Intermittent Fasting Benefits MS

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Cathy

Intermittent fasting is growing in popularity, especially in the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. If you haven’t heard of intermittent fasting, it’s when you go between periods of eating and not eating. Why should you try it? Researchers discovered intermittent fasting benefits MS by reversing some of the damage.

Fasting can help reverse some of the damage caused by MS.

When most people think of fasting they think of not eating for days and starving. Intermittent fasting isn’t like that. You not only go without eating, but you still feel satisfied and not hungry.

Seems impossible? Keep reading. . .

What Is Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is a voluntary amount of time of avoiding food. People have been fasting for thousands of years, for medical or spiritual practices. Fasting benefits many different chronic diseases. Including allergies, heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

I started intermittent fasting when I started the Wahls Paleo Plus (WPP) diet. I no longer follow that exact diet due to losing too much weight, you can read about it in this older post – Why I Failed the Wahls Paleo Plus. But, I still do intermittent fasting and I’m not losing weight.

It’s now been over three years of intermittent fasting. I stop eating in the evening and don’t eat again for 16 hours until the next day. I occasionally do a fast for 24 hours where I only drink bone broth to help my gut. I usually do this on a Saturday to give my body a little boost after some kind of reaction to something. Usually from a food reaction or stress.

Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers discovered fasting was able to reverse some of the damage caused by MS. It allows the cells in your body to rebuild including myelin-producing cells.

Dr. Terry Wahls, author of The Wahls Protocol, says “Your mitochondria will thrive.” She recommends fasting 12-16 hours each evening until the next day. to improve brain cell growth. She also says you can achieve this by fasting every other day if needed.

I no longer test for ketones or worry about being in ketosis. I do fast every evening and I eat fewer carbohydrates due to a yeast overgrowth. I’m sure if I did test myself it might show a slight level of ketones.

Benefits Your Brain

Fasting is an excellent way to challenge your brain to make new brain cells. It promotes new nerve cells and as Dr. Terry Wahls said above, it improves your mitochondria.

Intermittent fasting increases mental sharpness. As animals hunt due to hunger they need to stay focused so they can catch their next meal. The opposite happens when you’re full. After you just finished a large meal you feel suggest and tired.

Researchers found benefits to the brain from fasting and calorie restrictions. Including exercise along with fasting increases brain activity. Fasting at least several times per week has many benefits. It helps your brain regenerate, improve your memory, and lift your spirits.

Fasting Sounds Hard

Eating only twice a day isn’t really that hard. When I first started, my main concern was losing too much weight. While I was following the WPP I was keeping an eye on my ketones. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep the weight on so I stopped.

I eventually dropped out of ketosis but I kept the habit of only eating twice a day. I use to “graze” all day but by fasting I wasn’t feeling hungry. However, it’s important not to go hungry, if you start to feel hunger pains then you need to eat.

Your not trying to starve yourself, so don’t stress your body by going hungry. Increasing good fats and lower carbs keeps you from feeling hungry. To help in between meals you can include a nutritional smoothie. The important thing is to keep your blood sugar levels from spiking or dropping.

Fasting Improves:

• Acne
• Brain Function
• Cell Damage
• Cognitive Function
• Digestive System
• Detoxing
• Feeling of Hunger
• Heart Disease
• Immune System
• Inflammation
• Insulin Resistance
• Longevity
• Metabolism
• Risk of Alzheimer’s
• Stress Resistance
• Weight Issues

Stress

Stress is a huge factor when it comes to MS, it can bring on another flare. If you’re stressed out, fasting isn’t something you should be trying. Your body is already taxed and adding another stressor is something you should avoid.

Stress is hard to avoid but it’s important to get it under control. Try meditation, deep breathing, yoga, stretching, and/or talking to reduce stress. Even talking to your pets can help, they’re great listeners.

Is fasting for me?

Fasting isn’t for everyone, always check with your doctor first. My son is a Type 1 Diabetic and I’ve seen what happens to him when he doesn’t eat, it’s not good. I also know someone who is a Type 2 Diabetic and fasting helped. Everyone is individual and you need to do what works for you.

Pay attention to your body, if you’re not feeling well it’s best to stop. As you’re working on healing your body don’t put your body under more stress. This may be something you can try at a later date.

When is the best time to fast?

There are many different variants of fasting. Some people like to eat normally one day and fast the next day. Other people like to fast for 1-2 days then go back to regular eating. There is no right or wrong, just don’t put your body under stress.

It’s best to start slow, start with 9 hours and work your way up to longer periods of fasting to help your body get used to it. I found the easiest is to start in the evening and finish in the morning. You are already sleeping during this time so if you’re getting 8-9 hours of sleep you’re almost done.

Bottom Line

Fasting helps your body heal and boost mitochondrial energy efficiency. If you’re under chronic stress or sleep deprived this isn’t the right time to be fasting.

Get those under control first then you can try it. Plus, you don’t have to fast every day, if you had a rough day you can skip fasting until you feel better.

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