How To Reverse MS By Following The Paleo Diet

By Liliana Mills


MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, is a chronic, damaging disease of the spinal cord and nervous systems in the human body. It is caused by damage to the myelin, or insulating layer that surrounds the outside of the nerve cells. The disease attacks this protective layer, causing damage, which then causes nerve cells to misfire or malfunction. It might be possible to reverse MS by changing up the diet and environment in which the patient lives.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary, but generally include neurological problems, such as with balance and gait. This can include problems with vision, muscle tone, spasms and tightness of the muscles. There are also cognitive, or mental types of problems that can occur, including depression or mood disorders. The most common sign is a loss of muscle tone, numbness and issues with walking.

Recent research has indicated that changes in the patient's diet and environment may benefit some people and relieve some of the symptoms plaguing them. One recent study suggests that the Paleo Diet, which consists of eating organic, grass fed meats, vegetables and other whole, natural types of foods. This includes adding natural-caught, fresh fish, not farmed, unless it is known that no additives or enhancements are made to the fish.

The success of implementing the Paleo Diet into the treatment of MS and other autoimmune diseases involves the increased amount of the important B vitamins in the body. B vitamins help to protect the nervous and immune systems from damage and this type of diet also provides additional amounts of Omega 3-fatty acids and iodine to further assist the body in healing itself.

Vitamin therapy, especially dosing with Vitamin D have shown some improvements in the MS patient. An interesting study also showed a predisposition for multiple sclerosis among females, especially those born while their mothers were pregnant in the winter, getting less sunshine and therefore less Vitamin D. Those babies born to mothers who were exposed to sunshine, like in the summer months, tended to have fewer instances of MS. The closer the patient lives to the equator seems to make a difference, also, in the instances of MS in the general population.

Removing substances that aren't natural from the diet may help relieve symptoms or prevent the disease from occurring. The one substance that gets the most negative attention is Aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener found in many diet products, like sodas. This harmful ingredient has been shown to cause damage to brain cells and other cells in the body by breaking them down.

Any of the many unnatural substances that are in today's food supply can cause damage to the body, not just Aspartame. Anything that contains colorings or dyes, preservatives and artificial flavorings can cause problems for the human body, but especially to those with compromise immune systems, like someone with multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune diseases. Eliminating these from the daily diet may help alleviate the symptoms in some people and help prevent them from starting in others.

Changing the diet and eliminating processed foods may help reduce the risk factors for this debilitating disease and may help reverse MS in some patients. Following the Paleo diet with fresh, whole and natural foods that are not processed or have additives and adding extra Vitamin D to the everyday diet can surely help the overall health of the mind and body.




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