If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), you know that the symptoms include fatigue, chronic pain, tremors, and vision problems. Not surprisingly, these symptoms can take a toll on your quality of life — but can diet help?
While there is currently no cure for MS, our team of neurology specialists here in Oxnard and Santa Barbara, California, offer several different treatments to help you manage MS symptoms. This includes oral medications, injections, and infusions.
In addition to those treatments, which help manage symptoms and prevent relapses, lifestyle modifications — including a healthy diet — can also help you manage your condition.
Here’s a closer look at how your diet can help relieve MS symptoms, courtesy of the team here at Link Neuroscience Institute in Oxnard and Santa Barbara, California.
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects your central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. If you have MS, your immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath (the protective coating on your nerves).
When nerve fibers are inflamed and damaged, they disrupt the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, which in turn leads to various symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty with coordination and balance, vision problems, and cognitive impairment.
MS can go through cycles of relapses and remissions, but certain conditions can trigger a relapse. Some triggers are non-food related. This includes heat, stress, and a lack of sleep.
Food-related triggers include:
Remember: diet is just one part of healthy lifestyle changes that help you manage symptoms. Take a look at all of your potential triggers and make a plan to account for all of them. Practice good sleep hygiene, reduce stress levels (as much as possible), and wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to help keep you cool.
Here are some dietary factors that have been studied in relation to MS:
Because inflammation is connected to MS, following an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits (especially berries), vegetables, 100% whole grains, healthy fats (such as those found in fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil), and lean proteins may help reduce inflammation.
Avoid anything that increases inflammation in your body, such as sugar, refined grains, processed snacks, and unhealthy fats like trans fats.
Saturated fats may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can exacerbate your MS symptoms.
According to a 2023 study published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis Journal, a low-fat diet — particularly one low in saturated fats and high in unsaturated fats — may benefit individuals with MS. Researchers particularly noted that low-fat diets could help with MS-related fatigue.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a protective effect on your nerve cells (especially your myelin sheath) and so could play a role in potentially mitigating your MS symptoms.
There are lots of ways to add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Top a salad with cold-water salmon or mackerel, add avocado to your sandwich, or sprinkle chia seeds and flax seeds on oatmeal or yogurt.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to an MS relapse. While you can get vitamin D from the sun, you can also get it from fortified food or supplements. You can find vitamin D in cod liver oil, fortified milk and cereals, fortified orange juice, and beef liver.
Battling MS on your own isn’t easy, but with our team, you don’t have to navigate your diagnosis on your own. Our team is more than happy to create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medications, infusions, and lifestyle modifications.
To learn more, call the location of your choice or click here to request your appointment.
