A common question MS’ers often ask is, “Is there an MS Diet?” Some say yes. Some say no. The diversity of recommendations and the lack of a coherent message about diet and MS can leave those with MS uncertain andconfused.
Especially recently, different diets have been proposed as treatments, or even cures, for symptoms of MS, or for the progression of the disease. Most of the evidence for diets that are touted as helping people with MS have been based on anecdotal evidence, rather than controlled experiments. And those that have been evaluated more rigorously have produced mixed results. Claims for dietary “treatments” that are based on personal accounts are subject to all of the things that make anecdotes very weak evidence. People are susceptible to placebo effects, spontaneous remissions, and hucksterism, to name a few.
Ironically, the two most popular “MS diets” are almost mirror opposites.
There is the Swank Diet, which is a low-fat diet developed by Dr. Roy Swank more than 30 years ago. No dairy, wheat glutens, legumes, or saturated fat from animal sources are allowed. It stresses fish and fish oils. Dr. Swank reported that 95% of patients who adopted this very low-fat diet following an early diagnosis of MS had a remarkably good chance of remaining free from further disability. The problem is other researchers have not duplicated these results, and there is no generally accepted proof that the Swank diet can control MS progression. There is anecdotal evidence from people with MS that this diet makes them feel better.
Then there is the Wahl’s Protocol, which is modeled after the Paleo diet. Dr. Terry Wahls was diagnosed with MS in 2000. After seven years of disease progression, she altered her diet to include 3 cups daily of each green leaves, sulfur-rich vegetables, and brightly colored vegetables, fruits, or berries. For protein and animal fat, the diet calls for wild fish for animal-based omega-3s, grass-fed meat, and organ meats, also for vitamin content. The diet eliminates processed foods, grains, and starches. Dr. Wahls has claimed that this diet not only stopped but reversed her disability from MS.
I side with Dr. Randall T. Schapiro, the director of the Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis in Minneapolis who says “diets have been used for MS from time immemorial. If they worked, we wouldn’t be still talking about them.”
Although there's no magical “MS diet,” what and how you eat can make a difference. MS specialists suggest that a low-fat, high-fiber diet similar to the one recommended by the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association can benefit people with MS. A good diet can improve your energy level and overall health, as well as your bladder and bowel function.
In general, the same basic diet rules that apply to everyone also apply to people living with MS:
· Eat regular meals - eat a healthy, consistent diet. Make sure your diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
· Eat a balanced diet – limit sugar and processed foods, increase fruits and vegetables, choose lean sources of protein, choose healthy fats, and consume adequate fiber and fluids.
· Avoid fad diets - There’s no special food that can cure MS. Fad diets focus on large amounts of certain nutrients and leave others out completely. It’s better to follow a balanced diet than to follow a fad.
Of course, eating healthy will make you feel better. But diet shouldn’t be your only treatment. And always check with your doctor before making significant changes.
Guides from the NMSS:
