Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that can range in the severity of debilitation it causes the patient. But when an attack hits, the patient is often bedridden for extended lengths of time. While most medical professionals agree that MS is caused by both environmental and genetic factors, many treatments focus on diet in the belief that processed foods cause many of medical problems, including MS.
The Swank Diet
The Swank Diet was popularized by Dr. Roy Laver Swank in "The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book." The Swank diet claims to eliminate the symptoms of MS by lowering saturated fat, red meat and dairy intake, while increasing the amount of fish oil in the diet.
To follow the Swank diet, do not eat red meat for a year. This includes all beef and the darkest meats of the traditionally leaner meats, such as chicken and turkey. After the first year, eat no more than 3 oz. of red meat per week, though consumption of red meat is encouraged to be reserved for special occasions only.
The Swank diet also forbids any dairy that has 1 percent butterfat or higher and all processed foods that have any saturated fat at all. Reduce unsaturated fat to 20 to 50 grams a day. Reduce saturated fats to less than 15 grams per day.
Consume daily supplements of fish oil in the form of four capsules of cod-liver oil along with one multi-vitamin.
In his book, Swank reports a 5 percent death rate of patients who followed his diet over a period of 34 years. Those who did not follow his diet experienced a death rate of 85 percent. His study included more than 150 participants.
Other Diets
In addition to Swank's diet, other diets have been proposed to help treat MS. Unlike the Swank diet, most of the remaining diets have not been scientifically documented. Instead, they rely on personal anecdotal success stories from MS patients.
While each diet is different, based on the allergies of the individual patient, each has a few factors in common. They also have facets in common with the Swank diet. The major difference is that the focus of the Swank diet is on fat and saturated fats, whereas other diets focus on the possible sensitivity to foods.
Other diets urge the patient to concentrate on consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. Take produce from the produce section, not from the canned section of the grocery store. Eat white meat and fish products only.
Eliminate processed foods. This includes white flour and processed sugar.
Eliminate any foods that could cause allergies. Consult with a doctor to have an allergy test done if necessary. Especially eliminate foods containing wheat, dairy, yeast and legumes.
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