:
✨Yes, the medication I’m on helps for sure
But truthfully my life has improved so much because of:
✨My daily habits and lifestyle (my morning routine, my diet, my sleep habits, my workouts..)
✨ But what REALLY moved the needle is actively working to have a mindset that allows me to be flexible with myself, to give myself grace when I “mess up” (aka- when I don’t follow through on a habit)
✨This is a mindset that doesn’t require perfection✨
This allows me to be consistent with the habits- like diet changes or movement programs or whatever else I want to do, which then allows me to see progress (aka: my body feeling better)
Which THEN gives me the motivation and desire to keep doing what I’m doing.
✨This is the secret to “success”- right here.✨
Consistent action + giving yourself grace + noticing progress = motivation to keep going.
It’s not quick or sexy, its actually rather boring.
But boring is actually way better!!
If you want a life where you:
Feel good in your body,
Have energy to spend on your friends and family,
Don’t think about what the MS symptom of the day will be..
I help you create that life for yourself in my signature program, Holistically Healing MS.
Today is the last day it’s on FLASH SALE…
Comment MOUNTAIN below and I’ll send you the details!!
Instead of being a lump on the couch, now I can go hiking up a mountain with my husband
Or walk 8 miles around NYC with my sister
Or do a workout at the gym
Or shower, go shopping and cook dinner all in the same day
This is possible because:
✨Yes, the medication I’m on helps for sure
But truthfully my life has improved so much because of:
✨My daily habits and lifestyle (my morning routine, my diet, my sleep habits, my workouts..)
✨ But what REALLY moved the needle is actively working to have a mindset that allows me to be flexible with myself, to give myself grace when I “mess up” (aka- when I don’t follow through on a habit)
✨This is a mindset that doesn’t require perfection✨
This allows me to be consistent with the habits- like diet changes or movement programs or whatever else I want to do, which then allows me to see progress (aka: my body feeling better)
Which THEN gives me the motivation and desire to keep doing what I’m doing.
✨This is the secret to “success”- right here.✨
Consistent action + giving yourself grace + noticing progress = motivation to keep going.
It’s not quick or sexy, its actually rather boring.
But boring is actually way better!!
If you want a life where you:
Feel good in your body,
Have energy to spend on your friends and family,
Don’t think about what the MS symptom of the day will be..
I help you create that life for yourself in my signature program, Holistically Healing MS.
Today is the last day it’s on FLASH SALE…
Comment MOUNTAIN below and I’ll send you the details!!
If you’ve been a client, I’m sure you’ve heard me rant about how society’s expectations for women have set us up for autoimmunity and illness.
We were praised for being quiet, not rocking the boat, keeping the peace, helping others before ourselves, not talking back, etc etc.
But where did this get US? The women behind the behaviors?
Sick, anxious and depressed- that’s where.
Healing MS or any autoimmune disease can’t happen until you put yourself first.
That doesn’t mean all of a sudden become a b*tch and ignore the world.
It means considering yourself as much as you consider others.
One of my clients this week was talking about the boundaries she set in her life and how proud she was of herself.
She was able to manage the uneasiness (aka: terror) of:
potentially letting others down,
being abandoned and
discarded for voicing her needs.
No wonder we’re all sick when even saying our needs outloud is scary!
What allowed her to do that after all these years of staying silent?
Well many things, but one of them is “nervous system regulation” aka: utilizing small exercises that allow your body to “respond appropriately” aka: not entering an anxiety freak out spiral- to daily stressors.
This is the “stress management” you’ve been looking for and what will change your life.
My program Embodied Resilience is your road map to how.
Drop a 🌀🌀 in the comments and I’ll send you details
If you’ve been a client, I’m sure you’ve heard me rant about how society’s expectations for women have set us up for autoimmunity and illness.
We were praised for being quiet, not rocking the boat, keeping the peace, helping others before ourselves, not talking back, etc etc.
But where did this get US? The women behind the behaviors?
Sick, anxious and depressed- that’s where.
Healing MS or any autoimmune disease can’t happen until you put yourself first.
That doesn’t mean all of a sudden become a b*tch and ignore the world.
It means considering yourself as much as you consider others.
One of my clients this week was talking about the boundaries she set in her life and how proud she was of herself.
She was able to manage the uneasiness (aka: terror) of:
potentially letting others down,
being abandoned and
discarded for voicing her needs.
No wonder we’re all sick when even saying our needs outloud is scary!
What allowed her to do that after all these years of staying silent?
Well many things, but one of them is “nervous system regulation” aka: utilizing small exercises that allow your body to “respond appropriately” aka: not entering an anxiety freak out spiral- to daily stressors.
This is the “stress management” you’ve been looking for and what will change your life.
My program Embodied Resilience is your road map to how.
Drop a 🌀🌀 in the comments and I’ll send you details
It’s ok if it takes time from learning about something to implementing it into your lifestyle.
There is a lot that needs to happen in our mind and body for us to be ready to change something about our day to day life.
And it’s ok if that process takes longer than you “think it should” or want it too.
You know what *won’t* help you when this happens?
Being mean and judgemental to yourself.
You’re not lazy and nothing is wrong with you, so stop saying that to yourself.
You know what *will* help you when this happens?
Taking action.
Action is the antidote to the fear and overwhelm you’re feeling.
But- in a whole different way than you have been trying.
The key is slow and steady, not sexy or flashy- but this means it’s something better- sustainable.
Sustainable means “able to be maintained or held”- which is the goal for habits right?
Being “perfect” for 2 weeks then “messing up” (missing a day) then feeling like a “failure” for that one day, then being “off the wagon” for 3 months isn’t doing you any good (said with muchhhh ♥️♥️♥️)
We want a Supportive Sustainable Lifestyle aka being able to keep up with your habits and progress overtime (ideally for the rest of your life right? It’s about the journey not the destination)
If you want to create a lifestyle that is supportive to reducing your MS symptoms, so you don’t need to be thinking about being on or off “the wagon” again, my signature program Holistically Healing MS is for you.
And good news, it’s on flash sale this week- and the lowest price it will be ever again.
Comment MSSUCKS below and I’ll send you details
🧡🧡🧡
It’s ok if it takes time from learning about something to implementing it into your lifestyle.
There is a lot that needs to happen in our mind and body for us to be ready to change something about our day to day life.
And it’s ok if that process takes longer than you “think it should” or want it too.
You know what *won’t* help you when this happens?
Being mean and judgemental to yourself.
You’re not lazy and nothing is wrong with you, so stop saying that to yourself.
You know what *will* help you when this happens?
Taking action.
Action is the antidote to the fear and overwhelm you’re feeling.
But- in a whole different way than you have been trying.
The key is slow and steady, not sexy or flashy- but this means it’s something better- sustainable.
Sustainable means “able to be maintained or held”- which is the goal for habits right?
Being “perfect” for 2 weeks then “messing up” (missing a day) then feeling like a “failure” for that one day, then being “off the wagon” for 3 months isn’t doing you any good (said with muchhhh ♥️♥️♥️)
We want a Supportive Sustainable Lifestyle aka being able to keep up with your habits and progress overtime (ideally for the rest of your life right? It’s about the journey not the destination)
If you want to create a lifestyle that is supportive to reducing your MS symptoms, so you don’t need to be thinking about being on or off “the wagon” again, my signature program Holistically Healing MS is for you.
And good news, it’s on flash sale this week- and the lowest price it will be ever again.
Comment MSSUCKS below and I’ll send you details
🧡🧡🧡
One of the criticisms I see about using lifestyle medicine to help improve MS symptoms is that it means “I think my disease is in my control, totally up to me and therefore my fault”.
The things in our control, are only a piece of the puzzle in how we feel, our MS symptoms and disease progression.
Many more things also go into our health equation:
- Genetics
- Age
- Socioeconomic Status
- Education
- Health care access
- Your community
- Economic stability
I’m not saying that lifestyle medicine doesn’t matter, it does a lot. I’m just saying it’s not the *only* thing that matters.
What are your thoughts on this? I know it’s a highly charged topic for some!
One of the criticisms I see about using lifestyle medicine to help improve MS symptoms is that it means “I think my disease is in my control, totally up to me and therefore my fault”.
The things in our control, are only a piece of the puzzle in how we feel, our MS symptoms and disease progression.
Many more things also go into our health equation:
- Genetics
- Age
- Socioeconomic Status
- Education
- Health care access
- Your community
- Economic stability
I’m not saying that lifestyle medicine doesn’t matter, it does a lot. I’m just saying it’s not the *only* thing that matters.
What are your thoughts on this? I know it’s a highly charged topic for some!
Living with MS is hard.
Some days are harder, some easier.
If you’re in a season where it feels hard, I see you.
I believe in you.
🧡🧡🧡
Living with MS is hard.
Some days are harder, some easier.
If you’re in a season where it feels hard, I see you.
I believe in you.
🧡🧡🧡
The food we eat can have a powerful impact on our MS symptoms and how we feel.
It’s not a magic bullet- because nothing is.
But, there is incredible potential for healing and improvement.
If you’re not quite ready to follow a “diet template”, like The Wahls Protocol or Autoimmune Protocol, that’s ok.
Focus on getting some of these foods on your next trip to the store:
🥗Brightly Colored Fruits & Veggies
🥬Deep Leafy Greens
🍤Seafood & Shellfish
🥜Healthy Fats
🥩Organ Meat
Each of these different types of foods contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help support cellular functions, immune health and even help with myelin formation.
Not eating any of it? That’s ok!
Start with adding a serving or two here and there.
Ideas:
✨Have a salad with dinner
✨Toss some veggies in your breakfast egg scramble
✨Have some olives or nuts as a snack instead of chips
It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated.
There is SO MUCH we can be doing to help improve our MS symptoms & progression with diet & lifestyle interventions.
Each thing you’re doing matters.
It may seem like it’s not worth it sometimes, but I’m here to tell you it is.
Keep going!
🧡🧡
The food we eat can have a powerful impact on our MS symptoms and how we feel.
It’s not a magic bullet- because nothing is.
But, there is incredible potential for healing and improvement.
If you’re not quite ready to follow a “diet template”, like The Wahls Protocol or Autoimmune Protocol, that’s ok.
Focus on getting some of these foods on your next trip to the store:
🥗Brightly Colored Fruits & Veggies
🥬Deep Leafy Greens
🍤Seafood & Shellfish
🥜Healthy Fats
🥩Organ Meat
Each of these different types of foods contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help support cellular functions, immune health and even help with myelin formation.
Not eating any of it? That’s ok!
Start with adding a serving or two here and there.
Ideas:
✨Have a salad with dinner
✨Toss some veggies in your breakfast egg scramble
✨Have some olives or nuts as a snack instead of chips
It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated.
There is SO MUCH we can be doing to help improve our MS symptoms & progression with diet & lifestyle interventions.
Each thing you’re doing matters.
It may seem like it’s not worth it sometimes, but I’m here to tell you it is.
Keep going!
🧡🧡
In case you needed to hear that today.
You’re not a failure.
You didn’t “fail” at healing.
Having MS is hard- do what’s best for you.
In case you needed to hear that today.
You’re not a failure.
You didn’t “fail” at healing.
Having MS is hard- do what’s best for you.
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