This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hey gang. Anyone with SPMS or PPMS had any luck with dietary regimens? About a month back, I started following the Best Bet Diet pretty rigorously. And though I've lost some weight, I haven't noticed anything tremendous in my lousy legs, bladder, or other affected body parts (I'm a 33 year old male with SPMS, originally diagnosed in 2000). I realize a month may not be long enough, but with all the other things this insidious condition has forced me to give up that I once so enjoyed, going out to my favorite restaurants and eating things I love are still things I can do pretty well, and don't want to sacrifice them if this crummy diet isn't going to do me any good anyway.

Thanks, and hope you all have a super July.

Have you been tested for food intolerances, the BBB needs more time to work and if you have problems with specific foods it's better to avoid them.
Plus don't eat carbohydrates late at night but only vegetables and proteins, although body needs the carbs for serotonin production the insulin growth factor that stimulates human growth factor is only produced by the body with carbs absence.
Hope you the best in your try!

hey there seeker, refresh my memory as to the supplements recommended in conjunction with the best bet diet?

Hey Seeker

I have followed the BB diet for 11 years now and feel very well. I was SPMS at the time when I first incorporated diet revision. It took me two or three weeks before I realized any improvement in my symptoms. The more immediate improvements were the elimination of my considerable fatigue and the return of my mental faculties such as my memory, concentration and acuity. In time I also had a lessening and total disappearance of numbness throughout my body and much better control of my bladder and balance. By no means am I symptom free as I was quite debilitated prior to my use of diet however I consider a stabilization of my disease and the modest improvements to be quite an accomplishment. Because I attributed my improvements to the dietary regime I subsequently collaborated with Ashton Embry to form DIRECT-MS and the rest, as is said, is history.

The response an individual will encounter to the BBD is dependent on multiple factors such as the amount of nerve damage vs inflammation, age and healing ability and compliance. This multiplicity of factors I believe accounts for the many different experiences of diet revision in PwMS that I am privy to. At the DIRECT-MS site in the Information section there is the Testimonials category. There you will find the inspiring story of Roger McDougall's experience with diet and the anecdotal accounts of individuals who have found diet revision to be beneficial.

Keep the faith seeker and also ensure you're getting ample vitamin D + calcium.

Cheers
Nick

Thanks for the encouraging and informative response, Nick. And straight from the expert too. Funny, I was just getting ready to go to a wedding and considering dumping the diet for the day, but maybe now I'll rethink that.

Do you ever have days when you go off the diet when circumstance doesn't permit it, or just because you feel like a nice steak or wheel of cheese?

Thanks
Seeker

Hi Seeker

Early on in my regimen I was always compliant but now and then I cheat a wee bit. The degree of compliance that is necessary is different for each individual. I was far progressed in my disability so early on I was very diligent in the diet. Now I infrequently cheat as I know what I can get away with and what will cost me. If you are taking plenty of protective elements (i.e. Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D3) than a little departure from the diet is probably okay. In time I think you will be able to determine what you can get away with and what you can’t. Perhaps you are only reactive to one or two food proteins of those that are potentially causal so a total ban on the prohibitive foods is too severe.

A wedding! Welcome to the club I say, as misery loves company. Be sure to pass on to the lucky couple that marriage is the triumph of hope over experience.

Cheers
Nick