Wahls protocol

[dyin_myelin]

My other thought is there were a lot of confounding factors in her own recovery. E stim, zero gravity chair, ability to rest, and probably lots of other rehabilitative means at her disposal having a doctor's disposable income. I'll be interested in the results of her controlled study.

[nosrepmodnar]

My concern with Wahls is that her crappy diet is what put her in the wheel chair.
I have severe mobility issues, guess what, getting rid of gluten, feel much better, can walk further.
Get off processed foods, even more energy and the leg works good.
Add in some exercise and eliminate animals and I feel great, haven't used my cane in over a year.

Would I even come close to saying my diet relieved my MS let alone cure it? no the MS is still there beating the snot out of my nerves, which is very evident on hot days.
Making my body healthier makes it able to deal with the MS.
The biggest problem this planet faces right now is the fact that people are eating "food" not food.
Do not buy anything with any preservatives, do not buy anything with something that cannot be gathered from nature by practices you could do at home.
If you are going to eat meat, make friends with a local farmer, where you can see that your animals are healthy and living the good life.

[Myoak]

Dr. Wahl has never said this protocol was a cure. She makes it very clear she is not cured. For her, it has slowed the progression and made her more mobile. The protocol is in clinical trials (proof will be in the outcome, I suppose), and it has worked for her patients, which don't have MS, which is why there are three levels of diet. You determine based on what you are trying to do/heal.

Personally, I would rather make these very restrictive dietary changes than to take pharmaceuticals. Wahl's advocates BOTH, she does not say throw your drugs away and eat your way to health. It seems like a lot of people are angry at her and I don't understand why. If changing her diet, reducing stress and exercising both regularly and via e-stim have worked for her and relieved any of her symptoms, I am happy to hear about it and am willing to try it myself.

We all share what works for us here, so there is no harm in listening what worked for her, and if you can, adopting some of the proctocol in your own life. You are encouraged, in her book, to keep a journal, and if after a month or two, if you see absolutely no improvement, you can always stop. But if it does work, and some of your symptoms subside, then great!

It took decades for many of us to get to where we are, so none of us should expect overnight improvements.

I am a big believer in (try to) fix the root cause of disease, rather than just treating symptoms, so this book and functional medicine theory speak to me. But everyone is different and has to take the path that speaks to them and makes them feel secure.

Really a great post and one I thought worth repeating. Good on you, JJ.

[dyin_myelin]

Wahls featured on the Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...rrelevant.html

I don't think this sensationalist headline does her any favors, and I don't think that because she's a doctor=magic bullet (Zamboni was a doctor). I found I cut a lot of breads and starches because things move along better so to speak without them. I also avoid IBS-type symptoms (I get with alcohol too). The price of the book also makes me wonder how devoted she is to helping her fellow MS sufferers. However, I always ate relatively well, and, MS.

[poppydarling]

I've finished month 1 of the first level of the Wahl Protocol and can't believe how addicted I am to gluten/wheat! It has been a constant struggle to avoid it (which only makes me want it more ).

I read once that what you crave/are addicted to, is what's causing your troubles, so clearly I have some work to do! I made some delicious rice flour muffins today, and I'm making adjustments to the protein I'm eating every day, so let's see how this goes in month 2!

[JerryD]

I received the book, yesterday. I began to 'scan' it, immediately. I don't know where this is going but the information is worth reading. I hope there is a level of this that I can implement in my diet regimen.

[jjeich]

She never said this was a cure

Dr. Wahl has never said this protocol was a cure. She makes it very clear she is not cured. For her, it has slowed the progression and made her more mobile. The protocol is in clinical trials (proof will be in the outcome, I suppose), and it has worked for her patients, which don't have MS, which is why there are three levels of diet. You determine based on what you are trying to do/heal.

Personally, I would rather make these very restrictive dietary changes than to take pharmaceuticals. Wahl's advocates BOTH, she does not say throw your drugs away and eat your way to health. It seems like a lot of people are angry at her and I don't understand why. If changing her diet, reducing stress and exercising both regularly and via e-stim have worked for her and relieved any of her symptoms, I am happy to hear about it and am willing to try it myself.

We all share what works for us here, so there is no harm in listening what worked for her, and if you can, adopting some of the proctocol in your own life. You are encouraged, in her book, to keep a journal, and if after a month or two, if you see absolutely no improvement, you can always stop. But if it does work, and some of your symptoms subside, then great!

It took decades for many of us to get to where we are, so none of us should expect overnight improvements.

I am a big believer in (try to) fix the root cause of disease, rather than just treating symptoms, so this book and functional medicine theory speak to me. But everyone is different and has to take the path that speaks to them and makes them feel secure.

[poppydarling]

<<Breakfast was a green smoothie (something I've been doing for about 10 years). I put in 1c blueberries, 1c strawberries (I usually use a berry and a sweeter fruit but this time I did not), 1c carrots, ~4c kale, 1 1/2t fresh ground flax and enough water to blend.>>

The most I've managed in one smoothie-sitting is 16 oz. Clearly, I have some work to do

Remember that episode of Seinfeld, where Elaine just wants her "big salad"? That's what I feel like lately--I eat nearly one whole bag of pre-washed salad in one sitting! Crave it now. Better start growing my own organic greens so I don't go broke or get exhausted (farmer's markets are a lot of energy and was part of a CSA but too much for one person who doesn't can, and I hate throwing out food!)

[jjs]

I started this thread because I wanted to hear about other MSer's experiences with the 'Wahls Protocol'. It seems that a few of the posters have read the book but have not, actually, followed the plan, fully. I ordered the book, this week. I hope I find some benefit from this program.

Hello Jerry - I hope there are others on this forum that have tried or are on the Wahls Protocol, find your post, and respond.

Any change for the better with your diet will make you feel better, even if it's just a 'little better'. Also, positive dietary changes will help prevent other common diseases even if it does not completely halt your MS or even if it does not even touch your MS. I cannot see how you could go wrong giving the Wahls protocol a try. If nothing else, you will glean very useful information and form better dietary habits. No sugar, no dairy, no gluten, no junk or processed foods, LOTS AND LOTS of vegetables and some fruits, high quality meat ... how could one go wrong with that kind if diet?

Please update this thread and let me know how you are doing on the diet. Thank you!!

[jjs]

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.

YES! Very true. It's easier than you think to get 9c a day. I've been eating healthy for well over 10 years now. Just for curiosity's sake I tallied up my veg and fruit total last evening for that day and it was at least 12 cups and met all the requirements in Wahls protocol (3c sulphur, 3c greens, 3c colours). Here's how it happened:

Breakfast was a green smoothie (something I've been doing for about 10 years). I put in 1c blueberries, 1c strawberries (I usually use a berry and a sweeter fruit but this time I did not), 1c carrots, ~4c kale, 1 1/2t fresh ground flax and enough water to blend.

Snack was sliced banana and a few pieces of mango in non-dairy milk. Later I had 1c of the smoothie mentioned above (I save back 1c for my mid-morning snack or as part of my lunch).

Lunch is my big meal of the day. I had a salad (at least 2c of greens but probably more like 3?) topped with salmon and sauteed asparagus and mushrooms and red peppers. Oh yes, and a clove of garlic. The dressing was 1t apple cider vinegar, 1t olive oil, a little salt and a few squirts of braggs.
Dessert was an orange.

Supper was brown rice noodles (1/2c dry or 1c cooked) with sauteed zucchini and mushrooms and a clove of garlic. (I have a lot of mushrooms right now so I am trying to use them up.) As a note, Wahls considers 2 cloves of garlic as one serving of sulphur vegetables.

That was it, and this is a very typical day for me ... except on this day I had one more fruit than I usually do.

I do my best to eat all organic food however it is just not possible to be 100%. It's amazing how cheap some produce can be at the health food store. Organic lettuce for example is $1.69 a pound ... which SEEMS like a lot until you realize they are selling it by the pound instead of by the head. The regular grocery store sells it by the head for about $1.59 each. The price ends up being pretty much the same for much higher quality stuff.

Local farmers markets are a bargain as well. I am looking forward to when the season begins. I try to grow my own, however my health does not allow for much productivity in that area. Thankfully I have a lot of dear friends who like to give me their garden goodies.

[poppydarling]

I started this thread because I wanted to hear about other MSer's experiences with the 'Wahls Protocol'. It seems that a few of the posters have read the book but have not, actually, followed the plan, fully. I ordered the book, this week. I hope I find some benefit from this program.

Well, the book has only been out a couple of weeks so give it time Wahls also suggests easing into the diet, and sticking with it for at least a few months, so this isn't an overnight answer to anything.

[JerryD]

I started this thread because I wanted to hear about other MSer's experiences with the 'Wahls Protocol'. It seems that a few of the posters have read the book but have not, actually, followed the plan, fully. I ordered the book, this week. I hope I find some benefit from this program.

[poppydarling]

If anyone should be healthy from a good diet it seems like it should be me! But, it's not. I am content with that ... until I go trying out some miracle diet.

Who knows? Maybe if it were not for my already good eating habits I'd be MUCH worse than I am now?

Thanks again for listening.

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.

[misslux]

Joanne, I feel the same on all points. We are like poster children for doing everything "right" pre- and post-MS!

[jjs]

my thoughts

I'm glad someone brought this up though I cannot answer affirmative to the original question.

I just got her new book that was released last week. At first she took some kinds of MS meds and other treatments. She talks of having the best care medicine could offer. She went through more changes, started a paleo diet, started the electric stuff, and then started really researching how she could 'feed her mitochondria'. Lots of supplements at first and then a refining and learning of how to use food instead of pills. This is a very lose time line.

Now we have her 'Wahls Protocol' ... and she has three different levels to choose from in her new book, all based on her belief that we were once cavemen.

I guess what frustrates me about the diet is that people often credit the diet alone for her success in 'healing', however it seems she really did a lot of things besides changing her diet and it was probably everything combined. Also, I have thought about how she is a doctor. Not only does she have an excellent salary (WAY beyond my pathetic $3,400 a year!) but she also has many resources available to her that we would never have or even if we would have some of them we wouldn't know about them.

I guess I am getting this off my chest, so thanks for listening. I am just so frustrated with all these different 'wonder / miracle diet' claims. One person has some success with one way of doing things, they start a website or put up youtube videos or write a book or all of the above and cause many to become discontent or discouraged because one person's way of helping a crazy, very individual disease is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To add to the discouragement and discontentment, we often then look for and try the next 'wonder / miracle diet' that we find only to be disappointed again. And so the cycle continues.

It seems if we would just be balanced, eat as healthy as we know how (come on now, everyone knows eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits and staying away from junk food is good for you!!) and get daily exercise (whatever we are capable of in our current situation) we would probably be so much better off than always chasing after another miracle diet. The stress of that is probably doing more harm than eating a less-than-perfect diet!! You know what I mean?!

Also, take any person off of a junky diet and they WILL feel better and see improvements.

Ahhh (sigh of relief) thanks again for listening.

As for the green smoothie thing ... if this were the answer I'd never have MS. I've been having green smoothies for about 10 years or more now, pretty much every day. Lots of fruits and vegetables (much of it is organic or even home grown), whole foods, 'from scratch' cooking, etc. I grind my own grain and make my own sourdough products. When I do eat meat it's usually meat we butchered ourselves or wild caught salmon. Fresh, organic eggs from our back yard. I've done the gluten free thing a few times but did not see a difference. Fresh salads, sometimes twice a day. I make my own lacto-fermented foods like sauerkraut and other vegetables. Hardly any junk (I'm not afraid to eat a little dessert when at someones house!).

If anyone should be healthy from a good diet it seems like it should be me! But, it's not. I am content with that ... until I go trying out some miracle diet.

Who knows? Maybe if it were not for my already good eating habits I'd be MUCH worse than I am now?

Thanks again for listening.