Stating that MS is an immune system disease, Neurology Specialist Doctor Faculty Member Yıldız Kaya draws attention to the importance of healthy and adequate nutrition of patients and makes important warnings and suggestions.
Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Neurology Specialist Physician Lecturer Yıldız Kaya explains the most important symptoms of MS; fatigue, gait disturbances, sometimes arm and/or leg weakness and numbness, urinary incontinence, body pain, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders, vision loss, dizziness.
Although the exact cause of MS, which is an immune system disease, is not known, it is seen 1.5-2 times more often in women than in men. Cigarette consumption increases the risk of attack of the disease; Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing it.
CAN TURN INTO NEUROLOGICAL DISABILITY IN 10-30 YEARS
In studies conducted in our country; It is stated that the age of onset of MS is approximately 30 and its incidence in the family is 11.5 percent. Mentioning that the disease usually starts at the age of 20-40, Dr. Yıldız Kaya said, “MS can turn into serious and irreversible neurological disability in most patients within a period of 10-30 years. How the disease will progress varies from person to person. That’s why ‘each patient’s MS disease is unique’ and MS treatment should be tailored to the individual,” he says.
REQUIRES PERSONAL TREATMENT
In the treatment of MS, cortisone treatment is applied during the attack period when the patient’s complaints begin, while different immunomodulatory treatments that change the course of the disease are preferred in the later stages. While there are daily tablet forms in drug treatment, some patients also have intravenous treatment options. As a result of this personalized treatment, disability due to MS is significantly reduced.
SPECIAL NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MS PATIENTS
Studies show that any special diet does not change the course of MS, but it reduces some symptoms such as fatigue and cramps. For this reason, instead of a special diet, patients are recommended to have an adequate and balanced diet, Neurology Specialist Dr. Yıldız Kaya states that increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods, lipoic acid and vitamin D positively affects the course of MS.
Neurologist Dr. Yıldız Kaya lists the important nutritional recommendations for MS disease, which has a close relationship with the diet:
DON’T IGNORE VITAMIN D
Vitamin D; It is a protective vitamin against cell formation, cellular transmission and cell death in the nervous system. In recent years, when Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and MS diseases are examined, it is stated that vitamin D levels may be environmental and genetically affecting factors. In other words, since vitamin D has an important key role in immune system functions, it is accepted that it has an inhibitory effect on the formation of MS. For this reason, according to the vitamin D levels in the blood of MS patients, it is absolutely necessary to add vitamin D to their treatment in case of deficiency.
MAKE SURE TO DRINK ADEQUATE WATER
Consumption of adequate water by MS patients is important in reducing the side effects of the treatments they receive and in terms of intestinal problems that may develop. It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infection, which increases in some MS patients due to bladder problems that develop due to the disease.
STRENGTHEN YOUR gut microbiome
Stating that complementary therapies such as vitamin support in the treatment of MS have recently come to the fore with drug therapy, Dr. Yıldız Kaya states that protecting the gut microbiota and giving priority to anti-inflammatory foods. Because gut health plays a very important role in keeping the immune system strong. Noting that MS is an immune system disease, Dr. Yıldız Kaya states that especially patients should avoid Western-style diets that are low in fiber, contain high fat and sugar, because this type of nutrition can negatively affect the course of MS by increasing the harmful bacteria in the intestine and increasing inflammation in the whole body and nerve cells.
EAT MEDITERRANEAN TYPE
In recent studies; Mediterranean type nutrition and MIND diet are given importance among healthy nutrition methods especially in the prevention and control of neurological diseases. The MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet is a type of diet close to the Mediterranean diet, especially focused on brain health. The MIND diet, developed against dementia-causing diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, includes green leafy vegetables, blackberries, whole grain products, seafood, white meat and olive oil, as well as red wine, as in the Mediterranean diet.
DON’T IGNORE PROTEIN
It is recommended for MS patients to increase their diet with white meat and fish, and to consume red meat for a maximum of 2 days a week. Every day, raw or cooked vegetables and fruits, olive oil, low-fat dairy products and nuts such as hazelnuts and almonds are among the foods that should be given importance in nutrition.
AVOID LOW FAT DIET
Fat plays a role in the body’s energy needs. It is also necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Other complaints such as fatigue and anemia may occur due to energy and vitamin deficiency in diets that are low in fat and without eggs and dairy products.
EAT SALT-FREE DURING THE ATTACK PERIOD
MS patients should pay attention to a salt-free diet at that time in order to avoid the side effects of the cortisone treatment used especially during the attack period. In addition, it is recommended to take plenty of fruits and vegetables to increase potassium, and to feed with milk and dairy products and dry legumes for calcium support.