Wahls protocol

[RockysMom]

Going to give this a try.

I’ve been referred to this diet enough times, it’s time for me to try it.

I know something will work. I’ll post more a I go along.

I have not read a lot on the "Wahl's protocol' but did something that I think was probably very similar a few years back. I was seeing a nutritionist who was a nurse but went back to school to learn about nutrition and how it can help in most situations. Her things were no sugar, no hydrogenated oils, and do not go for the low fat craze.
I tried to follow her regimen as rigorously as I could, but I was a single man and did not eat as many vegetables as I should have. I lost a lot of weight and looked malnourished. I felt great though and had plenty of energy. I had to quit seeing her due to some of her protocols and how I expressed them to my family.

She performed something called nutrition response testing. I saw her do her presentation three times before I decided to try it. I went thinking that it was a load of stuff and not legitimate in any way. I experienced it though and felt great. I jokingly called her a witch doctor because what she did sounded and looked like voodoo. I wish I could go back to seeing her. I can no longer afford to see her and all the supplements she puts you on. I wish I could do it though.

[lukeduke]

I have not read a lot on the "Wahl's protocol' but did something that I think was probably very similar a few years back. I was seeing a nutritionist who was a nurse but went back to school to learn about nutrition and how it can help in most situations. Her things were no sugar, no hydrogenated oils, and do not go for the low fat craze.
I tried to follow her regimen as rigorously as I could, but I was a single man and did not eat as many vegetables as I should have. I lost a lot of weight and looked malnourished. I felt great though and had plenty of energy. I had to quit seeing her due to some of her protocols and how I expressed them to my family.

She performed something called nutrition response testing. I saw her do her presentation three times before I decided to try it. I went thinking that it was a load of stuff and not legitimate in any way. I experienced it though and felt great. I jokingly called her a witch doctor because what she did sounded and looked like voodoo. I wish I could go back to seeing her. I can no longer afford to see her and all the supplements she puts you on. I wish I could do it though.

[Iwalkfunny]

Diet

I was diagnosed with ppms in 2011. Not in a wheelchair but do use a walker occasionally. I do not follow any specific diet but have been trying for the past few years to eat as clean as I'm able. I try to eat only organic, 100% grass fed, free range, etc. I can't say that my diet is responsible for the elimination of any symptoms, but, would I be worse if I did not eat as clean as I do?
I eat this way because allot of the pesticides, herbicides, preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, etc. that are in or on the food that we eat are neurotoxins, and I already have enough neurological problems.

[Sheri]

She had chemo too

My understanding is that Dr Wahls also had chemo. Starting w a baseline of no immune system may very well have made a big difference. I also wonder if maybe she has Celiac instead of MS.

Ive been toying w trying a diet and wish we really had some good data on them. I eat fairly healthily but am not religiously committed to one. Hate to bother if not necessary. Life is already challenging enough!

I read that the reason they're looking at fatigue in the study is that that is quickly measurable (tho subjectively) whereas accumulation of disability takes longer. They hypothesize that one would imply the other, however.

[jjs]

I have been on it for a year. I am doing really well. I have lost 80 lbs. I feel really good. I have not been doing totally well, just had my hip replacement, and hoping it continues to improve since I had this done.

I have been doing mostly the paeleo whals. I have been doing some rice, quinoa occasionally.

That's great to hear

[kelm10]

my input

I have been on it for a year. I am doing really well. I have lost 80 lbs. I feel really good. I have not been doing totally well, just had my hip replacement, and hoping it continues to improve since I had this done.

I have been doing mostly the paeleo whals. I have been doing some rice, quinoa occasionally.

[jjs]

Thank you for letting us know! I've only been on the diet for about two months and I have a feeling it's going to take up to a year to really start to see results. That's what I'm praying for anyway!

Checking in
How are you doing on the diet? And just as an update, the F.M. appointment did not go well and I will not be going back.

[poppydarling]

Just thought I'd chime in here too since there's been activity on this thread again

A few months ago I saw a new Neurologist who is also a Functional Medical Doctor. He applauded my commitment to eating healthy and actually recommends the Wahls Protocol to his patients. He also encouraged me to continue on the path that I'm on ... Wahls Protocol, extra sleep, rest, reduce/eliminate stress, exercise as best as I can, etc. All of those common sense healthy lifestyle choices we should all be doing any way.

I like him ... but I have not been able to see him as a 'functional medical doctor' yet. Maybe some day soon. We'll see.

But even with all of the positive things I am doing, I continue to go 'down hill' and my MRIs are still coming up clear. We'll see what the future holds.

Thank you for letting us know! I've only been on the diet for about two months and I have a feeling it's going to take up to a year to really start to see results. That's what I'm praying for anyway!

[jjs]

Update

Just thought I'd chime in here too since there's been activity on this thread again

A few months ago I saw a new Neurologist who is also a Functional Medical Doctor. He applauded my commitment to eating healthy and actually recommends the Wahls Protocol to his patients. He also encouraged me to continue on the path that I'm on ... Wahls Protocol, extra sleep, rest, reduce/eliminate stress, exercise as best as I can, etc. All of those common sense healthy lifestyle choices we should all be doing any way.

I like him ... but I have not been able to see him as a 'functional medical doctor' yet. Maybe some day soon. We'll see.

But even with all of the positive things I am doing, I continue to go 'down hill' and my MRIs are still coming up clear. We'll see what the future holds.

[poppydarling]

I recently got the book, read all the way through it, went shopping, and started "some" of the diet already. Not ready to take the full dive into 100% healthy non this and that yet. Starting with no gluten, since that is something many people have issues with, adding fruits and vegetables into my diet since I rarely ate those ever, and seeing how I feel for a while. I have never been a healthy eater, I eat for enjoyment...but since I have gone downhill SO fast in the past year, was walking jogging 3-5 miles a day, to barely walking around the grocery store and mostly laying around all day, it can't hurt to give healthier eating a try. Hoping to regain some of my strength back, that is most important to me now, I can deal with the other symptoms.

ShihTzu, good luck! It is challenging but I think it's worth it. I decided to do the MS Best Bet diet designed by Dr. Ashton Embry and I have to say, I feel like a million bucks! I hope that when I go to the doc at the end of November, that I haven't gotten any worse on any of the scales, and if so, I'll feel that that's a huge success.

[shihtzu]

Just starting the Wahls Protocol

Joanne, I am in complete awe of your healthy lifestyle -- it's what I can only dream of! It is frustrating to be lead this way and that, but I think there are so many variables--including the nearly completely uncontrollable "environmental toxins"--that it's impossible to say exactly what combination of elements bring about disease or successful healing. It's frustrating when our best super-human efforts don't bring about the changes we want (I mean, living without bread or cake is barely life to me--this better be worth it )

I don't think we can ever go wrong with a super-nutritious organic diet, though, no matter what else happens -- it's the main thing in our control. It might not save us from the worst of autoimmune dysfunction but at least we're giving our bodies a fighting chance. The Protocol is so heavy on living foods -- 9 cups a day! -- and I don't know how I'll even approach ingesting that much, even with whole-food smoothies. But I'm going to try. And I'm going to give it at least 3-4 months before I give up.

I recently got the book, read all the way through it, went shopping, and started "some" of the diet already. Not ready to take the full dive into 100% healthy non this and that yet. Starting with no gluten, since that is something many people have issues with, adding fruits and vegetables into my diet since I rarely ate those ever, and seeing how I feel for a while. I have never been a healthy eater, I eat for enjoyment...but since I have gone downhill SO fast in the past year, was walking jogging 3-5 miles a day, to barely walking around the grocery store and mostly laying around all day, it can't hurt to give healthier eating a try. Hoping to regain some of my strength back, that is most important to me now, I can deal with the other symptoms.

[tspaulding]

I looked online and Dr. Wahl is dx w/ SPMS. I have not changed my diet, and continue to eat as healthy as I can.

[Susan JM]

Someone asked about her diet before developing this protocol, so I just wanted to mention she was vegetarian. Now she includes animal protein, bone broth and organ meats (grass fed if possible).

I have been gluten free for almost two years and also eliminated dairy and eggs before I bought her book in March. I still had constant tingling and numbness in my left foot and if I risked eating eggs, that tingling feeling ran up my left side.

Within a week of being strict with the Wahls protocol my left foot felt normal again. Even though my balance and fatigue are still poor I am making every effort to stick with her guidelines.

[tspaulding]

I looked online and Dr. Wahls is DX w/ SPMS. After following her diet, she bikes 5miles a day to work.

This may have been a few years ago, but that is great since she was in a W/C.

I advocate for eating healthy and wish everyone the best.

[Temagami]

Keep in mind that Dr. Whals went the estim route b/c her leg muscles had atrophied. If you are still moving around, you have far more muscle mass than she had and you most likely don´t need estim. (I am not a dr. I did read the book.)

I learned the hard way to go the gradual route. I was already GF and dairy free and almost soy free with little sugar in my diet. I went 100% grain free over nite- went into ketosis and drastically altered the pH of my body. The natural candida in my body took off like a rocket- hello infection. So, I am now going back into pH balance and will not completely eliminate grains- my body did NOT like that. I do eat eggs as I have no issue with them. I am at almost zero added sugars and that has helped immensely with almost zero paraesthesia. In dealing with the infection, the dr. told me that the tingling after eating sugar was due to a rush of insulin- guess that ties into diabetic neuropathy. I think that dampening down the inflammation is the key- ask yourself what triggers inflammation. Even if you have a very "clean" diet, there are other processes in MS not based on inflammation that will cause progression. For me the goal is to slow down the disease in hopes of a much more effective intervention before I lose too much myelin and function.