ANSWERS: 1
  • Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated as MS) is a chronic disease in the autoimmune category. As with many diseases, there is speculation about the effectiveness of diet in treating the condition.

    Identification

    MS usually presents in young adulthood, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The immune system attacks the fatty covering of nerve fibers, and inhibits the functioning of the central nervous system by slowing or blocking the nervous signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Symptoms can be a tingling sensation, numbness, even paralysis, and are as widely varied as the population the disease afflicts.

    Prevention/Solution

    While there is no cure for MS, many people diagnosed with the disease continue to live productive, high-quality lives. There are several drugs on the market that are designed to help people suffering from MS achieve wellness in the face of their disease. Several diets have been suggested as aiding in the treatment of MS, including those high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, both believed to inhibit the effects of MS.

    Misconceptions

    Since no one is certain what causes MS, there is no way to prescribe a special diet guaranteed to aid in its treatment. Studies that have been done in controlled, scientific environments have yielded sporadic results.

    Considerations

    However, even with the absence of supporting scientific evidence, many people diagnosed with MS have tried modified diets and claim to have seen results personally. The most popular diet option is the "Best Bet Diet," so named because it is not 100 percent sure, but it is probably the best bet at treatment through diet.

    The Best Bet Diet's Origins

    This diet was founded on the belief that MS is often triggered by undigested food proteins leaking into the bloodstream (unofficially called the "leaky gut" syndrome), which mimic the molecular structure of myelin, the fatty proteins that protect the nervous system's fibers. The body recognizes this as an excess of myelin and attacks the good myelin, destroying the protective covering and causing scar tissue to build up around the nerves, damaging their ability to function properly.

    The Best Bet Diet's Regulations

    This diet restricts the forms of protein to reduce the chances of triggering MS. Restricted foods include dairy, legumes, gluten and refined sugar. Eggs and yeast should be strictly limited. Protein should come from skinless chicken breasts or fish, and carbohydrates should be in the form of fruits and vegetables. A host of nutritional supplements are often recommended with this diet, such as vitamin D, which is thought to be beneficial in keeping the symptoms of MS at bay. While all of these findings could be helpful, the most widely approved diet for MS is also the diet approved for the general populace, which is a low-fat, high-fiber diet.

    Source:

    Nutrition and MS

    The Best Bet Diet

    Nutritional Recommendations for People with MS

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy