Last Updated on September 6, 2024 by Cathy
Want to manage multiple sclerosis (MS) with a natural approach? If yes, it’s all about embracing a holistic lifestyle and making small changes that can add up to big improvements. It’s about making healthy lifestyle changes and choices that are good for your body and mind. – Holistic refers to addressing the whole person which includes the physical, mental, and emotional aspects.
The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is due to a virus and toxins. A 20-year study found Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the main cause of MS. Most people have EBV, and only a small percentage having MS suggests another factor is at play.
Chronic inflammation is the cause of MS which includes:
- Poor Diet
- Infections (bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth)
- Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.)
So, what exactly does that mean for you?
Poor Diet
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Eating a poor diet does not cause autoimmune diseases. My father ate the worst diet, it was rich in unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar. He never ate fruits or vegetables and he lived to be 80 years old. Granted he had heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. – All of these are due to a poor diet, but he did not have an autoimmune disease.
However, a poor diet can leave your immune system less effective in fighting off invaders. And, certain disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used for treating MS can weaken the immune system. To top it off, EBV also weakens the immune system.
A healthy diet provides essential nutrients to fight inflammation and pathogens. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices are the superfoods that support your immune system. They provide you with antioxidants, fiber, minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamins. – They allow your body to heal.
You need to eat these foods as if your life depended on it. The more you eat fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices the better chance your body has to heal. Besides eating a healthy balanced diet make sure you stay hydrated. Drinking enough water keeps you hydrated and flushes out toxins.
Benefits of staying hydrated:
- Delivers nutrients to cells
- Improves sleep quality
- Helps organs to function properly
- Keeps joints lubricated
- Prevents infections
- Removes toxins
- Regulates body temperature
In the book The Blue Zone you will find people who live healthier and longer than most. The reason is due to what they eat and how they live their lifestyle. They eat mostly a plant-based diet, stay active, and have a purpose in life. They have a high quality of life. – This is your goal too!
Healthy foods to eat include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Herbs and spices
- Raw nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils (e.g. avocado, coconut, olive)
- Wild-caught fish and seafood (e.g. lobster, salmon, trout)
- Pasture-raised poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey, quail)
- Grass-fed and finished meat (e.g. beef, lamb, rabbit)
Note: Wild Atlantic salmon is mostly escaped farmed raised fish, when buying salmon look for wild Pacific salmon.
Infections
Since researchers say EBV is the main cause of MS you need to concentrate on getting rid of it. EBV likes to hide in B cells which is a type of white blood cell. It also hides in memory B cells which enter the brain. EBV releases neurotoxins which damage the central nervous system. Right now, researchers are working on a vaccine to prevent EBV. But, it’s unknown whether it will help people who already have MS. That’s why it’s important to eat foods that fight viruses.
EBV is not the only infection to worry about. According to NCBI, other viruses are associated with MS including the measles virus, HHV-6, other herpesviruses, and retroviruses. It also includes bacterial infections, mold, and exposure to toxic heavy metals (okay, it’s not an infection but it is a trigger to MS).
Eat lots of antiviral foods which include:
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Leafy greens
- Licorice root
- Papaya
- Raw honey
- Sprouts
- Turmeric
- Wild blueberries
I also take cat’s claw, lemon balm, and licrice root for EBV.
Heavy Metals
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Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and manganese are neurotoxins that lead to cell death. Studies show that exposure to these neurotoxicants increases the progression of MS. One study found people with MS had higher levels of arsenic (used in rat poisons and insecticides) and cadmium (can be used in rechargeable batteries).
Mercury is another concern for people with MS. In the early 1900s mercury was commonly used in making hats and workers often ended up with neurological symptoms. This is where the term “mad hatters disease” came from. Mercury comes from larger fish like tuna, and is commonly used in batteries, barometers, felt production, fluorescent lights, and thermometers.
It is necessary to take measures to decrease human exposure to these environmental toxicants and possibly reduce the risk of MS development.
National Library of Medicine
Eat lots of foods that help remove heavy metals such as:
- Atlantic dulse
- Barley grass juice powder (it’s gluten-free)
- Chia and flax seeds (consume these in moderation)
- Cilantro
- Fruit (due to its fiber content)
- Garlic
- Green vegetables
- Lemons
- Spirulina
- Wild blueberries
Don’t be afraid of eating fruit. My son is a type 1 diabetic (an autoimmune disease), when his blood sugar is low he doesn’t reach for fruit. Instead, he drinks fruit juice to raise his blood sugar. Fiber in fruit helps manage blood sugar levels.
Environmental Toxins
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Smoking and low sun exposure are also risk factors for MS. Other environmental factors include a poor diet, mold, stress, and toxic air pollutants. They may not necessarily cause MS but they do lower your immune system. The strongest risk factor for MS is EBV. Four times as many women have MS compared to men.
I’ve sometimes wondered why women have a higher risk for MS. Is it because of their sex hormones? Or maybe because of the X chromosome. Males have one X chromosome (XY), and females have two (XX). When women get pregnant MS oftentimes goes into remission. Is the pregnancy hormone protecting them?
Tips to lower environmental toxins:
- Avoid spending time in contaminated areas
- Buy organic
- Check your home for water damage which leads to mold
- Clean the house regularly, household dust contains mycotoxins
- Drink more water
- Eat a healthy diet
- Install central air filtration or use HEPA air filters, I have an AirDoctor in my bedroom
- Install water filters, they remove contaminants and improve the flavor
- Lower your mercury load
- Pass on plastic
- Remove shoes before entering the house
- Stop using air fresheners and scented candles
- Use non-toxic household cleaners
- Use safe personal care products
Do your best to lower your toxic load to help your struggling immune system.
Chronic stress
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Chronic stress lowers your immune system. It’s also a trigger to MS and has a serious impact on the central nervous system. We’ve all heard – “lower your stress” but it’s not as easy as that. Yes, stress triggers MS but MS also causes stress.
You’ve got to do your best to lower stress in your life! For me, stress has always set me back. During the “Great Recession,” I was dealing with extreme stress at home and work. This is when my walking got worse.
You’ve got to do everything you can to lower your stress. That includes possibly doing something drastic like quitting your job or moving. If you’re in a bad relationship, get professional help. We got help after our teenage son was diagnosed with diabetes. – There is nothing wrong with getting professional help.
Tips to lower your stress:
- Avoid toxic people, the news, and social media
- Clean your house – it doesn’t have to be perfect
- Connect with friends and family
- Exercise
- Get your finances under control
- Meditate
- Play with your kids or dog
- Practice mindfulness
- Relax to calm your nerves
- Spend time in nature
- Stay organized
- Stretch
- Take breaks or a nap
- Try taking slow deep breaths
- Watch a funny movie
Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate various functions in the body. They control processes like growth, metabolism, mood, and reproductive functions. Hormones influence the immune system and inflammation. – This can affect the course of MS.
Women are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men. Studies suggest that sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, may play a role. Studies found fluctuations in estrogen during menstrual cycles or pregnancy can affect the course of MS.
Since my son is a type 1 diabetic (an autoimmune disease) his body doesn’t produce insulin (a hormone). He has to carefully measure his blood sugar throughout the day and night. Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have made it easier.
Watching what he’s gone through taught me a lot about how our hormones react to what we eat and do. Sugar, dehydration, lack of sleep, and skipped meals affect blood sugar levels. Years ago I tried to fast for a few days, I probably talked about fasting on my blog. I’m not saying fasting is bad, people have used it for centuries as a way to heal. But, long-term fasting may not be good if you have MS.
Fasting is stressful on your body. When you don’t eat your body releases cortisol (a stress hormone) to bring your blood sugar up. Short-term increases in cortisol are normal. Prolonged fasting or chronic stress raises cortisol, causing adverse effects.
My son has to eat every few hours to keep his blood sugar level. If it’s too low he could pass out, too high he could go into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Both can lead to death. But, as a person with MS, you want to calm your central nervous system. Having your blood sugar continuously spike and drop may not be a good idea.
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Hormonal imbalances can lead to many health conditions including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autoimmune conditions
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
When I underwent cortisol level testing, I expected high levels due to chronic stress. Instead, it was low because my adrenal glands were tired from the continuous stress and weren’t producing enough hormones. Frequently long periods of fasting can strain your adrenal glands.
Consistent, balanced eating is crucial for healing and stress management. If needed, eat something every 2 hours to keep your blood sugar level. – My son has to eat something about every 1.5 hours. Pay attention to your body, you will know what’s best.
A Natural Approach to Manage MS
Stopping the progression of MS is your number one goal. Then you can work on reversing your symptoms. Healing the central nervous system is hard and it takes time but it is possible. Stay positive and believe you can heal. – You can do this!
The key to stopping the progression of MS and reversing your symptoms includes:
- Prioritizing nutrition
- Incorporating regular exercise
- Taking time for self-care
- Choosing a clean environment
- Handling stress effectively
Don’t listen to negative people! You can explore a natural approach to managing MS by making lifestyle changes, eating healthy, and incorporating holistic strategies for your body to heal. – You can do this!
The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS
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Want to remember this health tip? Pin it to your Pinterest board!
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Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8678057/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2494/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7123078/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-papaya
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4731143/
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2022/01/epstein-barr-virus-multiple-sclerosis.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8678057/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2494/
The Power of a Natural Approach to Managing MS
