© by Dr. Samuel Verghese

Multiple Sclerosis occurs when the protective sheaths that surround nerve-cell fibers (called myelin) degenerate. Degeneration of the brain, spinal cord and the optic nerves occurs, producing scarring or plaques.

Since nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord progressively suffer damage, any part of the body could be affected. Mental symptoms include severe mood swings ranging from anxiety to depression or euphoria.

Muscular symptoms include feelings of heaviness, weakness, leg dragging, clumsiness, fatigue, tingling, dizziness, slurred speech, spasms and stiffness. The course of the disease is extremely variable and individualistic, making it difficult to predict. Symptoms include:

• Visual: pain in the eyeball, blurred or double vision or progressive vision loss.
• Sensory: pins-and-needles, electrical sensations, dead feeling in the arms and legs.
• Gastrointestinal: digestive problem, nausea, gastric reflux and vomiting.
• Vestibular: light-headedness, sensation of drunkenness, or feeling of spinning.
• Genito-urinary: incontinence, loss of bladder or bowel sensation, loss of sexual desire, impotence.

Dietary Recommendations

• Consume low-fat, unprocessed whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and fruits.
• Eat fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and add bran, apple pectin, psyllium seed husk or ground flax seeds.
• Eliminate refined sugars and processed foods. Use only a small amount of pure maple syrup, honey, molasses or Stevia herb extract as sweetener.
• Drink pure water.
• Avoid margarine, all trans-fatty acids and lower saturated fats.