To understand how nutrition plays a critical role
in multiple sclerosis (MS) it is essential to understand
the basic disease process of MS. Most cases of MS
are due to autoimmunity, which means one's own immune
system is attacking their body. In MS the white blood
cells of the immune system are attacking myelin, which
is the substance which wraps around nerve cells in
the central nervous system (CNS). The progressive
loss of myelin results in a variety of disabilities.
MS Disease Process- Extensive research has revealed
that there are three main factors that cause a person's
immune system to attack and destroy their myelin.
The activation of immune cells against one or more
self proteins seems to occur in many people, especially
following an infection. Thus the immune system has
evolved a system of shutting down such autoimmune
reactions before they cause any noticeable damage.
Persons with MS seem to have a defective immune suppressant
mechanism due to various deficiencies. This allows
autoimmune reactions to get out of control and to
cause damage to the central nervous system.
Nutritional factors play a significant role in MS
by contributing to both the deficiency of immune suppressants
and an overload of foreign proteins which activate
the immune system against the central nervous system.
Thus the keys to using nutrition for controlling MS
are to:
Suppressing Autoimmune Reactions- Notably there are
two nutrients which are effective in suppressing the
immune system in the central nervous system. These
are vitamin D and omega three essential fatty acids.
Not surprisingly these nutrients are in very short
supply in our society and persons with MS are very
deficient in them. By greatly increasing their intake,
persons with MS can help the body suppress autoimmune
reactions.
Research has shown that a vitamin D supply of about
4000-5000 IU is required every day for optimal functioning.
The main source of vitamin D is the sun and Canada
is much too far north to allow anyone to obtain an
adequate supply of vitamin D from the sun on a yearly
basis. A few foods have some synthetic vitamin D added
to them but this amount is very small and is no where
near enough. Thus to ensure an adequate supply of
vitamin D, a person with MS should take a daily 4000
IU supplement which is readily and cheaply obtained
at most drug stores (Jamieson and Natural Factors
make a good product). Such an amount has been shown
to be safe and to be well below any toxicity level.
Omega three fatty acids are found in substantial
quantities in only a few foods. The best source is
fish with fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel being
the best. Thus persons with MS should eat fish at
least three times a week. Salmon oil supplements are
also a convenient way of increasing one's supply of
these essential fatty acids. Flax also contains a
lot of omega three EFA and a tablespoon of flax oil
every day is another good way of obtaining such a
nutrient.
Avoiding Immune Activators- Infectious agents are
one source of foreign proteins which active one's
immune system to attack self. However it is often
difficult to avoid contracting common infections.
Another main source of foreign proteins, which have
the potential to activate the immune system against
self, is our food supply. Studies have shown the foods
that have the greatest potential to cause autoimmune
reactions are dairy, gluten grains (wheat, rye ,barley
and oats), legumes (beans) and yeast. Thus persons
with MS should avoid eating anything which contain
these food types.
The types of fats eaten can also affect immune activation
and saturated fat (animal fat) and omega six essential
fatty acids (vegetable oil) can be problematic. Thus
persons with MS should use mainly olive oil (monosaturated
fat) in conjunction with fish oils to provide most
of their fat intake. In order to greatly reduce saturated
fat intake, red meat should be avoided with skinless
breast of chicken and fish providing most of the protein
supply.
Summary- Nutritional changes can be very effective
in controlling MS and slowing or halting disease progression.
The key changes are:
1. Take a 4000 IU supplement of vitamin D every
day
2. Eat fish at least three times a week and use a
flax oil supplement
3. Stop eating any food that contains dairy products,
gluten grains (wheat, rye, barley and oats), legumes
and yeast
4. Stop eating red meat and greatly reduce the intake
of saturated fat.
5. Use mainly olive oil for fat supply
6. Use mainly skinless breast of chicken and fish
for protein supply
7. Avoid any food which causes an allergic reaction
as determined by either a body reaction or a blood
test
8. Take a variety of supplements to enhance health
and heal various systems. A suggested list is on the
site
This nutritional regime can be used in conjunction
with any of the current MS drugs.
Notably a lot of people find they do not need the
drugs once the nutrients are working.
