A healthy diet is characterized by a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and lean meats, which provide carbohydrates, fats and protein. These and other nutrients help your body function optimally. Proper nutrition is vital, even more so if you have a disorder or disease, at least that is the stance of the Swank MS Foundation. Nutrition is a complementary approach and should not replace traditional medical treatment.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects your immune system. According to PubMed Health, a service of the National Institutes of Health, MS affects more women than men and is commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. It is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerves, which causes inflammation and nerve degeneration. The cause of MS is unknown, although common theories suggest a virus or genetic defect is responsible.
Diet and MS
Your diet can have an impact if you have MS, according to a study published in the July 1990 issue of "Lancet." The study followed for 34 years 144 MS patients who adhered to a low-fat diet of 20 g or less of fat daily. They suffered less deterioration in their condition and had lower death rates than those who consumed more than 20 g of fat per day.
Swank Foundation
The Swank Foundation shares the belief that MS sufferers can benefit from a low-fat diet. Founded by Roy L. Swank, MD, PhD, the Swank Foundation is a private charity that provides information and resources on the Swank MS diet, vitamin supplements and lifestyle changes it believes are beneficial to MS patients. According to its official website, the foundation's vision is to increase awareness of alternative complementary treatments for MS.
Swank Foundation Diet
Dr. Swank introduced the Swank MS diet in 1948 following research into dietary benefits for MS patients. Dr. Swank's dietary guidelines recommend limiting saturated fats to 15 g daily and unsaturated fats to between 20 g and 50 g daily and excluding red meat for the first year. After the first year, it recommends a limit of 3 oz. of red meat weekly. Other recommendations include limiting milk products to 1 percent butterfat or less and avoiding processed foods with saturated fats.
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