Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Cathy
Is it possible to use food to get MS into remission? Yes, it is! Unfortunately, this is a subject neurologists don’t like to talk about. They may tell you to eat a healthy diet. But most won’t tell you people are reversing multiple sclerosis (MS) through diet.
I’m not meaning to talk bad about neurologists but they are only trained to help ease the symptoms. Plus the medications may slow the progression but they don’t reverse the symptoms. For some patients, the symptoms may even get worse.
Unfortunately, that was my case. After years of my neurologist convincing me, I finally started on an interferon drug. I hated it! It caused many side effects and I noticed my MS flares were getting stronger and closer.
After a severe flare that left me looking like I had a stroke, I started looking for anything different than medications. Determined to find something else that worked and didn’t make me feel horrible. And, I found it – FOOD.
I couldn’t believe it could be that simple. I told my neurologist but all he had to say was “Diets don’t work.” Thank goodness I didn’t listen to him. When I started the diet it made me feel better right away. Fourteen months later I stopped all medications using diet only. I haven’t had an MS attack since and that was over ten years ago!
Triggers To MS
I’ve been extremely lucky and even appreciate life more from having MS. That doesn’t mean I still don’t hate MS because I do! I even had a friend pass away from complications of MS (she wouldn’t try changing her diet). But that doesn’t have to be your course.
- Poor Diet
- Infections (bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth)
- Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.)
A Lifestyle Change
First, start by changing your diet. I don’t like calling it a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. If you went back to your old eating habits the MS attacks would also return. It’s important to remove all foods that are causing harm to your body.
You may need to have a food allergy test or try an elimination diet. That’s where you remove the suspected food item for one month, then reintroduce it back. Pay attention to your body for any negative reactions. Including stomach pains, bloating, diarrhea, heartburn, headaches, or acne. If there is a reaction, don’t eat it again. Read How To Start An Elimination Diet to learn more.
Common Food Triggers
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Gluten
- Nuts
- Peanuts (they are a legume, not a nut)
- Shellfish (crab, mussels, shrimp)
- Soy
Gut Bacteria
Researchers discovered MS patients had more bacteria associated with inflammation. They also had less “good” bacteria associated with anti-inflammatory properties. They’re connecting gut bacteria with more autoimmune diseases. Diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Type 1 Diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
So what does this mean? Researchers are still working on it. They believe there is a combination of environmental and genetic influences. The National MS Society funded the MS Microbiome Consortium to look at gut bacteria. They are also looking into the possibility of probiotics to stop the progression.
Leaky Gut
Researchers are also connecting what’s known as a leaky gut to MS. A leaky gut allows undigested food and harmful toxins to pass into the bloodstream. This wreaks havoc throughout the body causing an immune reaction.
There are many different causes of a leaky gut. Including poor diet, chronic stress, toxins, and gut bacteria imbalance. Before your body can begin to heal, you need to fix your leaky gut and add more good bacteria.
More Than Food Alone
Getting MS into remission is more than what you eat. It also includes your lifestyle. What you do matters in whether your body will heal or not. It also depends on how you think. If you are always thinking negative thoughts your body will believe it.
Stay positive and believe you will heal!
Stress
Several years ago I went through a period of daily chronic stress. I could feel it in every part of my body, especially in my walking, it was a huge setback. I now know that chronic stress is a toxin that needs to get under control.
Stress plays a huge role in MS! It can lead to a diagnosis of MS and it can trigger an attack. Unfortunately, having MS also causes stress so it’s a vicious cycle!
Stress kills your brain cells, and affects your ability to think clearly or to remember. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, the stress hormone. This raises blood sugar levels and disrupts brain-to-cell communication.
Chronic stress shrinks your brain, stopping the production of new brain cells. Eventually, brain inflammation sets in allowing toxins to cross the blood-brain barrier. As you can see chronic stress is very damaging.
Ways To Calm Stress
- Avoid Sugar – it raises blood sugar levels and creates anxiety
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Exercise – Yoga or Tai Chi
- Laughing
- Meditation
- Pets – petting your pets has calming effects
- Talking – to friends, family, or therapists, you can even talk to your pets
- Walking
Functional Medicine
In June of 2016, I decided to visit a functional medical doctor (FDM). That was my turning point, my old symptoms began to reverse. The biggest one is my heat intolerance. I never imagined sitting outside on a 100° F day without my body shutting down. Now I can!
Functional medicine doesn’t just look at your symptoms. It looks for the root cause of your disease. You may have yeast overgrowth (Candida), parasites, heavy metal toxins, and the list goes on. I highly recommend visiting a functional medical provider (FMP). Use Institute for Functional Medicine’s website to find a local doctor in your area.
What To Expect
When you visit an FMP expect to spend a lot more time with them. Bring as much detailed information as you can. Include personal and family medical history, medications, and when your first symptoms began.
FMPs look into your lifestyle factors, genetics, and chemical reactions in your body. You may need to get some (or many) supplements, blood work, and even your DNA test. To get my DNA tested I took a 23andMe DNA test.
You can read more details about it here: DNA Test For Multiple Sclerosis.
With your individual information, your FMP can come up with the perfect plan to help your body heal.
Supplements to Help Get MS into Remission
Researchers are discovering the benefits of vitamin D for MS, it may lessen the frequency and severity of symptoms. Have your vitamin D tested, don’t accept a “normal” result from your doctor. Get the actual number, it should be between 60-80. It’s easier to take a liquid form of vitamin D, this way you don’t have to swallow a lot of pills.
Take vitamin D3 with vitamin K2 because they work together. I take a Vitamin D + K2 Liquid by Thorne.
There have also been many studies on the benefits of omega-s and MS. Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids promote a healthy heart, brain function, and nerve tissue. These are extremely important for rebuilding your myelin sheath.
Fish oil comes from fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna, and salmon and contains EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are important because they are omega-3 fatty acids crucial for supporting heart and brain health. They reduce inflammation and promote overall well-being. Herring and mackerel are higher in mercury which is toxic to humans.
If you’re looking for an omega-3 supplement that doesn’t contain oils from herring or mackerel, check the product label. You could also look for supplements labeled as vegetarian or vegan such as Vimergy Vegan EPA/DHA.
Get MS Into Remission
Trying to get MS into remission is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It also doesn’t matter how low you’ve had MS, you can always heal.
The key to getting MS into remission:
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet, start reading: How to Start an Anti-inflammatory Diet
- Get good quality sleep
- Exercise, my favorite is OptimalBody Personal Fitness
- Remove infections like EBV
- Balance your hormones
- Fix your gut
- Lower your stress
“The ultimate cause of disease is stress.” – Jeffery Thompson
Getting MS into remission is not cheap either but neither are MS medications. When looking for a functional medicine provider ask for pricing up front also check with your insurance they may not pay for the FDM or any lab work. I use a local health lab, they do blood work at reasonable rates without going through a doctor or insurance. I use Walk-In Lab, check to see if they may be in your area.
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Resources:
Vitamin D and MS: Is there any connection?
How I Got MS Into Remission and You Can Too!
