Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the brain and nervous system. In the UK up to 100,000 people suffer from MS. Each nerve is covered by a protective layer called myelin, which helps to carry massages along the nerve fibres. In MS this myelin layer is attacked by the immune system causing damage that to problems with movement, balance and vision. There are different types of MS:
Relapsing remitting MS being the most common type, affecting around 8 out 10 people diagnosed. People who suffer from this type of MS have periods where symptoms are mild or disappear altogether for days, weeks or even months interspersed with flare-ups, known as a relapse that can also last from weeks to months.
After a period of time many people suffering from relapsing remitting MS progress into secondary progressive MS, this is where symptoms gradually worsen and there are fewer periods of remission. Finally patients can progress into primary progressive MS where symptoms gradually get worse over time and there are no periods of remission. There is no cure for MS.
The cause of MS is unknown, but it is believed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The environmental factors are numerous and include:
- A link with low vitamin D levels as there is a higher incidence of MS in people who live at higher latitudes where sun exposure is less.
- There is also believed to be a viral link especially with measles antibodies.
- There is thought to be a link with heavy metal toxicity such as mercury, decreased glutathione and increased lipid peroxidation.
- There is a link between saturated fats in animal and dairy products and decreased essential fats. 42% of people with MS have poor fat absorption.
- 12% have poor B12 absorption
- Omega 3 deficiency
- Many MS sufferers have GI damage and altered gut microbiota that can predispose to auto-immunity
Depending on your genetic makeup any or all of these contemporary triggers could contribute to developing MS. Symptoms usually develop in people between the ages of 15 and 45, and it is more common in women than men, and more common in white people than black and Asian people.
Medical management of relapsing remitting and secondary progressive MS includes the use of disease-modifying drugs, steroid injections and physiotherapy all of which can help to relieve symptoms. However at present there is no treatment for primary progressive MS.
There is a nutrition management strategy that can help to manage the symptoms of MS. It is called Swank Diet and needs to be followed long term. It goes like this:
- Eat less than 10g of saturated fat per day
- Eat organic food to avoid pesticides
- Eat 40-50g of polyunsaturated fats per day (no margarine, shortening or hydrogenated fats)
- Take cod liver oil
- Consume a normal protein intake of around 1-1.2g per kg of body weight per day (cold water fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, beans and pulses)
- Consume little or meat, and no wheat and dairy
- Eat plenty of vegetables
- Consume foods rich in antioxidants
- Food rich in omega 3, selenium, vitamin E and vitamin D
Supplements
Several years of supplementation may be required to normalise tissue levels
- GLA 1g a day
- EPA 1g a day
- DHA 750mg a day
- Cod liver oil 1 tablespoon a day
- Vitamin E 600IU a day
- Vitamin D 5000IU a day
- Selenium 200mcg a day
- B12 1000mcg a day
- Probiotics
London nutritionist Steve Hines on MS.
