Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease that causes damage to a person’s nerves, which can cause disability. Because of this, people have been trying to figure out ways of preventing MS, one of which is through the MS prevention diet. How effective is changing your diet with regard to preventing MS? And is it possible?
What is the MS Prevention Diet?
The MS prevention diet is a diet that promotes eating foods that help strengthen the body’s immune system against illness, as well as strengthen the brain and nervous system function. The diet is believed to help maintain good health and potentially slow down the effects of multiple sclerosis.
How Effective is It?
Despite some people claiming that the MS prevention diet is life-changing, studies done on this have so far been inconclusive. At the moment, there is no known way to completely prevent multiple sclerosis.
However, it is possible that eating certain foods can help reduce the risk of developing MS. In this regard, changing your diet might be effective. Aside from lowering the risk of MS, this diet can also improve your overall health.
What Types of Food Should You Eat?
Here are some of the foods that are recommended to help lower your risk of MS:
Healthy fats
Fat usually gets a bad reputation, because it’s usually associated with weight gain, obesity, and cardiovascular problems. However, this is not always the case.
There are healthy fats, known as omega-3 fatty acids, that are actually needed by your body. Omega-3 fatty acids are important because they help lower blood pressure, help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as improves brain function.
Omega-3 fatty acids have also been found to reduce inflammation, and have antioxidant effects. They also help improve brain function and promote healthier brain cells overall.
These types of fat are mostly found in fatty fish, as well as nuts and seeds.
Fatty fish
Fatty fish is a healthier alternative to red meat. One reason is that they are low in saturated fat and have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Another reason is that fish have lower cholesterol, so overall, they are better sources of protein compared to other meat sources.
Good types of fish to eat are tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and anchovies.
Vitamin D
Some studies have shown a strong link between decreased sunlight exposure and lower vitamin D levels on the risk of developing MS. In geographic locations where sunlight is limited at certain times of the year, the prevalence of MS is higher than in places where it is sunny most days of the year. The UV rays in sunlight interact with melanin pigments in the skin, which initiates vitamin D synthesis in the body.
Aside from direct sunlight exposure, people can also eat food that contains vitamin D. Food that are rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and fortified milk. In some cases, a doctor may recommend taking dietary supplements that contain vitamin D.
Plant foods
In order to lower your risk of MS, focusing on eating fruits and vegetables which are highly nutritious. They contain a lot of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. In addition, they are also high in fiber, have no cholesterol, and have almost zero fat.
Aside from your meals, you can also try swapping out processed snacks with fruits and vegetables. Instead of reaching for potato chips, you can instead eat some carrot or celery sticks as a healthier alternative.
All in all, eating vegetables is a great way to not just lower your risk of multiple sclerosis, but also improve your overall health.
Drink water instead of sugary drinks
Lastly, be sure to avoid sugary drinks such as sodas and even processed fruit juice. These drinks contain a lot of sugar, which your body does not need.
Instead, opt for drinking water, tea, or coffee. It’s also a good idea to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, as it helps with your overall body functions and improves your bowel movement.
Key Takeaways
Though more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of an MS prevention diet, but be assured that the food you eat does have a direct effect on your health. By changing to a healthier diet, you can lower your risk of not just multiple sclerosis, but also a host of other illnesses. Aside from diet, consider taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle by quitting smoking and strengthening your immunity against infections.
Learn more about Multiple Sclerosis here.
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