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Keep away from these foods for managing multiple sclerosis

Keep away from these foods for managing multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a medical condition. The immune system attacks the body’s Central Nervous System (CNS). The myelin sheath covering the nerve cells comes under this attack. The condition affects the communication between the brain and body parts. It thus results in fatigue, pain, and vision problems. On the digestive front, bowel problems and loss of bladder control also happen. This article lists foods to avoid to reduce multiple sclerosis symptoms flare up.

MS is a slow and progressive disease. It disrupts the flow of information from the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Though there is no treatment for MS, taking care of a nutritional regime can help manage the flare-ups.

Common foods to avoid and better MS management

Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS yet. Its only management includes changes in lifestyle, medications, and targeted treatment. These methods help in overcoming common discomforts. Maintaining a balanced and healthy nutritional regime is a crucial element in this regard. Here are the common foods that you must avoid for better health.

Saturated and trans fat

Ensure a strict no-no to saturated animal fats. Cooking in saturated fats can increase cholesterol levels. In turn, it causes inflammation. High levels of cholesterol increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Saturated fats include cooking in coconut oil, palm oil, dairy fats, and meat fats. MS patients are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

These problems occur due to poor management of cholesterol. So, avoid saturated and trans fats in your daily foods. Baked goods and sweets have many trans fats. They are thus made with vegetable oils and hydrogenated ‘shortening’.

Foods rich in salt

Many relapse cases happen due to increased sodium levels in the system. Excess levels of salts increase the risk of high blood pressure. It might lead to significant circulatory problems if left ignored. As an inflammatory element of the food, it should get consumed only in the required amounts.

Refined grains

Refined grain strips off all essential nutrients and minerals that the body requires. They hamper the proper functioning of the body. As these foods add no nutritional value, they should be a red flag in a balanced meal. Multiple sclerosis patients should follow a high-fiber meal plan.

As whole grains are better than refined grains, this meal plan will give positive results. Fiber-rich foods help relieve the effects of constipation. Constipation is one of the common symptoms observed among MS patients. Whole grain foods are better for your health, while refined grains are the opposite. It impacts MS patients and causes a rise in symptoms.

Processed food

Processed foods available in the market are a big no to MS patients. Food companies process food to increase shelf life, exalt appearance, and augment taste. They might taste excellent and tempting but damage your intestine and digestive system.

Ajinomoto (Monosodium Glutamate)
Ajinomoto is an essential ingredient in all Chinese cuisines and has infiltrated our kitchen as a critical element of the food we prepare these days. Ajinomoto/Monosodium Glutamate damages the nervous systems of even unborn children. Avoid it for an improved treatment during multiple sclerosis.

Foods rich in sugar

Sugar contributes to unhealthy weight gain. Excess pounds of sugar-rich food put a lot of strain on the heart and body. Obesity is the most common implication of eating excess sugar-based products. As fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, avoid sugar-processed food. Sugar is an inflammatory component of nutrition whose use should only be in moderation. Direct consumption of sugar needs strict control. Symptoms of this condition increase with the imbalanced condition of sugar.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the food items that one needs to avoid while suffering from multiple sclerosis. A proper nutritional regime can be healthy and help one live a lively and healthy lifestyle. For someone with MS, it is best to consume gluten-free foods, nuts, vegetables, fruits, lean meat, etc.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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6 foods to avoid for managing multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s central nervous system. The myelin sheath covering the nerve cells is typically attacked, and the communication between the brain and body parts gets affected. This can result in symptoms like fatigue, pain, vision problems, bowel movement issues, and loss of bladder control. While the disease has no permanent cure, it can be managed through treatment and changes in eating habits.Foods with saturated and trans fatsMultiple sclerosis patients are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems brought on by poor management of cholesterol levels. So, people with the condition should avoid saturated animal fats and trans fats, as cooking in unhealthy fats can increase cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes and can also cause inflammation. Saturated fats can sneak into one’s meals when food is cooked in coconut oil, palm oil, dairy fats, and meat fats. Additionally, one should avoid baked goods like cakes and cookies as these contain trans fats, which can trigger inflammation of blood vessels. Avoiding these fats can help one reduce the risk of developing severe cardiovascular problems.Excessive saltIncreased sodium levels in the system trigger many relapse cases of MS. Excessive consumption of salt increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can result in significant circulatory problems if left untreated. As an inflammatory ingredient, salt should be used in limited amounts to avoid health issues. Refined grainsRefined grains are stripped of all the essential nutrients and minerals during processing and can hamper the proper functioning of the body. As these foods add no nutritional value, they should not be part of a balanced meal plan for MS patients. Instead, people with the condition should follow a high-fiber nutritional regimen, as whole grains are better than refined grains. Fiber-rich foods help relieve the effects of constipation—one of the common symptoms observed among MS patients. Whole grain foods are beneficial for one's health, whereas refined grains can negatively impact the body and aggravate the symptoms associated with the condition.Processed foodProcessed foods like readymade meals and meats like sausage and ham should be avoided by those affected by MS. Companies process foods to increase their shelf life, enhance appearance, and augment taste. These foods taste great and can be extremely tempting, but they can damage the intestines and digestive system. So, people with this condition should avoid processed foods.Ajinomoto (MSG)Ajinomoto is an essential ingredient in some Chinese recipes and is essentially a flavor enhancer that is common in some households. However, Ajinomoto or monosodium glutamate is harmful to people with multiple sclerosis as their immune systems can react negatively to its consumption. It may damage the neurons, so one should avoid adding this ingredient to their meals.Excessive sugarSugar-rich food can put a lot of strain on the heart and body and even cause fatigue, which is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis. Sugar is also an inflammatory component, which should be used in moderation. People with MS should strictly avoid refined sugar and sweet foods like cookies, sugary drinks, and sodas. Excessive sugar can aggravate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and worsen one’s overall condition.MS is a progressive disease that can disrupt the flow of information from the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Further, some patients can be affected by relapsing MS, which means one goes through periods of worsening symptoms and experiences a stable condition between relapses. Here, doctors might recommend a pill for relapsing multiple sclerosis to relieve severe symptoms. Such treatment can also help reduce the relapse rate.

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