Low Sugar Diet for People With Multiple Sclerosis

According to Medline Plus, multiple sclerosis occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissue. In MS, the body's defense system turns against the spine and brain, leading to vision problems, muscular control issues, and localized and systemic pain. Although there is no cure for MS, the condition can be helped with adherence to a nutritious diet, which includes restriction of sugar intake. While reducing sugar intake alone will not cure MS, keeping a close eye on sugar consumption is one important part of following the balanced and nutritious dietary approach for dealing with the disease.

Diet Theory

• Following a natural elimination diet to curb food allergies and reducing intake of nutrient-poor foods is one of the best approaches to alleviate the frequency and intensity of symptoms for individuals suffering from MS. Low-sugar consumption applies to the latter category--removal of nutrient-poor foods. Information from the Allergy and Nutrition Center in the UK details the link between sugar and MS, stating that the prevalence rate of MS is highest in areas of the world which consume the most sugar, making it a substance to restrict for individuals already dealing with MS. Although professional medical sites like Medline Plus and the Mayo Clinic do not expressly recommend a low-sugar diet for MS, they do recommend a balanced dietary approach, which certainly includes restriction of sugar.

Diet Recommendations

• Eliminate consumption of foods that are either allergenics or otherwise thought to be problematic for MS sufferers (such as sugar) to help potentially improve symptoms This means reducing your overall intake of sugar (by eliminating consumption of any food which lists sugar or any sugar derivative such as corn syrup, sorbitol, dextrose, maltodextrin or sucrose as one of the first five to 10 ingredients), along with reducing the amount of saturated fat, lactose, and grains. Instead of these foods, focus on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean sources of protein like seafood and poultry. There is no specific ceiling for daily sugar intake--simply remove the types of sugar-containing foods listed above to implement a low-sugar diet. While this elimination diet may seem harsh, it is the first step in testing yourself for the foods and items that trigger your MS symptoms.

Diet Modifications

• After a few weeks on the full elimination diet, you can gradually begin adding food types back in one at a time (i.e. grains, then dairy, then some limited amount of sugar). Keep a food journal during this time, noting how the dietary modifications affect your symptoms. If the added food type does not appear to exacerbate your symptoms, it can remain in your diet. If the food type increases the frequency of your MS symptoms, it must remain out of your diet permanently.