A small study found that MS patients who drink more sugar-sweetened beverages like soda tend to have more severe disease. High sugar intake also is linked with a higher risk of other conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that may exacerbate the symptoms of MS.
Dairy and MS. Overcoming MS strongly recommends that people with MS avoid dairy in their diet because research shows a high correlation between MS and dairy products, because of the high saturated fat content, and specific proteins in cow's milk.
Research shows hot chocolate could help reduce fatigue
Our research shows Flavonoids found in cocoa could help reduce fatigue in people with relapsing MS.
Not everyone with MS is dairy intolerant. Those who do not tolerate dairy should avoid it by avoiding dairy-containing foods. Highly processed dairy substitutes (example: certain dairy free “yogurts” and “cheeses”) should be limited to benefit overall health.
Dairy Alternatives
Other research does not suggest a link to MS. But if you do have lactose intolerance, then it is best to stay away from dairy. If you want to try cutting back on dairy products, swap out your usual milk, ice cream, butter, and cheese for versions made from almond, soy, rice, or oats.
The overcoming MS (OMS) diet is a plant-based diet that also includes fish and seafood, but cuts out all processed foods, eggs, meat, dairy, and saturated fats. The diet usually includes daily supplements of flaxseed oil or fish oil.
Eat More Fermented Foods
Drinks and dishes like kefir, yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics, which are the good-for-you gut bacteria believed to be beneficial to our health in many ways. One theory is a lack of these healthy bugs may contribute to a range of autoimmune conditions, including MS.
Along with whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies, ginger, turmeric, fatty fish, and foods rich in vitamin D, avocados are one of the best things you can shove in your chew hole if you're an MS patient. So, go grab a sackful and make some guacamole and tuna salad.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) triggers that worsen symptoms or cause a relapse can include stress, heart disease and smoking. While some are easier to avoid than others, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and overall health and wellness can have outsized benefits for MS patients.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, an anti-inflammatory diet should include foods like tomatoes, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and fruits like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges. There's some evidence that consuming these foods could be beneficial for MS.
Research tells us exercise can help you manage multiple sclerosis symptoms, including fatigue, and problems with balance and walking. Exercising can also: improve your mood. improve your overall health when your MS is mild.
“Good options include 100 percent whole-grain crackers or bread sticks with low-fat cheese; fresh fruit; plain, low-fat, or fat-free yogurt; low-fat granola; a glass of low-fat or skim milk; and frozen blueberries,” says Elizabeth Somer, RD, the author of several books on nutrition, including Eat Your Way to Happiness.
Multiple sclerosis should not be treated with honey alone, and the condition should always be managed under the supervision of a qualified medical expert. If you want to add honey to your MS management regimen, first talk with your neurologist or health care provider to get medical advice.
The Overcoming MS diet
The OMS diet recommendations are similar to the Swank diet. It advises cutting out dairy and meat, and eating less fat – particularly saturated fat. It also recommends flaxseed oil as an omega 3 supplement and vitamin D supplements if you don't get out in the sun much.
Processed foods, dairy products, red meat, and fried foods are some of the most common offenders. These foods can cause inflammation not only in the gut, but also in other parts of the body.
Multiple sclerosis sufferers often complain of more severe disease symptoms after consuming dairy products. Researchers have now found a possible cause for this. According to the study, a protein in cow's milk can trigger inflammation that targets the 'insulating layer' around nerve cells.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Aleve (naproxen) and Advil (ibuprofen), can treat musculoskeletal pain and headaches common with MS. These medications can relieve pain and lower inflammation in the body, which can also help with the pain associated with MS.
In conclusion, it appears that drinking a moderate amount of caffeine shouldn't have any ill-effect on people with MS.
In fact, as many as 9 out of 10 people with MS have fatigue, and the symptom is usually difficult to treat. Older research has suggested that a daily dose of 45 grams of dark chocolate may improve chronic fatigue syndrome. Dark chocolate contains 70–85 percent cocoa.
Eating more meat and changes in the blood, immune system and gut ecology correlate with worse MS symptoms, according to a longitudinal study of 49 people that used advanced multi-OMICS to investigate complex relationships.
It is not recommended to consume low fat dairy products on the Overcoming MS program as they still contains dairy – therefore butrophilin – the protein in cows milk which we advise avoiding if you have MS. Replace dairy products instead with plant-based alternatives such as soy, oat or almond.