Diet and Exercise with MS - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

shelaghsc · 02-22-2009, 04:59 PM

I am new with MS and would welcome any suggestions on diet, exercise and suppliments. I am going to be starting the Copaxone treatment, but would like to look at all areas. I want to stay as proactive as possible. Thanks.

MSNik · 02-22-2009, 07:43 PM

First welcome to the board and welcome to the world of disease modifying drugs. Ive been on Rebif for 3 years..
Diet and Nutrition, including supplements are important, but not nearly as important as some think. My MS Specialist feels that placing too much emphasis on either, can be contra-productive because you miss out on the good things in life! He says "everything in moderation" and dont make yourself miss out on any foods you love- because its tough enough having MS. I kind of agree. However, Ive also spoken to many nutritionists who emphasize that certain supplements are so important...you can read more on healthboards by searching MS and Diet or MS and supplements and youll get all kinds of responses.

Here is what most people will tell you to look into and honestly, what I do for myself. Take fish oil. A good quality pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Buy it in a health food store or vitamin shoppe. For now on, if you see it at your local grocery store or Walmart, its probably not cold pressed, pharmaceutical grade or worth buying. All oils high in Omega 3--6--9 are important, so that means you might also want to take some flax seed oil or evening primrose oil capsules along with fish oil, to make sure you are getting the right amounts. These oils are important for brain health as well as important for heart health.

Take B12, if you have had your levels checked by a doctor. Dont over-do B12. 400-500 mgs a day is a good supplement. Take Calcium with Magnesium. Its a good supplement and necessary for overall health. Take a multi vitamin- and take vitamin D. You shoudld make sure it is D3, or Calcipheron as it is known. Its the vitamin D absorbled by the body. If you have numbness or tingling, things like Tumeric can help...its also a supplement. What you DO NOT want to take are things which stimulate the immune system. No eccineachea or diet aids- caffeeine isnt good for you if you over-do it. A normal cup or two a day wont hurt you. Anything that stimulates immune system, or immune boosting, stay away from.

As for exercise, whatever you can handle is recommended. Trying NOT to overheat the body is key...so swimming is highly recommended, but if you do it inside at a YMCA or GYM, make sure the water isnt above 73 degrees. Many pools are kept hotter. Heat is bad. So, aerobic exercise should be done in moderation...over heating the body can definately result in a relapse of symtoms. Yoga and Pilates are highly recommended- all kinds of stretching and toning is good...as are balance exercises. I use a yoga ball and do tapes in my basement, as well as walking on a treadmill....and I have a fan blowing on me at all times, which really helps. IN the summer, the cold pool in my yard is awesome; however, in the winter, I avoid any indoor sports and stick to my temp controlled basement.

I hope this gives you a place to start....welcome to the board.
Nikki

shelaghsc · 02-22-2009, 08:57 PM

Thank you so much for the information. It is very helpful.

MSJayhawk · 02-22-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelaghsc

I am new with MS and would welcome any suggestions on diet, exercise and suppliments. I am going to be starting the Copaxone treatment, but would like to look at all areas. I want to stay as proactive as possible. Thanks.

I try to stay with the S**** Diet. My doctor has me on a passive exercise program that has really helped me rehab my legs. It works the whole body too.

Bearygood · 02-23-2009, 09:29 AM

Hi, shelaghsc. MS is a very individualized disease in that how it OR something will affect one person is not necessarily the same way it will affect another. Even with things heat, while not uncommon, not all of us are heat intolerant.

Opinions are also individualized and in MINE, it is best to do as much research as you can and reach your own conclusions. Some may say caffeine is bad and then you will read that there are studies that say it might actually be beneficial to people with MS.

Same goes for supplements. There is a lot of information to wade through but it's worth your time. You can do a search on this board and there are many other good places to get information. Personally, I think it's important in understanding the reasons behind things you hear you should and shouldn't ingest. Specifically in regard to supplements, make sure you tell one of the doctors who cares for you what you're taking and how much -- or even discuss it with them beforehand. Not all supplements are just okay to take without regard to the amounts, etc.

I think the best thing anyone can do is become better educated by learning on your own. You can get guidance on the boards but I encourage you to keep researching.

As MSJayhawk mentioned, there are also diets out there that are worth looking into, like S****, Best Bet, etc. Even most of us who don't follow them to a 't' are familiar with the principles of the diet and even things like that make us more knowledgeable about MS. I'm sorry you have it and none of us WANT it but you will find out pretty quickly that it is a very interesting disease!

Good luck to you.