Holistic/Biological Dentistry

Have you looked into holistic dentistry as part of your healthy lifestyle? I don’t know if you’re like me, but after living with Multiple Sclerosis for almost 3 decades, I decided that I must, not only figure out this disease, but I must learn, study, and investigate every possible facet to healthy living and MS.

I never knew about holistic/biological dentistry and how it focuses on natural and organic ways to deal with the health of your teeth, mouth, and body. I’ve consistently had challenges with my teeth since I was a teenager. In fact, my dentist at the time was obsessed with ROOT CANALS. (Yes, obsessed.)  And we now understand the science behind root canals and that it could negatively affect our overall oral and physical well-being. Some doctors, dentists, and scientists think it’s almost a guarantee of some type of illness or disease – so it’s worth investigating. Now, when I say my Dentist was “obsessed,” I’ll explain. My sister and I were each given 4 root canals.  As many of you know from my blog and my newly published book “Waking Up From MS – My Journey to Health, Healing and Living Symptom Free”, that both myself and my twin sister Kim were diagnosed as teenagers with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.  And we wondered if those procedures could have been a part of our long history with MS? You can learn more about my sister and me in MS and the Mind.

Holistic Dentistry and Healthy 

Living go hand in hand! 

My best friend told me about a wonderful, local, holistic dentist. Since I was focusing now solely on holistic and alternative therapies to heal, I went with an open mind and literally an open mouth. We now understand the direct correlation with oral health and lifelong health. Many diseases and illnesses can start in the mouth.

Benefits of Holistic Dentistry:

– They take a Whole Body approach to our care, it’s not solely focused on our teeth. They focus on the mind, body, and spirit. (Wow, I’ve preached for years how we must focus on a whole body approach to healing our MS.)

– They understand that each tooth is related to an acupuncture meridian that directly relates to various organs, glands, and systems in our body. An experienced dentist can assess your overall health by studying your tooth health.

– They use materials that are biocompatible to your body. (I had biocompatibility testing done to ensure I wasn’t allergic or had sensitivities to any of the products the dentist would be using on me.) After that testing, we learned that most of the things in my mouth through previous dental procedures I was allergic or sensitive to. That was an eye-opener!

– Holistic dentists believe in doing everything possible to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself. (Again, this was another point I have always believed. That every “body” can be healthy if you give it the right tools to do so.)

– They believe in natural or holistic solutions for things like Root Canals.

– They don’t use Fluoride, ever. Which is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.

I highly recommend going to a holistic dentist as soon as possible, check it out and see if you think it will be a benefit to you and your family. Simply Google “holistic/biological dentistry” in your area. Checkout my MS Resources & Links page for further information about different providers. Remember, in this journey with MS we must look at many different areas for our healing. One thing didn’t give us MS, and it won’t be one single thing to heal. It’s important to focus on a whole body approach – mind, body, and spirit.

If you’re interested in understanding more about MS and how to heal naturally, check out my book – “Waking Up From MS – My Journey To Health, Healing, and Living Symptom Free.”

To our Health!

Kellie

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

Dry Body Brushing has many health benefits.

While living with Multiple Sclerosis, it’s important to have a daily focus on lessening inflammation in our bodies. I highly recommend becoming your best health advocate and learn everything possible about your MS. Understand the need to thoroughly investigate many different avenues for your own healing. In my own journey of living with MS I’ve found many different alternative and holistic therapies that aided in my health and healing. My mantra is: “A Healthy Immune System equals A Healthy Body” and dry brushing is a way to help your immune system.

Dry Brushing is AMAZING! I started dry brushing a few years ago while investigating ways to lessen inflammation in my body. It is one of the things I thoroughly enjoy doing, it’s simple and easy to do and you will notice results right away. The big joke in our family is that I say once we’re done dry brushing all of the cells in our body are singing! Ha! Ha! I know that’s a little corny, but it’s true! You will feel invigorated and definitely energized. It’s a great way to start the day.

Dry Brushing Benefits:

• Stimulates lymphatic system
• Eliminates toxins and bacteria
• Exfoliates skin
• Unclogs pores
• Relieves Stress
• Increases circulation
• Younger looking skin
• Improves digestion and kidney function
• Reduces cellulite
• Reduces muscle tension
• Invigorates and energizes
• Strengthens Immune System

Choosing a Brush:

I am tall so I prefer to use a long handle brush so I can easily reach my back. You may prefer the smaller, hand-held brushes, for some it’s easier to control.  It’s best to use a brush with bristles made of natural materials that should be stiff but pliable.

How to Dry Brush:

• I recommend dry brushing daily, in the morning, since this will definitely energize you! (Jump in the tub or shower – to keep the sloughed off skin cells contained). I also noticed, even more, benefit doing it before my workout.
• Never shower before dry brushing, make sure your skin is completely dry.
• Always begin with upward movements towards the heart which is best for your lymphatic system and for circulation. Begin brushing at the soles of the feet, next to the ankles, calves, legs, stomach, arms, (be careful around breast tissue) continue up to the neck and then focus on the back. Always avoid the face and any areas that may be sensitive or have skin irritations.
• Work in small, gentle, circular motions (always going up towards the heart) – brush firmly, but don’t scrape or scrub your skin.
• Follow it up with a shower and you can even use a natural moisturizing oil or coconut oil (avoid baby oil).

I hope you can add Dry Brushing to your healthy lifestyle. You can also learn more tips and techniques about how I beat MS and now live symptom free in my new book – “Waking Up From MS – My Journey to Health, Healing, and Living Symptom Free.” I hope it can be a stepping stone of new ideas for you on your own MS journey.

To our Health!

Kellie Alderton

If you want to learn more about natural, healthy CBD products visit:  www.successwithnewyou.com 

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

 BABY, It’s Cold Outside!!!!

Can any extreme temperatures cause an MS flare-up? I’m not sure where you’re located, but we’re now in fall but it feels like winter mode for me here in Chicago. That means hat, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, snow pants, boots, you know, anything to beat the extreme cold. “BRRRR, I’m Freezing,” seems to be my go-to word for the past month and for anyone that knows me, Yes, comparisons of Chicago and Antarctica are definitely on my mind!  

Were you one of the millions of MS sufferers who were counting down the days for cooler weather?  Me too! Yes, heat and humidity can be very disruptive and cause minor, temporary flare-ups of our MS symptoms during the summer months, but did you know some people also have challenges during the winter months? It’s less common, but still can affect those of with MS? And here’s another fact, unfortunately some people are affected by both hot and cold. If this is you, I’m sorry that you’re not getting a reprieve. 

Many report worsening of symptoms just as much in the coldest part of winter as they do in the hottest months of summer!  You might be wondering if we can use ice, cold showers, cold compresses or cooling vests to cool down during the summer, why would the cold negatively affect us now, why is this different? The truth is that any drastic changes in temperature either hot or cold can have a negative impact on MS sufferers.

 Things you may experience due to the Cold:      

• Fatigue
• Spasms
• Joint and muscle pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Balance
• Numbness and tingling
• Depression

The good news is, just like in summer months, there are things we can do to protect ourselves against the cold.

Make sure your house is properly insulated, check around doors and windows for any pesky drafts, there are plenty of low-cost ways to seal them.  While you’re in, you can use a heating pad, blankets, extra clothing. Some people find warm showers or baths may relieve some of the stiffness, aches, and pains. (Be careful to not become overheated!) You can also warm up with a nice cup of soup, tea or coffee.   

If you have to be out in the elements, try layering clothing to keep heat from escaping, protect your head and use hand or feet warmers. Also be sure to use any walking devices or aides to help you outside when your muscles can become stiff or slow to respond. Just like the summer months, it’s very important to stay hydrated, make sure to continue drinking enough water, people tend to think just because it’s cold outside you can’t become dehydrated. Dehydration can also cause or complicate many of the above symptoms.

As I’ve said before, our minds are extremely powerful and I’d like to say it’s as easy as thinking Warm thoughts of summer to beat the cold, but your best line of defense is to be prepared for the elements, listen to your body, and seek assistance if needed.  You can learn more about MS in All About MS and Resources section to help you on your journey! 

If you have found this article helpful please share. As always, I look forward to and appreciate your feedback!

To our health!

Kellie

If you want to learn more about the BEST CBD products to help you on your own journey with MS visit: www.successwithnewyou.com 

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

Heat, Heat and even more Heat!

Anyone with Multiple Sclerosis that hears that single word could have a streak of fear go through them and images of terror from memories of summers long ago.  Many people talk about getting out there in the heat and getting baked to a crisp in the sun.  Us MSers however have a very different stance on the heat!

In fact, many of us start in the winter months to prepare for the summer! Yep, you heard it, in the dead of winter, we can start preparing for our upcoming summer and the next heat wave.  We focus on making sure the air conditioner is in tip top shape, all window treatments are giving maximum protection from the elements, getting cooling vests, head protection, traveling to a cooler climate and anything else we can get our hands on that promises us the chance of staying cool.

Yes, it’s that real and that serious!

I myself am very aware of the heat.  Living with MS now for over 25 years, my MS Story may not be different than anyone else as heat intolerance was always the one thing that seemed to get me. My head use to feel like it was baking…literally from the inside out. So I understand first hand why this is one topic that we need to not only prepare for, but share the info so others do not have to suffer!

Things you may experience when you are suffering from Heat exposure:

1 – Dizziness

2 – Immediate fatigue – (Almost as if someone burst your energy bubble)

3 – Blurred Vision

4 – Shakiness or Tremors

5 – Numbness and that awful tingling sensation in limbs

6 – Decrease in your cognitive function (You knew you were smarter before you got into that sun, sauna or hot bath)

The very interesting fact about the heat and your Multiple Sclerosis is that yes, it can cause us to have symptoms that either appears or start to get worse during heat exposure. It does not cause any long term inflammation or lesions as happens when we have an exacerbation. Which is great news, but still we need to think about ways to stay cool and get over the immediate effects from the heat.

Some ways to beat the heat:

1 – Always have air conditioning.

2 – Cooling Products – You can Google it there are dozens to choose from. There are also things you can do too – soak a sponge in water, freeze and then put in a Ziploc freezer bag, this stays cool for a long time and is very inexpensive. Contact the MS society they have cooling programs in place too.

3 – Get into the swimming pool.

4 – Misting Fans.

5 – Stay hydrated by drinking cool beverages – of course, water is the best option. This will actually go to your core and immediately go to work on lowering your overall temperature.

6 – Keep covered when in the sun. By wearing a hat during summer it gave me more time to be outside before the heat would start to affect me.

7 – Eat foods that are cool – fruits, veggies, salads. Healthy icees made from real food, not stuff packed with sugar (that can also cause fatigue)

8 – If exercising in the summer workout later in the evening or earlier in the morning – making sure to stay hydrated.

I would like to say it’s as easy as thinking cool thoughts, but the best thing you can do to beat the heat is stay prepared at all times and really listen to your body! You can check out All About MS to learn more about this disease!

If you’ve found this article helpful please share! I look forward to your feedback!

We’re in this together! 

To Our Health!

Kellie

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

Vitamin D – Is it the Multiple Sclerosis Miracle?

Vitamin D may be one of the most important nutrients to heal our bodies, not just from auto immune issues like Multiple Sclerosis but even cancers. Vitamin D deficiencies run rampant now – especially in Americans. It’s interesting that Auto Immune diseases, illness and cancers do too. Vitamin D levels are steadily declining, specifically in the U.S., as children and adults spend less time outdoors.

Studies conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford and another conducted at the New Jersey Medical School and even the Mayo Clinic have suggested that maintaining adequate levels of Vitamin D may have a protective effect and lower the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis. Vitamin D may even lessen the frequency and severity of our MS Symptoms. When you’re having an exacerbation, your Vitamin D levels may be almost non-existent! Of course more research is needed to assess these findings, but I believe what’s been revealed is groundbreaking and as research continues around the world I grow more hopeful and optimistic each and every day about its benefits to the MS community! When Vitamin D levels are optimized it may help prevent many types of Cancers,  Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes,  Osteoporosis, Infections, Rheumatoid Arthritis. Any doctor can order a Vitamin D level test and it’s important to find out where you are currently so that you have a reference point in tracking your levels. Screening for vitamin D deficiency is especially important for African-Americans and other ethnic groups with dark skin, due to the decreased natural production of Vitamin D from sun exposure.

The link between Vitamin D and MS is strengthened by the association between sunlight and the risk of MS. The farther away we are from the equator, the higher the risk of MS. Sunlight is the body’s most efficient source of Vitamin D. An effective way to get your D levels up is spending 10-15 minutes a day (mornings are best) in direct sunlight with the least amount of clothing on.  The more skin exposure the more D that is produced. Don’t worry about staying out longer thinking that you’ll get more D, that’s not how the body works.

Supplementing your Vitamin D is very important and can be a great benefit. The Mayo Clinic and even in Swedish studies they’ve shown that the recommended daily allowances are nowhere near the levels we need if we are to combat Multiple Sclerosis and other illnesses. I take 8000 IU’s a day of Vitamin D3 with K2. During the summer months, I take 4000 IU’s. You can also do your own research at the Mayo Clinic website as they have a reference guide for Vitamin D dosing correlated to your specific disease or symptoms. (As always talk with your trusted health care provider before starting any type of supplement.)

The more I research, the more amazed I become! This is just the tip of the iceberg as to how AWESOME Vitamin D is for our bodies, our immune systems, and especially our Multiple Sclerosis!

To Our Health!

Kellie

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

Can we beat Multiple Sclerosis?

If you look to traditional medicine for that answer that would be a resounding and absolute “NO!” We’re told once you have MS you always have MS and we sit and wait for the next exacerbation, we live flare up to the next flare up. That’s how our lives are defined, by the medical community anyway. The medical community also tells us that MS has a mind of its own, almost taking away any chance of us being able to do anything to stop or slow its progression. I totally disagree with that whole scenario. There is far too much information out there to help us start feeling better. We must open our eyes and take control of our health.

I’ve been dealing with MS for over 29 years – Yes,  this is my 29th year of living with this disease and I’m shocked at how some in the medical field will still say that there is nothing we can do to be healthy. They will tell us there is no “proof” that anything other than disease modifying drugs can help us. I’m sorry that’s just not true, I am living proof of that and there is far too much evidence to contradict that statement!

We know that some people with cancer, for example, would be considered “cured” if they didn’t have a relapse after 5 years. So why then is Multiple Sclerosis considered differently? Let’s say someone commits to changing their diet, they exercise, they change environmental factors, they look at their relationships, they look at healing the “whole” body?  What if we go for 2 years without a flare-up, what about 4 years without a flare-up, what about 6 years?

Can we ever say we are recovered or cured of Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is very much an individual thing, but what if we take the 5, 6 or  10-year mark, relapse free, would that signify recovery? Think about it, what if we all strived to hit that milestone? If we stayed on the path to heal our immune systems, heal our bodies from whatever has thrown it off track to the point that we have an MS diagnosis. What if we stay focused on recovery and being positive  – wouldn’t there be so much to gain by considering we are recovered or healed or cured? How much HOPE would that give people to think this is not a “Life Sentence?”

I caution you, in this process, we cannot worry about every little symptom that may arise from our MS. This means do not think every challenge or twitch or flutter means a full blown exacerbation, possible hospitalization or even full disability. Our minds are so very powerful, as anyone with Multiple Sclerosis knows, in fact, many doctors will not want us to focus too much on what COULD happen or MIGHT happen because we will often times start to manifest those exact symptoms! YES, OUR MINDS ARE THAT POWERFUL. Instead, I say each of us should look at our lifestyles, what’s working, what’s not and do everything possible to target becoming healthy, heal our body, heal our immune systems, and just being happy!

I turned around my whole disease and am now living symptom-free, healthy and strong. I supplement, eat a healthy diet, exercise, do alternative therapies – chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, meditation, dry brushing, earthing, juicing, healing relationships and making sure I laugh a lot!

We must take things in stride and put all our attention on our quality of life. This is a lifestyle, not a quick fix!

We can do it!

If you’re looking for more holistic and natural ways to beat your MS, you’ll want to check out my book “Waking Up From MS – My Journey to Health, Healing, and Living Symptom-Free.” It details my almost 30-year journey with MS and how I am now healthy, strong and symptom-free!

To our Health!

Kellie Alderton

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.