Healthy eating is important for everyone, but it is particularly important if you have a chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis. Good nutrition, especially adequate calories and protein, helps maintain your body’s store of protein, provide energy, heal wounds, and fight infection.
A good Multiple Sclerosis diet is believed to help control and possibly eliminate many of the symptoms that come along with the disease. This can help slow the progression of the disease. While you should check with a doctor for specific suggestions or guidelines, there are some basic tips to a good MS diet.
Preparing fresh food can be a hassle,the health benefits to anyone are obvious but for us with MS its an even bigger benefit,I will explain.If we use our precious energy digesting unhealthy and rich foods like cheeseburgers and other naughty food(you know the stuff I mean we all watch TV) then we feel heavy bloated and downright lousy! So what I do is make double portions of healthy food when I feel good and stick it in the freezer for days when Im not so good then I wont be tempted to order take aways.Once you get into the habit its easy to do.Have a look at the recipe page (I do actually have a degree in Food and Beverage and I used to be a chef so they taste good! ) Im always adding to it as I love experimenting with food so keep your eye on it and please email me any recipes you have and Ill try them and then put on my site.
As the diet may contain high levels of polyunsaturates, a good intake of vitamin E, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin C is needed. Vitamin E is the main antioxidant that helps prevent peroxidation of polyunsaturates and vitamin C helps to protect vitamin E. Zinc and vitamin B6 are part of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase which is involved in conversion of linoleic acid (found in polyunsaturated fat and oils) to its longer chain derivatives.
It is important to have a balance between the two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturates). Polyunsaturated margarines, fats and oils (eg, sunflower or soya spread, and sunflower, corn, safflower and soya oils) are a good source of omega-6 polyunsaturates.
You should increase the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in your MS diet. Try to always eat freshly cooked food when you must cook it. This will increase the amount of vitamins and minerals your body absorbs. This will help to make up for some of the nutrients you lose by cutting certain things from your diet. Vitamin supplements may also be beneficial or even necessary for your Multiple Sclerosis, but you should consult a doctor to make sure you take the right vitamins.
Obviously, any foods you are allergic to should be cut from your diet. If you are unsure of allergies, try consulting a doctor or allergy specialist. You may also try eliminating all of the most common problem foods from your diet, and after two weeks bring them back one at a time. If you have a bad reaction to any food, then you should probably eliminate it from your multiple sclerosis diet.
Dairy products make your body more acidic and susceptible to disease. You can get your necessary vitamins and minerals from vegetables and supplements instead of dairy.