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
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.
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.
Charles says
Please take a look at this information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/helminthictherapy/info
https://autoimmunetherapies.com/
https://www.facebook.com/autoimmunetherapies/
http://www.foodsmatter.com/natural_medicine_comp_therapies/helminthic_therapy/index_worms.html
http://www.medpagetoday.com/AllergyImmunology/COPD/23558
Jasper Lawrence’s story starts at about 30 minutes.
http://www.radiolab.org/story/91689-parasites/
http://www.radiolab.org/story/91951-an-update-on-hookworms/
Gary Neece says
Unparalleled Health Breakthrough – Honest!
There has been a huge new discovery in the field of science that directly and immediately could change the life and future of you and your family. It is the discovery of Nrf2 activation (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCeq4-efx6owuhf06lfX4MuxvPpwIbpFJ).
It happened in a lab not far from Parker, Colorado. In 2002 a scientist Dr. Joe McCord from the Webb-Waring Institute at University of Colorado Anschutz, formulated a Nrf2 activator that changed the course of aging. It was featured on ABC Primetime in 2005 (https://youtu.be/yvuNo6RwSx8 ) and sat on the shelves of GNC, and other stores waiting to be discovered.
The attention from the ABC piece turned the heads of many universities who began their own research. Now 10 years later the studies and information is building like crazy…. Still, there is only one natural, patented, researched, and standardized version of this on the market.
Peer reviewed studies: http://protandimforlife.blogspot.com/p/peer-reviewed-studies.html?m=1
Thank you for your very valuable time.
Gary
David says
I went to a Functional medicine doctor in the FL panhandle today. And asked for LDN he said he never heard of a functional medicine doctor prescribing LDN for anything in all of his FM training. And he studied under Dr. Hyman. He googled it in front of me and found no results. Not a complete waste of a visit….but he is not nearly as advanced as I had hoped. Where is the literature from FM doctors using LDN?
Sheila says
David:
Lowdosenaltrexone.org for you and your doctor
Sunita Mann says
Low Dose Naltrexone is discussed as a treatment option for MS and other inflammatory conditions such as IBD in the Institute of Functional Medicine practice modules. The functional medicine Doctor you went to should have been able to find this info. Wishing you luck in finding another doctor to help determine if LDN may be right for you.
Penny Shuman says
Just wanted to let you know that I am under the care at Ultrawellness Center, Dr. Hyman’s Center, and was advised to use Naltrexone for an autoimmune disease.
Gayle Chandler says
Fabulous presentation!! As I have Scleraderma, which is under the Autoimmune umbrella, I am going to jump in and give this a try.
I have a friend recently diagnosed with MS and shall pass this information along.
Thanks so much! Gayle
Daniel says
The underlying issues of MS are candida overgrowth and trapped emotions. Emotional baggage so to speak. I have MS and I’m an energetic emotional healer. MS isn’t genetic but the trapped emotions are. We can, and do receive these upon conception and are harder to remover but it can be done. If you’re kill Candida Albacon no sugar, certain fruits, nothing fermented, no gluten. Dietary nutrients are a must. Look up Ann Boroch, she’ll help. Feel free to ask me questions.
kingsley says
Why nothing fermented? Kefir, kombucha, kimchi,
Ella says
Daniel – what you say about a link between ms and candida overgrowth and trapped emotions is something I have thought myself. It certainly rings true in my case. It’s so wonderful to hear someone else vocalise it! I have rrms but its dormant about 9 years now and recent MRI shows no sign of it. I put this down to lots of counselling and ‘letting go’ of stuff, and a change of job. I have been searching good other explanations for mny fatigue and suspect candida. I have just started acidophilius and already feel brighter. I am giving my kids vitamin d supplements but what you say about genetic links around emotions worries me. What should I be doing to further help heal me and help give my kids the best chance ? Thanks I hope you can give me some advice. E
Elana says
Hi Elia, I’ve read that there is a correlation between folks that have health issues such as MS and their ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) score, and I do believe that emotions play a part in chronic long term health conditions. I have had fantastic experience using Heart Math to reprogram my nervous system around challenging emotions. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/HeartMath-6400-Inner-Balance-Sensor/dp/B00BLGDKF4
I hope this is useful for you, it’s worked very well for me :-)
Elana
Liana Bagworth says
Elana, I absolutely love you!!! Not only do you grab life by the …. chocolates :), you share and spread the love. I found your site 2 years ago when I was told I might have MS. Your site with a ray of light at that time, for sure. For almost two years now I have been baking and cooking from your website and ordering your cookbooks for friends. I send your website link and sign up my friends for your email postings. I cannot count the number of batches of your fabulous brownies (made with dates, and I do add cinnamon :) I have made and shared at countless dinner parties. I’ve also made your recipes while living in Dubai and parts of Africa! Thank you for being you, I am so grateful for the wonderful you that you are.
Liana, Toronto, Canada
KM says
Elana, lovely blog. Helminthic therapy has shown some promise in clinical trials not just for MS but for autoimmune diseases in general.I have no personal experience, but have been doing research for another chronic condition. Here is a link to a study that may be of interest to you. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17230481
Lynne langmaid says
Elena
You are truly an inspiration
While I don’t have MS I am gluten free have other health issues. Can u steer me towards Functional drs in Boulder area and Naturopaths. Would appreciate it so much
Esty says
Elana,
I was diagnosed at age 31 w/ MS in April 2009. Looking back, I have had symptoms since my early teens.
This winter it stepped up past the RRMS stage and I didn’t think I’d ever feel like myself again. I could hardly walk and I felt like I was dying. My neurologist wanted to put me on some serious once a month infusions of Tysabri. I’ve had about 3 relapses a year since diagnosis and it nothing seemed to work.
I started seeing a nutritionist who told me to get of gluten and as much grain as possible. I don’t eat things in boxes anymore. I’m juicing and eating TONS of leafy greens. I take fish oils and vitamin D like you do too! To say it’s given me my life back is an understatement. I’m walking unaided now and much of my numbness is getting better day by day! Thank you for your amazing blog!
RM says
My kids have autoimmune brain disease and I have Hashimotos. LDN has been a godsend for us. I was so tired of having to worry about the never ending autoimmune flares and my oldest was developing dysautonomia due to undiagnosed lyme disease.. LDN stop it in it’s tracks within one week! A few months later he CDC tested positive for lyme, and I just know it was thanks to taking LDN. Many people don’t He got very sick after two months on LDN and all the classic lyme symptoms came to the surface. I believe that LDN made his immune system start really fighting the lyme and he was in a big herx. The craziness stopped once we started treating the lyme, and within 3 months his antibody levels dropped from 6 positive lyme bands to just one. He also takes NAC to build glutathione. Now we try to eat a cleaner diet and exercise and thanks to LDN we don’t worry as much. So glad you have given it a try and you are doing well!