Dementia is a syndrome usually progressive and chronic in nature. Global incidences of dementia is increasing at a rate of one new case every three seconds with associated medical social and health care costs far exceeding the capacity of most countries. Because of the degenerative nature of the disease sufferers lose their ability to perform routine tasks, experience poor quality of life and loss of autonomy. The role of vitamin D in the etiology of cognitive impairment and dementia is plausible and has been supported substantial mechanistic and epidemiological data. As people age, they tend to spend less and less time outdoors in the sun. It is of great importance as vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide pandemic and is seen most commonly in older adults residing in northerly latitudes, particularly during winter months. Further research needs to be done to see if increasing vitamin D level will improve cognitive health (Aspell, Lawlor, O'Sullivan, 2018).

Many of us let our hunger get out of control and overeat junk food. Next time you are craving a snack, try a handful of walnuts.

Former NHL player Bryan Bickell is battling Multiple Sclerosis (MS) but feeling great with Tysabri. Bickell may be off the ice, but he is on to bigger things as spokesperson for Biogen and running his non-profit, the Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation which helps rescue abused pit bulls and provide people in need with service dogs. The 31-year-old Bickell announced his plans to retire from the NHL after a successful 2016-2017 season as winger with the Carolina Hurricanes.

The FDA has a approved a new drug to treat a rare and aggressive form of multiple sclerosis. Who should take the drug and what is the cost?

Results of a new trial suggest that certain probiotics can improve mental health, metabolic function, and disability among individuals with multiple sclerosis. This study is just one of several that has explored the impact of beneficial bacteria on the symptoms and progression of multiple sclerosis.

Previous research has suggested a link between obesity and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis, but some experts have questioned the validity of those findings because of bias related to study design. Now a new study has clarified the association between obesity and MS risk, using a model shown to significantly minimize bias and establish causality.

The findings of a systematic review indicate that adolescent obesity could be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis. If future research supports this idea, it “would be of major significance,” according to experts at the University of British Columbia, especially given the rising number of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese.

Some people with multiple sclerosis decide to avoid yoga because they believe they won’t be able to do the poses or may feel embarrassed if they can’t keep up with others in the class. However, fortunately there is adaptive yoga for multiple sclerosis, which can make this beneficial form of exercise available to just about anyone.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which is commonly used for patients with blood and bone marrow cancers, has been the focus of several studies for people who have multiple sclerosis. Now a new report from an Australian team offers some insight into this treatment approach, including which MS patients seem to be the most likely to benefit from it.

A new study suggests that commonly used food additives in processed foods could play a significant role in the development of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions. The study was conducted by experts from Israel and Germany and appears in Autoimmunity Reviews.

Smell disorders (aka olfactory dysfunction) affect a significant number of people who have multiple sclerosis. A new study explains that olfactory dysfunction impacts the quality of life of MS patients and that a better understanding of this challenge could result in improved disease management.

The pomegranate is a challenging fruit with a tough rind, and it appears that fighting appearance harbors seeds with potential to battle multiple sclerosis. Researchers have found that pomegranate seed oil contains an extremely strong antioxidant that inhibited demyelination in a mouse model for MS.

On one level, the question as to whether chocolate can make multiple sclerosis fatigue better seems like a frivolous question. Doesn’t chocolate make lots of things better? Yet on a more serious note, researchers at Oxford Brookes University are planning to take a comprehensive look at the impact of chocolate on fatigue levels among individuals who live with MS.

Within several days of taking antiretroviral drugs to address possible HIV exposure, a 36-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis was able to get out of her wheelchair and walk again. This case and associated research highlight the question about the possible association between HIV and multiple sclerosis and the role of viral infections in causing this neurodegenerative disease.

Several female celebrities have embraced multiple sclerosis as a cause, each for her own reasons. Here’s a look at what three different well-known women have done to help advance knowledge, research, and treatment of multiple sclerosis.