No specialized diet can replace the ongoing medical care of people with multiple sclerosis. If you have MS, it is important to consult your physician and a dietitian before pursuing any radical change to your diet. Mayo Clinic recommends a healthy, balanced diet for patients with this inflammatory disease, noting that healthy foods can stabilize the immune system and promote general well-being. With your health care provider's approval, consider diet modifications as complementary treatments for your condition.
High-Fat Diet
A systematic review by the Cochrane Collaboration noted the popularity of essential fatty acids in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It is thought that these foods may curb the inflammatory or autoimmune response associated with multiple sclerosis. According to the report, which was published in 2007, diets containing large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids may help to reduce the severity of multiple sclerosis relapses. Possible options include the Mediterranean diet, which is very rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and the ketogenic diet, one provides more than 50 percent of calories in the form of fat, to elevate the body's level of ketone bodies in the blood, which has been shown to reduce epileptic seizures. Although no studies have conclusively demonstrated the benefits of essential fatty acids for multiple sclerosis patients, some dietitians recommend high-fat foods such as olive oil, fish, walnuts and canola, which are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, the Cochrane Collaboration notes that there is insufficient evidence to recommend this treatment method.
Elimination Diet
Alternative medicine practitioners may attribute multiple sclerosis to undiagnosed allergies, although this theory is controversial and unproven. Some people with multiple sclerosis report flare-ups after they consume allergenic or inflammatory foods, such as glutenous grains or milk. If you have multiple sclerosis, your health care provider may recommend tests to determine food sensitivity, often starting with the Elimination Diet. If you have an allergy or sensitivity, you should eliminate troublesome foods from your daily diet even if it does not alter the severity of your neurological condition. According to the Cochrane Collaboration, no well-designed studies have investigated the efficacy of an allergen-free diet as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Whole Food Diet
Although Mayo Clinic does not support the use of radical dietary interventions for treating multiple sclerosis, the organization acknowledges the role of a balanced diet in overall well-being. People with multiple sclerosis might consider avoiding heavily processed foods, such as refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, preservatives and corn syrup. Although no studies have linked these to multiple sclerosis or related conditions, it is best to avoid them because of general health considerations.
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