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Food triggers for MS?
Hi, all! I was looking on this website, under the MS health pages, for something on possible MS food 'triggers'. I don't want to ask this question, if it has already been addressed (I guess I had also better do a word search on the posts, here...sorry, forgot to do that!...brain isn't working so hot right now).
Anyway...I am reading a book, that advocates a very strict diet, to help with MS symptoms (I am not dx'ed yet, just trying to be proactive), and lo and behold, I have eaten the 'new' foods for two days now, and all of a sudden, the tingling and numbness in my left side, is back...that really surprised me. Course, maybe something else is causing it...we did just get dug out, after being snowed in for four days, and having no electricity for three of those days. Maybe it was the stress of being cold...but I would have expected it to have occurred sooner than this, I guess (because we have had power for a day now). Well, anyway...thanks for listening. I have to reschedule my appt with my neuro doc, as I couldn't get to mine, due to the blizzard! Thanks. Jan.
Anyway...I am reading a book, that advocates a very strict diet, to help with MS symptoms (I am not dx'ed yet, just trying to be proactive), and lo and behold, I have eaten the 'new' foods for two days now, and all of a sudden, the tingling and numbness in my left side, is back...that really surprised me. Course, maybe something else is causing it...we did just get dug out, after being snowed in for four days, and having no electricity for three of those days. Maybe it was the stress of being cold...but I would have expected it to have occurred sooner than this, I guess (because we have had power for a day now). Well, anyway...thanks for listening. I have to reschedule my appt with my neuro doc, as I couldn't get to mine, due to the blizzard! Thanks. Jan.
Dear Jan,
Please refrain from using MS terms when referring to yourself. You are undiagnosed and therefore have no right to use them.
Sincerely,
The Diagnosed
On a serious note, I line up with those that don't believe in the direct relationship between food and MS. I do believe in an indirect relationship between the two.
When I was diagnosed I was 40 pounds heavier than I am now, smoked and got very little exercise. When The Doc said "You have SPMS" I knew my body was engaged in a war. I decided that being in better overall health would help my body fight the war.
Working with the naturopathic doc at my MS clinic I cleaned up my diet. I still eat red meat, have the occasional ice cream cone and, based on my recent vacation experience, can still consume massive amounts of unnecessary foodstuffs :-) But Monday - Friday I eat a very healthy, balanced diet. I try and get some amount of vigorous exercise every other day. I quit smoking.
I have had little progression of my disease in the 2 years since undertaking my new way of life. I have had no relapses. I truly believe that better overall health is part of the reason.
Kyle
Please refrain from using MS terms when referring to yourself. You are undiagnosed and therefore have no right to use them.
Sincerely,
The Diagnosed
On a serious note, I line up with those that don't believe in the direct relationship between food and MS. I do believe in an indirect relationship between the two.
When I was diagnosed I was 40 pounds heavier than I am now, smoked and got very little exercise. When The Doc said "You have SPMS" I knew my body was engaged in a war. I decided that being in better overall health would help my body fight the war.
Working with the naturopathic doc at my MS clinic I cleaned up my diet. I still eat red meat, have the occasional ice cream cone and, based on my recent vacation experience, can still consume massive amounts of unnecessary foodstuffs :-) But Monday - Friday I eat a very healthy, balanced diet. I try and get some amount of vigorous exercise every other day. I quit smoking.
I have had little progression of my disease in the 2 years since undertaking my new way of life. I have had no relapses. I truly believe that better overall health is part of the reason.
Kyle
JJ, ESS, and Sarah...thanks for your thoughts. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned the book..I can understand, I think, how it could become 'soapbox' material! No hard feelings here (and I appreciate ESS, that you were aware of mine, at the same time).
I was truly just trying to find out if these brown rice crackers that I just started eating recently, in order to try and be healthier, could be causing my new tingles! I know how good brown rice, in general, is supposed to be for people, so I was surprised to then have, what seems to be a flare-up (sorry if you don't like me using your ms term when I haven't been dx'ed yet myself, it just seems to fit the situation well). But, now that my brain seems to be working a bit better, I am realizing, that there is probably some lesser ingredient in the crackers, that is most likely, causing my reaction.
Okay, well, back to the list of ingredients on the cracker box, and on to looking for some other healthy food! (darn, I really liked those crackers, too...lol!). Thanks again, all...truly! Jan.
I was truly just trying to find out if these brown rice crackers that I just started eating recently, in order to try and be healthier, could be causing my new tingles! I know how good brown rice, in general, is supposed to be for people, so I was surprised to then have, what seems to be a flare-up (sorry if you don't like me using your ms term when I haven't been dx'ed yet myself, it just seems to fit the situation well). But, now that my brain seems to be working a bit better, I am realizing, that there is probably some lesser ingredient in the crackers, that is most likely, causing my reaction.
Okay, well, back to the list of ingredients on the cracker box, and on to looking for some other healthy food! (darn, I really liked those crackers, too...lol!). Thanks again, all...truly! Jan.
ess and I share the same soapbox. MS is a disease of the central nervous system and true a good diet will make most anyone feel better, it will not cure/prevent MS.
I have found that my food preferences/tastes have changed since taking on my new roomie, MS, but other than that, my motto is "anyting in moderation".
I have found that my food preferences/tastes have changed since taking on my new roomie, MS, but other than that, my motto is "anyting in moderation".
(Sorry, didn't mean to post at that point.) I know you are not being authoritative, you are just asking, so again, my apologies.
This kind of thing is my soapbox issue in MS. Since I really don't indulge it much, now and then I let 'er rip.
ess
This kind of thing is my soapbox issue in MS. Since I really don't indulge it much, now and then I let 'er rip.
ess
Hate to disagree with Alex, though I wish him well with the regimen he has set for himself.
There have been loads of theories about MS and diets, and loads of books on this subject. Not one has stood up to rigorous scientific inquiry. If there were a diet that really helped MS patients, all or nearly all of us would be on it.
We should all eat healthily with a good balance as recommended by nutritional experts, and if we do, we should generally feel better, as anyone would. We should take care of our bodies by exercising appropriately. Sometimes 'appropriately' isn't much, so we should aim to do what we can.
There are so many anecdotal stories out there about how this or that 'cured' their MS, and quite a few find their way here. I am having less and less patience with that, especially if it comes with the belief that doctors and drug companies are in a conspiracy to make up pay up big time when simple dietary changes are all that's needed. And on and on, as Quix says.
Tasha, please don't think I'm piling on you on this one, and if it sounds that way I do apologize. It's just that we get so many posts here from people who state authoritatively that this or that is the answer, when it is not.
There have been loads of theories about MS and diets, and loads of books on this subject. Not one has stood up to rigorous scientific inquiry. If there were a diet that really helped MS patients, all or nearly all of us would be on it.
We should all eat healthily with a good balance as recommended by nutritional experts, and if we do, we should generally feel better, as anyone would. We should take care of our bodies by exercising appropriately. Sometimes 'appropriately' isn't much, so we should aim to do what we can.
There are so many anecdotal stories out there about how this or that 'cured' their MS, and quite a few find their way here. I am having less and less patience with that, especially if it comes with the belief that doctors and drug companies are in a conspiracy to make up pay up big time when simple dietary changes are all that's needed. And on and on, as Quix says.
Tasha, please don't think I'm piling on you on this one, and if it sounds that way I do apologize. It's just that we get so many posts here from people who state authoritatively that this or that is the answer, when it is not.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I know first hand how food negatively effects and positively effects both physically and neurologically (kids with Autism), food is seriously one of the least understood but having said that, my main issue with the MS diets or any other condition specific diet, is its totally unsubstantiated anecdotal connection or stories of 'cure'.
You will never go wrong if your focus is on your entire self (mind, body and sole) and what you consume is part of the process of a happier and healthier you, I seriously doubt diet will ever alter the course of MS but you'll definitely be in a better position to deal with it and that is not a bad thing!
Cheers.........JJ
You will never go wrong if your focus is on your entire self (mind, body and sole) and what you consume is part of the process of a happier and healthier you, I seriously doubt diet will ever alter the course of MS but you'll definitely be in a better position to deal with it and that is not a bad thing!
Cheers.........JJ
Alex - thank you for your response. I know there are many differing opinions on what can help to alleviate ms symptoms...whether it be diet, exercise, meditation, or medicine, or anything else. I try to be open to all...it is just that my body is super sensitive to everything...in fact, I guess that is why I am probably having 'reactions', to a supposedly 'healthy' food...I guess my body doesn't consider it so healthy...lol! Thanks again, Alex. Jan.
Hi Jen,
Oh, boy I love your question!
From my perspective I hang my hat on the discredited research of Swank who followed 144 MS patients for 34 years beginning in the late 1940s and proved patients had a better outcome, and also 2012 research from Prof George Jelinek who has followed over 200 people for five years and shown an average 22% improvement.
But, and it's a big but, the medical profession do not seem to believe the evidence as it doesn't fit the controlled randomised trial model.
Anyway, I'm one of about 3000 people worldwide who is on a program of diet, exercise, and meditation to try to stop the progression of MS. It's a long term proposition and will take 3 to 5 years to work. I've been dilligently following for 2 years without progression in MS but have picked up a fast growing brain tumour. So now I've cut out sugar as well because they say sugar feeds brain tumours.
So, that's my twenty cents worth and realise that I'm completely in the minority on this issue. But it is my hope that I can report on this site in 2016 as to whether it's worked for me or not. Anyway, I figure what harm can it do me on the program for five years. I would still definitely recommend a DMD as well if you do decide to do it.
Blessings
Alex
Oh, boy I love your question!
From my perspective I hang my hat on the discredited research of Swank who followed 144 MS patients for 34 years beginning in the late 1940s and proved patients had a better outcome, and also 2012 research from Prof George Jelinek who has followed over 200 people for five years and shown an average 22% improvement.
But, and it's a big but, the medical profession do not seem to believe the evidence as it doesn't fit the controlled randomised trial model.
Anyway, I'm one of about 3000 people worldwide who is on a program of diet, exercise, and meditation to try to stop the progression of MS. It's a long term proposition and will take 3 to 5 years to work. I've been dilligently following for 2 years without progression in MS but have picked up a fast growing brain tumour. So now I've cut out sugar as well because they say sugar feeds brain tumours.
So, that's my twenty cents worth and realise that I'm completely in the minority on this issue. But it is my hope that I can report on this site in 2016 as to whether it's worked for me or not. Anyway, I figure what harm can it do me on the program for five years. I would still definitely recommend a DMD as well if you do decide to do it.
Blessings
Alex
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