Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that attacks the myelin, the tissue that wraps around the nerves to essentially insulate and protect them. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people suffer from MS worldwide. While there is no cure currently because of the widespread nature and limited understanding of the disease, there are many case studies that show complete reversal of the condition with limited flare ups if the proper protocol is followed.
Who is affected by Multiple Sclerosis?
Women are twice as likely to develop MS than men. Generally MS symptoms are seen between the ages of 20-40 years of age, while it is possible for younger individuals to develop it as well. Those with a family history of autoimmune diseases and those who have a genetic susceptibility of inheriting MS may be at greater risk for epigenetic signaling.
What are the causes of Multiple Sclerosis?
While there is no one definitive cause, MS has been linked to over 24 different pathogens, like herpes virus and retrovirus, as well as heavy metal exposure, mold toxins, food allergies, and a poor, Westernized diet. Implementing a specific protocol to control for these external factors, as well as incorporating nourishing foods that support proper neurological function has shown great results in lessening and preventing the condition.
How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?
It can be hard to diagnose because of the nature of the disease. However, usually as the symptoms progress and worsen it is diagnosed through differential diagnosis. Essentially the physician will rule out all other similar issues until the final result is declared as MS. Often the tests used will be spinal taps, MRIs, blood tests, and an evoked potential test to determine the actual cause.
What are the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
While it varies from person to person, most often symptoms portray themselves as sensory issues. This can be related to motor control, itchy skin, memory loss, depression, blurred vision, muscle spasms, slurred speech, dementia, and even paralysis.
While there have been many documented case studies of this condition, in the past decade there have been a steadily growing number of individuals returning to normal function with limited flare ups. One such case study was that of Dr. Terry Wahls. She developed MS in 2000 and then in 2003 it advanced to progressive multiple sclerosis. After many years of slowly declining health, she eventually had to be placed into a reclining wheelchair due to weak muscles and pain.
However, in 2007 Dr. Wahls discovered functional medicine and began to do her own research. She then built her own protocol (The Wahl’s Protocol) and within a year she was riding a bike through her neighborhood, and even completing an 18 mile bicycle tour.
Now over a decade later, Dr. Wahls is a practicing physician and healthier than she has ever been before. She has noted it took several years before she would become back to normal and she would notice when certain foods had caused a flare up. However, through time she also noticed that the flare ups were not as bad or went away entirely. And her protocol is not just beneficial for those with MS, but other conditions as well such as leaky gut, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue, psoriasis, chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, depression, and so many more.
What are the treatments for Multiple Sclerosis?
Conventional treatments consist mainly of corticosteroids to suppress the immune system and manage inflammation levels. Doctors may also use plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) to remove antibodies that are affecting the nerves of the damaged tissue.
To help manage symptoms other medications may be used as well. These could include Copaxone, Tecfidera, Gilenya, beta interferons, Aubagio, Lemtrada, Tysabri, and Mitoxantrone. Although it should be noted that these medications also have a long list of side effects and may damage vital organs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ).
While MS is still early in its infancy to understand what the cause(s) are, there are many lifestyle factors we can address to invoke a healthier life, whether that is to manage or lessen symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis Natural Protocol
1. Supercharge Your Mitochondria With Food
Our mitochondria are the little powerhouses that are like the battery pack to our lives. If our mitochondria aren’t working properly then we aren’t going to work properly. And the reality is that we live in a world that is always exposing our mitochondria to unhealthy toxins and stress that leave us worse off. Factors such as a poor diet, environmental toxins, lack of sleep, too much stress, sedentary lifestyle, and chronic dehydration all impact our mitochondrial health.
To really enhance our health we need to eat foods and live a lifestyle that supercharges our mitochondria. Here is a list of foods you can start to include that will support your mitochondria, as well as give your body the raw materials it needs to function optimally:
Top foods to eat to power your mitochondria and ensure optimal nervous system health
Dark, leafy greens contain many nutrients as well as magnesium, which is vital for energy production down to the cellular level
Organic berries are very rich in antioxidants, which support healthy inflammation levels
Sulfur-rich cruciferous veggies like cabbage, broccoli sprouts, garlic, onion, and mushrooms support detox pathways and vital for proper neurological impulses
Wild caught seafood low in mercury like sardines, salmon roe, herring, and sockeye salmon are all rich sources of EPA/DHA which support a healthy brain
Organ meats are essentially nature’s multivitamin, containing nearly every nutrient a human needs to survive and thrive. This is the ultimate mitochondrial superfood.
Grassfed meats are very rich in bioavailable nutrients. Plants can contain anti-nutrients, leaving them useless. A diet with plentiful amounts of sustainably raised red meat is full of nutrients that can promote health and supercharge your mitochondria.
Fermented foods like pickles, kimchi, natto, and sauerkraut are important for nourishing our gut bacteria, which play a huge role in energy production, hormone regulation, digestion, metabolism, and many other important aspects to living a healthy life.
Seaweed is rich a source of iodine, which is crucial for optimal nervous system function.
Healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado oil, grassfed animal fats, olive oil, and ghee are vital for the health of our brains. Our brain is largely comprised of fat, cholesterol, and water. The myelin sheath that deteriorates in individuals with MS need healthy fats to literally rebuild themselves. These fats help to enhance our brain and nervous system function as well as stave off cravings and nourish our body from the inside out.
2. Avoid Trigger Foods That Can Cause Flare Ups
Multiple Sclerosis is autoimmune in nature and there are several foods that are more likely to cause an autoimmune attack, or flare ups, with those that have the condition. For best results it is best to avoid foods such as:
Top Foods to Avoid to limit flare ups
Caffeine - this can increase cortisol leading to increased stress, causing potential flare ups
Alcohol - can be very damaging to the nervous system as well as potential detox pathways that are crucial for optimizing a healthy body
Gluten - can be a large cause for autoimmunity and trigger certain attacks to those that are most susceptible
Soy - this is a common allergen and many common autoimmune conditions have been linked to the consumption of soy
Dairy products - dairy is a very common cause of allergies and autoimmune condition-related issues. Removing dairy (more specifically the protein casein) can limit flare ups with those that may be suspected of having MS or already diagnosed.
Eggs - egg whites contain a protein called albumin and can be a common trigger for many individuals, not just those with MS, but a large percentage of individuals who are genetically susceptible.
Processed foods - these are void of any real nutrient value and can cause a lot of inflammation and oxidation inside the body, leading to a host of problems.
Sugar - can result in elevated insulin levels which may promote inflammation and damage DNA
Vegetable oils - oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed, soybean, corn, and others are all highly inflammatory and can promote oxidation inside the body. I recommend switching to avocado oil as the base for all your dishes.
3. Prioritize Sleep and Stress Reduction Practices
Sleep is where our bodies repair and come back stronger, as well as where a lot of our brain detoxification happens. In fact, it’s been shown that our brains actually shrink up to 60 percent while we are asleep so the cerebral spinal fluid can cleanse our brains and repair all the damage that’s been done (7).
Stress is very prevalent in today’s society, so much so that over 80 percent of physician visits are due to stress-related ailments (8). While certain stress is unavoidable, learning how to manage it in a healthy way is key. Especially for those with MS, relaxing the nervous system and moving it in healthy ways are key to optimal repair. Try these methods here:
Stretch on a regular basis
Walk (if possible and with doctors approval)
Light weight movements with guidance from CPT or DPT
Meditation
Mindfulness
Breathing practices
Writing down your thoughts
4. Support Your Body with Supplementation
While food should always come first because there are probably beneficial compounds that whole foods contain that we have yet to discover, targeted supplements can be very beneficial especially if you are trying to recover from a certain condition.
These supplements here are specifically chosen to help those with MS and other neurological disorders:
5 supplements to utilize when dealing with Multiple Sclerosis
Fish oil/krill - contains EPA/DHA that are essential for growing healthy brains into old age
Desiccated organ complex - organ meats are the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and can supercharge your mitochondria.
CoQ10 - very important for cardiovascular health but it supports the mitochondria and tends to naturally decline as we age. Supplement with a CoQ10 pill or find it in plenty in grassfed beef heart.
B- vitamin complex (specifically B12) - B vitamins are crucial for optimal neurological function. B1, B2, B3, B6, folate (B9), and B12 all aid in the cellular communication of our neurological pathways. For best results, eat nutrient rich sources of grassfed animals or take a highly bioavailable B-complex supplement.
Gingko Biloba - this is a powerful, natural antioxidant that has shown in the literature to circulation and support the nerves (9).
Closing Thoughts
While there is still much to discover about Multiple Sclerosis, we can’t undervalue the role food and epigenetic signaling plays in our health and the development of certain diseases. While this information should not be used in replacement of medical advice, you should still seek the help and guidance of a practicing medical doctor for support. This protocol I have designed is not to be used in replacement of medical advice from a doctor and should not be treated as such.
If you do wish to seek more professional help and one-on-one guidance, I offer a personalized coaching program that is designed to help each person with his or her individual needs. You can find more out about that by taking on my Ultimate Autoimmune Reset™.
