MS: Probable Cause and Best Bet Treatment

BEST BET DIET BOOK
Scientific Papers

"MS: Probable Cause and Best Bet Treatment" Dr. Ashton Embry © 1996
Section 18: Current Problems in MS Research
Perhaps after you have read all the preceding information you are wondering if any definitive research has been done on MS and diet. Unfortunately no such research is currently being done and very, very little has been done over the past 25 years. The complete lack of research in this field is not in the best interests of persons with MS given the obvious and plentiful theoretical, empirical and anecdotal evidence which has been available for many years linking MS and diet. Furthermore, this dearth of research is inexcusable given the great interest the MS community has in the possible benefits of diet in MS treatment. When this topic is voiced, as it frequently is, the same line is quoted by medical personnel "There is no proof diet affects the course of MS". It comes as no surprise that there is no proof one way or the other because the necessary research has not been done or even promoted. Due to this neglect the MS community has been left in limbo with the agonizing dilemma of "to diet or not to diet - that is the question". Thus the concerns and questions of the persons with MS regarding diet are going unheeded and this must be rectified. I would suggest if you really want to know beyond a reasonable doubt if diet is a significant cause of MS and significantly affects its progression, then you must lobby the elected officials and directors of your national MS society. It is essential to realize that the research which is currently being supported by your MS Society, with money raised on your behalf, will have very little, if any, impact on your health. This research is almost exclusively long term, fundamental research (molecular immunology, genetics, etc.) which will result in no practical applications for decades, if ever. Such academic research is fine up to a point but the almost complete lack of research of practical value (e.g. diet research) is not a reasonable balance (50-50 would be reasonable). For example, here in Canada 90% of research funds are for molecular and genetic research. In conclusion, it would seem that the MS community is not being well served from a research point of view. The main reason for this appears to be that the officials of the societies are not aware of the large and varied data base supporting the relationship between diet and MS. It seems only reasonable that the societies should be promoting and supporting research which could quite possibly benefit the members in the next five to ten years. Diet research is of course one area which desperately needs a serious research effort and I am sure there are others. I urge you to become proactive and write your Society soon. Let them know you want hard data as to whether or not diet influences MS and whether or not other alternative therapies are of value.
End section 18.