How should I change my diet if I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?

There is no specific recommended diet for people with multiple sclerosis. It is recommended that you follow the same diet guidelines as other people - focus on whole foods, reduce your intake of added sugars, watch your sodium intake, focus on getting enough fiber, and choose lean meats and low-fat dairy products.

Scientists speculate that vitamin D supplementation might reduce the rate of bone loss and fracture among those with MS and can likely alleviate MS symptoms  Further research is necessary before the scientific community can recommend vitamin D for treatment of MS. However, there are many other good reasons to make sure that you consume enough vitamin D rich foods. Vitamin D is found in fortified milk, cheese, cream, cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, oysters, tuna, fortified cereal, liver, and egg yolks.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also under study for treatment of MS. The omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important for brain development and function. Nerve synapses are rich in DHA. DHA is also one of a family of compounds that participate in the body’s response to inflammation of the brain. For these reasons, it is tantalizing to consider how MS treatment could involve the use of omega-3s. A few studies have looked at this issue, but at this time, no studies have reached conclusions about the safety or effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids on MS. However, like vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids are recommended as part of a healthy diet for everyone. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, lake trout, herring, canola oil, walnuts, flaxseed, soybeans, and butternuts.

An RD can help manage side effects of MS, such as swallowing problems, weight gain or weight loss, and malnutrition, as well as the side effects of treatment, such as nausea or vomiting.