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MS-Diet Support Group
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Getting Started Guide
Low Saturated Fat (<15g per day)

A saturated fat intake of less than 15g per day is one of the cornerstones of the diet and, to achieve this, your diet will need to be based mainly on fish and the breast of chicken or turkey, fruit and vegetables. To ensure this, you are advised to keep a daily count of your running total in much the same way as slimmers do when counting calories, only the numbers are smaller. However, you must remember, it is not the fat content that's important, it is the SATURATED FAT. If the label on a product doesn't break it down, then perhaps you would be wise to steer clear of it until such time as you've made further enquiries, either from the manufacturer or from another group member. Labelling on packets is better now than ever before, so hopefully this will not be too big a problem.

Advising MS sufferers to follow a diet that is low in saturated fat is certainly not exclusive to this programme. Quite the reverse in fact. This is invariably the advice given to newly diagnosed sufferers by medical professionals and special interest groups alike.

Further information on fats and oils, including saturated, mono and polyunsaturated, Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9, with advised daily levels for each, is contained in an essay written by Carol Hanson which can be seen on this website using the "Additional Diet Info" link on the homepage.

Information on Nuts and Seeds including the fat contents of each individual variety and, as a result, advice on their suitability for the Best Bet Diet is contained in an essay written by Brian Pile which can also be seen on this website using the "Additional Diet Info" link on the homepage.
Dairy-Free
To follow a totally milk-free diet, both milk and milk derivatives must be avoided. Labels will need to be carefully checked to look for ingredient lists containing any of the following terms. Milk, Skimmed milk powder, Butter Whey, Hydrolise Whey Protein, Casein/ Caseinates / Hydrolysed Casein, Margarine or shortening containing whey, Ghee Milk Solids, Cream, Cheese, Whey Syrup Sweetener, Hydrolysed Whey Sugar, Lactose, Yogurt, Non-Fat Milk Solids
Gluten-Free
To follow a diet that is totally gluten-free, the following ingredients and products will need to be avoided: - wheat flour and wheat products (including spelt wheat which is an early type of wheat), Bran, Barley, Biscuits,.Bread, Cake, Cereal filler, Cereal protein, Malt, Pastry, Oats, Pasta, Rusk, Rye, Semolina, Wheat breakfast cereals, Wheatgerm.

Soy Sauce should be avoided even if, like Tamari Soy Sauce, it is labelled as gluten-free, because soya beans are legumes.

The following ingredients and products are freely allowed on a gluten-free diet:- Arrowroot, Buckwheat, Corn (or maize or sweetcorn), Potato Flour (Farina), Rice Flour, Sago, Tapioca, Whole or ground rice, Special wheat starch (to Codex Alimentarius Standard) or gluten-free flour.
Egg-Free
To follow a totally egg-free diet, eggs and their derivatives must be avoided. Labels will need to be carefully checked to look for ingredient lists containing any of the following terms:- Eggs, Egg yolk, Egg white, Egg albumen, Albumen.

Quorn (This is a Brand name for an alternative to meat, made from a plant of the mushroom family. It also contains egg.)

Lecithin (E322) is found naturally in eggs; when it is used as a food additive it is nearly always derived from soya, or other oil-seeds, such as sunflower or rape seed. In other words, its presence on a food label does not necessarily suggest that it contains eggs. Furthermore, as the list of suggested supplements states, 2400mg of Lecithin is actually desirable on a daily basis.
Legume-Free
Legumes, for the sake of this programme, are simply beans and peas and all should be avoided. This includes kidney beans, green beans, runner beans, chilli beans, soya beans and chic peas etc. However, in the case of soya, it is soya protein that is not allowed. Soya lecithin, as mentioned above, is acceptable.
Yeast-Free or Restrictive

Unlike the other elements of this programme, yeast is not considered zero-tolerance unless it is identified as a problem on an Eliza blood test. Yeast-restrictive is probably a more accurate description.
Sugar-Free or Restrictive.

Without doubt, refined sugar has little place in this programme, although it is extremely dificult to avoid entirely. Using fruit sugar, which is widely available in supermarkets, for cooking or whenever sugar needs to be added, is a first step. Restricting your consumption of products containing sugar is a second step.
Vitamin Supplements

Ashton Embry's paper on British and Irish migrants to the Queensland province of Australia, and the varying rates of MS onset dependent on the latitude of where they settled, clearly demonstrates that Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is a vitally important factor in the onset and progression of this condition.

A copy of Ashton's papers on this subject can be ordered via the email link on the main page of this website.

It is therefore recommended that, as part of this programme, Vitamin D levels are increased to 4000 iu/day and, furthermore, that as many of the supplements listed below, as one can afford financially, are taken on a daily basis.

Absolutely Essential (Each Day):

Vitamin D = 4000 IU, Calcium = 800mg, Magnesium = 800 mg.

Very Important (Each Day):

Evening Primrose Oil = 1-5 g, Salmon Oil = 2g - 5g, Flax oil = 1tbsp, Vitamin A = 5000 -10,000 IU, Vitamin B complex = 100 mg, Vitamin B-12 =100 mcg, Vitamin C =1 g, Vitamin E = 800 IU, Zinc = 50 mg, Copper = 2 mcg, Manganese = 20 mg, Selenium = 200 mcg,

Anti-Oxidants (use one or two):

Alpha-lipoic Acid = 500 mg, Ginkgo Biloba =120 mg, Grape Seed Extract = 2-4 capsules, Coenzyme Q10=60-90 mg.

Others:

Acidophilus = 4-8 capsules/day, Enzymes = 4-6 capsules/day, Lecithin = 500-1000 mg/day, L-glutamine = 500 mg/day.
Blood Allergy Test (ELISA)

There are clinics in most countries where this can be done and there is also a home-test method available which does not necessitate the drawing of blood, other than a thumb prick. Generally, there are two options available - either a 42 foods test or a 93 foods test and it is probably advisable to opt for the latter, on the assumption that the more information you have on foods that are potentially problematic for you, as an individual, the greater the chances of successfully creating an eating plan for yourself that you can live with.

We have negotiated labs here in the UK that work closely with the group to enable these tests to be done to a high and consistent standard and at a reasonable price. These labs also accept samples from anywhere in the world. Kits are mailed out. A small sample of blood from a finger prick is made and the sample returned for analysis.

In the circumstances, therefore, if anyone requires details of options available, can they please email me directly. Just click the email icon here and directly request information.

Andrew Watson, Group Co-ordinator.