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.
Dora B says
Thanks Elana for sharing your story!
I have been on Vit D 3 for a year and a half now at the urging of a friend who has MS. She has worked up to 10,000 IU per day with Omega 3,6,9 from Flax and or fish oils. I talked to my doc about it and got tested after about 3 months on 2,000 IU of D3 plus Omega 3,6,9 from Chia seeds. at that time my D3 measurement was 20 (LOW).
My Doctor also suggested that I take KRILL oil. Krill oil has EPA and DHA which are “the essential Building Blocks” of the body needed to USE the D3 and Omegas. I was recently re-tested and my D3 levels are now in the “normal” range at 54.
I met a nurse at the hospital who has MS and has also worked up to 10,000 IU of D3 plus the omegas and the Krill and is working every day with no MS symptoms. I took that as confirmation that I am doing the right thing for my body. Thanks again for sharing your story!
Dora
Victoria says
Hi Elana,
I was diagnosed 11 years ago and have reached many of the same conclusions as you have. I stopped taking Rebif 6 years ago & switched to LDN and have been stable (I walk with a cane but have tons of energy & work full time). As of two months ago, I watched the Walhs’ video & have been minding my mitochondria since. In additon to all the nutriceuticals you recommend and the LDN, I also have used a very good Green drink–Greens First–for years and I take a substance call AMBROTOSE, a glyco-nutrient– manufactuted by the Mannatech company (Mannatech.com). I think both have been enormously helpful. I very much apprecitate your website and your paleo recipes. Good luck & continued good health to you.
Victoria
Kristel @ Healthy Frugalista says
I was very inspired by your story and Dr Wahls story. We need to keep spreading the idea of natural treatments. I shared Dr Whals video in a post entitled The Power of Real Food and linked to your post. I’m happy you are doing well with MS.
Susan says
Thanks for sharing this Elana. More people need to know there is another option to the mainstream drugs for MS. I’ve been doing it “holistically” now for 2.5 years and my last MRI came up clear and the old lesions I had are shrinking. Thanks for blessing us with your recipes too!
Claudia Franco says
Hi Elana,
I follow your natural treatment suggestions for my diagnosis of Hashimoto’s which is an auto immune disease. I’m a total believer and have been thankful to have found alternative meds and doctors who follow this as well.
Cheers,
Claudia
Lucinda says
I found this post extremely interesting. My mother has MS and Crohn’s disease. I have Crohn’s disease and Celiac and live in fear of developing MS although I’ve reached 40 without it so I’m feeling more confident. Thank you for sharing what you are doing. I definitely will be asking my GI about some of these things. I already take Vit. D and probiotics but the other stuff I had not heard about. I hope you continue to feel well.
Martha says
Can you eat Buckwheat as part of a grain free diet since it is technically a fruit? Or would you consider it a grain?
Lexie says
You strong and beautiful woman, you! You are an inspiration. xoLexie
cdecocina says
I’d wish to thank you for sharing this information. I write a blog about the Seignalet diet, which is very similar to the one you’re following (no gluten, no dairy, no refined sugar). Dr. Seignalet treated 33 patients with multiple sclerosis, with an improvement in 97% of them. It’s a pity that doctors are not aware of this information, as it would be harmless to give this diet a chance in many cases that seem doomed to tones of pain and medication. I’m glad to hear that you are feeling ok, keep it that way! Kisses
Amy says
Hi Elana,
I just wanted to say a quick thank you (so much) for your website. I discovered your site sometime in the last 6 months when I made dramatic changes to my diet just to feel better and be more healthy.
Recently I found out that I’m actually dealing with an auto-immune disorder (specific disorder tbd) and am also 11 weeks pregnant. So…I’m going grain free & dairy free, and avoiding tomatoes and other foods I have known allergies too. I also struggle to get enough protein in my diet as I am not a huge fan of meat and with pregnancy have I’ve developed several food aversions and haven’t been able to stand so many of the healthiest foods I’ve eaten regularly for the past several months.
Your site means even more to me now b/c I absolutely need to feed myself and feed myself right. I purchased your book last night through Amazon and am spending every free moment today looking at your recipes and identifying several appealing options.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.