What Causes MS and How to Stop It

Last Updated on November 29, 2023 by Cathy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease. But what causes MS is your lifestyle habits. I don’t like to blame anyone but I’m trying to bring awareness to how you are living your life.

What you eat, where you live, and how stressful your life is are all triggers of MS. It is a known fact that the further away a person lives from the equator the higher their risk for MS. This is due to the lack of vitamin D also known as the sunshine vitamin.

Possible triggers to what causes MS:

• Poor Diet 
• Infections (bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth)
• Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, etc.)
• Chronic stress 
• Hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.)

In 2022, a study was released that found a much higher rate of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection among people who developed MS. They believe EBV is the main cause of MS.

However, 95% of all adults have EBV and only a small percentage have MS. This means there is something else involved. They also discovered the onset of MS symptoms begins about 10 years after being infected with EBV.  

Earlier studies found people with MS have more bad bacteria in their gut. In other words, they are missing the good bacteria to help balance out their gut microbiota. It’s tough to avoid stress altogether but stress plays a HUGE role in MS. Sometimes, an MS diagnosis follows after a traumatic event happens. Stress can also cause flares and cause your MS to get worse.

There is a FREE “Foods to Eat and Foods to Enjoy” printable for you at the bottom of this post.

It’s Time To Change

MS isn’t usually caused by one factor. For most people, it’s a number of factors that add up over time. What you eat, what you put on your body, and your daily habits all matter. How you are living your life matters.

Now is the time to change and take control of your health and start making smart choices. Only YOU can make the decision to change. If you believe you are a victim of MS you will stay a victim. You need to change your mentality and stay positive that you WILL heal.

Don’t focus on your symptoms individually. Focus on your body as a whole – emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Make sure you exercise. It not only keeps you mobile but it reduces inflammation and releases feel-good hormones. My favorite exercise for MS is the online gym OptimalBody Personal Fitness.

Yes or No to Medications 

Neurologists want you to believe you need to start one of the MS medications as soon as possible. Instead, take time to research it first. You’ve already had MS for years before your diagnosis so taking a week or a month to research won’t hurt.

Don’t let your neurologist talk you into something you don’t want to do. If you’re worried about taking the medications then DON’T. If you’re more worried about what will happen to you by not taking the medications then take them. – Do what works for YOU to keep the stress away.

I haven’t taken any medications for my MS since 2005 but that’s what works best for me. Everyone is different so don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You know your body the best so do what’s right for you.

Multiple Sclerosis has Been Building Up for Years

If you look back at your life you’ll probably notice subtle signs that you had MS. Before my diagnosis, I would get an electrical sensation running down my spine. I knew it wasn’t normal and that it was MS but I ignored it for fear of the answer.

Diet is a big factor but there are many possible causes. Look at other things in your life such as:

• Dental amalgam (silver fillings)
• Lived or worked in a moldy building (mycotoxins)
• Had mononucleosis as a child (virus)
• Smoke cigarettes 
• Vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin D)

Your Immune System

Your immune system helps to keep your body in balance. It works hard to keep bacteria, pathogens, and viruses at bay. But, when it becomes damaged and overwhelmed it begins to not work properly. 

MS did not happen overnight like the flu, it took years to develop. Fortunately, you can change your habits, you can live a healthier lifestyle so your body can heal. Your body has the ability to heal itself!

There is a FREE “Foods to Eat and Foods to Enjoy” printable for you at the bottom of this post.

Genetics

Researchers believe people are genetically predisposed to MS. But it’s environmental factors that trigger the disease. Identical twins who have the exact same genes don’t always both have MS. This proves MS isn’t controlled by genes but through other factors.

Thanks to DNA testing we are able to see how our body responds to outside factors. A 23andMe DNA health test can show if you have a higher risk for MS but it can also tell you a lot more. You can learn more about my DNA test here: DNA Test for Multiple Sclerosis.

Things you can learn from a DNA health test:

• Histamine intolerance 
• If your body has a hard time detoxing
• Increased risk for anxiety and depression
• Risk to MS
• Sensitivity to sulfur 
• Unable to process vitamin D
• Vitamin deficiencies 
• Whether your methylation is working properly 

Diet

There isn’t one food item that causes MS. Eating a combination of different inflammatory foods all adds up. As the saying goes – you are what you eat.

If you eat lots of fast food and junk food then your body is full of inflammation so it can’t work properly. But, when you feed your body with high-quality foods your body starts to work better and you start to feel better.

There are regions in the world where people live longer than average, they’re known as the blue zone. Dan Buettner wrote a book called The Blue Zone. It identifies five regions around the world why these people lived healthier and longer lives.

The five blue zone areas:

1. Icaria, Greece
2. Nicola, Costa Rica
3. Okinawa, Japan
4. Sardinia, Italy
5. Seventh-day Adventist in Loma Linda, California 

Although these people live in different areas, they all have something in common:

• A strong family and friends connection 
• Constantly moving with regular and moderate physical activity
• Eat a mostly plant-based diet
• Engage in religion or spirituality 
• Have a life purpose
• Low-stress levels 
• Stay socially engaged with others

A poor diet, stress, not exercising, and poor sleep are habits most people have. But, they are destroying your health and your life. 

Reduce the Toxic Load

It’s impossible to remove all toxins but you need to reduce as many as possible. It’s like a cup, every little drop of water eventually fills the cup to where it’s finally overrunning. Don’t let your cup overflow. 

Reduce your toxic exposure as much as possible. Your diet and lifestyle are areas you can change for the better. Start eating healthier, use natural body care products, use natural cleaning products, and simplify your life to let your body thrive.

Let Go of Stress

Stress is toxic, let me say that again. Stress – Is – Toxic!

You need to learn how to manage your stress or you won’t be able to heal. I started eating a clean diet back in 2014 and was doing good. Several years later I went through severe daily stress that lasted for years. It’s what caused my walking to get worse.

I wasn’t able to get my stress under control until I stopped working. I worked in the newspaper industry for decades and loved it but the high daily stress was affecting me. Sometimes you need to do something drastic to get your stress under control.

Negativity, bitterness, jealousy, fear, and helplessness, are emotions that will hold you back. These feelings are very strong and they are in your subconscious. But they cause stress and are damaging your wellbeing.

But, you can change by taking care of yourself and putting yourself first. Stay away from negativity and negative people. If needed set boundaries with people who stress you out. Explain to them you’re trying to heal all parts of your body and mind.

What Causes MS and How to Stop It

Eating a clean diet 80% of the time and staying stressed isn’t going to help. You need to take massive action as if your life depended on it. Healing your body is a huge commitment. When I first started out it was right after a horrible flare, it was the fear of another flare that kept me going.

Sometimes, people will start to feel better so they fall back into their old eating habits. Unfortunately, they find out the hard way that their body can’t handle those kinds of foods. This isn’t a temporary diet, this is a lifestyle change for the better.

Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t seeing positive results right away. The central nervous system is one of the slowest systems in the body to heal. Plus, it will depend on how long you’ve had MS and how severe your symptoms are.

Everyone is different, don’t compare yourself to others. When The Wahls Protocol book came out I was trying to reverse my symptoms. I figured if Dr. Terry Wahls can get out of her wheelchair in nine months then I can walk better within that time.

I was extremely disappointed after the first year and I still had all my symptoms. Although I still follow the diet, it wasn’t until I realized I was dealing with more than MS alone. You have to address all your triggers in order for your body to heal.

What exactly causes MS is unknown. You need to live a clean and healthy lifestyle to keep MS from progressing. Researchers are currently working on a vaccine for EBV but it takes years before it’s available to the public. Since it takes about 10 years for MS to develop after being infected with EBV we are talking decades.

Don’t wait for a miracle! Try to figure out the root causes that triggered your MS and fix it. The first step to healing is getting started. 

Foods to Eat ~ Foods to Avoid

Get the password to my library with MANY wellness printables including the Foods to Eat ~ Foods to Avoid here by filling out this form:

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

Resources for What Causes MS and How to Stop It:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31456737

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31340904

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790545/

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Multiple-Sclerosis-Hope-Through-Research

What Causes MS and How to Stop It