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.
Karen says
Great post Elana! Something to think about, Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed as MS and yes, even the plaque shows up in the images. Lyme is the new ‘great imposterer’. I’d suggest anyone with MS find an Lyme Literate Doctor (www.ILADS.org), ‘contact us’ and write asking about the nearest Lyme Literate Doctor to your location. There are a lot of politics around this so you need a specially trained doctor. My Lyme has also responded well to the dietary measures you’ve embraced though I am not on LDN. You live in an area with a lot of Lyme exposure so just wanted to put that out there. Best of luck as you move forward.
Col says
Dear Elana,
Thank you so so much for this posting! Personally, I find it extremely encouraging to hear of others living with MS in a healthy and natural way. Gives me much needed information and motivation!
Wishing you optimal health.
Col
Karen Rogina says
Hi Elena:
So glad you’ve been able to maintain good health.
Just recently I was diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism, though I’ve had clinical symptoms most of my life. However the doctors over the years repeatedly said that everything was Ok because my blood work was in the high normal and sometimes normal. I’ve got mild Cerebral Palsy from a hypothalamic infarct that is dime sized. This occurred at birth and has caused chronic health problems my whole life. Mostly an easily overwhelmed immune system, along with other neurological problems such as chronic pain etc. It makes sense as the hypothalamus is the first step in optimal thyroid function.
I initially went dairy free, then gluten free, then grain free due to ongoing digestive problems. This all happened prior to the hypothyroidism diagnosis. I find since going grain free along with the thyroid supplement that the digestive problems are getting better.
I’m taking the high dose probiotics, fish oils, Vitamin D already but I’ve never heard of the Low Dose Naltrexone. Thanks for the info. I’ll be seeing my neurologist next week and I’m going to ask her if she would consider trying me on this drug.
I enjoy your website and all your recipes.
Keep up the great work.
Karen
louise says
beautiful article and power to you. Keep strong and sharing your wonderful info x
Athena says
My sister sent me the link to this post and after reading it, I must say I find it fascinating that there are others who want to go the natural way vs. the medicinal way. The only thing I’d like to add is that curcumin is a supplement I use religiously and has been very effective with my “cog fog”. Here is a link to information regarding curcumin if anyone is interested: http://curcumin-benefits.info/.
Carey says
Hi Elana,
As a Boulder local I was wondering who you see for functional medicine?
Is it Pierre Brunshwig at Helios? I thought he was a Homeopathic exclusively. Would you recommend some others doctors who practice functional medicine in the area? I’ve been looking and would appreciate any recommendations.
Thanks so much and be well.
Marti says
Dr. Terry Grossman at Frontier Medical is in Golden, CO is local. I am on LDN with them and am completely GF and DF now. I also avoid proteins from legumes and try to do raw. If I stick to it, no MS symptoms. They turned my life around and I am grateful.
Lynnette says
Thank you Thank you Thank you for blogging Functional Medicine to your audience. The reminder is good for all of us.
Melissa says
Elana, I’m so glad you mentioned low dose naltrexone. Not enough people know about it and it is a shame. But now that you mentioned I hope more people will check it out. If someone wants to find out more the can google low dose naltrexone.
Terri says
Truly inspirational, Elana! Thank you so much for sharing!
ginger says
The video was extremely moving. I don’t have ms but I do have neurological issues that pop up now and then. I am also on a gf diet. I have been investigating the hunter/gatherer diet and the real food diet thru Weston A Price foundation. Your diets are similar except they do eat only raw dairy, sprouted grains, and say that cruciferous vegetables need to be cooked/steamed not eaten raw. I know I need to make changes and am searching for answers. I seem to be finding conflicting info. Have you come upon these issues and if so, what helped you with your understanding?
megan says
Its hard with all the conflicting info floating around – you never know who sponsored what studies and if there are conflicts of interest…the best thing you can do is try it for yourself – what do you have to lose? eating “paleo” (or whatever you want to call it) certainly won’t cause MORE damage and just may be the missing piece in your health