It may be tempting to seek out alternative treatments for multiple sclerosis, or MS, a painful and frustrating condition that has no known cure. Proponents of the Paleolithic, or Paleo, diet may claim it cures whatever ails you, but the caveman-like eating plan has yet to be studied for real health benefits. Always talk to your doctor about how your diet fits into your MS treatment plan.
Conventional Treatment
There is no cure for MS, but your doctor can help you determine a treatment plan to improve your quality of life. This plan could include medications such as corticosteroids, muscle relaxants or beta interferons; physical therapy to make your muscles stronger and more flexible; or plasma exchanges for symptoms that don't respond to other forms of treatment. Rest, regular exercise and a healthy diet can also help improve your overall health.
Paleo Basics
The idea behind the Paleo diet is that you should eat the way early humans did: focus on meat and fish, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, and eggs, and eschew refined grains, legumes, processed foods and dairy. Although the diet's proponents say it has an evolutionary advantage, that advantage has yet to be proven. Paleolithic people followed different diets based on their location, and other aspects of the diet -- like the idea that short bursts of intense exercise are better for you than prolonged cardiovascular exercise -- don't have any basis in human biology.
Drawbacks
The Paleo diet is similar to low-carb diets in that it emphasizes meat consumption and eschews most carbohydrates, although it does allow fruits and vegetables. However, any diet that cuts out major food groups -- such as dairy and beans -- should generally be followed with caution and under a doctor's supervision.
Considerations
Maintaining a healthy immune system is important for those with multiple sclerosis. Getting enough protein is key to immune health, and although the Paleo diet encourages lean meat and fish consumption, it leaves out dairy products and legumes, which are also healthy protein sources. Making a major dietary change may not be the best option if you have developed other complications from your MS.
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