Yes, people with MS can eat fish, and research strongly suggests that regular consumption, especially of oily and lean fish, is linked to slower disability progression, reduced inflammation, and better brain health due to anti-inflammatory omega-3s and vitamin D. Aim for about three servings of oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) weekly, along with more frequent white fish and shellfish, but be mindful of mercury in larger fish and opt for fish in water or brine over oil.
The results of this study suggest that eating lean and oily fish could be beneficial for people living with MS. It doesn't tell us exactly why. But the nutrients in fish could play a role in reducing inflammation and protecting the brain from damage.
Foods to avoid with MS
You should limit foods and drinks that cause inflammation, such as: Red meat, processed meats, high-fat dairy products, and other foods high in saturated fat or cholesterol. Sugary drinks and foods. Ultra-processed foods, such as cookies, chips, and fast food.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Fish oils contain naturally two forms of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA; 22:6 n-3), which possess anti-inflammatory activities such as increasing the production of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and may have potential benefits for autoimmune disease, autoimmune ...
Anti-inflammatory Foods
One form of these powerful inflammation fighters is found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna, striped bass and anchovies. You can get the benefit from eating the fish or by taking fish oil supplements. Vegetarians and vegans have options, too.
Antioxidant foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables like berries, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, etc.), beans, tomatoes and beets. Omega-3 fatty acids: Olive oil, fish oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts or soybeans. These help reduce inflammation and the need for pain meds.
The exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is unknown, but it's triggered by a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors (like low Vitamin D, infections, smoking, and stress), and immune system dysfunction that leads the body to attack its own nervous system. Triggers that can worsen existing MS include heat, infections, stress, lack of sleep, and childbirth, while factors like smoking, obesity, and low sun exposure increase risk or severity.
“Most of the research from the past 10 years has said that MS patients who are treated earlier have better outcomes as far as their EDSS score, which means less disability in the next 10 years to 15 years,” said Dr. Jikku Zachariah, neurologist, Penn State Milton S.
It has been suggested that exercise (or physical activity) might have the potential to have an impact on multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology and thereby slow down the disease process in MS patients.
As well as disability benefits, there's other financial help out there that might make living with MS easier. Find out more about free public transport, disabled facilities grants, help with keeping warm in winter, prescription charges and dealing with debt.
Foods That May Trigger MS Flare-Ups
However, triggers that may provoke or worsen a multiple sclerosis attack include: Heat. Poor sleep. Stress.
Top Beverages for MS Symptom Management
Scientists have not found a definitive diet that can change the course of MS. The National MS Society has funded multiple research studies and hopes to offer more specific advice as they are completed.
Perhaps as many as 1/3 of all patients with MS go through life without any persistent disability, and suffer only intermittent, transient episodes of symptoms.
Multiple sclerosis is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, called the myelin sheath.
Pulmonary complications.
MS can weaken the muscles that control the lungs. Such respiratory issues are the major cause of sickness and death in people in the final stages of MS.
Stress does not directly cause multiple sclerosis (MS), but it may trigger symptoms or relapses in people who already have the condition. Many people with MS report that their first symptoms appeared during or after a period of significant stress or trauma, which has led to ongoing discussion about a possible link.
People who have parasites are less likely to be diagnosed with MS, and since parasites are less common in the United States, the lack of parasites may contribute to the higher incidence of MS in this country. However, some types of worms could possibly make MS worse, so more research is needed.
Some people with MS lose sensation in their tongue. Some health care providers refer to MS-related tongue issues as “MS tongue.” Loss of sensation or numbness can make it difficult to move your tongue when you speak, chew, or swallow. Tongue numbness may also diminish sense of taste.
Ways diet can help improve your condition
There isn't one single "strongest" anti-inflammatory food, but rather a group of nutrient-rich foods packed with antioxidants, omega-3s, and polyphenols, like fatty fish, leafy greens (spinach, kale), colorful berries (blueberries, cherries), nuts (walnuts, almonds), olive oil, and spices (turmeric, ginger), that work together in an overall anti-inflammatory diet, similar to the Mediterranean diet, to reduce chronic inflammation.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often cited for severity, impact on life expectancy, or organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (highly fatal), Vasculitis (damages blood vessels), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (multi-organ), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (nervous system), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas, life-long management). Other severe conditions include Scleroderma and Myasthenia Gravis.