Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be challenging, but there’s growing scientific evidence to suggest that the quality of your diet can have a significant impact on the progression of the disease. While there’s no evidence for a one-size-fits-all “MS diet,” various dietary protocols have shown promise in enhancing the lives of those with MS, management of symptoms, and decreasing disability progression.
As a registered Nutritional Therapist, I work closely with my clients, tailoring dietary recommendations to their unique needs and symptoms. Some people can make radical dietary changes overnight, while others need a more gradual transition. The goal is to make dietary changes manageable and sustainable for each individual.
Regardless of the specific dietary protocol, whether that be Overcoming MS, the Wahls protocol, or the McDougall diet, there are several common principles which unite them.
1. Increase vegetable intake
All these diets emphasise the importance of “eating the rainbow” by increasing vegetable and fruit consumption. Vegetables and fruit provide essential nutrients and antioxidants that support overall health. Dietary antioxidant factors may regulate the activation of immune inflammatory cells, leading to the reduction in inflammation and may also dampen oxidative stress, thus preventing chronic demyelination and axonal damage.
2. Eliminate ultra-processed foods
Highly processed, sugary foods packed with artificial additives and preservatives have no place in a diet aimed at improving MS health outcomes. Cutting these out is crucial to reduce inflammation and support your health. Studies suggest that high calorie, high-animal-fat Western diets change gut microbiota composition towards dysbiosis, ultimately contributing to inflammation and neuroinflammation.
3. Say goodbye to refined sugar
Refined sugar can exacerbate inflammation and negatively affect your immune system. Removing it from your diet is a wise move.
4. Nurture your microbiota
Your gut health is closely linked to your immune system. A diet rich in fibre, particularly from a variety of plant-based sources, helps promote beneficial bacteria in your gut. Aim to consume at least 30 different types of plants each week to create a diverse and supportive microbiome. Studies have shown a strong connection between the microbiota, butyrate production, and the central nervous system, with MS patients often having lower levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in faeces and reduced frequency of SCFA-producing bacteria in the gut. Eat more plants.
5. Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring, play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and supporting overall health. Common plant-based sources include chia seeds, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil and walnuts. Whether or not your body will be able to efficiently convert these omega-3 fatty acids to the all-important EPA and DHA is genetic so if you don’t each fish, I’d recommend a good quality omega-3 supplement.
6. Prioritize vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is common among MS patients. Adequate vitamin D levels can help modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. To find your ideal vitamin D intake, consider testing in spring and autumn as your own vitamin D production fluctuates seasonally with changes in sunlight.
7. Don’t forget vitamin A
Vitamin A, found in leafy greens, orange and yellow vegetables like red peppers, squash and tomatoes, plays an important role in the immune system. A deficiency in vitamin A has been correlated with MS development.
Working together
Remember, making dietary and lifestyle changes should empower you, not overwhelm you. I’m here to guide you every step of the way, helping you achieve the best possible MS health outcomes and holding you accountable on your journey to wellness. MS may be challenging, but with the right diet and support, you can live your best, healthiest life.
If you would like support on your MS health journey, take a look at the range of nutritional therapy programmes which I offer. Please contact me for a free discovery call for more information. I look forward to working with you soon.