MS Diet Plan

Research and patient case studies have shown that nutritional changes can help those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis to live healthier, fitter, more functional lives. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society defines MS as "a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system." MS is a modern disease that is more prevalent in the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Common dietary features in these areas include high consumption of saturated fats, dairy products and cereal grains, and low intake of vitamin D and fish oils, thus linking MS prevalence to dietary habits.

Symptoms

The varied symptoms of MS include multisystem fatigue, muscle spasticity, optic neuritis, numbness, tingling, weakness, balance problems, coordination difficulties and pain. Eighty-five percent of MS cases are classified as relapsing/remitting, meaning symptoms are present in two- to six-week episodes, known as neurological incidents, followed by periods of remission. The trigger of these neurological incidents is under investigation. MS patient Roger MacDougall, who managed a healthy lifestyle, believed that certain foods or their byproducts cause allergic reactions, which trigger the auto-immune response.

Molecular Mimicry

Multiple sclerosis is classified as an autoimmune disease, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the fatty covering of nerve axons in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. If structural proteins of a food allergen leak into the bloodstream, your immune system responds by forming antibodies and attacking. If the structural makeup of these foreign invaders closely resembles the structural makeup of certain body tissues, the immune system can mistake the body tissues for these foreign particles and attack them. This is called molecular mimicry and may be the process that triggers the immune cells to attack myelin.

Case Studies

Multiple sclerosis sufferer and Oscar-nominated screenwriter MacDougall eliminated dairy products and gluten grains to restore his health and live an almost symptom-free life. Jacque C. Rigg, an avid golfer and author of "Curing the Incurable," implemented dietary changes to combat her MS and return to the golf course.

Nutritional Journal

If you or a family member suffers from MS, keep a detailed dietary journal to determine food allergies and/or symptom triggers. Note how your body reacts to all foods, food combinations, drinks and supplements. If a neurological incident is triggered or symptoms occur, eliminate or reduce the food or food combination source.

Expert Recommendations

Ashton Embry, a research scientist and the founder of Diet-Research into the Cause and Treatments of Multiple Sclerosis, began performing extensive research about multiple sclerosis when his son was diagnosed with the disease. Embry concluded, "The only environmental factor which reasonably fits the epidemiological constraints is diet." His general nutritional recommendations include:
1. Eliminating any food that causes an allergic reaction as determined by a body reaction or a blood test.
2. Eliminating dairy products, gluten grains and legumes because of their potential to cause autoimmune reactions.
3. Eliminating foods with a high sugar content.
4. Reducing intake of saturated fats, margarine, salad oils, baked goods, beer and non-gluten grains.
5. Increasing consumption of skinless chicken breasts, game meats, fish, vegetables and fruits.
6. Taking dietary supplements, especially Vitamin D, to boost immune regulation, increase anti-oxidation capacity and to avoid deficiencies.