Addressing multiple sclerosis with a functional medicine game plan

An autoimmune neurological disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, optic nerves and the rest of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis impacts nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and 3 million worldwide.

Like other autoimmune disorders, MS stems from an overactive immune system that is unable to distinguish foreign invaders from the body’s own cells. In this case, the patient’s immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers that help transmit electrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body. When the myelin is damaged, the normal flow of nerve signals becomes disrupted.

The precise cause of MS — which affects women two to three times more often than men — is unknown, with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Geography and ethnicity can also play a component, according to the National MS Society.

The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved a host of prescription drugs to treat the disease’s variable and unpredictable symptoms, which can include a squeezing sensation around the torso (known as an MS hug); numbness and tingling of the face, body and extremities; vertigo and dizziness; spasticity; tremors; difficulty walking and more.

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As previously noted, treating MS and other autoimmune disorders primarily with prescription drugs typically only addresses the symptoms, not any underlying causes.

One promising approach: a paleolithic diet (also known as the “caveman diet”) developed by a University of Iowa medical professor to treat her own case of relapsing MS that left her in a wheelchair and faced with having to stop practicing medicine.

The Wahls protocol diet

When Dr. Terry Wahls was first diagnosed with MS nearly a quarter-century ago, the disease left her unable to walk or even sit upright in a wheelchair.

She subsequently created a modified paleo diet that relies primarily on grass-fed beef, fish, leafy vegetables, roots, nuts and fruits, while restricting (if not eliminating) dairy, eggs, grains, legumes, starches and sugar.

Wahls shared these dietary suggestions in an interview:

Eat a minimum of nine cups of organic fruits and vegetables daily. This should include at least three cups of leafy green vegetables (e.g., chard, spinach, kale, mustard greens) and three cups of sulfur-rich vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, onions and mushrooms) to support the removal of toxins and the creation of neurotransmitters, as well as three cups of fresh fruits, such as cherries, blueberries, oranges and strawberries.

At each meal, consume high-quality proteins rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as wild-caught salmon and herring, and grass-fed meats. You should also have healthy oils, like coconut oil, olive oil, flax oil or hemp oil, but not processed vegetable oils or trans fats. About once each week, eat organ meats (including liver, tripe, sweetbreads and kidneys) and seaweed.

How to detect MS

Several lab tests can help medical providers detect MS, and a patient’s risk factors, including:

¦ Autoimmune cross-reactivity lab tests detect various antibodies and immune system markers connected to MS, including those associated with demyelination, herpes viruses and Epstein-Barr virus.

¦ Micronutrient tests measure essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutritional biomarkers to comprehensively evaluate an individual’s nutritional needs and status at the cellular level. Because a micronutrient panel may be cost-prohibitive for some, a serum Vitamin D test provides a more affordable screening option.

¦ A comprehensive stool analysis assesses the composition of the gut microbiome and measures various markers of overall gut health and integrity. Results can indicate imbalances stemming from the gut that perpetuate the inflammatory cycle of autoimmunity, correlated with disease progression and severity.

Here is an important caveat: although functional medicine testing can help achieve long-term goals for patients with suspected or confirmed MS, all such patients should also be referred to a neurologist for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to rule out conditions that can mimic the disease, including other autoimmune diseases or non-MS inflammatory conditions. Such tests can include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a lumbar puncture.

Role of supplements

In functional medicine, physicians go beyond surface-level symptoms to take a holistic approach and consider a patient’s overall health and lifestyle, including family history and environmental factors.

Similarly, treatment recommendations are intended to address the root cause of an illness, typically with a multi-pronged approach in which diet is essential. For those suffering from MS, there are several supplements with beneficial properties, including:

¦ B vitamins (methyl B12, methyl folate and B-complex vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin niacin, paroxetine and pantetheine)

¦ CoQ 10

¦ Digestive enzymes

¦ Vitamin D3

¦ Magnesium

¦ Essential fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids and gamma–linolenic acids

¦ Dietary fibers

As always, consult with your physician prior to making any substantial lifestyle, health or nutritional changes. For questions, contact our office at 239-649-7400. ¦

Dr. Lina Sakr is a board-certified internal medicine physician at Naples Center for Functional Medicine with nearly 40 years of experience. She specializes in metabolic and nutritional medicine, anti-aging medicine and women’s health.

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