Paleo diet ....

[Lulu54]

We have talked about diet and MS a number of times.  Dr. Terry Wahls took the internet and MS world by storm with her talk about the paleodiet and how it changed her MS.  Recently she did an interview with Stu of Stu's News and Views - a much calmer and indepth discussion than her TedX talk - and thought some of you might be interested in hearing it.  

It is important to note that she does not say she has been cured of MS ........

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/multiplesclerosis-unplugged/2013/03/01/dr-terry-wahls

[LilMinnie]

I don't have any diagnosis so what I have to say may have no significance at all.

Before these funky symptoms I've been having the last several months, I have eaten a nutritious diet, not that stringent, but baked fish and chicken, fruits and veggies, pure fruit and vegetable juice, supplements, and regular exercise. Also took/take D3, calcium, magnesium, Potassium, Co Q 10, and a good multivitamin.

I also exercised approximately 45 minutes to an hour, 3x/week,and my weight is still within the limits for my height and age.

Yes, we can all benefit by eating healthily and exercising, yet frankly I don't like the implication that somehow we are causing this ourselves.

JMHO,

Hugs, Minnie

[Luna143]

I was one who jumped on the Dr. Terry Wahls bandwagon.  I am fervently against pharmaceuticals and the money machine behind them and was looking for a natural solution to help me deal with my MS symptoms.  I do not take any MS meds and try to incorporate as much of the Wahl's protocol as I can tolerate.  I find that eating greens and fruits is a much better alternative for me that a weekly injection and the side effects.  The proof is in the pudding for me.  I feel fantastic most times.  My balance is nearly perfect.  And my last MRI showed a marked improvement in my lesions.  Some are completely gone, some that were enhanced are no longer enhanced and are smaller and I have no new lesions.  My neuro is surprised, to say the least, but is supportive of my treatment choices because of my improvement.  

I think we have to be our own advocates for our health, listen to our bodies and not be content to just go with what the neuro says.  There is so much information available.  I am lucky to have found a neuro that, though he may not agree with my no-meds approach, supports me in my decision.  I am also blessed to have a fantastic health coach that helps me navigate through the wide wide world of natural solutions.

Dr. Terry Wahls is on to something.  Unfortunately, it is all about money and her kind of research doesn't gain enough funding because there isn't as much money to be made in healthy eating as there is in drug therapy.

[dogmum]

I saw this thread while I was traveling and have been meaning to get back and really read it.  I am very new to MS and to paleo which I follow with the 80/20 rule.  I went into it with eyes wide open that it is no cure for what ailed me (not sure of MS at the time) and with a healthy dose of skepticism, but it did help me on a number of levels.  

I personally feel that the benefit from paleo or vegan or any other health-supporting diet is that it boosts and strengthens certain systems of our bodies that are undeniably improved by a clean diet, thus removing a stressor which may or may not have increased symptoms.  

When I started it I had really bad eczema that started with a bone deep itch from the waist down, tingling from the knees down, and a bunch of other symptoms.  These two issues went away when I started the paleo diet, others improved, I got a lot more energy, and lost 25 lbs.  Soon after, I had my first bout of TN.  To be fair, I'm only following it 80% (still eat yogurt and some raw cheese) and it still did help significantly, but I don't think anyone would call it a cure.  

I do it as a way to be good to my body though considering that it's got enough going on.  ;)  

My two cents,
Laura

[Lulu54]

Mary, I was among those people very turned off by Dr Wahl's last year.  The presentation and approach was that of a snake-oil sales person and ignited lots of  excitement that couldn't be substantiated.  If you haven't seen or don't remember that original youtube video, check it out at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

I am not a fan of the diet theory as a cure or something that will completely STOP MS - I think they have been looked at in the past and comes up short, but I will also continue to say a diet free of all the crap I eat would definitely make me a healthier person.  I just happen to like bread and other carbs a bit too much.  I am especially concerned about diets which sell supplements or foods that  a person with MS is supposed to buy to get better  ( I don't think that is the case, here).

There is an indepth study being done on vegan diet and MS - the results will be ready in a year os two, from what I know.

What I found most interesting about her lengthy interview was it was a much more thorough explanation than she could give in the TEDx talk, which was quite the rage last year.  When that TEDx became avaialble, the internet was completely abuzz about the CURE Dr Wahls had with diet....It reached a point of hysteria and I am among those people who wanted that chatter to quiet.  Too many people were telling me I could be cured ....

I mainly posted this link with the intent to give everyone a chance to hear more, if they wish.  We have a few people who have changed their diet to try to shake up their MS and I can only hope it works

I know celiacs who have violent reactions in their body when they inadvertently consume glutens - even without knowing if their food is tainted. I know folks with RA who feel better when they follow a cleaner diet.  It only makes sense that some individuals with MS might also benefit from diet changes.

[sllowe]

Sorry - I should clarify... I do realize from what's been written that she is not proclaiming cure....

[sllowe]

I don't knock anything that makes people feel good and live their daily lives better. I do however feel all the hairs stand up on my neck when claims of cure are mentioned from any literature. Not specific to this of course - . Just in general.

My general rule where diets are concerned....If it feels good do it. If it can be proven to cure MS...show me the evidence.

[twopack]

As Lu mentioned Sarah, Dr Wahls doesn't claim to be cured of MS.  In fact, she stated she notices a decline in her abilities when she is fatigued and her PT (or was it a trainer?) is able to detect deficiencies from her MS as well.

We accept limited improvement from lots of therapies (perhaps all of them) despite the fact they are unable to offer cure.  That's what the 'control until the cure comes' strategy is all about - no matter what disease is involved.

I'm unaware of whatever it is that put you off of Dr. Wahls in the past.  Perhaps grandiose claims or states of over-exuberance that could have accompanied her disability reversals?  If she has been able to temper her style these days it appears to be a good thing.  Doing so allows her program of diet and supplements to be tested using reliable scientific standards.  Reproducible results are the thing that will prove - or disprove - her theories.

[twopack]

Thanks for sharing this Lu.  I enjoyed listening.  No doubt we would all do better if we were more eager to consume healthy foods and less willing to rely on pharmaceutical solutions.  

Personally I have absolutely no doubt diet is a factor in MS.  Unfortunately I have a hard time seeing myself coming anywhere close to achieving compliance with a paleo diet.  I know - I defeat myself.  I've had success controlling some of my symptoms with supplements.  I should just choose ONE small step in the right direction with diet.

One thing that really struck me in this presentation is when Dr. Wahl shared that severe facial pain is what motivates her NOT to cheat - it's the price she would pay for any move she might make off diet.  I've often given thanks that my nerve pain hasn't progressed to an unmanageable level.  I guess that ends up being a mixed blessing as I have to admit - pain is an extremely strong motivator.  Too bad most of us have such a hard time doing the right thing simply because it's right :(

Again, thanks for sharing this.  It offers hope.

[SarahL2491]

no diet will cure your MS, if so, the MS society would be singing it from the highest hilltop.

That's all I am going to say other than I read all of her original claims and then cleaned it out of my head.  I have to have hard science and I know that MS is not cured by any diet.  Perhaps you might clean up your lifestyle and body functions by following a particular diet that makes you feel better, but it will not make your MS go away.

I will not debate this further and take up forum time and I do not say this disrespectfully.

[msmomx2]

ok 2 things
1) SarahL I am fairly new to MS dx so what were her original claim and where did you hear/see them?
2) I have gone Gluten Free and lean towards grain free.  I am almost 8 months in and I actually thing that I feel a lot better eating this way (NOT saying it is a cure all but it is sure a helpful thing)
-------I have actually read some nuro science research articles that support that wheat it self can cause nurological issues.

I do think that diet can affect health more than we realize.  I am totally interested in more information (not that I am going to stop taking my copaxone or do anything crazy!)

Val

[SarahL2491]

I don't even give her a 2nd glance after reading about her original claims.