Diet for MS Patients

Diet guidelines for MS (multiple sclerosis) patients vary among medical practitioners. Some recommend gluten-free diets while others simply emphasize certain food groups. While there is no consensus on what kind of diet MS patients should continue to follow, there are number of general guidelines that may prove helpful in the long run for either alleviating some the symptoms of MS or, possibly, eliminating them altogether.

Common Recommendations

The most common recommendations for MS patients is to eat the traditional low-fat and low-calorie diet. Some doctors emphasize individual foods like fish or broccoli. With a lack on consensus on what works and what does not, it is difficult for the MS patient to see these recommendations as anything but guesswork on the part of the medical professional. There is little doubt that a balanced and healthy diet consisting of more natural foods, lots of water, and fiber is what the body actually needs anyway. It would stand to reason that MS patients are likely to benefit, even if only slightly, by also following these simple guidelines.

The Swank Diet

A more stringent and fairly effective diet than the simple healthy diet is one developed by Dr. Roy Swank. Under this plan, fish is a staple because fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids that are necessary for proper cell function. The Swank Diet is also a gluten-free diet that bans the consumption of dairy products, legumes and all forms of saturated fat. Fat appears to be a major culprit in the manifestation of MS symptoms and even the slightest amount of saturated fat can profoundly increase risk of further outbreak.

Putting It All Together

Because there is no mainstream consensus, it is difficult to maintain that there is any one specific diet to follow for treating MS. Nonetheless, there are a number of general recommendations that may help the MS patient to tolerate his condition. Again, the consumption of fish products are necessary as is the avoidance of saturated fats, including dairy products. Your diet should be rich in vegetables, whole grains, and fruits and you should eat approximately five servings per day. Caffeine and alcohol should only be consumed with great caution and moderation. Aside from fish, your protein sources should be low-fat sources like turkey and chicken. Following these basic guidelines may help with MS symptoms but the medical research does not definitively state this. What is noted by doctors like Allen Bowling, director of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program at the Rocky Mountain MS Center in Englewood, Colorado, is that following this basic diet cannot hurt because it is one that promotes general health and well-being.