Best Naturopathic Doctor Multiple Sclerosis Tips

Dr. Nicole Sundene

Autoimmune Doctor

"Is there a hormone related to Multiple Sclerosis? Why do more women have MS? What is the best diet for managing my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms?" ~Teri H.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that attacks the central nervous system. Naturopathic Medicine can be helpful in reducing inflammation that triggers MS attacks, as well as addressing the insomnia, chronic fatigue, pain, and anxiety that many of my Multiple Sclerosis patients have.

Hormone imbalance in Perimenopause and Menopause can increase inflammation which can trigger autoimmune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis.

The attack of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers (pictured) results in the sclerotic plaques that cause nervous system dysfunction.

Without this sheath functioning properly the nervous system is not able to quickly send the electrical impulses that control bodily functions.

• Get hormones checked to insure your body is not inflamed from hormone imbalance, and your nerves are not under stimulated or overstimulated by high or low thyroid function such as in hypothryoidism, and Hashimoto's disease.
• Milk thistle may be beneficial [1]
• Lutein improves cognitive function and memory in Multiple Sclerosis patients [2]
• B-12 Improves mood in Multiple Sclerosis patients. [3] Ask your doctor if you can start using B-12 and Vitamin D, as they have good research showing benefit for those with MS. Vitamin D should be 2000-5000 iu daily, and levels should be around 50-60 we want to insure they are sufficient, but also not too high and causing hypercalcemia which can trigger nerves very negatively. [6]
• Most of my Multiple Sclerosis patients give themselves B-12 shots at home and report benefit with nerve symptoms, energy, and mood.
• Intermittent Calorid Restriction was shown to reduce neuroinflammation and protect brain cortical volume. [4]
• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that is exacerbated by inflammation. Most prescription medications work to temper the immune system. [5]
• Increase Omega-3 rich fish. Try “Dr. Nicole’s Salmon Recipe”.
• Stop Fast Food. Eating fast food and refined foods is like throwing gasoline on the inflammatory fire.
• Add Omega 3 Oils: For MS I would go straight for the fish oil, as it is the more potent anti-inflammatory of the two. These oils are needed to repair the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers that is destroyed by the immune system. The nervous system then has to create connective tissue to “repair” the damage and thus we end up with the “sclerotic plaques” that show up on MRI’s.
• Probiotics reduced inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis patients via gut inflammation. [8]
• Reduce Stress: Stress exacerbates all chronic disease, try deep breathing and reduction of activities and demands until your symptoms are under better control.
• Quit Smoking! The most important thing on this list to reduce the inflammatory burden on the system. Smoking causes cancer because it causes reactive oxygen species known as “free radicals” to attack healthy tissues and destroy them.
• Join a support group. Making friends with other patients with Multiple Sclerosis is very beneficial to my patients. Especially those with depression, pain, insomnia, and anxiety.

Although I have suggested some diet and lifestyle self help ideas, any chronic disease diagnosis should have a skilled Naturopathic Doctor such as myself to help make important decisions, and understand safety rules combining herbal medicine, supplements and MS drugs.

Prescription drugs for multiple sclerosis can be very complicated. Please do not take any natural medicines for MS without first checking with a Naturopathic Doctor that is trained to understand how to safely combine herbs with prescription drugs.

If you need my help getting on a healthy Multiple Sclerosis regime simply visit my SCHEDULE page.

I would be happy to help with your autoimmune disease.

Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD

(480) 837-0900

Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert  in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!

References:

1. Ghiasian M, Nafisi H, Ranjbar A, Mohammadi Y, Ataei S. Antioxidative effects of silymarin on the reduction of liver complications of fingolimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A clinical trial study. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2021 Aug;35(8):e22800. doi: 10.1002/jbt.22800. Epub 2021 May 2. PMID: 33934443.
2. Martell SG, Kim J, Cannavale CN, Mehta TD, Erdman JW Jr, Adamson B, Motl RW, Khan NA. Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Single-Blind Study of Lutein Supplementation on Carotenoid Status and Cognition in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis. J Nutr. 2023 Aug;153(8):2298-2311. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.027. Epub 2023 Jun 25. PMID: 37364683; PMCID: PMC10447884.
3. Shemirani F, Titcomb TJ, Saxby SM, Eyck PT, Rubenstein LM, Hoth KF, Snetselaar LG, Wahls TL. Association of serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B₁₂ and mood following the Swank and Wahls elimination dietary interventions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Secondary analysis of the WAVES trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Jul;75:104743. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104743. Epub 2023 May 1. PMID: 37148578.
4. Rahmani F, Ghezzi L, Tosti V, Liu J, Song SK, Wu AT, Rajamanickam J, Obert KA, Benzinger TLS, Mittendorfer B, Piccio L, Raji CA. Twelve Weeks of Intermittent Caloric Restriction Diet Mitigates Neuroinflammation in Midlife Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study with Implications for Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;93(1):263-273. doi: 10.3233/JAD-221007.
5. Moravejolahkami AR, Chitsaz A, Hassanzadeh A, Paknahad Z. Effects of anti-Inflammatory-antioxidant-rich diet and co-supplemented synbiotics intervention in patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis: a single-center, single-blind randomized clinical trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2023 Nov;26(11):1078-1089. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2022.2128010. Epub 2022 Sep 29. PMID: 36173031.
6. Bahmani E, Hoseini R, Amiri E. Home-based aerobic training and vitamin D improve neurotrophins and inflammatory biomarkers in MS patients. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Apr;60:103693. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103693. Epub 2022 Feb 19. PMID: 35279628.
7. Titcomb TJ, Brooks L, Smith KL, Ten Eyck P, Rubenstein LM, Wahls TL, Snetselaar LG. Change in Micronutrient Intake among People with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Adapting the Swank and Wahls Diets: An Analysis of Weighed Food Records. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 5;13(10):3507. doi: 10.3390/nu13103507. PMID: 34684508; PMCID: PMC8540533.
8. Bohlouli J, Namjoo I, Borzoo-Isfahani M, Poorbaferani F, Moravejolahkami AR, Clark CCT, Hojjati Kermani MA. Modified Mediterranean diet v. traditional Iranian diet: efficacy of dietary interventions on dietary inflammatory index score, fatigue severity and disability in multiple sclerosis patients. Br J Nutr. 2022 Oct 14;128(7):1274-1284. doi: 10.1017/S000711452100307X. Epub 2021 Aug 16. PMID: 34392854.
9. Barone M, Mendozzi L, D'Amico F, Saresella M, Rampelli S, Piancone F, La Rosa F, Marventano I, Clerici M, d'Arma A, Pugnetti L, Rossi V, Candela M, Brigidi P, Turroni S. Influence of a High-Impact Multidimensional Rehabilitation Program on the Gut Microbiota of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jul 2;22(13):7173. doi: 10.3390/ijms22137173. PMID: 34281224; PMCID: PMC8268819.
10. Mousavi-Shirazi-Fard Z, Mazloom Z, Izadi S, Fararouei M. The effects of modified anti-inflammatory diet on fatigue, quality of life, and inflammatory biomarkers in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Neurosci. 2021 Jul;131(7):657-665. doi: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1750398. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32249637.