Currently, there are diseases that can put people’s health at risk, forcing them to change their lifestyle and diet. Multiple sclerosis is one of these diseases, which directly affects the brain and can cause serious nerve damage. This condition has no cure, so the person must undergo treatments that are generally permanent.
A good balanced diet to alleviate multiple sclerosis is the key for people who suffer from this disease.
What is multiple sclerosis?
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It is a disease that can damage the brain and also the central nervous system. Depending on the severity of this disease, it can cause difficulty in movement.
When this disease enters the body, it causes the immune system to attack the myelin, or protective sheath. This is responsible for covering the nerve fibers and when it suffers this type of damage, it causes failures in communication between the brain and the body. Once diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it is necessary to undergo treatment, since if not, it can seriously damage the nerves.
This condition causes various symptoms that can vary depending on the damage to the central nervous system. There are patients who partially or completely lose motor capacity, which means that they cannot walk again on their own. In other cases the symptoms do not appear for a long time or there are only a few symptoms.
It is very important to keep in mind that multiple sclerosis is a disease for which no cure has yet been found. Even so, there are various treatments that allow a great improvement in symptoms. In addition, recovery is faster, which improves the quality of life of people with this condition.
Foods to reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis
There are some foods that can help improve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. People who suffer from this disease should be careful about everything they eat, since it is an inflammatory condition. This means that some foods can improve and others increase the severity of your symptoms. For this reason, it is very important to know the foods for multiple sclerosis.
Vegetables and fruits
Both vegetables and fruits contain antioxidants and phytochemicals, these are fundamental when it comes to nutrition. Meats can increase inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis. However, when fruits and vegetables in the daily diet, this can significantly improve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
fatty fish
Some fish, such as tuna, trout, mackerel and salmon, are rich in Omega 3. Fatty acids are recommended to prevent the body from becoming inflamed, and it is also very healthy to take care of the heart. However, there are studies that confirm a higher consumption of omega 6 compared to omega 3. Consuming omega 6 can cause hyperactivity of the immune system, resulting in inflammation of the body.
Avocado
Eating avocado is not only delicious, it is also recommended to improve health, especially when suffering from multiple sclerosis. This fruit is rich in antioxidants and as if that were not enough, it contains healthy unsaturated fats for the body. Adding avocados to your daily diet is very easy, since they blend quite well with salads, bread, and even in some smoothies. In this way, the body’s inflammatory response will be reduced.
Turmeric
Many people have eaten curry at least once in their life and one of the base ingredients for its preparation is turmeric. What stains with that particular color is known as curcumin and allows a delay in the body’s inflammatory response. According to specialists, it is advisable to consume a minimum of 3 grams per day, which is equal to a small spoon. Some studies have recently shown that curcumin may be key in various treatments for multiple sclerosis, as well as other conditions.
Ginger
Ginger is a natural anti-neuroinflammatory, this is because its extract contains 10-gingerol. Adding it to meals is really simple, it can be grated a little in salads or soups, it is excellent for dressing chicken, fish and vegetables. As if that were not enough, it is also possible to add ginger to a wide variety of drinks such as lemonade, iced tea and watermelon juice.
Flax
When it comes to omega 3 fatty acids, flaxseed has a good content. As well as some phytochemicals known as lignans, which prevent the body from becoming inflamed. These phytochemicals decrease the activity of some genes that cause inflammation. Flaxseeds are very good for your health and can be combined with breakfast cereals, smoothies, yogurts, and also in salads.
Olive oil
In the world of nutrition, olive oil is one of the most important pillars. When it comes to lowering cholesterol levels and inflammation, the consumption of olive oil is essential. In general, it is advisable to consume at least one tablespoon of this oil daily. Best of all, it can be used in many ways, it is used as a dressing for a wide variety of salads, on vegetables, on a piece of bread, etc. However, olive oil should never be used for frying.
Walnuts
There is nothing richer and healthier than having a snack with a little nuts, especially for people with multiple sclerosis. Most nuts contain healthy fats and are also high in fiber, antioxidants, and magnesium. Each of these elements is essential to control inflammation. This dried fruit can be eaten directly without problems or can be added to salads and natural desserts.
Foods that should not be eaten
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Some foods contribute to the improvement of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, however, there are others that aggravate them. For this reason, when you suffer from multiple sclerosis, the consumption of the following is not recommended:
No saturated fat
Saturated animal fats aggravate the symptoms of people with multiple sclerosis, so they should not be consumed. Only those fats that are sources of vitamin D, which is essential to cope with the symptoms of this condition, should be kept. You cannot eat any food that should be fried, it is advisable to prepare it on the grill.
whole dairy
It is advisable to consume only skimmed dairy and preferably in small quantities. This not only prevents the symptoms of multiple sclerosis from getting worse, it also improves nutrition and therefore health.
fizzy drinks
Multiple sclerosis affects the nerves, so drinks containing alcohol and caffeine make the disease worse. In this case, it is best to opt for relaxing infusions that help relieve stress and fatigue.
Sugar
Being overweight increases the risk of multiple sclerosis and one of the factors that lead to this condition are sugars. For this reason, it is advisable to reduce sugar as much as possible and replace it with a natural alternative. Fruits are ideal for relieving some symptoms of this disease, since they are natural, they are a great source of vitamins and fiber.
Diet to reduce the effects of multiple sclerosis
It is very important to note that there is no MS diet that can cure this disease. This is because most of the symptoms are different depending on the person and the severity of the condition. However, eating a healthy and balanced diet is essential for people who suffer from this disease.
Many specialists insist that a varied and, above all, well-balanced diet can help people with multiple sclerosis. In the mornings you can have some fruit with yogurt and some nuts for breakfast. One or two slices of whole wheat bread can also be added to the menu and brushed with olive or flaxseed oil. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it is necessary to maintain a good diet.
A few hours after the morning has passed, you can eat a little more fruit or also a small portion of yogurt, preferably skimmed.
For lunch, salads start as favorites in the diet for multiple sclerosis. Vegetables, rice, fish or some lean meat can complete the menu. As drinks it is preferable to have a little green tea or a natural smoothie.
At dinner it is very important to complete the lunch meal. You can eat a good vegetable puree and add a small portion of grilled fish. It is essential to have dinner about three hours before going to sleep and drink a tea that helps relax the body.
Sources:
mayoclinic
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