ms diet

[tdr1013]

does anyone use a specific diet? and does it help? Ashton embrys best bet diet and web site seem interesting and insightful, based on research. any insight on any of this. Also swank diet. does anyone believe diet is a major factor in the developement and progression of ms? I dont see many talking about it on here, but have found several positive reviews of the best bet diet. only found 1 that said it had no effect.

[tanky]

I follow a modified Swank diet.  I avoid saturated fat (less than 10g./day), no processed food or red meat, use only olive oil, and try to eat more fruits and veggies than I used to.  I started the diet the day I heard about it and also started taking Omega 3/6/9 that day as well, and I can honestly say that I felt a huge difference within a couple of days.  Maybe it was because my diet was SO poor before I started.  Maybe it was the fish oil.  I don't know.  But, I can say that it has helped my symptoms.  I have only been diagnosed for less than one year, so I do not have any thoughts on how it was affect the progression of my MS.  I figure it can't hurt and it gives me a sense of control over a disease that makes me feel powerless at times.  I wish you the best.

[doublevision1]

Over the past few months I have been gradually making changes to my diet.  From what I have read (and in my MS specialist's opinion), it does not appear there is strong evidence out there to suggest that diet is a major factor in the development and progression of MS.  However it only makes sense that a healthy diet is just that much more important for those of us with a chronic illness for all sorts of other reasons.  

I am making dietary changes not because I think it will alter the course of my disease (although it will be nice if turns out that it does); but rather to keep myself as healthy as possible overall, so that in addition to MS I hopfully won't have to deal with things like heart disease, Type II diabetes, etc. etc. that are more clearly linked to diet (and weight).  Also, since my MS fatigue has been quite bad at times, I want to try to eliminate the other possible causes for fatigue, incl. poor diet, so that at least I am doing everything within my control to feel as well as I can.  

I've gained 20 lbs (!) since my dx only 5 short months ago, due to being much more sedentary but failing to adjust my caloric intake accordingly.  No surprise that this happened, it is simple math!  As I am feeling better lately I have begun exercising again, and am better controlling both the quantity and quality of what I eat.

I don't follow a particular diet, but given that inflammation that is associated with MS, it makes sense to me that those with MS ought to avoid foods that cause inflammation, incl. saturated fats, simple sugars and processed food; and increase intake of anti-inflammatory foods incl. lots of vegetables and fruits, and omega fatty acids.

Another change I have made is that I started taking dietary supplements:  vitamin D; Omega 3/6/9 fatty acids; and a mult-vit.

I also believe strongly in the merits of a daily glass of red wine, preferable a nice Chianti or Pinot Noir.  However I just started Rebif this week so I'm on hiatus with the wine for a couple of months till I know what impact the drug may be having on my liver.  Hopefully all will be OK, as I am really missing what I believe is one of the great pleasures in life.......

db1

[essdipity]

There has been quite a bit of discussion of diet here in the past. Try entering "MS diet" in the search box to the above right and see what comes up.

ess