Better Nutrition for MS Victims Equals less Problems
Annette Nay, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2004

Dear Annette,

I enjoyed your article dealing with MS. A friend who also has MS passed your article on dealing with MS and faith on to me.

I finally received my diagnosis in September after years of waiting. Like you, my faith ha carried me and my husband and my family through this journey.

I would be interested in learning more from you regarding the nutrition.

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Dear Sister,

Thank you for your kind words. As far as nutrition goes I found to control weight and get good nutrition I did the following:

• Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Follow the food pyramid to get good nutrition
• Get the protein you need:
  • Red meat provides the essential B vitamins necessary for a healthy brain and nervous system. A serving per day is recommended.
  • Fish and white chicken meat are the leanest of the meats and have lots of protein.
  • Eating salt water fish actually helps to correct brain damage. A serving per day is recommended.
  • Meat is not the only way to get protein. A legume (beans, peanuts, soybeans & etc. when teamed up with wheat help provide complementary proteins that your body needs.
  • Low-fat dairy products are best as you will not have to deal with weight-gain due to the extra fat.
• The latest literature on MS suggests that one should cut out all processed sugar as it causes MS symptom flair-ups. Literature also suggests not using anymore that a Tablespoon of honey per day to lessen MS flare-up do to its use. Instead use fruit concentrates or store-bought fructose, to sweeten foods. Never use artificial sweeteners.
• If you drink soda pop – give it up. Each can has ½ c. of white sugar in it; all the others have artificial sweeteners – neither of which is good for even the normal person, and especially not for those with MS.
• Avoid white bread products and use whole wheat. Avoid white rice and replace it with brown rice. Both whole wheat and brown rice contain many of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs, except for two. One of these is made in your pancreas, the other that is lacking in wheat is found in brown rice and visa-versa. I often combine the two in soups.
  • Since these both take a long time to cook, to speed up dinner preparations I cook up a big batch of each and freeze dinner-size amounts in freezer zip-lock bags. When I want to use one I can thaw it in the microwave in five minutes.
  • When beginning to use wheat – use small amounts so your body can become accustomed to it or it will cause diarrhea.
• Eat sensible portions. Don’t get over-hungry and then sit down to a meal, because you will over-eat. Instead, snack on good snacks like fruit, nuts, or a glass of milk to tide you over ‘til it's time to eat
• Try not to eat after your 6 PM meal unless it is fruit or vegetables or your body will store the unused calories in fat. Hauling around excess fat takes precious energy that could be use throughout your day in other activities.

These are just a few ideas that come to mind that have actually helped me.