Selma Blair, the famous actress, recently made headlines by revealing her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an autoimmune illness that damages the nervous system, leading to issues with memory and thinking processes, as well as causing extreme fatigue, pain, and stiffness. In the United States, 400,000 people are affected by MS, while another 2.1 million people worldwide deal with this unpredictable disease. What may surprise many is that a majority of the victims are women. Recent research has shed light on why this might be the case.
The Women’s Disease?
Lab tests carried out at Northwestern University have found that men possess immune cells known as innate lymphoid cells, which protect them from MS. Women also have similar cells in their bodies, but these remain inactive, providing no protection against the disease. According to Melissa Brown, a researcher and professor of microbiology-immunology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, women are three to four times more likely than men to develop MS.
Brown and her colleagues are currently focusing their efforts on understanding the mechanisms that limit MS disease in men, in order to develop potential therapies to block the disease’s progression in women. While their aim is to uncover drugs that can help women’s immune systems defend against MS, other researchers have found that natural methods may also help to reduce the risks and impacts of the disease.
Dr. Terry Wahls: Scientist, Doctor, and MS Patient
Dr. Terry Wahls is a doctor who managed to send her own MS into remission using a natural protocol she devised, which she believes can help others in their fight against the disease. The first key element of her protocol is diet, requiring the consumption of nine cups of non-starchy vegetables and berries every day. This includes three cups of leafy green vegetables, three cups of sulfur-rich vegetables (such as items from the cabbage or onion family, and mushrooms), and three cups of brightly colored berries or vegetables (red, purple-blue black, and yellow-orange).
Wahls’ protocol forbids the intake of eggs, gluten, dairy, refined sugars, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, unhealthy processed fats (like corn oil), preservatives, and microwaved food. Additionally, studies have shown that eating foods rich in folate (a B vitamin), vitamin E, magnesium, quercetin (a flavonoid that may act as an antihistamine), and lutein-zeaxanthin (plant pigments that are carotenoids) can help lower the risk of MS.
The Importance of Exercise
Aside from dietary changes, Dr. Wahls also emphasizes the importance of exercise in managing MS. She recommends engaging in workouts that involve neuromuscular reeducation, which are stretching and calisthenics exercises that teach the body to balance and move properly. Following a regular exercise routine may greatly benefit those who are battling multiple sclerosis, helping them to maintain their strength and improve mobility.
Incorporating these lifestyle changes can make a significant difference for women who are affected by MS. By adopting a healthier diet and engaging in regular exercise, patients may find relief from symptoms and a reduced risk of disease progression. As research on MS continues to improve our understanding of the disease, further breakthroughs may be just around the corner, offering hope and support for those living with MS.
