The theory that diet may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) was further confirmed by a study indicating that starvation may impact the progression of the disease.
In the study, starving mice with a similar condition for 48 hours resulted in fewer symptoms and fewer signs of advancement of the illness in the brain. Although they still developed the disease, their physical symptoms were less severe.
Typically, a healthy, balanced diet is recommended for those suffering from MS, a neurological condition in which the immune system attacks the coating of nerve fibers in the brain. Researchers say that a nutritional approach combined with drugs may offset the progression of the disease.
And the researchers concede that the effect they have noticed may be due to the removal of just one ingredient from the diet - but they do not yet know which one.
Although it is uncertain why starvation may be beneficial to MS, researchers mention that the effect could be due to the removal of any one ingredient from the diet--though they are not sure which one. Leptin, a chemical released by the body that reduces appetite after eating, may also be involved.
Researchers also mentioned that the positive effects seen on the animal model of MS used in the study might not necessarily extend to humans.
Journal of Clinical Investigation January 2003;111(2):241-50
MS is a very challenging problem to treat. There are no simple solutions. However this study suggests that lowering your food intake may help.
I suspect this may be largely related to normalization of insulin levels, and it is likely that the elimination of grains and sugars from the diet was the reason why investigators noted improvements in the above study.
Following a healthy diet is, of course, also key, along with eating right for your Metabolic Type.
Optimization of your vitamin D levels is also of primary importance as many studies suggest. You should NOT guess at your vitamin D levels; I highly recommend serial blood tests to help you maintain your vitamin D level around 50.
In my experience with MS patients there is nearly always a precipitating traumatic emotional event that causes the immune system to crash. Clearly, issues related to this event need to be addressed.
Fortunately, there are many tools to help you do that. Many of you know that I use EFT, personally and in my practice, for this purpose. Because MS is such a serious challenge I would not advise using EFT for MS by yourself, but rather only as a supplement to a trained EFT practitioner. Gary Craig has compiled a list of EFT Practitioner Referrals. Many of these therapists even offer a free 15-minute phone session in which you can ask them questions to see if you connect.
Also consider these other helpful approaches for MS:
1. Elimination of pasteurized milk and dairy is important for most people. Studies have shown that cow's milk consumption is correlated with MS prevalence. Many people will tolerate RAW dairy, however. 2. Calcium AEP--Although I don't know of any good studies on it, the late Dr. Nieper in Germany used it extensively in his clinic, and Dr. Robert Atkins in New York City claims that 85 percent of his patients get positive results from it. Although there is an oral form available, most physicians use an IV administration. I have not tried it yet but might enter a clinical investigation with it in the near future. 3. Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Pineal Gland--There is a Dr. Reuven Sandyk in the NYC area who uses AC pulsed electromagnetic fields to stimulate the pineal gland, and he seems to get some very good results. The treatment is very expensive and must be done long-term, however, and due to the prohibitively expensive equipment, Dr. Sandyk's clinic is probably the only place that offers this treatment. 4. Alpha Lipoic Acid--A study from the Netherlands showed that Lipoic acid is a non-specific scavenger of Reactive Oxygen Species and has decreased the phagocytosis of myelin by macrophages. Free radicals appear to play a regulatory role in the destruction of myelin (Journal of Neuroimmunology 1998 Dec 1;92:67-75). 5. Progesterone--Progesterone has been shown in animal studies to promote the formation of new myelin sheaths (Human Reproduction 2000 Jun;15 Suppl 1:1-13, J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1999 Apr-Jun;69:97-107, Mult Scler 1997 Apr;3:105-12). I am not aware of any clinicians using progesterone the treat MS patients.
1. Elimination of pasteurized milk and dairy is important for most people. Studies have shown that cow's milk consumption is correlated with MS prevalence. Many people will tolerate RAW dairy, however.
2. Calcium AEP--Although I don't know of any good studies on it, the late Dr. Nieper in Germany used it extensively in his clinic, and Dr. Robert Atkins in New York City claims that 85 percent of his patients get positive results from it. Although there is an oral form available, most physicians use an IV administration. I have not tried it yet but might enter a clinical investigation with it in the near future.
3. Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Pineal Gland--There is a Dr. Reuven Sandyk in the NYC area who uses AC pulsed electromagnetic fields to stimulate the pineal gland, and he seems to get some very good results. The treatment is very expensive and must be done long-term, however, and due to the prohibitively expensive equipment, Dr. Sandyk's clinic is probably the only place that offers this treatment.
4. Alpha Lipoic Acid--A study from the Netherlands showed that Lipoic acid is a non-specific scavenger of Reactive Oxygen Species and has decreased the phagocytosis of myelin by macrophages. Free radicals appear to play a regulatory role in the destruction of myelin (Journal of Neuroimmunology 1998 Dec 1;92:67-75).
5. Progesterone--Progesterone has been shown in animal studies to promote the formation of new myelin sheaths (Human Reproduction 2000 Jun;15 Suppl 1:1-13, J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1999 Apr-Jun;69:97-107, Mult Scler 1997 Apr;3:105-12). I am not aware of any clinicians using progesterone the treat MS patients.
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