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.
robin in Washington says
Wow! I didn’t know you had MS. I just watched the video and was astounded at the gal’s story. I think I’m going to try and get to know kale after watching this…and making some changes to my diet. thanks!
Judy Dembrow says
I do not understand what you can eat if you have celiac disease and in addition cut out the grains. I have increasingly been trying to to more vegetarian in my eating habits-which really amount to fish and chicken occasionally but more emphasis is on the grains. What is possible if you eliminate them?
Raeleen says
Thank you so much for this post! I was diagnosed in 1998 – went on all of the ABC drugs over the period of ten years (ruined the tissue in my legs as a result!), and went off of medication a couple of years ago striving for a healthier balance. From raw to vegan to whole foods to now gluten free (this attempt is by far the hardest). After a recent setback, my current neurologist wants me back on medication (she prefers Tysabri, but I failed the test). However, my general doctor is a heavy leaning naturopath who has been very supportive of the no medication path I’ve been taking. I take a high dose of D (prescription strength 50,000 IU 1x week + a daily 2,000), cod liver oil, and high doses of antioxidents. Interestingly enough, I have never heard of the link for Acidophilus or Naltrexone. I will be visiting my naturopath again very soon and will be bringing up this post to her and talking over the usage of both. Again, thanks so much for for sharing your info!
Peggy says
So glad to hear you are doing so well. I am almost four months into my celiac diagnosis, and following the principles of the GAPS diet(fairly closely) has been very effective, along with fish oil, probiotics and vitamin D. GAPS shares some principles with Paleo. Body aches and even peripheral neuropathy symptoms have improved.
Kacer says
Just a Q… anyone know of anyone in Ohio who will prescribe ldn (or really 1 or 2 naltraxone pills a month). I’m having some trouble getting overly conservative mds to do so…. it is Ohio after all ;)
Laura says
Elana, I want to say a huge thank you for this post! I had never heard of low dose naltrexone before, and I began researching it when I saw this. I do not have MS, but I do have a few autoimmune conditions. Anyway, I am now on LDN as well and noticing a big difference. Sincerely, thank you. This post may have changed my life! :)
Michele says
I have been following your blog for quite some time and had no idea you have MS. So do I and going gluten free was to help with my MS.
Amanda says
Do you take 7g of omega 3 or 7g of fish oil?
Kacer says
Fish oil IS omega 3s. but only about 1/3 of it is….typically, Sounds to me that she takes 7g/fish oil which would be about 2.5g of omega 3’s maybe a tad more… I seem to recall about 360mg or maybe 380mg in a 1000mg softgel at least the brands I tried
Leslie says
HI Elana. A friend just sent me your protocol and I am doing exactly what you are doing except not as high a dose of probiotics…..and have been doing this protocol for several years now…and I have had the same success you have….I was right here in Boulder Community hospital 3 years ago for a month and it took a month of intense PT for me to learn how to walk again….and when I left the hospital the neurologist insisted I take a “FDA approved” drug…which I did for a month, until I talked to my holistic MD in Hawaii and he suggested I read about LDN, and I stopped the “approved MS drug” immediately and have never looked back.
I immediately was able to walk etc…and I am headed out for my jog right now….would love to meet you…. Leslie
Kacer says
Hi, a friend suggested that I come see what you had to say and what you were doing for your MS, as you appeared to be doing many of the things I have been doing and advocating for the last 11 years. Tho she said you were doing things a little bit different and I should take a look.
I’ve not had much of a look, but like what I see. I’d like to offer a few suggestions for you to check out.
I have found over the years that some people DO do better on the DHA/EPA (fish oil) versions of the omega 3’s, I have tried that route on several occasions, but find I, myself tend to do MUCH better on the ALA (via flax seed oil) and I’ve had several friends who seem to do better on a combination of the 2, some fish oil, some flax (seed) oil. So you MIGHT want to “test” yourself…. I mean I have basically used myself as a ‘lab rat’ as I would not be ok using actual lab rats…lol. I’d do a month on fish oil, one on just flax, one on a combo… again, several times… at differing times of the year, trying to also avoid “allergy” seasons to avoid a bias that way.
The only ADDITION I would make to your “regimen” is really, mainly only applicable to newly recovering and/or those who have recently had an MS attack. OCTACOSANOL, it is a straight-chain aliphatic 28-carbon primary fatty alcohol NECESSARY for remyelination, so wanna get rid of myelin lesions? Need this! only sources I’m aware of is: Spinach (1 love it raw, hate cooked) wheat germ (probably not a viable option, given the gluten issue) and the outer coating on sugar cane… which… sounds less than palatable, imo… I get the twin labs octacosanol…8000mcg per capsule (they get from spinach, fwiw).The Myelin Project did research into this….that’s where I gleaned the information over…. 12 years ago.
The only additional INFO I’d like to share is that MILK contains a substance named: butyrophilin, which, according to researchers can and does (tend) to activate the immune system against myelin in people w/ MS. I still DO milk, but for the first few years I was emphatically milk free (cream and butter thankfully did not contain butyrophilin). As also while not going ‘gluten free’ I ONLY did a LITTLE when my craving for it was too extreme (mainly bratwurst in a bun… I know, bad) but I’m not overly gluten intolerant, but I think is pretty awful for people to consume, so I keep at a minimum. Once my bowels had 2-3 years to recover, I reintroduced the milk…. slowly and cautiously and seem to do ok with it now.
I take 3.6-7.2 grams of the Flax )seed) Oil/day depending on time of year, and most MSers have most issues (or the worst) in spring and fall seasons, I researched it out and the best explanation was that allergies deplete the body of omega 3’s, and most people’s allergies are more prevalent in the spring and fall seasons… so… as I am allergic to mold… I up my omega 3 intake during allergy season and step it back down the rest of the year.
The vitamin D I was at 5000IU/day (my doc recommended 2000IU) butthe research I looked at and cross checked seemed to indicate that was barely sufficient for a healthy individual… so I figured toxic not an issue until 40,000+/day doses so I went for the 5k… and at my initial testing (pre supplementation) I was a 12 (medical professionals like to see people at 50ish, they consider 25 critically deficient and I was less than 1/2 of critically deficient. So on the 5000IU/day I was re tested a year AFTER mega doses 10,000IU/day for a week, then 10,000IU 3X a week for 5 more weeks)and tested at the end of the 6 weeks and I was at 46. After a year on 5,000IU/day my levels had dropped to 42. So now I’m taking 10,000 IU/day but will on occasion skip a day or two just to keep my body ‘guessing’ and most reputable sources only see toxicity issues at doses of 40,00IU/day or higher (long term). and if I’m over 80 this July I’ll maybe switch to 10,000IU only once a week, with the remaining days at the 5,000IU.
I take Octacosanol as it seems needed (if I have ANY ‘flares” aside from fatigue issues).
I’m also experimenting now with sulphur and while I’ve yet to actually see ANY improvement… It’s been like a week, so…. usually can START seeing minor improvements in as little as a week, and as long as a month tho, initially it took me 6 months to see a difference but now that I’m better (aside from fatigue and some transient pain) 1 week to a month I usually can notice a difference if one is going to occur. But I often give a full 6 months before I decide “good idea/bad idea”.
Your own body (via the liver) can convert ALA into DHA and EPA here’s how: the enzyme delta-6-desaturnase turns ALA into Stearidonic acid, Stearidonic acid requires sufficient B6, magnesium and Zinc to then turn Stearidonic acid into Eicosatetraenoic acid. The Ddelta-5-desaturase converts Eicosatetraenoic acid into Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)the delta-5-desaturase requires Vitamin C, niacin and zinc, and prefers to convert the omega 3 oils (to the omega 6’s or saturated fats).
So I watch, but am not fanatical about watching my saturated fat intake. Watch but not THAT much my gluten and milk intake and if it seems needed add a multi B, a cal/mag/zinc and vitamin C supplement boost and take my flax seed oil, my vitamin D and (currently, but unconvinced about) Sulphur suppliment (MSM).
michelle says
thanx!! great info. i’ll start the octacosaol and crank up my vit.D. i tried serranol/serrapeptase-some supplement that was suppose to be good for eating scar tissues/restoring myean sheath. i couldnt take it-it made my stomach swell(think it affected my liver) good luck with your journey