The MS Recovery Diet by Ann Sawyer and Judi Bachrach

The diet works differently for us all. For those of you who are in an exacerbation period right now and find that many foods trigger increased symptoms, it seems that many of the non-gluten starches are problematic. Even potatoes, white or sweet, can become trigger foods.What to do? You have to eat enough food to remain healthy. Losing too much weight is counterproductive to healing. All of your efforts to remain on the diet cannot be effective if the body is not metabolizing the good foods you choose to eat.

My suggestion is to remember the many vegetables that can replace starches. Some are more unusual and you may have to search out where they can be purchased near you. These include foods like celery root, (celeriac), manioc root (from which tapioca is made, and when prepared in Hawaii is called poi), and the more common vegetables like carrots, beets, turnips and rutabagas (or swedes). You will have to eat large platefuls of vegetables (and many greens) and perhaps spread your meals over a series of five times per day in order to feel full after every meal.

The other route is to experiment with legumes. Legumes are the least likely trigger foods on our list of foods to avoid. Perhaps you are someone for whom legumes are not an issue. Not all legumes are received by the body in the same way. In many parts of the Asian world, mung beans are considered the first solid food for infants. They are relatively easy to digest and are both filling and have protein. The second kind of legumes to explore are lentils- all colors. They are also more digestible than many other legumes. Soak these legumes, pour off the water, and then add more water and simmer until done- don't let them burn. When cooked, they last in the fridge for a long time. Other beans to try are small red adzuki or aduki beans.

Finally, use common sense to find foods that agree with you. Perhaps the diet is not agreeing with you right now because you are in such an inflamed state. Please listen to your own body as to when it is time to stick strictly to the diet and when it is not serving you. Once the intensity of the current MS exacerbation cools off, and you feel yourself sliding back into a remission, then the diet protocol is there waiting for you to utilize all over again. We wish we knew why we all react differently to the diet but please do not surrender your own well being to a theory without regard to what is occurring inside of you. Your body is the ultimate authority as to what helps or harms you. This diet is all about learning to listen to and to trust your own body.

Not all of us have this issue but losing weight too rapidly on the diet an be a real problem for some of us in the beginning. My suggestions are:

Eat 3 full meals plus 2 hearty snacks every day.

Rotate and eat starchy vegetables- potatoes, sweet potatoes, manioc, and any of the large variety of winter squashes including pumpkins.

Discover which non-gluten grains are OK for you-and try to vary them often. This includes quinoa, millet, amaranth, rices, wild rice (not actually a rice), buckwheat, and then explore how oatmeal and corn work for you. Some people cannot eat any of these two, some can with no problem, and some folks can have it occasionally.

Personally, I do better with less grains in my diet but in order to not lose weight, I have to eat large quantities of vegetables both raw and cooked. I need to regularly have a lot of starchy vegetables like beets, carrots, parsnips, rutabagas and turnips besides the other starchy veggies listed above..

Take your 4-10 teaspoons of flax or hemp seed oil every day, and use your low saturated fat oils sparingly as you cook.

In addition, use a daily probiotic to ensure you are metabolizing your foods. Take up to 5,000IU 's of Vitamin D every day, exercise appropriately for your level of symptoms, rest and sleep as much as you need, and ALWAYS reduce stress whenever possible.

If you are initially too rigid on the diet, you will lose weight rapidly and experience weakness. Healing cannot take place when your body is not getting enough nourishment. Experiment with foods and remember: eating is a meant to be a pleasurable experience not a punishment. Recovery can begin as soon as you find a healthy balance of filling vegetables, lean proteins, fruit in moderation, and grains appropriate for you.

We wish you all around the world a very happy new year. For those of you who make new year resolutions, resolve to give yourself the gift of health this year through diet, rest and nourishment for both body and soul.

New research on vitamin D suggests "just one copy of the mutated CYP27B1 gene affects a key enzyme which leads people with it to have lower levels of vitamin D". This is a quote from today's BBC news. A test for carriers of this mutated gene was carried out on 3,000 sets of parents without MS who have children with MS. This research showed that "the likelihood of this gene's transmission being unconnected to the MS is billions to one against, say the researcher". Here is further proof that vitamin D is important as a supplement for those of us with MS. You can take up to 5000IU's per day and don't forget to get a minimal amount of sunshine whenever you can.

Here is the link if you would like to read the entire article for yourself: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16086004

I received this in an email and wondered if any of you would like to participate by submitting your written story. Good luck to any and all who do!

From: liz pearl
Date: November 28, 2011 5:08:30 PM PST
To:
Subject: New MS publication--Call for Submissions

RE: New MS Publication—Call for Submissions
A collection of stories written by individuals living with MS.> Please find the submission guidelines attached.
Thank you,
Liz Pearl, M.Ed.
Therapist / Editor
PK Press
liz_pearl@sympatico.ca

MS?My Story
A Collection of MS Voices
Edited by Liz Pearl
PK Press
MS—My Story is a collection of creative nonfiction writing by individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis. This original collection includes approximately 25 contributing authors. This unique publication includes a TOC, foreword and index of authors’ bios.

Guidelines for Authors:
The submission for this collection must be previously unpublished and not previously posted (website, blog, Facebook, etc.).

The suggested length is 1000 words maximum plus a bio section with a maximum of 100 words. The bio may include email contact and website information.

Select the creative nonfiction writing format of your choice including: memoir, narrative, letter, interview, poetry or journal entry.

The submission must be preceded by a brief synopsis (approximately one paragraph in length).

Individuals who are not able to submit electronic documents may be eligible for inclusion by interview. (Toronto area only)

Deadlines:
Synopsis – January 9th, 2012
Final Draft - April 2nd, 2012

Please submit your draft in 12 point Times New Roman font in a Word document.
Please do not include: graphics, photos, illustrations, headers, footers or page numbers.

Suggested Themes:
The main focus is positive and optimistic. The themes listed below are provided as guidelines.

Coping • Courage • Creativity • Empowerment • Faith
Gratitude • Healing • Hope • Humour • Insight • Inspiration
Love • Motivation • Strength • Success • Support • Wisdom
Participating as a contributing author is as an opportunity to share a glimpse of yourself and your experience of living with MS. Expressing your words of wisdom will create a powerful legacy and an enduring resource to be treasured. In addition to your family and friends, many readers will benefit tremendously from your personal insights and from a range of positive perspectives. I firmly believe that participating in this unique therapeutic project will be a meaningful endeavour for all participants and I look forward to the collaborative process.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience if you wish to participate in MS—My Story. Please forward a brief statement or synopsis ASAP for your intended submission. Please also forward a very brief bio along with your complete name and contact information.

All contributing authors will receive one complimentary copy of the book and the opportunity to purchase additional copies. The book will be available @ $20/copy to the public in a limited printed edition.

There is no remuneration for inclusion in this publication.

Additional information about the publication including copyright information and the editorial process will be outlined upon acceptance of a synopsis.

Further details about the book including distribution and sales will be released at a later date.

For your interest, please find below, the titles to previous publications:

• Living Legacies – A Collection of Writing by Contemporary Canadian Jewish Women - Volume III (PK Press, 2011), Volume II (PK Press, 2010), Volume I (PK Press, 2007)

• Brain Attack - The Journey Back – A Collection of Creative Writing about Stroke Recovery (KOPE Associates, 2005) ?

• Mourning Has Broken – A Collection of Creative Writing about Grief and Healing (KOPE Associates, 2004) ?

?
Please direct all questions directly to:

Liz Pearl, M.Ed.
Therapist/Editor
PK Press
liz_pearl@sympatico.ca