Last Updated on November 18, 2023 by Cathy
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and autoimmune neurological disease. The cause of MS includes a genetic predisposition along with environmental factors. To find what triggers MS isn’t that easy. Since everyone is different each person will have to dig deeper to find your MS cure.
If you were to look up the word “cure” it means to relieve (a person or animal) of the symptoms of a disease or condition. So in actuality, having a cure for MS means getting MS into remission and reversing all symptoms. But, when most people think cure it means it’s gone FOREVER.
When you get MS into remission and your symptoms are reversed MS will come back if you go back to your old habits.
Researchers believe genetics and environmental factors play a role in getting MS. But, genetics only plays a small role. There are many genes but the HLA-DRB1 gene has the strongest genetic risk factor.
MS does not run in my family so I never thought it was genetic. After taking a DNA test I discovered I had a three times higher risk for MS. (See picture below.) If you would like to know more about DNA testing check out DNA Test For Multiple Sclerosis.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors are the underlying cause that triggers the onset of MS. Exposures such as infectious agents, smoking, and vitamin deficiencies.
The diet also has a lot to play with the onset of MS. Researchers discovered the connection between gut-brain connection and MS. Close to two-thirds of people with MS have digestive issues. Such as constipation, indigestion, and other gut issues.
“There is mounting experimental evidence that the gut microbiome may play a role in MS.” – PubMed
To find what triggered your MS you will have to dig deeper. It could have been an infection, chronic stress, many rounds of antibiotics, or a poor diet. Researchers discovered people with MS are missing good gut bacteria.
For me, it was eating a poor diet, overuse of antibiotics, and chronic stress. Antibiotics and chronic stress cause dysbiosis (gut bacteria imbalance). This can lead to other issues such as bloating, constipation, gas, and yeast overgrowth.
“Current studies indicate that gut dysbiosis is linked with MS.” – PubMed
Dysbiosis can harm your gut lining leading to a leaky gut. A leaky gut is where the gut lining develops holes. This allows food particles and toxins to pass into the bloodstream. This increases inflammation-causing havoc throughout the entire body.
Vitamin D
It is well known that people who live further from the equator are at a higher risk for MS. People who spend more time in the sun and have higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to develop MS. It is extremely important to get your vitamin D level checked. When getting your results back get the actual number, do not except a “normal” test result. It should be between 60-80 ng/mL and can go up to 100 ng/mL.
To convert ng/mL to nmol/L multiply the ng/ml by 2.5, for example, 60 ng/mL is equivalent to 150 nmol/L.
It’s is safe for people with MS to take up to 10,000 IUs daily. DO NOT take more than 10,000 IUs of vitamin D daily without a doctor’s supervision. High doses of vitamin D can cause other health issues.
Infectious Factors
There are several viruses associated with MS but the most consistently linked one is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV causes infectious mononucleosis otherwise known as the “kissing disease.” Most of the population is exposed to EBV but only a small fraction gets mononucleosis. Unfortunately, these people are at a higher risk of developing MS.
It’s unknown if mononucleosis (a byproduct of EBV) causes MS. However, there is a likelihood for MS patients to have a higher level of immune reactivity to EBV. Did EBV increase inflammation in the central nervous system to trigger MS? Or, did MS reactivate EBV? – It’s unknown.
Critical Pieces to the MS Puzzle
Doctors say what causes MS is unknown and you didn’t cause your MS. In a way, they are right and wrong. The exact cause of MS is now known thanks to a 20-year study on 10 million military personnel. Researchers found Epstein-Barr (EBV) virus is the main cause of MS.
To Learn More About the EBV and MS Study Read:
Epstein-Barr Virus Is The Leading Cause Of MS
Epstein-Barr Virus Triggers MS
However, EBV is not the only cause since 95% of all adults worldwide have EBV and only a small percentage have MS. This proves something else is involved. Everyone is different so what that something else is could be different from one person to the next.
That’s why when it comes to healing MS it takes an individual approach. Since every patient has different triggers, you need to come up with a protocol that is right for you.
Since, most people with MS have dysbiosis, healing the gut is a good place to start. However, if you also have an infection such as yeast overgrowth you also need to get it under control. If you continue to eat a high carbohydrate diet then you are feeding the infections.
“All disease begins in the gut” – Hippocrates, Ancient Greek physician
First Step – Heal Your Gut
Since MS is an inflammatory disease the first step is to lower your inflammation. And that’s by eating an anti-inflammatory diet that is full of a wide range of vegetables. Use nutrients from plants and herbs to improve your gut.
Focus on eating 9-12 cups of vegetables each day. It sounds like a lot but once you get used to it it becomes easier.
Here’s a sample of what I eat in one day:
- Breakfast: bone broth
- Mid-morning: green smoothie including vegetables, herbs, flaxseeds, and a healthy fat
- Lunch: leftovers which usually include pasture-raised/grass-fed meats and dark-colored vegetables
- Snack: berries such as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries
- Dinner: vegetables (whatever is in season), and a healthy protein
Depending on what time of year it is I drink smoothies if it’s warm out or I’ll eat soups when it’s cooler. Soup is very healing for your gut especially when you add bone broth and herbs. Limit starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes because they are higher in carbs.
Infections such as bacteria, Lyme disease, mycotoxins, SIBO, and candida thrive on sugar.
Here’s a good protocol to follow:
- Remove factors that contribute to inflammation such as diet and household toxins.
- Replace with things that are healing such as a healthy diet, sleep, and exercise.
- Reinoculate by replenishing good bacteria with prebiotics and probiotics.
- Repair your gut lining with nutrients such as bone broth, fish oil, L-glutamine, and vitamins A, C, D, and E)
NOTE: Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplements. They can interfere with certain medications such as blood thinners.
Avoid eating gluten/grains, dairy, legumes, processed foods, and refined sugar. Limit natural sugars such as fruit, honey, and maple syrup to keep your blood sugar level. I do eat a moderate amount of fruit, mainly berries. I rarely to almost never eat honey or maple syrup.
Getting a Grip On Stress
Chronic stress was probably the tipping point for your body. Stress causes all kinds of health issues from depression to heart disease. It also makes it harder for your body to heal. Stress can trigger the onset of MS and it can cause flares.
It’s easy to say “Learn to manage your stress.” But, it’s harder to actually do it.
It took me years before I got my stress under control. Years of extreme stress is what caused my MS symptoms including my walking to get worse. I tried many different techniques such as deep breathing, relaxing, and yoga.
Nothing worked until I started working on mindfulness. Mindfulness is awareness of what you are feeling and sensing at the moment. My chronic stress was due to my job.
The company I worked for was on the brink of bankruptcy. Every day I would go to work worried I was the next person to get laid off. When my husband told me to expect to get laid off and make a plan on what I was going to do afterward.
Being aware of my environment and making a plan brought so much relief. When I finally did get laid off I didn’t get mad or cry like so many other coworkers. Someone later told me they were very impressed at how well I handled the situation.
It’s how you manage your stress.
Dig Deeper to Find Your MS Triggers
MS isn’t a one-size-fits-all, what works for one person doesn’t guarantee it will work for the next. That was my problem, when I first changed my diet I was expecting my MS symptoms to completely disappear. Yes, the disease went into remission but my symptoms didn’t disappear.
You shouldn’t expect that for yourself either. There are multiple reasons why you ended up with MS. Besides diet, it could be due to infections, hormones, heavy metals, chemicals, and chronic stress. It’s YOUR job to find your triggers. If you are lucky, eating a healthy diet is all you need to do. For most people, you will need to dig deeper to find your MS triggers.
For me, it was fungi – mycotoxins (mold) and yeast overgrowth (candida). Don’t get discouraged! I was able to reverse my heat intolerance after living with it for about 20 years. It was thanks to the book Healing Multiple Sclerosis by Ann Boroch that my symptoms finally started to reverse.
You can do this!
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Photo by Amelia Bartlett on Unsplash
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4939298/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175760/
Dig Deeper to Find Your MS Triggers
