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7 foods to avoid with multiple sclerosis

7 foods to avoid with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition in which the communication between the brain and the rest of the body is severely disrupted. Some of its common symptoms include fatigue, mobility issues, vision problems, numbness and tingling, pain, muscle spasms, problems with learning, thinking, and planning, muscle weakness and stiffness, and various motor problems. Having certain foods can worsen the symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis, so it’s best to avoid such foods.

French fries
Fried foods occupy the bottom of the barrel when healthcare or nutrition experts talk about what people with multiple sclerosis can safely eat. Foods such as fried chicken, French fries, and red meat are highly processed and deep-fried. These foods contain large proportions of saturated and trans fats, both of which are bad for the body already, but they make things worse for people with multiple sclerosis.

Studies have found that saturated fats in the body accelerate the progression of multiple sclerosis. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends people to reduce saturated fat consumption to less than 7% of their daily caloric intake. Further, trans fats, which are equally bad, need to be less than 1% of one’s total calorie consumption.

Fruit juices
Foods with added sugars and refined sugars are not too far behind in the list of foods to avoid when one has multiple sclerosis. Packaged fruit juices one purchases from stores are loaded with added sugars and refined sugars. Sugar does not contain any nutritional value. So, healthcare experts recommend people to keep their sugar consumption between 100 and 150 calories on a daily basis. A drastic rise or fall in sugar can worsen multiple sclerosis-related fatigue in people with the condition.

Apart from fruit juices, sodas, candy bars, cakes, pastries, and other baked goods are also loaded with sugar. Such foods also contain trans fats and saturated fats such as cream, butter, specific vegetable oils, and cheese. So, people with multiple sclerosis who get sweet cravings must avoid such refined sugar-rich foods and pick whole fruits.

Dairy products
With their range of nutritional and health benefits, one may think that dairy-based foods can always be healthy. Unfortunately, foods like milk, butter, cheese, and mayonnaise are just as bad for people with multiple sclerosis as the ones mentioned earlier.

Whole milk contains a large percentage of saturated fat. Additionally, dairy products also contain proteins that impact people with multiple sclerosis. Several studies have found that individuals with multiple sclerosis who avoid or eat dairy-based foods in limit are less likely to aggravate their condition and report lesser disease activity as well as experience a lesser amount of multiple sclerosis-driven disability and disorientation compared to those who intake dairy products. Useful alternatives to whole milk include soy milk, almond milk, and cashew milk, all of which contain more calcium than standard cow’s milk and other dairy products. These alternatives are also recommended for people with lactose intolerance.

Salted nuts
Salt is a bad component for most health conditions as it contains a high amount of sodium. Although the exact correlation between sodium intake and multiple sclerosis growth is still being studied, sodium does debilitate the body in many other ways that can worsen multiple sclerosis symptoms. Excessive sodium intake increases a person’s blood pressure and causes a host of cardiovascular issues, reducing life expectancy over a period. This is why healthcare professionals recommend people with multiple sclerosis to avoid foods such as salted nuts and others that may contain large proportions of sodium.

White rice
Refined carbohydrates affect the body negatively and can cause a range of diseases if consumed regularly. Foods containing refined carbohydrates can also aggravate multiple sclerosis symptoms in individuals. Processed carbohydrates quickly elevate the blood sugar levels and affect one’s glucose-insulin balance, a development that accelerates the progression of multiple sclerosis symptoms in individuals.

Refined carbohydrates are mainly found in foods like white rice, white bread, pasta, and most packaged breakfast cereals. Instead of having these foods, one can switch to alternatives like whole-grain breads, barley, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and others to keep multiple sclerosis growth in check and control its symptoms. These alternatives are much healthier and higher in nutritional value compared to their counterparts.

Bacon
Ultra-processed meats like sausages, canned meats, bacon, and steak are often salted, charred, or cured excessively. These foods contain a high percentage of preservatives, which are known to debilitate the cardiovascular system of people. Additionally, the presence of saturated fats in these foods make them particularly bad for individuals with multiple sclerosis. The presence of too much saturated fats and refined preservatives can further disrupt the communication lines between the brain and other parts of the body, worsening multiple sclerosis symptoms.

Packaged snacks
Packaged foods like snacks and sweets contain an element called monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG is a food additive that enhances the taste and feel of food but drastically reduces its nutritive value and benefits. It impacts one’s body in various ways. MSG is known to cause profound damage to one’s neurons and overall nervous system. In that sense, foods containing this additive are absolutely bad for the health of people with multiple sclerosis. Since multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the nervous system is already damaged to a certain degree, people with this condition should avoid packaged foods.

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