Living with Multiple Sclerosis is unpredictable and difficult.  Why throw in the wild card of side effects if you don’t need to. A Natural MS treatment often overlooked is simple but effective changes to the diet. Of all the treatments available, both pharmaceutical and natural, changing your diet is probably the easiest to implement, the least costly, and often the most effective. There are many well-known and widely publicized MS diets that can be referenced for recipes. Most of the Natural MS treatment communities, forums and websites make them easy to find. Most of them have the following in common:

  • Avoid dairy products
  • Get the majority of you protein from vegetables and fish oils
  • Eat organic foods as much as practical
  • Avoid beverages with caffeine
  • Add as many leafy green vegetables to your diet as you can
  • Avoid saturated fats
  • Avoid refined carbohydrates

 

When you can’t get enough with foods, supplements can help

 

Most advocates of Natural MS treatment options also say that supplements are a good way to get nutrients that are either difficult to get enough of in foods, or are in foods you may not particularly like. Everyone, whether you suffer with MS or not, can probably benefit by taking a high quality multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. High quality is the key here. Look for supplements that derive the nutrients from natural rather than synthesized sources. In addition to the general all-purpose supplement suitable for everyone, patients looking for Natural MS treatment nutrients should look for the following supplemental nutrition in tablet or liquid forms:

  • A full spectrum beta-carotene complex supplement (provides antioxidant protection)
  • Vitamin B complex (all the vitamin B types)
  • Magnesium supplements (for muscle aches)
  • Probiotics (to aid with digestion)
  • Lipoic Acid supplement (for myelin sheath protection)
  • Wheat germ extract

 

Protecting and strengthening the Immune System with Vitamins

 

Every Multiple Sclerosis patient understands they are dealing with an autoimmune disease. Therefore, any vitamin that boosts the immune system can’t be anything but beneficial. A Natural MS treatment involving diet and nutrition modification should involve an understanding of which vitamins are known to strengthen the immune system. Do your research. Learn the properties of each vitamin and what they do in the body. Learn the sources of the vitamins.

The testimonials are abundant from MS patients that recount the dramatic change in the quality of life achieved just by changing the diet and avoiding foods that are known to aggravate MS.

Countries other than the United States seem to be more interested in Natural MS treatment alternatives, and in recent years controlled trials are beginning that should yield even more specific advice. Be sure to start this conversation with your doctor, as they are unlikely to bring it up unsolicited.