Diet For Multiple Sclerosis - Which Foods Are Suitable?

Diet can make a significant difference in the overall health of people with multiple sclerosis. Although there is no specific diet to treat multiple sclerosis, many people get relief from their symptoms  by modifying their overall diet.

For some patients, it is enough to simply make a few small changes in their daily food choices, while for others it is necessary to follow a diet that helps reduce existing symptoms and prevents the development of new ones .

Nutrition plays a vital role in strengthening our health. The relationship between diet and symptoms of multiple sclerosis has not been extensively studied , however, it has been reported that for patients living with multiple sclerosis, diet may influence the management of symptoms such as inflammation and fatigue.

Usually people suffering from multiple sclerosis follow an anti-inflammatory diet, which consists of:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Low fat;
• Consumption of red meat is minimized

Because multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating autoimmune disease, and autoimmune diseases involve inflammation, many theories about the potential positive effects that diet can have on the disease are based on reducing inflammation in the body and improving neuronal health .

Because most of the proposed diets include healthy foods that can benefit everyone's overall health, dietary changes are usually safe and have a positive effect on people with multiple sclerosis.

The paleo diet is followed by various groups of people, including people suffering from multiple sclerosis. According to the theory, the paleo diet includes foods that our ancestors consumed during the Paleolithic era, such as:

• Low fat meat;
• Fish;
• Vegetables;
• Fruits;
• Nuts;
• Some healthy fats

The diet leaves almost no room for:

• Processed foods;
• Cereals;
• Most dairy products;
• Refined sugars

Eliminating these foods, many of which can cause inflammation, can be helpful for people looking for changes in their diet. The first step to switching to a paleo diet is to consume natural foods while avoiding highly processed foods, especially foods with a high glycemic load. These are carbohydrate foods that significantly raise blood sugar.

A paleo diet high in vitamins , minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids can help reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
It is also recommended to add an increased intake of green leafy vegetables, asparagus and mushrooms to the diet.

A diet very low in saturated fat (maximum 15 grams per day) can help manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Although it has not been shown, according to some theories, the elimination of gluten as a source of inflammation from the diet can reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

When switching to a gluten-free diet, the focus should be on eliminating all foods that contain protein, including wheat , rye and barley. Some of the most common foods to avoid include:

• Pasta, bread, pastries, cookies, muffins
• Beer
• Cereals;
• Cous cous;
• Flour;
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein;
• Ice cream and candy;
• Processed meat and imitation crab meat;
• Ketchup, soy sauce and Marinara sauce;
• Snacks, such as chips, rice cakes and biscuits;
• Malt, starch, wheat bran, wheat germ oil, wheat protein isolate.