Multiple
Sclerosis Research
Diet & Lifestyle
Essential
fatty acids (EFAs) & Multiple Sclerosis
Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats, such as linoleic and
alpha-linolenic acid. They play an important role in maintaining the
central nervous system and the myelin sheath, so although there is no
definitive evidence of long-term benefit, it makes sense to ensure a good
intake of EFAs if you have MS.
Linoleic
acid is found in sunflower and soya oils, and margarines such as Flora
which have no hydrogenated fat.
Alpha-linolenic
acid is mainly found in dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. broccoli, green
cabbage, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, green peppers, parsley and
lettuce), soya and edible linseed oils, oily fish (e.g. tuna, salmon,
mackerel, pilchards and sardines) and fish oils.
Supplements
rich in EFAs, such as evening primrose, starflower and wheat-germ oil are
available over the counter but can be expensive.
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Vitamins
B12 and Folic Acid
& Multiple Sclerosis
Certain vitamins, such as folic acid and B12, are important for a healthy
nervous system, so make sure you have a good intake of these in your diet.
Vitamins
are easily destroyed by storage and cooking, so eat fresh fruit and
vegetables as soon as possible and don’t over-cook them.
For
more information on nutrients click
here.
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Animal fat
& Multiple Sclerosis
During the second world war, meat and dairy foods were
rationed and consequently the consumption of animal fat decreased in the UK and over
Europe. It was noticed that, at the same time, patients with MS had between 2 - 2.5 fewer
hospitalisations during the war years. (1) Dr Roy Swank, a former professor of Neurology
at the University of Oregon became intrigued with this research and its possible
implications. Over the next 20 years Dr Swank put his patients on a low fat diet and
treated thousands of MS sufferers and patients with nervous disorders. His results were no
less than remarkable; patients' conditions improved by as much as 95%! (2) Patients in
whom the disease was detected early had greatest improvement but even long-term sufferers
experienced a slowing of the progression of the disease.
Dr Swank's diet stipulated:-
* No more than 10gms of saturated fat per day.
* 40 -50gms of polyunsaturated fats (no margarine or hydrogenated oils or fats)
* 1 tsp of cod liver oil daily
* No meats or dairy foods
* Fish - maximum of 3 times a week
The long term results of Dr Swank's diet showed that only
31% of those patients who ate less than 20gms of fat a day died but 81% died of those who
ate those who ate more than 20gms a day of fat.(3)
One eminent medical doctor in the US, Dr John
MacDougall,
who treats his patients with the Swank diet said: "I've been very gratified by the
results of this dietary treatment, not only because the progress of most of my MS
patients' disease has been halted but also because their overall health has unquestionably
improved." (4)
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Sugar
& Multiple Sclerosis
Everyone knows that sugar rots the teeth,
and since 1957 it has even been connected with arterial disease and heart attacks. (This
may be due to the fact that high sugar consumption makes you fat and obesity makes you
more vulnerable to heart disease.) But refined sugar depletes the body of vital nutrients
including vitamin B complex which is 'food' for the nervous system. This may be the reason
why in one survey of 126 MS patients, every patient was shown to have irregular blood
sugar levels. (5)
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Gluten
& Multiple Sclerosis
There are numerous reports of patients
nervous disorders being allergic to gluten - a sticky protein substance found in wheat,
oats, and rye. Incidence of MS is low where rice is the main cereal. (6)
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Zinc
& Multiple Sclerosis
MS patients are reported to have low
levels of zinc which is a vital nutrient. It is also interesting that MS is more common in
inland regions than in coastal areas where soils tend to be richer in zinc and fresh
seafoods are eaten. Foods high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, lentils, chick peas,
wholegrains, wheat germ, cheese, eggs, sunflower and sesame seeds.
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Linoleic acid
& Multiple Sclerosis
Linoleic acid is an essential nutrient for
human nervous systems. Researchers suspect that children raised on a diet centred around
cows milk might be deprived of sufficient linoleic acid at the time when they most need
it. Cow's milk has less than one fifth of the linoleic acid of human milk and skimmed milk
has virtually none at all. One tablespoon of safflower oil has more linoleic acid than a
cup and a half of butter or two whole cups of beef fat.
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Sunflower seed oil
& Multiple Sclerosis
A report written by a group of doctors and
published in the British Medical Journal (7) revealed that two tablespoons of sunflower
seed oil taken twice a day considerably reduced the severity of MS and increased periods
of remission.
The research was carried out at the Royal Victoria
Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, led by a Dr Harold Millar. Ninety patients were
involved in the study which noted a substantial and significant improvement in the
patients who took the sunflower oil when compared to those who did not. The therapeutic
value of sunflower oil in the treatment of nervous disorders comes from its high levels of
linoleic acid (see above).
The Macdougall diet: - Roger Macdougall was a playwright
who was diagnosed in 1953 as having MS. His consultant was Sir Charles
Symonds, a leading
neurologist at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases. Twenty two years later,
MacDougall returned to his consultant and the examination found every reflex, every muscle
and every movement ... normal! (8)
At his worst point, Macdougall could not use his legs,
arms, hands or fingers and his voice and eyesight were affected. So, how did he bring
about such a remarkable recovery? Diet. he designed a diet for himself - low in sugar, low
in gluten, low in animal fats and high in cold-pressed vegetable oils!
Interestingly, a letter published in the medical journal
The Lancet (oct 5th 1974) written by a British biochemist by the name of A Matheson,
Ph.D,
stated that he had followed this diet and it worked for him. With all the evidence above,
it is not unclear why!
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Exercise
& Multiple Sclerosis
A report in Prevention magazine told of a
woman who suffered from MS. Initially wheelchair bound, she improved as she changed her
diet. She then began to exercise by walking around the block. Then swimming and finally
jogging around a track in a park. One day whilst jogging she felt her legs go heavy as
they had done when the disease first struck. Suddenly, she began to sweat profusely and
she said it felt as if a dam had been released inside her. She went on to complete a half
marathon.
It is therefore apparent that diet,
nutrition and lifestyle
should be considered not only in the prevention of MS but also in the remedial treatment.
(1) The Am J Med 1950, 220:421
(2) 'Multiple Sclerosis: 20 years on a low fat diet' Swank RL Arch Neurol Nov 1970 23,
p460
(3) 'Multiple Sclerosis: 20 years on a low fat diet' Swank RL Arch Neurol Nov 1970 23
Effect of low saturated fat diet in early and late cases of multiple sclerosis The Lancet
7 July1990
(4) Dr John MacDougall Vegetarian Times June 1989 n142,p60
(5) Dr EM Abrahamson (New York State Medical Journal) 1st June 1954.
(6) Health on your Plate - Janette Pleshette p.360
(7) BMJ 31 Mar 1973
(8) Health on your Plate - Janette Pleshette p.360
Source:
The Multiple Sclerosis Society
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