Friday, June 14, 2013

Using The Paleo Diet To Possibly Reverse MS

By Liliana Mills


MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, is a chronic, damaging disease of the spinal cord and nervous systems in the human body. It is caused by damage to the myelin, or insulating layer that surrounds the outside of the nerve cells. The disease attacks this protective layer, causing damage, which then causes nerve cells to misfire or malfunction. It might be possible to reverse MS by changing up the diet and environment in which the patient lives.

While there are several varying symptoms that are associated with multiple sclerosis, the most common include problems with balance and muscle spasms. This can affect walking, balance and even numbness in the limbs. Depression and other mood problems are common with this disease, as well. Vision disturbances and other cognitive problems can be attributed to MS.

Recent research has been testing the effectiveness of diet changes on the MS patient and overall environment changes, both to help prevent the disease and help after it is diagnosed. The Paleo diet has been suggested as a possible way of life for sufferers to follow to get some relief. It is comprised of grass fed meats, strictly organically grown produce and other natural, whole types of food, not processed. Fish with no additives or growth hormones are also part of this diet.

The Paleo Diet may help by supplying larger amounts of the essential B vitamins, which can help protect the nervous system and the immune functions of the body. This type of diet is also high in iodine and Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential to cell growth and regeneration.

Another part of the prevention or alleviation of symptoms has been to add extra Vitamin D to the diet, especially in the natural form, directly from the sun. One recent study showed a marked increase of the disease in females whose mother didn't get much sun, as they were pregnant in darker, winter months. The proximity to the equator seemed to make a big difference in the numbers of people who were affected.

Removing damaging substances from the diet can also aid in protecting and renewing the cell damage. The worst offender is the artificial sweetener Aspartame, which can be found in many processed diet products, especially soft drinks. It can cause damage to the central nervous system by eventually breaking down the cells that are located in the brain, as well as the whole body.

Any of the many unnatural substances that are in today's food supply can cause damage to the body, not just Aspartame. Anything that contains colorings or dyes, preservatives and artificial flavorings can cause problems for the human body, but especially to those with compromise immune systems, like someone with multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune diseases. Eliminating these from the daily diet may help alleviate the symptoms in some people and help prevent them from starting in others.

The risk factors for this chronic and debilitating disease may be relieved by following a Paleo-style of eating, with only natural and fresh, whole foods. This means staying away from things that are processed, with additives and preservatives. Also adding extra Vitamin D, especially from the sun may help reverse MS and other similarly damaging diseases of the human body.




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