Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by Cathy
If you have recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or any other autoimmune disease you’re probably glad you finally have a name for all your unexplained symptoms. Oftentimes people suffer from symptoms for years before they are finally given a name for it.
Many of the symptoms can be numbness, weakness, extreme fatigue, memory problems, tremors, or visual problems. Not knowing what is wrong is worrisome and frightening. Once there is finally a name for it, the person may feel a little relieved but then the fear of what’s going to happen next sets in.
It’s common to go through the 7 stages of loss and/or grief, (shock, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression, and acceptance). This is perfectly normal, and it’s part of the healing process, being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease is a life-altering experience.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, the immune system attacks the protective insulation covering the nerve fibers in the brain, and the spinal cord called the myelin. Myelin is destroyed and replaced by scars (sclerosis) causing possible nerve damage, over time (multiple) the damage can cause permanent damage – hence the name, Multiple Sclerosis.
Possible triggers of multiple sclerosis:
- Diet (processed foods, refined sugar, refined carbs, food allergies, etc.)
- Infections (bacterial overgrowth, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth )
- Environmental Toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, plastics, etc.)
- Chronic Stress (especially emotional stress)
- Hormones (vitamin D, insulin, cortisol)
- Genetics (you can’t change your genes but you can change your gene expression by living a healthy lifestyle)
There are many misconceptions about MS, learn as much as you can – knowledge is power. It is rarely fatal and many people never need a wheelchair, symptoms are different for each individual. Over time the disease is more than likely to progress and possibly lead to disability, you need to start some sort of treatment early to keep this from happening.
Knowledge Is Power
Today there are many options to choose from to control MS, you need to choose what is best for you. The neurologist will try to push their medications, the problem with these drugs is they have horrible side effects. MS medications are some of the most toxic drugs used in the field of medicine.
You need to decide if you want to start one of these medications. It’s your choice, there is no right or wrong – listen to your heart and you decide!
There is another option doctors don’t talk about and that’s your diet. With dietary and lifestyle changes you can stop the progression of MS and possibly put it into complete remission. This is not a cure, if you went back to your old eating habits your symptoms will also return.
There is another option doctors don’t talk about and that’s your diet. With dietary and lifestyle changes you can stop the progression of MS and possibly put it into complete remission. This is not a cure, if you go back to your old eating habits your symptoms will also return.
You have the power to heal yourself! You need to believe in yourself, and stay positive!
Newly Diagnosed with MS
If you’ve recently received a diagnosis, your body hasn’t undergone as much damage as someone who has been suffering for decades. Helping someone who has had MS for decades is still possible; it may just take a little longer. I know this from experience, my first symptom (optic neuritis) was when I was 15 years old (over 30 years ago). I have been using food as my medicine for over 10 years, I started seeing improvements after a few months.
Environmental toxins, stress, and a poor diet overload our bodies with toxins. The proper nutrients from our food and the removal of toxins including stress give our bodies the capacity to heal. Healing will take time, commitment, and determination, therefore you have to go at this 100% or you won’t see improvements.
There are many diets for autoimmune diseases and diets only for MS, you should start with the basics and that is the Paleo diet. If you’re currently eating the Standard American Diet this will be a huge change. You need to learn which foods to avoid and which foods are okay to eat. If you need help starting the paleo diet, you should also read How to Start the Paleo Diet.
Don’t give up hope, you will find yourself struggling especially around the holidays when processed treats are everywhere. The success of healing yourself is planning and discipline, make yourself a special “treat” when you know there are going to be lots of bad-for-you-goodies.
More and more stores are carrying healthy options, shop at your local store or local health store. Shop at Whole Foods, Natural Grocer, and Costco, another option is online like Amazon or Vitacost they have many options to choose from. Always, always, always read the labels, manufacturers often change their ingredients and what is okay to eat today may not be okay tomorrow.
Functional Medical Practitioner
I strongly recommend seeing a functional medicine practitioner. Due to the fact that your neurologist or family practitioner won’t have experience with using food as thy medicine. Find a trained and experienced doctor who works with you on your road to recovery. Functional medicine practitioners don’t just put a band-aid on it, they fix what’s causing the disease.
To find a functional medicine practitioner in your area check out the Functional Medicine website.
Get Started Today
Learn – Learn which foods are good and which foods to avoid. Your main meal will be vegetables, eat a huge variety and a rainbow of colors. The fruit is okay, but eat a smaller amount due to their sugar content, berries are the best choice.
Eat grass-fed and finished meats, pasture-raised poultry, and wild-caught fish, and avoid growth hormones and antibiotics. Eat organic as much as possible, or at least, buy organic from the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen List.
Clean Your Kitchen – The first thing you will need to do is clean out your kitchen, and donate or throw away ALL processed foods. If this is not possible have one section for you and another section for the gluten lovers in your life. Our oldest son (an adult) refuses to eat healthy with us! He has one shelf in the pantry and a section in the refrigerator for his stuff. Most of his food is in the pantry, and most of our food is in the refrigerator.
Shopping – Start stocking up your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer with allowed food items. You will probably need to buy a second refrigerator or freezer. There’s no need to buy a new one instead save your money and buy a used one, check Craigslist in your area.
Plan Your Meals – The best way to avoid slip-ups is by planning ahead. Plan your meals and make a list when you go grocery shopping. Make extra food and store the rest in the freezer or for lunch the next day. Always keep healthy snacks around, if you don’t you will grab something you shouldn’t be eating.
Check out the Resources page for more information.
Everyone’s Multiple Sclerosis is Different
Everyone’s MS is different so what works for one person may not work for the next. Pay attention to your body and remove any foods your body is sensitive to. After I removed nightshades for one month I discovered I was sensitive to tomatoes, I had no idea.
Having patience is extremely important, the central nervous system is one of the slowest to repair. It may take only one month before you start seeing improvements or it may be a long road but with determination, you will see improvements.
By eating the right foods you rebuild your immune system and begin healing. It’s important to stay positive and don’t listen to the naysayers. By choosing to eat healthily you make the decision to put MS into remission and live the life you want.
This is not just a diet, this is a lifestyle change for the better. Once you start feeling better, you probably won’t want to go back to making poor food choices.
Books I recommend:
- Beat Autoimmune: The 6 Keys to Reverse Your Condition and Reclaim Your Health
- Healing Multiple Sclerosis
- The Wahls Protocol
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How to Deal with a Recent Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis
