How to Stop the Progression of MS Naturally

Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Cathy

How to stop the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a question every MS patient wants to know. You will get a different answer depending on who you ask. Since you are here you probably want to know how to naturally stop the progression.

When I was first diagnosed with MS I felt like I was the only one in the world with MS. That was before social media. At that time there were an estimated 400,000 people in the U.S. with MS. Today, there are nearly one million people in the U.S. who are living with MS. This has more than doubled since 1975. It seems like everyone has a family member, friend, or someone they know who has MS.

What happened that caused such a huge jump in numbers?

Researchers are not exactly sure why the numbers increased so drastically. There are many different theories. Since MS isn’t considered a major disease it isn’t on the top of the list to find a cure. MS gets an estimated $118 million annually in funding compared to cancer which gets $7,120 million. I can understand why cancer gets more money. What I don’t understand is that “aging” also gets more funding than MS at $5,195 million. – Isn’t aging a natural process?

According to experts, people with MS generally live seven years less than average. – I always hate hearing that because I plan to live longer by living a healthy lifestyle. MS is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease. The cause of MS is due to environmental factors.

Factors such as industrial pollution, widespread use of chemicals, and the byproducts of modern lifestyles. Air pollutants, contaminants in food and water contribute to challenges in maintaining a clean, healthy environment. It’s essential to be mindful of your surroundings and make informed choices to reduce the impact on your well-being.

Fortunately, you can stop the progression of MS naturally!

Stopping the progression of MS is a lifetime investment but it is worth it. Plus, eating and living a healthy lifestyle also protects you from other diseases such as:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Insulin resistance 
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes 
• Some cancers
• Stroke

Eat a Nutrient-Dense Diet

Foods that cause inflammation include processed foods, refined carbohydrates (sugar), and processed meats. Inflammation is the underlying cause of many diseases including MS.

There are many different diets for MS making it hard to choose which is best. But they all have something in common and that is to lower inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods help reduce body-wide inflammation. They include vegetables, fruit, herbs, healthy oils, and proteins.

Fiber helps lower C-reactive protein (CRP) which is a marker indicating inflammation. You can get a CRP blood test to check your level through your doctor or by using an online line lab like Walk-In Lab.

Anti-inflammatory foods work by:

• Protecting cells from damage
• Reduce chronic inflammation 
• Reducing oxidative stress
• Plant Nutrient

Vegetables are now your main course, aim for as many as possible each day. Dr. Terry Wahls, the author of The Wahls Protocol, recommends eating nine cups daily. It sounds hard but once you get started it becomes easier each day.

Dr. Wahls recommends three cups of each:

• Dark leafy greens
• Colorful
• Cruciferous vegetables (sulfur)

Phytonutrient is another way of saying “plant nutrient.” Eating plants reduces inflammation and improves the immune system. It also protects healthy cells from damage. 

Next time you are at the grocery store buy vegetables and fruit from every color of the rainbow:

• Artichokes 
• Asparagus 
• Avocados 
• Beets
• Berries (e.g. blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• Bok choy 
• Broccoli 
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower 
• Celery
• Citrus fruits
• Cucumber
• Garlic
• Jicama 
• Leafy greens (e.g. arugula, beat greens, cilantro, chard, dandelion, kale, romaine, spinach)
• Okra
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Radishes
• Red cabbage
• Sweet potatoes
• Turnip
• Yams
• Yellow squash
• Winter squash
• Zucchini 

Herbs for Flavor and Medicine 

Herbs are multi-purpose. They not only enhance the flavor of your food but also improve your health. There are many herbs to choose from, it’s best to use a variety to get the most benefits. I like to use Herbs de Provence by Trader Joe’s. It is a mix of seven different herbs including lavender.

I like to use a lot of cinnamon since it helps control blood sugar levels. I also use garlic because it is an antibiotic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal. Herbs are expensive to buy so try growing them in your garden or on your kitchen window sill. 

Common herbs to boost your health:

• Basil
• Cinnamon 
• Dill
• Garlic
• Cloves
• Ginger
• Marjoram 
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Turmeric 
• Rosemary
• Sage

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that’s found in fatty fish and some plants. Studies found omega-3 fats help by reducing the severity of MS. Omega-3 supplements and fish oils are also beneficial in reducing MS relapses.

Omega-3 fatty acids:

• Dark leafy greens (e.g. collard greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach)
• Fatty fish (e.g. anchovies, mackerel, salmon, sardines, rainbow trout, tuna)
• Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
• Nuts, especially walnuts

What can I eat?

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

There are lots of foods you can eat and enjoy. You need to be more mindful of what you put in your mouth. Don’t get trapped into thinking you need to eat traditional processed foods. Eating clean, whole foods is more flavorful than processed foods. We rarely go out to eat, but when we do, I always think, “I can make a better meal at home for a lot less money.”

Here are some ideas to help get you started:

Breakfast: Leftovers are my favorite plus it’s quick and easy. Fruit or a smoothie is also a good breakfast option (studies found fruit does not spike your blood sugar).

Lunch: A giant salad with a lot of different vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, and fruit, use lemon juice mixed with raw honey for the dressing.

Dinner: A big plate of roasted vegetables such as sweet potatoes and broccoli mixed with olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings. Along with wild-caught salmon with seasonings.

Keep snacks close by for those moments when you start feeling hungry. Think about wholesome options like fresh fruits such as apples, grapes, papapa, or kiwi – things that nourish your body. This is not a stravation diet, it’s about giving your body what it needs. So, if you feel that hunger kicking in, grab a healthy snack and keep your blood sugar (glucose) from dropping. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body’s cells.

Exercise Daily

Exercise is very important for people with MS. I know from experience how easy it is to not exercise when you struggle with walking. But, if you don’t keep your body moving it allows your muscles to become weaker and atrophied. You don’t need to do vigorous exercises. Even 5 minutes at a time, this is better than nothing.

Here are some good exercises to try:

• Balance training
• Tai chi
• Stretching
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Walking
• Water sports

My favorite is OptimalBody Personal Fitness. It’s an online gym for people with MS. The owner, David Lyons, also has MS so he knows which exercises work. These are exercises for any level of MS including people in wheelchairs.

Learn to Manage Your Stress

Stress management is critical in your healing journey. It can trigger the onset of MS and cause a flare. Stress is everywhere from kids, work, commuting, finances, or crowds. Stress not only raises your blood pressure but it causes brain fog and poor decision-making. 

When you are under stress it can cause your MS to get worse. I found this out the hard way. After years of daily stress from my job, it caused my walking to get worse. One day I fell and shattered my elbow, I ended up getting surgery and months of physical therapy.

Symptoms from chronic stress:

• Age more quickly
• Affects digestion
• Brain fog
• Disrupts sleep
• Elevates blood sugar
• Heart disease
• Fatigue 
• Impairs memory
• Poor decision making
• Tenses muscles
• Tightens blood vessels 
• Weakens the gut lining creating a leaky gut

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is another important factor for maintaining your health. It reduces inflammation and keeps your immune system working. When you don’t get enough sleep it causes daytime sleepiness and poor concentration. 

Plus, lack of sleep can cause a temporary worsening of MS symptoms. If you suffer from balance issues, lack of sleep will make it worse putting you at a higher risk of falling. Unfortunately, more than half of people with MS also have trouble sleeping.

There are lots of tips for falling asleep but when you have MS there’s more to it for many people. Such as frequent nighttime urination, spasticity, or leg cramps. Try the obvious such as avoiding beverages or television before bed. 

Here are some other helpful tips to try before going to bed:

• Avoid caffeine
• Magnesium spray to avoid body aches, leg cramps, muscle spams, or restless legs
• Meditate 
• Read
• Turn off the television, computer, or any other electronic devices 

Stop the Progression of MS Naturally

You don’t have to change overnight. I went cold turkey right before Thanksgiving, it was extremely hard and depressing. For most people, it is easier to go in smaller steps, just remember to keep moving forward.

Stopping the progression of MS is your ultimate goal.

Free Wellness Library!

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Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4799713/

https://report.nih.gov/categorical_spending.aspx

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31462182/

Want to remember this health tip? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!

How to Stop the Progression of MS Naturally