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.
Andrea Gunther says
Hi Elana,
Do you drink bone broth every day? I’ve started experiencing MS symptoms this past year and want to approach my health naturally.
Thank you!
Elana says
Andrea, thanks for your comment! I go through phases where sometimes I’ll drink it everyday, and sometimes a couple of times per week :-)
Dan says
I have a question for anyone that my have some input. My wife has MS and 3 years ago we went Gluten free and she healed her gut and eliminated her Colitis. She has been on REBIF for 8 years and can barely tolerate any longer, so, we are wondering if she still needs to be on it….We are eating healthy (gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, red meat almost free) and have fix her gut eliminating Colitis which has been confirmed by a colonoscopy. Does anyone have any insight or experience on this…If we are eating the right things and her gut is healed, I am thinking that going off the drug may the right thing to do. If Gluten was the culprit in the disease process, then we have that covered. If a leaky gut was the issue, then we have that covered as well. We were thinking about LDN, just in case, but not sure if we can find anyone to prescribe it….thx
Elana says
Dan, thanks for your comment. I would find a Functional Medicine doctor who could help you make these transitions with your wife. They will be able to prescribe LDN as well :-)
Dan says
Hi Elana,
thanks….
we don’t have anyone that is close or even within a few hundred miles that would comment
on MS….
we have got this far on our own, so we will continue the quest…
thanks…
Elana says
Dan, I totally understand. Here’s some further info that might be good to look into:
https://elanaspantry.com/green-house-almost-killed/
Take care and I hope you’ll keep me posted!
Elana
Aimee says
Hi Dan, sorry to hear about your wife’s side effects from Rebif but wonderful news on the diet and healing her gut.
Rebif was my 1st treatment and it was a disaster for me. I went med-free for a few years while I was pregnant / nursing. When my MS started progressing the med landscape changed with new options. I went on Tecfidera next and that was worse than Rebif. I am now on Gilenya. The first year was an adjustment period but now it is easy and virtually no side effects. I am also gluten free, eat healthy, enjoy yoga, reduced my work schedule for better balance in my life. My point being, there are choices between Rebif and no meds and her doctor should be able to help her navigate options. Also, my results are mine alone – I have a friend who loves Tecfidera and one who couldn’t tolerate Gilenya.
Lastly, I strongly recommend looking up the MS Gym group on Facebook. There is a personal trainer who has MS specific exercise for folks who have no noticeable symptoms to modifying exercises for sitting or walking assistance. He has many free options and a $30ish a month membership for exercising at home. Dr Aaron Boster, an MS specialist Neurologist at Ohio Health has an amazing YouTube channel I have found supportive and educational. Everyone’s journey is different and I wish you and your wife health along your path.
Elana says
Aimee, thanks so much for sharing your healing journey here!!!
Kimberly says
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s/ Colitis and had terrible stomach problems, neurological problems and brain fog for most of my life. Doctor had me on Asacol for many years as well and never suggested changing my diet. I was fed up! I healed everything within three months by going gluten, dairy and meat/egg free. Eat nothing processed and eliminate sugar. Went off meds in 3 months and made an amazing transformation all on my own!! With thanks to the internet and a passion to learn. No doctors needed since 2011!! Let food be thy medicine:)
Thank you Elana for wonderful recipes!!
Elana says
Kimberly, thanks for sharing your terrific story, very inspiring! And I’m so glad to hear you are enjoying my recipes :-)
Julie says
Hi Elana, I would love to know if your doctor recommended a specific ratio of EPA to DHA? The supplement you linked to has higher relative EPA levels than some I have seen. Thank you!
Elana says
Julie, thanks for your comment! My doctor recommends taking more EPA than DHA, but I know many folks who don’t agree with that at all :-)
Elaine says
Elana, I follow you religiously bought your cookbooks and so appreciate you sharing your journey and insights. I am starting the Ketogenic diet, but I have some sensitivities to coconut products, butter, eggs and beef. I can tolerate eggs on a limited bases and cooked in food such as gf breads. . Also I can handle beef in small doses. I made my own ghee from organic valley butter, but still having trouble. Perhaps there is another ghee you can recommend? Also since unfortunately Coconut is off-limits right now I was considering red palm oil. Can you offer suggestions for butter and coconut oil? Also, I remember reading a ketogenic author you liked, can you remind me of who that is? Again many thanks for all you do, I’m a big fan.
Elana says
Elaine, thanks for your comment! I would recommend that you check out my post called “How I Healed my Gut”
https://elanaspantry.com/how-i-healed-my-gut/
It might help you heal some of the intolerances that you are currently dealing with!
Elana
Arlyn says
Hi,ms Elana..i always read your article about multiple sclerosis..i just want to ask if i did a right thing on my diet..i eat raw veggies 3x a day in everyday..these are the veggies:yacon,carrots,kale,celery,parsley,lettuce and turnip but lately,i added half of an apple..aside from that,i also eat rice and fish..please tell me what am i going to do?i used to eat raw veggies almost 2 months…i’m hoping for your response..thank u..this is arlyn…
Elana says
Arlyn, I follow a grain-free diet and have since 2001, it’s been incredibly helpful for me! For more on that please go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/grain-free/
Enjoy!
Elana
Arlyn says
Hi,ms elana..how about the veggies i eat?are they helpful also to my condition?i put the names of the veggies above…thank u for replying…
Elana says
Arlyn, we’re all biochemical individuals, so in terms of diet, what works for me may not be best for you. Here are some things that could have a very big impact on your health in dealing with MS. First, sleep. I think it’s as important, if not more so than diet:
https://elanaspantry.com/five-ways-better-nights-sleep/
Second, is eliminating EMF’s from your home environment:
https://elanaspantry.com/simple-steps-to-reduce-emfs/
I hope you’ll keep me posted on how you’re doing!
Elana
Karen says
My daughter has autoimmune problems and has been told to take fish oil and acidophilis, but they make her nauseated. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do to stop the nausea? Should she take them with food?
Elana says
Karen, I take all of my supplements with food :-)
Lisa says
Hemp milk
Jeff says
I’m curious why you did not state the specific carbohydrate diet like you have in the past. I’m actually quite saddened that you praised the specific carbohydrate diet and now you don’t even speak of it. I was considering inviting you to SCDROCKS Conference 2018, which will feature educational and inspirational speakers as well as the vendors that help Supply food and vitamins to the SCD community. I would love to hear a response because your story would help millions in my audience.
Elana says
Jeff, thanks for your comment! I have around 1,000 posts on this website and I discuss SCD in some, but not all of the posts here. I think you might enjoy my Specific Carbohydrate Diets page:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/specific-carbohydrate-diet/
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Elana
Marina says
I am a bit confused. What is the diet that is recommended for MS?
Elana says
Marina, for a long time doctors recommended a high-carb low-fat diet. I don’t believe in that and think a gluten-free, low-carb diet is the best approach, but everyone is different and needs to do what is most appropriate for themselves :-)
Elise says
Many people with MS, myself included, have found success with the Wahls Protocol. And when you need great grain-free recipes, Elana has the best!
Elana says
Elise, thanks so much for your comment! I featured Dr. Wahls here in 2012:
https://elanaspantry.com/natural-treatments-for-multiple-sclerosis/
And thanks so much for your kinds words about my recipes!
Elana
Susan Linke says
I am a functional/integrative dietitian and Certified LEAP Therapist, we’ve also seen very good success with the Mediator Release Test/LEAP protocol – it’s a blood based food sensitivity test + elimination diet. MS is associated with inflammation, and the LEAP protocol is tailor made to reduce inflammation because it’s based on the individual’s blood results. Even some healthy foods can be inflammatory for certain people. This can be combined with an autoimmune protocol or something like Dr. Wahls’ protocol.
Elana says
Thanks Susan!
Caroline Schmidt says
Dear Elana,
I posted a comment somewhere else but forgot something: I learned from my mother that completely cutting out all sugar from your diet is very healthy. That includes honey, high-sugar fruit like apples and bananas, dried fruit, date syrup, agave, maple syrup, all that. In my experience it takes about two months for the benefits to kick in, and then it works wonders!
Sincerely,
C.S.
Elana says
Caroline, agreed! Here’s a link to my Keto Diet Recipes page for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/keto/
Enjoy!
Elana
Sharon says
I had that food sensitivity testing. You would not believe the healthy yummy fruits and vegetables that I should not eat. So sad. Makes my diet extremely dificult.
Juliette Lucarini Harch says
Dear Elena,
Bravo BRAVO! We are simpatico. I whole heartedly agree & coincidentally I do everything u do.
I was diagnosed in about 2007 but looking back I think I had MS in the 1990’s. In 2000 I started working inside a multi-place HBOT chamber & felt young, vibrant, happy & healthy – not knowing I was treating my MS. When I stopped working inside the chamber my legs felt like cement & fatigue plagued my days again. Once diagnosed I went back to HBOT. In about 2009 I researched Dr Zagon’s work w LDN, then I tried it. Also researched Dr Zamboni, & did CCSVI. My health style is very similar to yours with the addition of glutathione IV’s, B12 injections & high dose Biotin. Last year I began the high dose Biotin(research out of France). I hv PP MS & I too am fully functional, just got back from skiing in Santa Fe. Thank GOD for HBOT, the cleanest medicine in the world. I stand firm about NOT TAKING pharmaceutical MS meds.Restoring the gut biome has been so much fun. Kombucha lab on my kitchen counter :-) I will stick with the all natural route, just like you. Bravo Bravo, we are functional!
Thank u for helping others with all of the rich & sensible information u share. U r a beautiful soul.
Elana says
Juliette, your comment gave me goose bumps! We are like twins separated at birth. I also do IV’s with high doses of glutathione and B12, plus other nutrients. And I’m on the high dose biotin protocol daily since 2016. I hope our paths cross someday soon. I would love to meet you in person :-)
Katie Tarr says
Where do you get high dose Biotin and what dose?
Elana says
Katie, this is the product that I use:
http://amzn.to/2mAkeV6
I take 300mg per day.
Good luck!
Elana
Persephone Capri says
Elana, I was just reading about this 2015 French study re: MS and high dose biotin and thought of you–sharing, in case it might prove helpful or interesting:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25787192
Petra says
Elana there are also treatments available for MS. Stem cell therapy has had some very promising results.
Elana says
Thanks Petra!