Multiple sclerosis sufferers often complain of more severe disease symptoms after consuming dairy products. Researchers have now found a possible cause for this. According to the study, a protein in cow's milk can trigger inflammation that targets the 'insulating layer' around nerve cells.
Many foods we eat today can cause inflammation which is something you want to avoid when you are living with multiple sclerosis. There are many foods that can cause inflammation in the body. Processed foods, dairy products, red meat, and fried foods are some of the most common offenders.
The National MS Society recommends 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day for adults ages 25 to 65 and 1,500 milligrams per day for postmenopausal women, preferably from calcium-rich food sources like low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
The overcoming MS (OMS) diet is a plant-based diet that also includes fish and seafood, but cuts out all processed foods, eggs, meat, dairy, and saturated fats. The diet usually includes daily supplements of flaxseed oil or fish oil.
Dairy and MS. Overcoming MS strongly recommends that people with MS avoid dairy in their diet because research shows a high correlation between MS and dairy products, because of the high saturated fat content, and specific proteins in cow's milk.
Along with whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies, ginger, turmeric, fatty fish, and foods rich in vitamin D, avocados are one of the best things you can shove in your chew hole if you're an MS patient. So, go grab a sackful and make some guacamole and tuna salad.
Not everyone with MS is dairy intolerant. Those who do not tolerate dairy should avoid it by avoiding dairy-containing foods. Highly processed dairy substitutes (example: certain dairy free “yogurts” and “cheeses”) should be limited to benefit overall health.
If you do decide to enjoy an occasional glass of wine or beer, know that it could ramp up certain symptoms of MS. Even one drink can make issues like unsteadiness worse. “If you have a lot of trouble with balance, thinking, or memory symptoms from MS, it may be better to avoid alcohol altogether,” says Graves.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, an anti-inflammatory diet should include foods like tomatoes, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and fruits like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges. There's some evidence that consuming these foods could be beneficial for MS.
The most common treatment regimen is a three or five-day course of intravenous (Solu-Medrol® - methylprednisolone) or oral (Deltasone® - prednisone) corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are not believed to have any long-term benefit on the disease.
High doses of other vitamins can antagonize your immune-modulating, immunosuppressive therapies used to manage MS. Supplements that stimulate the immune system should be avoided in high doses. Those include selenium, zinc, B1, B2, folic acid, B6, vitamin A, biotin, magnesium, copper, and manganese.
In conclusion, it appears that drinking a moderate amount of caffeine shouldn't have any ill-effect on people with MS.
One study noted young people with MS who took a calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium supplement had a reduced number of relapses. The study authors theorized that magnesium could play a role in the growth and stability of myelin.
The Overcoming MS diet
The OMS diet recommendations are similar to the Swank diet. It advises cutting out dairy and meat, and eating less fat – particularly saturated fat. It also recommends flaxseed oil as an omega 3 supplement and vitamin D supplements if you don't get out in the sun much.
“Good options include 100 percent whole-grain crackers or bread sticks with low-fat cheese; fresh fruit; plain, low-fat, or fat-free yogurt; low-fat granola; a glass of low-fat or skim milk; and frozen blueberries,” says Elizabeth Somer, RD, the author of several books on nutrition, including Eat Your Way to Happiness.
Not only is drinking enough water essential to our overall health and wellbeing, it can also help to manage MS symptoms such as heat sensitivity, continence problems, and fatigue.
It is not recommended to consume low fat dairy products on the Overcoming MS program as they still contains dairy – therefore butrophilin – the protein in cows milk which we advise avoiding if you have MS. Replace dairy products instead with plant-based alternatives such as soy, oat or almond.
While it is fun to indulge our sweet tooth this time of year, it is important to know that there is a correlation between sugar and MS. The direct correlation is that consuming sugar leads to increased fatigue. Fatigue and MS is devastating, so limiting your sugar intake may help.
You might find you lose weight because of the way MS affects you. For example, problems with posture, swallowing, fatigue and tremor can all make shopping for, preparing or eating food more difficult. And your appetite can also be affected by stress, anxiety and depression, as well as certain drug treatments.
The myelin sheath is mostly made of fat, but certain fats work better as building materials. Healthy fats can help grease the gears. Unsaturated fats found in foods like nuts, seeds, salmon, tuna, avocado, and vegetable oils help nerve cells communicate more quickly.
Vitamin C is known to participate in myelin formation (10, 11). Collagen synthesis, which is dependent on Vitamin C, has also been linked to the formation of myelin sheath (12, 13). Vitamin C can be found in foods such as peppers, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, tomatoes, and berries.
Multiple sclerosis should not be treated with honey alone, and the condition should always be managed under the supervision of a qualified medical expert. If you want to add honey to your MS management regimen, first talk with your neurologist or health care provider to get medical advice.