Eat Well and Thrive When You Have MS
Eat Well and Thrive When You Have MS
To ward off constipation, try to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Look at the nutrition labels on food to help you figure out how many grams of fiber you're getting. Try nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and cereal grains.
You may be tempted to limit the amount you drink because you're worried about having to use the bathroom too often. But drinking fluids is important. If you cut back on water or other drinks, you can get a dry mouth, problems swallowing, and lose your appetite. You'll also put yourself at higher risk for urinary tract infections.
Possibly improve MS attacks. It hasn't been proven, but there's some early research that suggests that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from a heart-healthy diet cut down on how severe and long your MS attacks are. Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are good sources of omega-3s. Omega-6s are in some oils, including safflower, sunflower, and sesame seed.
Many studies have been done to figure out if certain diets are better than others, but the results are mixed.
Most diets associated with MS aren't backed by research. One example is the Swank diet, which is very low in saturated fats and polyunsaturated oils. The Swank diet is a heart-healthy diet, so it's probably safe to follow, McCoyd says. But it hasn't been proven to help MS.
Some special diets are OK. "If you feel better when you eat a certain way, by all means eat that way," says Rosalind Kalb, PhD, vice president of clinical programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
For example, if you're gluten-sensitive or gluten-intolerant, you can follow a gluten-free diet. Or if you feel better when you eat fewer carbs or less red meat, it's OK to limit those foods.
Other special diets may be harmful. They may contain toxic amounts of vitamins or not enough of certain nutrients. Talk to your doctor before you start any diet.
Eat Well and Thrive When You Have MS
What a Healthy Diet Can Do for You continued...
To ward off constipation, try to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Look at the nutrition labels on food to help you figure out how many grams of fiber you're getting. Try nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and cereal grains.
You may be tempted to limit the amount you drink because you're worried about having to use the bathroom too often. But drinking fluids is important. If you cut back on water or other drinks, you can get a dry mouth, problems swallowing, and lose your appetite. You'll also put yourself at higher risk for urinary tract infections.
Possibly improve MS attacks. It hasn't been proven, but there's some early research that suggests that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from a heart-healthy diet cut down on how severe and long your MS attacks are. Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are good sources of omega-3s. Omega-6s are in some oils, including safflower, sunflower, and sesame seed.
Be Careful With Special Diets
Many studies have been done to figure out if certain diets are better than others, but the results are mixed.
Most diets associated with MS aren't backed by research. One example is the Swank diet, which is very low in saturated fats and polyunsaturated oils. The Swank diet is a heart-healthy diet, so it's probably safe to follow, McCoyd says. But it hasn't been proven to help MS.
Some special diets are OK. "If you feel better when you eat a certain way, by all means eat that way," says Rosalind Kalb, PhD, vice president of clinical programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
For example, if you're gluten-sensitive or gluten-intolerant, you can follow a gluten-free diet. Or if you feel better when you eat fewer carbs or less red meat, it's OK to limit those foods.
Other special diets may be harmful. They may contain toxic amounts of vitamins or not enough of certain nutrients. Talk to your doctor before you start any diet.
Source...