Lifestyle Changes for Multiple Sclerosis

Lifestyle Changes for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a type of condition in which the immune system attacks your body’s own neurons and strips away its protective layer. This can cause severe nerve damage which results in poor communication between the brain and the organs in your body. This chronic disease is very rare and there are fewer than two hundred thousand cases in the country per year. Treatment involves the use of immunosuppressants which reduces the activity of the immune system. Treatments for this condition cannot completely cure it but can only help improve symptoms.

Lifestyle changes for multiple sclerosis

Change your eating habits
Multiple sclerosis may be caused due to a variety of unknown reasons but controlling certain symptoms with your food habits can be greatly beneficial to your body. You may not be able to completely cure the disease but you can control the effect the symptoms have on your daily activities.

A good diet plays an important role in controlling most of your symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and bowel related problems. You cannot fully control multiple sclerosis by following a certain diet. But you can be wary of a few foods and add a few beneficial foods into your existing diet.

A poor diet can increase your symptoms as well as increase the chances of you acquiring other infections that can harm your body. A study in the country has reported that almost 7000 patients have been studied, out of which those with healthy diets seemed least burdened by these symptoms.

Add good fats
If your diet has unhealthy fats, the symptoms get even worse. However, if you add good fats, the opposite reaction takes place. Healthy fats are found in foods like fish (salmon and mackerel), canola oil, walnuts, flax seeds, etc.

Add more green to your diet
Plant nutrients are known to slow down symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Eat two to four servings of vegetables every day and observe the changes in your body. Non-green vegetables like carrots, peppers, and beets are also great for your health.

Include fruits
Just like how vegetables are filled with nutrients, so are fruits. Fruits like berries help to control multiple sclerosis symptoms. Have two to four servings a day to see a noticeable change.

Limit your salt intake
A high intake of salt in your body is never good news. It can cause multiple problems and worsen multiple symptoms. High salt diets lead to the worsening of multiple sclerosis symptoms. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure and cardiac problems as well. It is best recommended by the American Heart Association to take no more than 2300 milligrams (1 teaspoon) of salt a day.

Along with changes in your diet, it is best if you also introduce an exercise regimen to help you with your conditions and physical health. Reduction in weight can greatly improve your symptoms. You will also be better off if you focus on improving flexibility and strengthening your muscles.