Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Cathy
Medical professionals consider multiple sclerosis (MS) a rare disease. Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with MS. In comparison, 121.5 million are living with heart disease, it’s the number one killer. Chronic inflammation is the cause of both. Nearly 60% of people in the U.S. have one or more chronic diseases.
Every year in the U.S., chronic diseases cause 7 out of 10 deaths. On average, someone dies from heart disease every 37 seconds. Out of the top ten causes of death in the U.S., eight are due to a chronic disease.
The top ten causes of death in the U.S. include:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- COVID
- Accidents
- Stroke
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
- Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis (inflammation of the kidneys)
Get your free “The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS” at the bottom of this post.
The Cost of Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases are costing $4.1 trillion in annual healthcare costs. The average cost of an MS drug modifying therapy (DMT) is close to $94,000 annually. Six of those have been on the market since before 2009 and have risen by 200%. Nine MS DMTs cost more than $100,000 annually.
Healthcare costs are skyrocketing and many people cannot afford their medicine. My son is a type 1 diabetic (an autoimmune disease), without insulin, he would die. Many diabetics can’t afford their insulin so they cut back. As a result, they can end up in the hospital with a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA.
In the meantime, pharmaceutical companies are pocketing billions while people are getting sicker. They now say for the first time in our nation’s history, children may not live longer than their parents.
For being the richest country in the world, the U.S. ranks at the bottom out of 12 countries when it comes to healthcare. So what happened? – Our country is more concerned about making money than they are about saving lives. Doctors get rewards for promoting drugs. Hospitals rely on our sickness to stay in business.
I’m not saying they are keeping us sick on purpose, but they are giving us “bandaids” not cures. If a cure for heart disease was to come out, pharmaceutical companies wouldn’t make money. It’s like when you buy a battery, it can’t last forever, or the company that makes them would go out of business.
Alternative Medicine
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Today, more people have an interest in improving naturally. When I first changed my diet in 2004, being gluten-free was unheard of. The were no stores like Natural Foods in my area. And grocery stores had a very small organic foods section. I had to go to a small local health food specialty store to find what I needed.
Now, there are more than 163,000 natural food stores across the U.S. including stores such as Trader Joe’s. Stores like Walmart also carry a big selection of organic and natural foods. They will continue to grow as consumer interest also grows.
According to surveys, around 70% of people with MS have tried alternative treatments. I stopped using all MS drugs in 2005 because I was sick of the side effects. Plus, I believe they caused me to have more MS exacerbations (flares or attacks). I’m not the only one, many people with MS feel their DMT was making them feel worse.
The right dietary choices, combined with a healthy lifestyle, can help heal MS effectively and improve one’s overall quality of life.
Diet for Multiple Sclerosis
There are many diets for MS including the Swank diet and The Wahls Protocol. I have been on many of them but what I found was… there is no perfect diet. It’s nutrition and lifestyle choices that will make a difference.
It’s your choices that will have a powerful effect on the outcome of your MS. A 20-year study found Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the main cause of MS. Which means a viral infection causes MS. However, most people have EBV but only a small percentage have MS proving EBV is not the only factor.
Triggers to MS include:
- Poor Diet
- Infections (bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth)
- Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.)
Doctors are not trained in nutrition instead, they rely on pharmaceutical drugs. But, the best way to promote your health isn’t by taking more pharmaceutical drugs. To improve your quality of life, it starts by eating and living a healthy lifestyle.
“The doctor of the future will give no medication but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”
Thomas Edison
Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices are what’s going to heal your body. These foods provide antioxidants, fiber, minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamins. They are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antiviral. Plus, they help remove heavy metals and mold from your body.
Foods to Avoid for MS
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French fries, white bread, and white rice are basically plant food but they are not healthy food. They are highly processed or high in trans fat. White flour, sugars, and most oils come from plants, but they lack essential nutrients.
Plus, eating a diet high in fats, including healthy fats, is not suitable for your body. About 25 percent of adults in the U.S. have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Excess fat stored inside liver cells creates a condition that makes it harder for the liver to work.
Your body is full of pathogens and toxins. It’s the liver’s job to remove them from your body. But your liver can’t protect you when is it overloaded. When you are trying to heal you also need to help your liver and you can start by staying hydrated.
A 12-year study found, that adults who ate unhealthy plant-based foods had a 12% greater risk of death.
Cow’s milk increases the risk of MS, type 1 diabetes, and cancer. One study found women with MS who drank more milk had more exacerbations (attacks, flares). Other studies found countries that consumed more dairy had higher rates of MS. A study released in 2022 found that protein casein in dairy is the problem.
The dairy association wants you to believe dairy is the best form of calcium. This is not true, there are plenty of plant foods that are high in calcium including:
- Bananas
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Butternut squash
- Collard greens
- Figs
- Kale
- Okra
- Oranges
- Pistachios
- Pumpkin
- Rhubarb
- Romaine lettuce
- Sesame seeds
- Tangerines
- Turnip greens
Get your free “The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS” at the bottom of this post.
Avoid these foods:
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Refined sugar
- Artificial flavors and sweeteners
- Natural flavors
- Corn (it’s mostly a GMO)
- Soy (it’s mostly a GMO)
- MSG
- Canola oil (it’s mostly a GMO)
- Pork (it’s high in fat and prone to parasites)
- Farmed fish (it’s washed in toxic chemicals due to parasites)
- Citric acid (processed citric acid is mostly derived from corn)
While you’re healing you should avoid these foods (you can add them back after your body has healed):
- Beans, chickpeas, and lentils aren’t bad foods but they aren’t healing foods either
- Eggs and peanuts because they are high-allergen foods
- Gluten-free grains to help your body heal faster
How Your Plate Can Help Heal MS
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Drug companies have built a billion-dollar industry where they keep you relying on them. Besides being expensive, they don’t always work. Plus, the side effects are scary which include heart and liver damage, brain disease, and death.
MS is a chronic disease which means you can do something about it. Understanding how certain foods and lifestyle changes can help heal MS is essential for you looking to take a proactive approach to their health.
Taking care of MS naturally involves a whole-person approach to staying healthy. You can improve your quality of life by changing your diet and lifestyle. Eating more healthy foods is less expensive than MS drugs and they can reverse your symptoms.
Making the right dietary choices can play an essential role and help you manage your MS symptoms. Your plate isn’t just a source of nourishment; it can be a powerful ally by reversing MS. Your plate is a canvas for the vibrant colors of hope and wellness. So, savor each bite, make informed choices, and let your plate help heal MS, one nourishing meal at a time.
The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS
Unlock the key to a vibrant life with multiple sclerosis by subscribing to my newsletter and gaining exclusive access to ‘The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS.’ It’s packed with valuable information on natural management strategies and clean health lifestyle practices that you can start today.
Want to remember this health tip? Pin it to your Pinterest board!
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Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm
How Your Plate Can Help Heal MS
