Cooking and Diet in MS–Fight Aches and Pains with a Four Letter Word….FOOD!
by Leigh Kreshel and Kelli Wong
Effective management of a chronic disease, such as Multiple Sclerosis, can be difficult. The diet in MS is an important factor in that management. Despite pharmaceuticals to manage symptoms and modify the underlying disease, for optimal health one must employ a multidisciplinary approach. Included within this multidisciplinary approach are diet and exercise in MS.
Despite the evidence that both diet and exercise can play a vital role in the management of MS, people with MS face the same barriers to employing these healthy changes to diet and lifestyle as the general population. In fact, physical disabilities, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties associated with MS can create even more barriers that make healthy lifestyle decisions more difficult to implement.
The Rowe Neurology Institute is already studying the role of exercise in MS. In an effort to help our patients learn about diet in MS, the physical therapy department at the RNI hosted an event at Culinary Center of Kansas City. Thirty patients gathered around tables to enjoy an evening of live cooking demonstrations. Since much of MS involves inflammation in the central nervous system, the theme of the event was “Eating to Fight Aches and Pains: The Anti-Inflammatory Diet.” Patients learned how to cook a menu of pineapple salsa; roasted garlic hummus; raw broccoli, fruit and nut salad; braised chicken, fennel, and tomatoes; and raw berry-apple cobbler. Chef Katie Newell was able to share her experiences of living with a chronic, painful disease and the relief she obtained through a diet designed to fight inflammation.
The food and fellowship shared among individuals tied together by the commonality of the same disease, MS, was magical. Sharing a common table in a relaxed atmosphere prompted everyone to feel a sense normalcy, and to once again realize that they are not defined just by their MS. The staff at RNI are thankful to those patients who trust us to help them, as best we can, manage the MS part of their lives. We feel honored to share their journey with them. We also thank those whose generous donations helped make this event possible. We hope that this event was just the first of many similar ones to come.
See below for useful links.
Exercise
Exercise as a therapy for improvement of walking ability in adults with multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis
M. Pearson et al
“Our meta-analysis suggests exercise improves walking speed and endurance in pwMS.”
Exercise therapy for multiple sclerosis, Rietberg et al.
“Best evidence synthesis showed strong evidence in favour of exercise therapy compared to no exercise therapy in terms of muscle power function, exercise tolerance functions and mobility-related activities. Moderate evidence was found for improving mood.”
Exercise for muscle power, exercise tolerance, and mobility
Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis. Oken, et al.
“Subjects with MS participating in either a 6-month yoga class or exercise class showed significant improvement in measures of fatigue compared to a waiting-list control group.”
Diet
Interesting blogs linking to phyisicans and research studies that show a low fat, vegetarian diet helps MS.
Treating Multiple Sclerosis with Diet: Fact or Fraud?
MS and Diet
Does Diet Matter in Multiple Sclerosis?
“Take in more vitamin D; avoid salty, fatty foods; eat more fruits and vegetables, and keep a balanced intake of nutrients.”
Healthy diet in MS