Diet Guidelines for Managing Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
This article provides essential dietary recommendations for managing multiple sclerosis. It highlights foods that reduce inflammation, such as turmeric, ginger, and vitamin D-rich items, and warns against foods like saturated fats, sugars, and milk that can worsen symptoms. Alongside medication options like OCREVUS®, proper nutrition plays a vital role in controlling MS symptoms and disease progression.
Diet Tips for Managing Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation in the central nervous system. The immune system attacks the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding nerves, damaging the protective myelin sheath. Besides medical treatments, dietary choices can influence symptom management. Incorporating certain foods and avoiding others can help reduce inflammation and slow disease progression.
Beneficial Foods
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound that can regulate immune responses. Adding turmeric to meals may help decrease inflammation, alleviate MS symptoms, and potentially slow disease progression.
Ginger
Ginger is rich in 10-gingerol, an anti-inflammatory component that supports immune regulation. Consuming ginger can help reduce nerve and muscle inflammation, easing symptoms like stiffness and pain common in MS.
Vitamin D-rich foods such as eggs,
Fortified orange juice, mushrooms, salmon, tuna, eggs, and cereals are high in vitamin D. This vitamin acts as a hormone and plays a role in reducing central nervous system inflammation. Studies indicate higher vitamin D intake can lower relapse rates in MS patients.
Foods to Limit or Avoid
Saturated fats like butter, cheese, and fatty meats
High-fat dairy, marbled meats, and butter contain saturated fats that can elevate cardiovascular risks and worsen MS symptoms. Increased inflammation may trigger further immune responses and disease progression.
Added sugars in sweets and beverages
Cakes, cookies, pastries, and sugary drinks lack nutrients and promote inflammation. They can lead to visceral fat buildup and intensify MS symptoms.
Milk
The protein in milk may mimic myelin components, causing the immune system to mistakenly attack the nervous system, thereby aggravating MS symptoms.
Additional treatment options like OCREVUS®
Medications such as OCREVUS® (Ocrelizumab) are frequently prescribed to reduce relapses and manage MS. It’s administered via infusions up to three times a year, depending on severity. Other options include Avonex®, Betaseron®, Aubagio®, and Gilenya®, which help control the disease progression.
