When you live with multiple sclerosis (MS), the foods you eat can make a significant difference in your overall health. While the research on diet and autoimmune diseases like MS is ongoing, many people in the MS community believe diet does play a significant role in how they feel.
While there’s no specific diet that can treat or cure MS, many people are finding relief from symptoms by modifying their overall nutrition program. For some, simply making a few minor changes in their daily food choices is enough. But for others, adopting a diet program seems to help reduce existing symptoms and keep new ones away.
Healthline talked with two experts to find out the pros and need-to-knows of some of the most popular diets with the MS community.
Nutrition plays a vital role in boosting our health. And if you live with MS, you know how important diet is in managing symptoms like inflammation and fatigue.
While the buzz among the MS community is strong, the connection between diet and MS symptoms hasn’t been widely researched. Because of this, the theory that nutrition plays a role in managing its symptoms is a controversial one.
Evanthia Bernitsas, MD, a neurologist at Detroit Medical Center’s Harper University Hospital, explains that existing research studies on the topic are small, not well-designed, and tend to have a lot of bias.
But overall, Bernitsas says it’s common for people living with MS to follow an anti-inflammatory diet that’s:
- high in nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables
- low in fats
- keeps red meat to a minimum
And Kiah Connolly, MD, agrees. “Because MS is a demyelinating autoimmune disease and autoimmune diseases involve inflammation, many theories on the potential positive effects diet may have on the disease are based in decreasing inflammation in the body and improving neuronal health,” Connolly explains.
Some of the more popular theories she’s referring to include the paleo diet, Wahls Protocol, Swank diet, and eating gluten-free.