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    Low Fat Diet Anyone? Research ...

    Shows that low fat diet may be the key to overall better quality of life w/ ms. The reason I am bringing this up is because I have been experiencing MS symptoms for way too long (about 10 yrs) before just being diagnosed just recently.

    But a few years back I wanted to lose some weight because I gained over 80lbs and a nutritionist suggested I go on a low fat diet 22 grams of fat a day w/ 1200 calories. (This is the only diet that ever worked for me since I was sick).

    But long story short after about 2 months I was feeling better, I was doing more activities (exercising, going out) and wasn't experiencing as many flares/symptoms. I continued on the diet for about 6 months until I hit my goal. I was feeling great ... not normal but pretty dang close.

    I guess I assumed I was cured but within 6 months I was back on the couch. I didn't think about this until I read about another person's experience w/ change in diet from a Dr Wahls on this forum. So I Googled it and this is what I found in relation to ms and a low fat diet...

    Here's a link;
    http://www.overcomingmultiplescleros...-Program/Diet/

    You can even google: NIH low fat diet ms

    I think I may jump back on the diet and add foods/veggies/fruits that help the mitochondria. But this could be what helped Dr Wahls to recover with the foods she recommends they are low in fat so it makes sense.

    I am so pumped. Any Thoughts?
    ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

    #2
    Secondly, I was thinking if I add the foods from dr wahls book for repairing the mitochondria maybe this will allow for complete normalcy w/ Dr. Swanks low fat diet protocol.

    Maybe this is what was missing out of the diet years ago and why I didn't feel 100% normal but 95% and I mean normal for a person ... not for us.

    I think I am going to get both their books and create do's and don't, food to eat list, etc.

    Here are the books I am talking about. You can actually get an inside view at amazon.com which is helpful.

    Dr. Roy Laver Swank "The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book"
    Dr Wahls "Minding My Mitochondria"
    ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

    Comment


      #3
      I've been doing it now for 3 years with excellent results. BTW, it's a low saturated fat diet, not a low fat diet.

      In any case, there is nothing to lose. You can do it for 6 months and see how you feel. I think you will feel fantastic. Be sure to follow the exercise and meditation recommendations as well. They're all important.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by BigA View Post
        I've been doing it now for 3 years with excellent results. BTW, it's a low saturated fat diet, not a low fat diet.

        In any case, there is nothing to lose. You can do it for 6 months and see how you feel. I think you will feel fantastic. Be sure to follow the exercise and meditation recommendations as well. They're all important.
        Thanks BigA. I thought there was something to it because I did feel better. I currently I am getting so much worse it scares me ... where will I be in 5 years.

        Making these modifications I think will help tremendously based on my previous experience.

        Yes, I am aware of the low saturated fat part which is good because I love olives Going to black coffee will be the killer for me but it is well worth it.

        BigA: What does your diet look like in a day? What do you have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and vitamins?

        Thanks, looking forward to your response.
        ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

        Comment


          #5
          I am willing to say that I am no expert in anything. But, you seem to be looking in the right place for some improvements. The Swank diet has been around for 60 years and Dr. Wahls' diet is undergoing an FDA endorsed trial, right now. There is something to this. I just don't understand why the MS community won't get behind it.
          I wish you well in your quest. Good luck

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by JerryD View Post
            I am willing to say that I am no expert in anything. But, you seem to be looking in the right place for some improvements. The Swank diet has been around for 60 years and Dr. Wahls' diet is undergoing an FDA endorsed trial, right now. There is something to this. I just don't understand why the MS community won't get behind it.
            I wish you well in your quest. Good luck
            I think many do not think it could be something managed so easily w/ food. Or they do not like change especially when they hear low fat saturated diet they get scared of the unknown and some simply do not want to take this type of commitment.

            But my goal is to do it for my children and me. As previously stated my symptoms have become unbearable and I feel if I do not do something now I will be bed bound and mindless. My thinking process has deteriorated very quickly over the last year and it is very scary. I am getting more and more flare ups which is still very intimidating especially w/ the constant pain, weakness and fatigue ... unrelenting.

            I just wish it didn't take the doctors so long to diagnose it. They are currently wondering if I have the progressive form due to my constant symptoms of fatigue, pain, weakness ... overall persistent symptoms that don't give me a break. But I'll hopefully know at the end of July.

            Also here is a pdf of supplements used for mitochondria cocktails: http://www.umdf.org/atf/cf/%7B28038C...arnopolsky.pdf

            May be helpful to some.
            ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Brittan View Post
              Thanks BigA. I thought there was something to it because I did feel better. I currently I am getting so much worse it scares me ... where will I be in 5 years.

              Making these modifications I think will help tremendously based on my previous experience.

              Yes, I am aware of the low saturated fat part which is good because I love olives Going to black coffee will be the killer for me but it is well worth it.

              BigA: What does your diet look like in a day? What do you have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and vitamins?

              Thanks, looking forward to your response.
              How long have you been diagnosed, how long on the diet and which diet?

              Typical Day
              Breakfast: Oatmeal + Sugar + Almond Milk, Coffee + Sugar + Soy Creamer (soy milk is OK too)

              Lunch: 1 Quart Mixed Salad with (varies) Cabbage, Lettuce (iceberg & Romaine), Carrots, tomatoes, avocado, corn, broccoli and a flaxseed oil dressing with Seasoned Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Hot Sauce, Sesame Seeds. An apple. Note that I sometimes bring snacks if I'm still hungry. Rice, left-overs, etc. I'll also eat hard candy.

              Dinner: Sardines, Rice, Soup. Just to let you know how varied it can be, Saturdays are Hamburger night with a veggie burger (Vegan, not vegetarian. Be sure to read the label - I eat Dr. Praeger's. I make it like a typical hamburger (check buns for milk, obviously no cheese).

              Dessert: Popsicle or any milk and fat-free desert such as fruit, sorbet (not sherbet, which contains milk).

              Snack: Airpoped popcorn drizzled with olive oil and salt. Almonds (not fried, not too many. Raw is best), sunflower seeds,

              Note that Olives are high in saturated fat and you have to be careful. They're good but you can't eat a lot. Same with nuts. Definitely worth eating, but be careful.

              The trick is that it takes time to develop your cooking skills and a new menu. I make trader Joes pizza without cheese. I make recipes with Firm Tofu instead of meat. I make normal recipes without frying or without fat. As time has gone on, I'm less and less hungry altogether and have lost 45 lbs and am just about at my highschool weight.

              Vitamins: 10,000 D3/day, 45ml of Flax Seed oil, an occasional Bcomplex vitamin.


              I also take Interferon, so I'm not advocating diet only (Unless that's your cup of tea)

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by BigA View Post
                How long have you been diagnosed, how long on the diet and which diet?
                I was diagnosed this past May but have been experiencing symptoms for over 10 years. A few years back I went on a diet to lose weight and it was a low fat diet w/ fat grams under 22 and 1200 daily calories. I noticed after a few months I was feeling better and I was starting to do more activities but after I got off of it about 6 months later I was bed ridden again.

                Plus w/ my memory problems I didn't put 1+1 together and with out a dx its hard to decipher what is best. Reading a post from someone else on the forum jogged my memory...lol. So that is why I started researching deeper for low fat diet and ms. Then the low fat saturated diet came up along w/ the mitochondria diet.

                The diet I was following was;
                Remember this is a low fat diet not the low fat saturated diet.

                Drinks:
                6-8 (8oz/day)
                - water
                - crystal light
                - diet soda (caffeine free)

                Breakfast:
                Fruit ... 1 serving
                Skim milk ... 1 cup
                Dry cereal or 1/2 lenders bagel (to equal 100 calories)

                Lunch:
                Chicken, turkey, or tuna in water (seafood) ... 3 ounces
                Fruit ... 1 serving
                Vegetable ... 1 serving
                Nonfat yogurt (100 calories/8oz cup) ... 1 8oz cup
                Diet bread (40calories/slice) ... 2 slices
                (normally I would use potato buns in its place)

                Dinner:
                Chicken, turkey, seafood ... 4 ounces
                Vegetable ... 1 serving
                Starch ... 1 serving*
                Skim milk ... 1 cup (8oz)

                Snack:
                Fruit ... 1 serving

                * Choose one medium baked potato, 1/2 cup pasta, 1/3 cup rice or 2 slices diet bread.

                Fruits to be eaten: One medium or one cup portion.
                Apple, blueberries, grapefruit, orange, strawberries, apple sauce, cantaloupe, nectarine, pear, tangerine, watermelon, banana (small), grapes (17), juice (1/2 cup)

                Vegetables to be eaten: One cup portion or as indicated.
                Asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussell sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn (1/2 cup), carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, mixed veggies (1/2 cup), mushrooms, okra, onions, peas (1/2 cup), peppers, potatoes, radishes, sauerkraut, spinach, squash, stewed tomatoes, tofu, tomatoes (raw), turnips, zucchini.

                Additional instructions:
                Beverages such as diet soda, water, coffee or tea (without cream or sugar) should be consumed with your meals. Avoid alcohol consumption during the diet. Use non-fat salad dressing or mayonnaise. Non-fat yogurt may be substituted for skim milk. Use mustard and vinegar for flavoring. Season with pepper and avoid salt. Fish, chicken, or turkey should be boiled, broiled or baked. Canned tuna may be mixed with 2 tablespoons of non-fat salad dressing.

                That's it!

                I would have carrots throughout the day also due to hypoglycemia. Also, I would get low fat, low sodium ham (lunch meat) and make a sandwich with the lettuce, tomatoes, onions which worked great when fatigued. Also, to treat my sweet tooth I would have coco puff cereal in the mornings It works...lol.

                But this is what helped me previously.
                ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

                Comment


                  #9
                  Ow I forgot I was taking a multi-vitamin, b complex, flaxseed oil, plus additional vitamin e, vitamin d and methyl-b12 while on the diet.

                  Plus I primarily drank water. For the fruit portion I would normally have cherry juice or cranberry juice 100% with no sugar added (this was to keep my gout and kidneys in check). I know that's not on the list but ow well...lol.
                  ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

                  Comment


                    #10
                    When it comes to diet as an MS treatment, everyone has been on their own to find out what works for them. But McDougall, Swank, OMS etc. have been giving us a pretty good idea of the best ways to eat for treatment. All that I can say is there is no doubt in my mind that my MS is more tolerable if I eat a certain way, meaning mostly fruits and vegetales and less breads and meats. No Dairy.
                    It would be great if I could put together a menu plan that adhered to the Swank, McDougall, etc. idea. I am just to lazy and undisciplined. Good luck

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by JerryD View Post
                      When it comes to diet as an MS treatment, everyone has been on their own to find out what works for them. But McDougall, Swank, OMS etc. have been giving us a pretty good idea of the best ways to eat for treatment. All that I can say is there is no doubt in my mind that my MS is more tolerable if I eat a certain way, meaning mostly fruits and vegetales and less breads and meats. No Dairy.
                      It would be great if I could put together a menu plan that adhered to the Swank, McDougall, etc. idea. I am just to lazy and undisciplined. Good luck
                      I doubt it's laziness ... it's just the fatigue. Before I got sick I would do all kinds of things and now ... I do not even do a fraction of what I use to. IT's awful. Being lazy is one thing, this kind of fatigue is something totally different. It's not just fatigue but with it comes no motivation, no concentration, no focus.

                      When I am just going to the other room to get something by the time I get there I can't remember what I was getting. This is why I put my meds next to the coffee pot so I remember to take them...lol.

                      JerryD ... maybe once I come up w/ a mix of the diets I can post it on here for you to consider? I'll be making a list of foods of all foods that feed the mitochondria and low saturated fat foods as well ... for ease of use. Plus a sample diet to follow ... hopefully I will have it all together by the end of next weekend.

                      Like I said I am going to try to do a mix of the low saturated fat diet and the mitochondria diet so it feeds both the body and mind.

                      If I don't see a fraction of the improvement w/in 2 months I may shift to the fat free diet above w/ the mitochondria food/veggies/fruits etc incorporated.

                      I know in Swanks research he noted that ms patients taking less than 20 grams of saturated fats daily lived longer and their symptoms didn't worsen as dramatically as the others w/ an intake higher than 35 grams of saturated fats daily.

                      So that is my goal to have less than 20 (possibly 15 grams saturated fat daily) then add the mitochondria foods to assist. So we will see.

                      I think this is the key and I am so excited to get this going. I know in the research it suggests a 3 year minimum to see best results and to assist in repairing the mitochondria. Which makes sense to me.

                      Similar to being deficient in b12 .. it can take from 6 months to a year to get and maintain normal levels.

                      With years of damage to the mitochondria - 3 years doesn't sound so bad but in the same breathe I was feeling pretty good after 4 months and after 2 I had the energy to exercise which is a huge step.

                      So hopefully 3 yrs is what it takes to completely repair the mitochondria damage (I am assuming??)
                      ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by JerryD View Post
                        It would be great if I could put together a menu plan that adhered to the Swank, McDougall, etc. idea. I am just to lazy and undisciplined. Good luck
                        Guess what JerryD the book by Swank 'The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book' has diet plans in it. It has recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

                        Just fyi you can go to amazon and search for his book and then 'look inside' search with keywords: dinner or page 360.

                        It doesn't seem too terribly different then what I was following just has alot more options like teriyaki shrimp, fish n chips ... lol sounds good. Plus they have sweets incorporated like brownies. It even notes the vitamins...lol.

                        Pretty awesome. This perfect ... I don't have to stress my brain too much on this lol.
                        ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Hello Brittan - I went to amazon and checked out that book for the meal plan as you suggested. I was a bit confused to see things being deep fried and so much sugar being used in the sweet recipes. I'd be careful of sugar intake and would stay away from anything that is deep fried (or fried in general ... keep it to a minimum).

                          I have been on the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis [OMS] diet since the beginning of last November ... so that's 7 1/2 months or so (minus a week in there where I thought I was going to try something else but I quickly learned it was a big mistake). Lately here I have been even more strict than what is suggested in the OMS diet but not much. I cut out all added sugar and almost all gluten (the only gluten I have now is in the form of homemade sourdough products made from kamut flour). That and some supplements ... and I feel great (though for me personally I did not eat very much added sugar before and did not notice a difference cutting it out 2 1/2 months ago).

                          But ... do I feel great because I am in 'remission' or is it because what I am doing is helping? I don't know for sure but I do know that it's helping my overall health!! The side effects are all positive.

                          I believe diet is different for everyone so we must be careful not to assume that what works for someone else will work for us too. For example, some people are really sensitive to dairy products but others seem to be able to handle them in moderation. Some experience a relief in inflammation when they cut out gluten products. Some see no change. And so on.

                          The only way you will know what does and does not work for you is to give it an honest try. Meaning, don't do things half-way ... go all the way, be committed and faithful for several weeks or months before deciding if a food is harming you or not or if a particular diet plan is helping or not. If something you are trying does not seem to work, do not be hasty and throw it all out!! Be sure to hang on to basic healthy dietary and lifestyle principles like eating lots of veggies and fruits, avoiding too much sugar or dairy (if any at all), meat as a side dish and not every day (high quality too!), whole grains, plenty of water, exercise, fresh air, sunshine, rest, sleep and so on.

                          Besides the food itself, sadly there are so many other things to consider. Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, GMOs, and other fake things put into or on our food these days can all have a role to play in how you feel. It really can be overwhelming so we must keep things in their proper place. Just do the best you can and leave the rest to God.

                          Not officially diagnosed due to non-MS-specific spots on MRIs, but the neurologists all agree it's MS.
                          Frustrated. January 2019: finally saw an MS specialist worth seeing. Maybe we'll get to the bottom of this.
                          EDSS of 5.5, sometimes 6.0

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Hello Joanne,

                            I know their is quite a mix in Swanks diet book but I do believe many need to know what works for them and what doesn't. Here is the basics for it;

                            The diet consists of: (this diet is based on a 30 year study so some info is outdated in the book but still very insightful.)

                            - Saturated fat should not exceed 15 grams per day

                            - Unsaturated fat (oils) should be kept to 20-50 grams per day

                            - No red meat for the first year; after that, a maximum of 3 oz. (85 grams) of red meat per week

                            - Dairy products must contain 1% or less butterfat

                            - No processed foods containing saturated fat

                            - A good source of omega-3 (oily fish, cod liver oil, cod liver oil tablets, etc.) along with a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement are recommended daily

                            - Wheat, gluten or dairy product quantities are not restricted.

                            - But foods which cause allergies or reactions to an MS sufferer should be avoided

                            Terry Wahl's diet I think should be incorporated as well for assisting the mitochondria. I am looking into various things to assist ms.

                            However there are many books out their...which I will be checking out the one you recommended as well.

                            Joanne, My question to you is have you felt any improvement in your condition if so in terms of what? How is the fatigue? Over all body pain? Brain fog? Walking? Spasticity? What improvements have you seen from using that diet?

                            Just curious? I know there is a lot to consider in choosing the right diet for an MSer especially since we all vary greatly with regards to symptoms.
                            ~Brittan~ Over 15 years w/ symptoms & Recently diagnosed w/ Chiari 1 Malformation - it has a lot of similar symptoms to MS. Easy to dx by MRI. See videos CM info - how to dx via MRI: https://youtu.be/I0f9e3pU6to CM symptoms: https://youtu.be/YyF3HVgHpCs FB group: Chiari Is For Real

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Forum

                              There is actually a pretty good forum for all this stuff. I believe they even have a section for recipes.

                              It is moderated by a nutritionist called Tara in the Wellness Room.
                              Katie
                              "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
                              "My MS is a Journey for One."
                              Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

                              Comment

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