Foods to Eat and Avoid with Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic illness, and the bitter truth is that it cannot be cured. However, you can manage this condition by adapting to healthy eating habits. Here are some dietary tips for multiple sclerosis, which include the food items that you should refrain from consuming and the foods that you must add to your diet. Read on to know more.
Foods to avoid
Some categories of food can worsen the symptoms of MS. These include:
- Saturated fats
Foods rich in saturated fat are bad for those who have MS. The amount of saturated fat intake in the diet of a person with MS should be limited to 15 grams. Saturated fats include cheese, butter, red meat, and various other full-fat dairy products. However, it is important to note that not all kinds of fats are harmful, and foods with unsaturated fatty can be beneficial for the cellular health and brain, as they contain vitamin D. - Processed foods
Processed foods that are rich in saturated fats and artificial sweeteners should be strictly avoided. Refined sugar is highly inflammatory in nature and hence, should be limited or completely avoided. Additionally, processed foods can lead to weight gain, creating, which may result in fatigue related to MS. - Sodium
Multiple sclerosis patients who follow a diet with a low to moderate amount of sodium have a lower chance of developing any new inflammation. Moreover, there are fewer chances that the symptoms may relapse in the case of these patients. Excessive sodium consumption can cause other health problems, which can interfere with the life expectancy of patients with MS. The sodium intake for an MS-friendly diet should be less than 2,300 milligrams for those who are healthy and less than 1,500 milligrams if the patient has any heart ailments.
Foods to include
Here are some dietary tips for multiple sclerosis about foods that should eat:
- Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables like cranberries, artichokes, and dark leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants can help in reducing the speed of progression of MS in patients. Fruits are an excellent substitute for processed foods, which have a high content of sweeteners. Additionally, fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, which helps in maintaining bowel movements. - Probiotics
Probiotics can be a vital addition to multiple sclerosis patients’ diet to help delay the progression of the illness. These can change how the body responds to inflammation and bring about a modification to the immune responses. - Turmeric
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and can help with pain management for those suffering from MS. It contains curcumin, which can slow down the progression of MS. Turmeric can be consumed in the form of ginger-turmeric tea or added to the food.