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.
Lor says
Elana, I am sorry to learn of your diagnosis.
If you have not yet researched the potential link between MS and histamine, I highly recommend your consideration of this theory.
I do not have MS, though a close relative does. I do have several other severe autoimmune illnesses, in addition to numerous food allergies / sensitivities.
I am a personal fan of LDN, having found it beneficial in the past for lupus-related arthritis. However I am off of LDN at present, having suffered a severe SLE flare affecting my liver & kidneys.
The grain-free diets I have investigated have been high in Omega-6 oils and legumes, both of which are problematic for me. In fact, legumes are one of my most obvious food offenders. Grain-free diets also tend to be high in egg (one of my “no” foods) and generally quite high in protein, which my kidneys cannot handle in excess.
I have seen grain-free presentations citing lectins as the factor in grains that cause autoimmune illness … but then going on to present recipes with buckwheat, potato or legumes, all lectin-rich. A lectin – free diet is very difficult to achieve.
I have wondered whether the statistical improvements in groups on grain-free diet may be somewhat influenced by other dietary cleanup that typically accompanies grain-free: less sugar & less processed food; more omega – 3.
I do not wish to discourage anyone, only to share my own experience. Each of us has a certain amount of biochemical uniqueness. A grain-free or Paleo diet may be helpful to YOU! And if it is, great!
My favorite resource for issues related to natural healing is The Townsend Letter, a publication for naturopaths and other alternative healing professionals. It may be available through your local public library; many articles are online.
Here is a link to a Townsend Letter article on MS and histamine:
http://www.tldp.com/issue/11_00/ms.htm
Another good resource is the PubMed research database.
Betty says
Lor,
I do not have MS. I do have auto immune issues.
Oddly, histamine is a big problem for me. I have to restrict
foods high in histamine.
Many people that suffer histamine intolerance have wide and,
varied symptoms. Some include MS “like” symptoms.
I guess one man’s medicine is another man’s toxin.
Marti says
Any idea what foods are high in histamine?
Thanks.
Jay says
It’s very true, what works for one person with MS, doesn’t always work for another person with MS. Having a best friend diagnosed with MS in 2004, who is now confined to a wheelchair with secondary progressive, who cannot brush her hair without great effort, who cannot grasp a fork, spoon, or knife without great effort, who cannot eat, without great effort, who cannot swollow without great effort, I can attest, a gluten free diet, an all natural this and that, the extra Vitamin D, the fish oils, the herbal remedies, the oxygen treatments, etc, etc, did nothing to help my friend, and they still do nothing.
Although Dr. Wahls struggle to overcome her MS is commendable, having to purchase her muliple CDs & books at $20 – $40 a pop, to “learn” about her miracle cure, leaves a bad taste in ones mouth.
My friend is hoping to be included in a MS bone marrow transplant research study, but her age (mid 50’s) may be against her ever being accepted. Right now it’s wait and see.
Although diet can & will be helpful to some, MS stem cell transplant, aka, Hematopoietic stem cell transplant, is, as far as my friend, and myself are concerned, the most promising for people with MS.
Stem cell reseach & transplant is a constant religious/political argument in the US, but it is not elsewhere, and progress is being made.
The Canadian Stem Cell Foundation & Ms. Lecompte’s experience with stem cell transplant.
http://stemcellfoundation.ca/blog/2010/05/27/757these-scientists-are-on-to-something/
My end to MS blog. Chris’s journey from stem cell transplant a year ago, to the present.
http://my-end-to-ms.blogspot.ca/
Nellie says
I was thrilled to see low-dose naltrexone on your list. I started taking LDN 9 months ago, and my Hashimoto’s is now in remission. Thanks for getting the word out about this affordable, no-side-effects treatment.
Megan says
That is very comforting to hear! I too have hashi’s and celiac and just began treatment with LDN…since hitting the 2.5 dose, I have been feeling so much better and even forgetting take thyroid medicine from time to time with no ill-effect….I’m hopeful I too will go into remission. Thanks for posting!
robyn M says
ohh, i was just going to ask if any with hashi’s or celiac has used LDN! thank you for your words!
Lindsay says
Thank you for sharing this! My brilliant Mum has been involved in Low Dose Naltrexone for years now, friends of ours are doing amazing clinical trials. Thanks for helping spread the word~
A fellow foodie who just LOVES your work!
Mary says
What brand of fish oil do you take? Thanks.
Leigh says
Very interesting article. My husband was diagnosed with MS in 2001. He took Copaxone for 5 years without trouble or flare-ups and then relapsed and was put on Rebif. While he has not had an exacerbation since being on Rebif, he does deal with a lot of annoying side effects from the drug which cause him to have to take other medications to offset them. Myself and my two daughters have been GF going on two years. I have tried to get him to go completely GF, but he hasn’t been willing, says it’s too hard with his job since he has to go to a lot of lunches/dinners. But he does eat GF at home. I had Alopecia Areata for 15 years that went into remission after going GF, and I’ve only had one minor flare-up since then, which previously I had problems all the time. I’d love for him to go completely GF and see how he does. It can make such a huge difference in your life.
Arlene Hubbard says
Elana,
My son was diagnosed with MS in 2009, while looking for treatment options I researched various diets and supplements. We, at the Hubbard Foundation where we study the vascular aspect of neurodegenerative disease(especially MS)believe in a gluten/dairy free, modified paleo diet. We are having a conference in San Diego on May 12th and Terry Wahls is one of our key note speakers.
In addition to diet and supplementation my son had a simple venous angioplasty procedure and had relief of his symptoms. Maintaining his diet keeps him doing well. If you would like more information on what we do please visit http://www.hubbardfoundation.org
I wish you the best and thank you so much for your fabulous recipes.
Warm Regards,
Arlene Hubbard
Alisa says
We are always on the same wavelength, but I can tell you are one step ahead of me! I just started on the Ther-biotic Complete a month ago and it is the BEST probiotic ever. It helped loads.
I was taking low dose naltrexone for a little while and it was a wonder medicine. What I loved best was how it helped take my sleep from “ordinary” sleep to restorative sleep. I get enough hours, but they aren’t usually restful. Unfortunately, naltrexone gradually has side effects for me that cause issues. Our dr. considers it the “cure all” potential medicine.
I also find Vit D (same dose) and Fish Oil (though I use about half that) to be important for daily use.
Hmm, dying to know more about your regimen now! ~ A
Sherri says
Elana – I was also diagnosed with MS in ’06. I was able to continue working as a nurse for about another year before I left on permanent disability. My MS had progressed rapidly. I went from 10 lesions on the brain to more than 60 within nine months (and multiple lesions on the spine). I was having exacerbations every six weeks and solumedrol IV infusions to tame them. At the time, all the neurologist wanted to do was push the mainstream disease-modifying drugs (which I took). I honestly think they contributed to my disability.
About the time I went out on disability, I started to change my diet. I cut out all gluten and dairy. To my surprise, the migranes I suffered from were caused from the dairy. Not only did changing my diet make me feel better, but it also helped me lose a significant amount of weight. I’ve lost 150 lbs. and I’ve been able to keep the weight off for several years now. In the process of the weight loss, I also cut out refined sugar. I honestly believe the diet has kept me from being in a wheelchair (although I do walk with a cane).
I finally stopped taking the DMD’s in ’09. That’s the time I started on low-dose naltrexone (LDN). I’m glad to hear you are either taking this or know about the benefits of this off-label medication. Although it hasn’t stopped my disease from progressing, it has improved my mood and quality of life.
Hang in there! Thank you for sharing your story. :)
Kelli says
Can you please write a post on how you eat while traveling? We are currently traveling to churches raising support for the mission field, which includes eating at people’s houses and at food fellowships, and at each one has been big tables of bread, pasta, dessert, and very little vegetables. I would greatly appreciate the help! Thank you for sharing your voyage with us!