This photo of me is on New Years day 2012 after a 2000 foot vertical climb up Vail Mountain! How did I do that when I received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2006? I’m often asked, what is your secret? How do you stay healthy?
The below are my favorite natural remedies for multiple sclerosis. I believe these strategies may be applicable to anyone with an auto-immune disorder. If this protocol is adhered to religiously, some find improvement in as little as 3 months. For others, it may take significantly longer.
Fish Oil
Fish Oil is one of the best anti-inflammatories around. I currently take 5-7 grams per day. That’s 5,000 to 7,000 milligrams. That is a very high dose. Be sure to check with your doctor if you would like to take this much fish oil.
Bone Broth
I make my own Bone Broth after I roast a chicken, or when I’m on the go I drink Kettle & Fire bone broth straight from the container. Bone broth has gut healing properties and is also high in protein, very important if you are working on rebuilding damaged nerve tissue. Learn how to make your own Bone Broth from Chicken with my easy recipe!
Vitamin D
Many people with illness and auto-immune conditions suffer from abnormally low levels of Vitamin D. Therefore, when friends ask, I recommend that they get their Vitamin D blood levels checked immediately, then quarterly thereafter. When I was severely deficient in Vitamin D, I took a mega dose of 5,000 IU per day, until my levels reached the normal range.
Low Dose Naltrexone
Although many of you will argue that Low-Dose Naltrexone is a drug, and not “natural,” I beg to differ. Using this opioid agonist in micro-doses is not accepted treatment yet for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders. That’s a shame. For more information on this incredible treatment check out my Low Dose Naltrexone page.
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Grain-Free Diet
Grains can wreak havoc on a weakened immune system. If I had to give one piece of advice to people with any auto-immune disorder, it would be to go on a diet that is entirely 100% Grain Free, and free of grain-like substances such as quinoa, millet, wild rice, etc. Of course, gluten is the ultimate no-no. By 2025 recommending a Gluten Free Diet to anyone with an auto-immune condition will probably be standard medical protocol. All of the recipes here are both grain-free and gluten-free. To get started in the kitchen check out my Grain Free Diet page.
My Favorite Functional Medicine Doctors
If you’re looking for additional guidance, here are some great Functional Medicine doctors that are open minded to both conventional medical treatment and alternative strategies:
- Dr. Robert Rountree
- Dr. Pierre Brunschwig
- Dr. Frank Lipman
I also want to share this video featuring Terry Wahls, MD that was sent to me by an acupuncturist friend in 2011. Dr. Wahls, was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and was so sick she could not even use a regular wheelchair. After removing processed foods, grains and dairy from her diet, she experienced an amazing recovery and is now able to walk, horseback ride, and do many other strenuous physical activities.
My natural treatments for multiple sclerosis may not be the answer for everyone. I am not willing to argue about clinical studies to back up the effectiveness of this array of supplements, diet and off label drugs. The information I am sharing is “anecdotal evidence”–for only one person. This is what works for me.
I wish everyone seeking to improve their health the best of luck. I also want to point out that we are all biochemical individuals, so what works for me may not be best for you. Please, make sure to listen to your own body and trust what it tells you.
The Healthy Apple says
Elana,
YOU are amazing. I use ALL of these things that you mentioned above and they have helped me tremendously with my Lyme disease and many other autoimmune issues. Thank you for this post.
Sending you hugs from NYC.
xooxox
How can we get this introduced and implemented in our community says
I am not a spammer. How can we introduce and implement this in our communities?
Giuliana says
Hi there
I hope there are some South Africans on here who can advise me what the local treatments would be and where to find them. I am in Johannesburg.
Many thanks
Whitney says
Amazing. Her story is simply amazing and inspiring. I have not been diagnosed but I believe due to my recent sensations of fire ants biting my toes and involuntary jerking of the neck muscles that I may have MS and it runs in my family. I am going to try this and hope to God it works
Kathleen Thorsey says
look me up :) Kathleen Thorsey
Jenifer says
I would like to tell you how delighted I am to find your site. After watching the video it explains so much about why I crave the foods that I do. I have lost 3 immediate family members to MS, 3 terrifyingly different manifestations of the disease. Now I know to follow my body more.
Kristen m. says
Thank you for your inspiring story and “protocol for living healthy with ms”. I follow your same protocol ! I have primary progressive ms and just had my 2nd stem cell treatment at StemGenex!! http://Www.stemgenex.com
Nutrition and avoiding inflammatory foods is so important in the healing process! I am doing sooooo much better! I am thrilled to have your book and website for a cooking resource!,
Cheers !
A mom with MS ….getting healthy and determined to stay active!
Kristen
Carmen says
Thank You for this information. Tomorrow, I will start me Gluten Free Diet.
I’ve had MS since 1999, and can no longer work, but I have a 2 and 4 year old boys who need mommy to be as active as posible.
Marcia V. Ormsby, M.D. says
It is unfortunate that you, as stated above, will be unable to answer my ‘comment’/questions – but I will state them anyway, in the hopes that you find relevance to my concerns and make an exception. You will note that I am a doctor, but do not treat MS; my interest lies in my wish to live the most healthy lifestyle possible. I also am very close to someone living with MS, and I often cook for her using your recipes. We have discussed your blog posts, often and we have modified your meal plans slightly to make sense to her and myself.
This question is directed to the use of Naltrexone. Could you please explain its use in MS and what dose are you taking? Is it readily available OTC? Have I missed something in your rational for treatment; as I just cannot figure where an opioid antagonist (BTW you wrote agonist) fits into the regime of an MS individual. Please, kindly, explain this to me. I am ever so interested and am not, in any way confrontational – I am truly interested! Thank you, Elana and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the good you have done with your valuable information. You have changed lives (as in my own way, I have too)! You are, indeed an extremely special individual!
Pat says
Here is an excerpt from the LDN website
“The apparent mechanism of action of LDN in this disease parallels that in AIDS and other immune-related diseases. A small dose of the drug taken nightly at bedtime doubles or triples the endorphin levels in the body all of the next day restoring levels to normal. Since endorphin levels are low in people with MS, immune function is poorly orchestrated with significant impairment of the normal immune supervisory function of CD4 cells. In the absence of normal orchestration of immune function, some of the immune system cells “forget” their genetically determined ability to distinguish between the body’s 100,000 unique chemical structures (called “self”) and the chemical structures of bacteria, fungi, parasites and cancer cells (called “non-self”). With this loss of immunologic memory, some cells begin to attack some of the body’s unique chemical structures. In the case of people with MS, the tissue attacked by immune cells (particularly macrophages) is primarily the myelin that insulates nerve fibers. These attacks result in scars in the brain and spinal cord called plaques. LDN in such patients works by restoring endorphin levels to normal, thereby allowing the immune system to resume its normal supervision and orchestration.”
Michelle says
Pat – that is fascinating. Thank you.
Lauren says
Read The Promise of Low Dose Naltrexone by Elaine A. Moore. My family doctor who practices holistic medicine told me about LDN and suggested the book, and prescribes it for me. Some neurologists will not because of its FDA status. I fill my prescription at Irmat pharmacy by mail from New York 212-685-0502. They are a compounding pharmacy who mix with the suggested correct compound.
Jade says
Thank you for your helpful information. I wanted to share what is also working for me. I am also strictly following a gluten and grain free diet for MS. What has been paramount in my recovery is neural balance acupuncture with Dr. Wally Mui. I moved to Victoria BC to undergo a daily acupuncture program for primary progressive MS. Dr Mui specializes in treating patients with MS. He is one of the most experienced acupuncturists with a PhD in clinical acupuncture for neurological conditions. I believe he has saved my life and kept me out of a wheel chair. I encourage anyone with MS to find an experienced acupuncturist and begin at least weekly treatment. I will note that it can be difficult to find a good acupuncturist. I recommend finding someone who has at least 10 to 20 years of experience with ongoing training and ideally someone who has successfully treated people with MS.
I share this information as I hope that others with this horrible condition are able to use acupuncture and find relief. You can read more about my treatment for ms on Dr. Mui’s blog at tcmwellness.wordpress.com.
Best wishes to everyone with MS and their families that are supporting them.