1. Increase Fiber Intake
Multiple sclerosis patients often experience constipation as a result of neurological short-circuits, decreasing muscle control and an inability to remain mobile. Those struggling with bowel dysfunction may find that increased consumption of high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts helps relieve constipation symptoms and maintain bowel regularity. Remember, though, that it is important to increase fluid intake when upping your fiber, which may be difficult if you are battling incontinence as well as gastrointestinal problems.
2. Monitor Consumption of Essential Fatty Acids
While there is no diet proven to prevent or cure MS, a few studies indicate that patients with mild symptoms may experience a reduction in symptom severity or relapse frequency when they get appropriate amounts of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Whether or not this is the case, ESAs are still a recommended part of a healthy diet for the general population. Fatty acids have been proven to help ward off depression, as well--a symptom common in those with auto-immune diseases.
3. Experiment With an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Since MS symptoms are exacerbated by myelin-destroying inflammation, an anti-inflammatory diet may improve surfacing symptoms, especially in newly diagnosed patients. This diet step takes extraordinary commitment, as it is restrictive--and requires us to give up our addiction to pro-inflammatory foods. We rely on fast food, refined sugars, trans fats, processed foods, pastries, bread and pasta for a majority of our caloric intake, infusing the bloodstream with sugars and causing a glucose release that increases hunger, fat storage and inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet consists of avoiding most processed foods and eating fresh, whole foods that lack the triggers responsible for tissue swelling and irritation. Many of these foods, like olive oil, leafy vegetables, avocados and cherries, also contain nutrients known to fight the existing inflammation process.
4. Take the Elimination/Challenge Trial
Used in many naturopathic settings to isolate food allergies and intolerances, the elimination/challenge trial may be used by MS patients to determine which foods aggravate their symptoms. Begin by making a list of potential food culprits, including foods or food groups like dairy, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, beef, peanuts and grains containing gluten. Eliminate all listed foods from your diet for 2 to 6 weeks while you eat a balance of organic fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry and non-glutinous grains. Track your symptom frequency and intensity over the course of your elimination period. If the foods play a role in symptom exacerbation, you should see a positive change during your elimination trial. Begin the challenge portion of your trial by adding eliminated foods back in, one by one. Reintroduce several servings of the food during a 24-hour period, then wait for 2 days to see if you have symptom recurrence. If not, move to the next eliminated food group until you find one that seems to be linked to the symptom you're targeting. Remember to maintain journal entries over the trial course so you can evaluate your body's reaction to the removal and reintroduction of each food type.
