Questions About Diets and Supplements

[Myhope360]

Did anyone on this forum ever tried the MS Recovery Diet by Ann Sawyer and Judith Bachrach or any other diet and has been helped by it?

And also did anyone ever heard about a company named Manatech, they have a product called ambrotose that is supposedly very good for the immune system?      

I just ordered the diet book to see what they have to say but I am very skeptical especially about the ambrotose supplement.  If any of those thing were that good why would they still be so many people suffering from MS?    

Sara

[Heartshome]

The Swank diet is hghly nutritious, as it focuses strongly on non-processed foods. It stresses fruits, vegetables, lean white meat such as chicken and turkey breast, and white fish. It also balances avoiding saturated fats and replacing them with heart-healthy oils rich in Omega 3s, such as olive, safflower, canola oils, etc. There is no red meat, no butter, dairy (other than 1% or fat free), no chocolate, cheese (unless it's fat free) etc.

It sounds difficult to do, but you get used to it quickly and you can convert nearly any recipe. Our household now loves it and my husband does it with me. We've both lost weight and our blood pressure is way down.

The thing here is NO SATURATED FATS. The book goes into this is pretty scientific detail, so unless you read the study, you can easily dismiss it. However, many people who have had MS for over 10 years or more are happily existing well with this diet. Some choose to use DMD, some don't. Decide what's best for you and your health requirements!

[mom9335]

check out the Direct-MS website which has much more updated nutritional information than the Swank Diet.  Also. many scientific articles as well as detailed info regarding allergy testing, supplements etc.  Very worthwhile.  They also recenty funded a study regarding Vitamin D and its implications in MS, including dosage.  It is reported in the neurological conference held in April and can also be found following the MS Society news.

[julia111]

Hi, I am not dx'd with MS, but I do follow a strict Gluten Free diet for gluten intolerence.  

In some of my research I have read about the benefits of a gluten free diet and that it may slow the progression of both MS and ALS.

Gluten, for some people, can cause many neurological symptoms.  These are fairly new findings.  It was previously thought that intestinal problems needed to be present in order for Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerence to exist.

Like the other diets mentioned, there can be NO cheating on the gluten free diet.  Something you may want to look into!  : )

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I've found that if I eat too heavily at one time, it increases my fatigue, I get lethargic, etc.  Could be the carbs, quantity, etc., and would probably happen to w/out MS, but for me, it just makes some symptoms worse, or harder to get through.

As with any diet, or change in eating, just be careful - Not telling you what to do.  I'm a firm believer in eating right for yourself, and that when you include the old fashion food pyramid (basic nutrition) suggestions, you just "feel" better.  There are so many foods that are are extremely helpful w/managing various MS symptoms - - especially constipation I've found. And, I've heard others (like Hearthome) who has said that Swank works for them.

There really is no evidence (scientific) that supports that nutrition therapies affect the course of MS, but I do believe that keeping yourself as nutritionally balanced as you can is something that we all have to consider and strive for, since negative health issues will only complicate our MS.  

I've been told that if you are considering supplements to let your Dr. know, because some may "boost" your immune system and MS being overactive immune that in theory, we shouldn't contribute to that -

Let us know how that book is, and if there are any good "quick tips" we could all benefit from.
be well,
SL

[Myhope360]

Thanks for the reply and praise to you for sticking to the diet.

I will check the web site you provided.  I've heard about the Swank diet but was wondering if it really works.  I haven't been diagnose yet but am looking for thing that I could do in the meantime that would be beneficial.

Sara

[Heartshome]

I am undiagnosed, but my doctor has suspicions of MS. I have been on the Swank diet for MS for close to a year now. It is less restrictive than the one you are looking at.

Many people discount the role of diet, since it's nearly impossible to complete a double-blind scientifically controlled diet of this magnitude over time. Also, since MS is so unpredicable, it's tough to know if improvements are due to the diet or the disease process itself.

However, after reading the book and talking to others on this diet, I concluded that it would not hurt me and will help me in slowing the progression of whatever I have. (This diet must be strictly followed and you cannot cheat--unlike a diet for weight loss.)

Also, it benefits those in the earliest stages of MS by slowing progression and reducing the number of relapses. Those whose disease has progressed may fiind some relief, but it's not as effective.

I recommend getting the book from your library or Amazon, or checking out the basics on the Web site:  www.swankmsdiet.org .

Good luck!