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.
MoniCue says
Have you read Terry’s book? It has her story, advice on food as meds and great recipes. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting her at a family camp last summer–getting to know her and her lovely family was a treat in itself…and the extra, unanticipated health info and advice was one of those kismet life moments. (I have chronic pain and apparently fibro…)
Stephanie says
I was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago and like you began researching my options and changing my life, in many ways. I only recently went gluten free and have noticed huge changes with my body. For me, stress is a huge factor in how I feel and what is going on with my body. The one thing that I would add to your list above is Stress Management! Walking, meditation, yoga. Find whatever you need to do to reduce and release your stress.
In some ways MS has made my life better. I know, I know, I never understood when people said that kind of stuff. But, my health is always my focus now. I exercise everyday, I eat healthy food, I manage my stress.
Thanks for sharing all that you have learned.
Col says
My sentiments exactly Stephanie. I have found a huge difference by going gluten free.
Sharon says
This is great (not that you have MS, but that you posted this info)! My sister-in-law has MS and I’ve been trying to talk to her about it from a natural perspective. It may be more convincing coming from someone who also suffers from MS.
I would also like to recommend Nutritional Response Testing to you as a method of treatment. We have been seeing a local practitioner for over 3 years and it is how I found you. We have used it to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but also to heal from pre-diabetic symptoms, hyper-thyroidism, infertility and even day to day illnesses. We go to our nutritionist when we are sick, not a medical doctor.
I wish you well in your battle against MS and want to say thank you – I highly value your recipes and insight! Even my 7 yr old daughter likes to look up “Elana” recipes to make.
Sharon Bolling
Lori says
Thanks Elana for sharing this story. A friend of my mothers suffers from MS and I send the article to her. I agree with what this lady is doing to manage her MS. Thanks for sharing.
Lori
Amber says
Thank you for posting this, Elana! I saw this video a couple months ago, and although the worst we are currently dealing with in our family is one child with minor food intolerances, I decided to implement many of these changes in our diet as a simple and healthful precautionary measure. If diet changes can have such a significant effect on healing serious auto-immune diseases, why would I not want to make these changes now and perhaps give my kids a better chance of never having to deal with these diseases in the first place?! I don’t know why more people don’t consider the standard modern diet an absolute health tragedy, when there is an obvious trend of “incurable” and “mysterious” diseases being successfully treated with diet and lifestyle changes. I don’t know how long it’s going to take us to admit that the choices we are making have actual consequences.
Jan Martin says
I have been a patient of Dr. Bethany Hays @ her functional medicine clinic called True North in Falmouth, Maine, for three years, for anyone seeking out functional medicine locations on the eastcoast. I can highly recommend this fully staffed clinic. As a gynecologist, she had previously worked with Christianne Northrup @ Women to Women in Yarmouth, Maine. To find out more, just google True North Falmouth Me.
glutenfreeforgood says
This is such good information, Elana. Thanks for sharing it. I’ll be passing this along all over the place! =)
Melissa
Delores Mann (Lynn) says
I notice that you use alot of agave nectar, does it do alright on your MS? I have been reading about the yacon syrup how good it is.I have fibromylgia and alot of foods trigger it off with pain.I have gone gluten free and dairy free and working on sugar free if I can found something that will work.
Philippa says
The healthy gut summit recently had a lot of information for you. We have an integrative medical doctor now doing research at our university in Edmonton AB Canada (former gyne/ob) called Dr Stephen Genius. He has his own health story to tell.
jamie says
I was encouraged to read about your success with MS. MS runs in my family and thought there was no hope until I saw Dr. Wahls video and read your blog. Thank you so much for sharing.
Francie says
I am successfully healing from a lifetime of not being well, including a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, a rare form of inflammatory arthritis. At 63 I am vibrantly healthy through the use of an integrative approach. I was delighted to see that I do everything you do! I also take natural anti-inflammatories prescribed by an integrative clinician. The proof is in the blood work, my C-reactive protein reading has gone from 83 to 16 and is still dropping.
I take 3mg of Low Dose Naltrexone daily, it has made a tremendous difference. I am not on any of the dangerous drugs prescribed by rheumatologists to deal with this condition. I highly recommend it as part of a healing regimen and am so glad to see it listed here!
Thank you for all the good work that you do through your website, and richest blessings to you for continued great health!!
Jen says
Can I ask what you do in addition to the LDN? I have RA and my dr prescribed Enbrel and I really do not want to take it. I was on LDN and it didn’t help me that much other than my mood (if that makes sense)? And am currently on a gluten free/dairy free diet but am going to switch to grain free as well. I was even thinking of going raw for awhile….I know there’s a way I just need to figure out what works for me!
Laura says
Jen, I have another form of arthritis, related to being HLA B27 positive, and I am currently researching LDN. I am now on a mostly raw, vegan diet that is grain free, and I have found that it makes a huge difference for me. I went raw on the advice of a friend with RA who noticed great results, for what it is worth.
David says
I have a friend who had debilitating RA. Could button her pants or pick up her child at age 33. She knew nothing about nutrition. One day someone told her to eat raw to heal. She literally was so desperate that she only ate salads and smoothies I addition (clean meat or fish 1x per week) for 8 months! She VERY slowly got off methotrexate humerus and antidepressants etc….totally cured!!! I realized that she didn’t follow a specific diet, but she made her body alkaline by eating that way. Disease cannot live in an alkaline body. No more inflammation! !!