Diet
The importance of having a good diet
Having a balance diet can help to improve mood, give more energy and help to think more clearly.
Eating a balanced diet affects MS including the digestive system. Eating food that is nutritious can help heart disease or diabetes which can have an effect on MS.
Although there is no specific diet plan for Multiple Sclerosis, eating healthy food and right amount of it, helps to keep you energetic.
The mental health charity Mind for MS have eight tips on food and mood.
They are as follows:
The mental health charity Mind for MS have eight tips on food and mood. They are as follows:
Stay hydrated – dehydration could affect concentration and ability to think clearly. Have 6 – 8 glasses of liquid a day.
Take Five a day – fruit and vegetables containing lots of vitamin, minerals and fibre is required to stay heathy physically and mentally.
Looking after gut – Stress and anxiety could affect gut by slowing it down or speeding it up.
Take protein – Taking proteins can affect the chemicals in the brain which regulates thoughts and feelings.
Managing caffeine – This is a stimulant giving quick burst of energy which could result in anxiety, depression and loss of sleep.
Eat right type of fats – fatty acids are required to keep the brain working well and therefore it needs the consumption of eating right fats is necessary.
Tips for a balanced diet
Take foods low in fat and high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables and grains.
Eat lean proteins such as chicken, fish, beans and eggs and use olive oil, avocados and nuts.
Reduce sugary food and snacks.
Stay hydrated.
Eat smaller meals frequently to maintain steady energy levels.
Eating a healthy diet will and managing a healthy body weight is essential for people with Multiple Sclerosis and can reduce relapses and lesions and related disability. It would affect cardiovascular factors such as blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes, which could affect the immune system. Increased body weight could have a impact on cardiovascular health
Tips for good health:
1.Eat lean proteins and healthy fats.
2.Cook meals at home.
3. Incorporate colorful fresh vegetables and fruits daily.
4. Choose whole or refined grains.
5. To add flavour use herbs and spices.
6.Limit processed food and high sugar food.
Probiotics and prebiotics are essential to be healthy. Probiotic food- yogurt, sourdough bread, kafir and sauerkraut.
Prebiotic food – onions, garlic, asparagus and banana. Probiotics and prebiotics keeps us healthy. Probiotics such as yogurt, sourdough bread, Kefir and sauerkraut and prebiotics such as onions, garlic, asparagus and banana, keeps us healthy.
Stress also has an impact on gut health. Stress such as sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, notice pollution and psychological stress, can have an adverse impact on gut health.
Smoking can have an indirect effect on health.
Managing a Balance diet recommended by people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Substitutes for certain food in place of unhealthy options is necessary. The diet should include the following as recommended by MS patients :
1.In place of white sugar use maple syrup, molasses, coconut sugar, honey. Adding a few drops of apple cider vinegar to lessen addiction.
2. Use slow cooker.
3. Make your own fancy cake and biscuit so that the ingredients are known.
4. Plan your menu early.
5. Increase quantity of food so some portions could be frozen for later use when MS symptoms are worse.
6. Accept the fact that lifestyle changes and food intake will be necessary
7. Expose to early morning sun to get vitamin D.
8. An occasional treat is possible.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is absolutely necessary for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Sunshine is the best for this and the body gets 90% by being in the early morning sun. If you are unable to get the sun then a Vitamin D supplement is necessary. However, some say that staying in the sun must be while they are young and hasn’t such an effect on adults.
There are some people who are unable to absorb the vitamin D which comes with sunlight. They are –
1. Dark skinned people from Africa and South Asia
2. Elderly
3. Those who have a medical condition which prevents the body making vitamin D.
4. Staying in the sun alone does not impact the vitamin D level that is necessary, therefore so eating vitamin D giving food and taking supplements may have to be done.
Food that has Vitamin D in small amounts – Sardines, Salmon, Mackerel, Herrinng, Red meat & Egg Yolks.
People with MS tends to have low levels of Vitamin D from the sun alone and this put them at a high risk of Osteoporosis. Certain medicines can lessen bone density.
Healthy diet should:
Keep a healthy weight.
Manage fatigue so it makes one less tired.
Regular bowel and bladder habits.
Keep a healthy skin.
Bones healthy and strong.
Healthy teeth and gums.
Improve muscle strength.
Increase flexibility.
Reduce risks to diseases,
Weight loss – The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis could result in weight loss. Symptoms such as inability to swallow, fatigue side effects of medicine, anxiety, depression and stress could lead to weight loss.
Weight gain – when inactive weigh gain leads to weight gain. Here again side effects of medicine could gain weight. The stress, anxiety and depression could lead to weight gain.
Diets used to lose weight fast should be avoided. Weight loss of ½ to 1kg per week is acceptable.
