Wahls protocol

[misslux]

Thank you! Painful is okay if it helps!

[poppydarling]

I found this and I'd like to know more about this neurostimulation. Does anyone know what her regiment was?

She describes it briefly in one of the sections, but I'll have to look in the Resources section in the back and see if I can find out more (she describes it as painful ).

[JerryD]

misslux, I am wondering the same thing about the neuro-stimulation. I wonder if there is anyone in my area that uses it. I remember that I read about it ( I don't have the book). But I don't think this 'protocol' will work as well if the patient doesn't get the benefit of electrical stimulation.
The reason that I started this thread is I wanted to hear from MSer's who are trying this 'approach'. Since there is nothing that is FDA approved for 'progressive' forms of MS. And PPMSers and SPMSers are left to fight this disease by their own means. Any and all help with this nasty disease is appreciated. Good luck to all

[misslux]

poppy, I am glad you are feeling better!

I found this and I'd like to know more about this neurostimulation. Does anyone know what her regiment was?

How was Dr Wahls able to return to walking and cycling from being in a wheelchair?

Dr Wahls outlines what she sees as having made the most impact:

1. Neurostimulation – Nov 2007 – plus exercise, increased muscle strength and size and generated growth factors in the brain, which stimulates repair of myelin and grows new connections between brain cells. She says that prepared her brain to do repair work, and the food made it possible for the brain cells to use the growth factors.

2. Rigorous elimination of foods to which blood tests showed she was sensitive.

3. Greatly increased intake of B vitamins, co-enzyme Q, antioxidants, and organic sulphur with specific food choices. This resulted in a big boost of micronutrients.

4. Switched to eating entirely organic food.

5. She focussed on eating food of every colour each day.

6. Entirely eliminated white potatoes, grains etc., so the amount of insulin her body made each day is low.

7. Kept a food / symptom diary and followed a 4 day food rotation.

[poppydarling]

I don't believe in Biblical throw-your-crutches-away moments with a disease like this one But I do know that following part of her protocol unwittingly (to eat better and lose weight, I started on daily whole-food smoothies with greens/kale, berries, non-dairy milk) made me feel incredible. I had tons of energy, felt lighter, fitter and satisfied: my body craves those smoothies! Just finished reading The Wahl Protocol and will implement her phase two diet immediately to see if I can feel even better.

[misslux]

An excerpt of her book says RRMS to SPMS and that she was in a chair due to weak stomach and back muscles. Pretty sure she also used a FES machine.

That is another thing. I want to know what other lifestyle changes were made before believing in a cure all diet.

http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Bo...0.html?sym=EXC

Then I developed multiple sclerosis. After decades of troubling symptoms I tried to ignore, I was finally diagnosed in 2000. By that time, the disease had a good footing in my central nervous system. My decline progressed rapidly. Within two years of my diagnosis, I could no longer play soccer with my kids in the backyard. By fall 2003, walking from room to room for my hospital rounds exhausted me, and by summer 2004, my back and stomach muscles had weakened so much that I needed a tilt/recline wheelchair. Within three years of initial diagnosis, my disease had transitioned from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis into secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In that phase, disability slowly progresses despite increasingly aggressive therapy. By 2007, I spent most of my time lying in a zero-gravity chair. I was 52 years old.

[AMJ]

I have always wanted to know why Dr. Wahls was in a wheelchair. Was her fatigue so bad she couldn't walk? My problem with standing or walking for any length of time is my back goes out on me. I just couldn't see how following her diet was going to help my problems with my spine. I do try to eat very healthy but do not follow her guidelines.

I have found the following research report in her clinical trial, which appears to be focusing on improving fatigue levels.

A Multimodal Intervention for Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Feasibility and Effect on Fatigue.
J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Jan 29. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease influenced by environmental factors. Objectives: The feasibility of a multimodal intervention and its effect on perceived fatigue in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis were assessed. Design/setting: This was a single-arm, open-label intervention study in an outpatient setting. Interventions: A multimodal intervention including a modified paleolithic diet with supplements, stretching, strengthening exercises with electrical stimulation of trunk and lower limb muscles, meditation, and massage was used. Outcome measures: Adherence to each component of the intervention was calculated using daily logs. Side-effects were assessed from a monthly questionnaire and blood analyses. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Data were collected at baseline and months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Results: Ten (10) of 13 subjects who were enrolled in a 2-week run-in phase were eligible to continue in the 12-month main study. Of those 10 subjects, 8 completed the study and 6 subjects fully adhered to the study intervention for 12 months. Over a 12-month period, average adherence to diet exceeded 90% of days, and to exercise/muscle stimulation exceeded 75% of days. Nutritional supplements intake varied among and within subjects. Group daily average duration of meditation was 13.3 minutes and of massage was 7.2 minutes. No adverse side-effects were reported. Group average FSS scores decreased from 5.7 at baseline to 3.32 (p=0.0008) at 12 months. Conclusions: In this small, uncontrolled pilot study, there was a significant improvement in fatigue in those who completed the study. Given the small sample size and completer rate, further evaluation of this multimodal therapy is warranted.

[Zuzus11z]

I believe she is PPMS and was in a chair before she radically changed what she was eating. As far as I know no mention of her before diet.

[misslux]

Sorry, I hit submit too quickly!

I've said it many times and I totally stand by the less processed and more whole foods, not necessarily as a cure (I don't think there is one right now and don't believe diet to be one based on my own experiences) but to help keep yourself as healthy as possible.

[misslux]

Isn't she RRMS/SPMS?

With all these diets touted as cures, I am interested to know what people's health and diet were before they started their chosen diet. Reason why I wonder is because what all these diets have in common is the reduction or elimination of processed foods. Sort of like when people who are used to a SAD feel awesome when they go on a juice "cleanse" because they normally don't eat a very good diet.

Anyway, one thing that stands out about her diet is that she recommends a very large daily amount of cruciferous vegetables which can increase your risk of thyroid imbalance and kidney issues.

[Zuzus11z]

I follow many elements of it (especially the eating of up to 9 cups of veggies/fruits with lots of color daily) - but I can't say that I follow the Wahl's Way religiously.

I like the mitochondrial approach she advocates for, though, and try to stimulate the critters via supplements.

[JerryD]

Since Dr. Wahls developed her diet and nutrition program specifically to treat progressive MS, is there anyone on these boards who has tried to follow her 'protocol'? The treatment is listed on the clinical trial site, so there must be some validity to it. Any thoughts ?