Strict diet recommended by Naturopath

[Loulou22]

Hello everyone,
I’ve recently started seeing a Naturopath as I’m wanting to take a more holistic approach to my health/MND.
She has put me on numerous supplements beyond what I’ve already been taking, is wanting to improve my gut health, which is good, and made recommendations regarding my food intake.
Bearing in mind I’m vegetarian (and not willing to budge on that), it’s very restrictive- these are the foods she wants me to begin to eliminate, as they are ‘bad for the nervous system’:
-All grains, so no wheat, rice, corn, oats etc
-All dairy products
-Peanuts and cashews
-Coffee, black tea, green tea
-All the obvious stuff like sugar, fried food, processed foods
This is basically 2/3 of my diet- I live for pasta…And coconut cheese is just depressing.
You guys are such a great source of balanced knowledge … is there any merit to these foods being eliminated? It seems like an extreme version of an anti-inflammatory diet, but even some whole grains are allowed on that.
Has anyone here ever found such a diet beneficial?
I’m keenly aware of the need to maintain weight for a better prognosis, so would never allow myself to lose weight intentionally.
Any thoughts welcome and appreciated

 

[ShiftKicker]

I'd be wary. Though I don't know her credentials or what research she's using to justify the restrictions, this seems overly restrictive for someone to follow, both in making sure nutritional needs are met and in the energy having to be spent preparing food.

A few questions- is she experienced in treating folk with MND? What is her stated goal with this diet? Is she aware of the nutritional needs of someone who is struggling with such a huge health burden? Is she aware of the compromised/limited energy resource many people encounter with MND? Does she work with your other medical care givers?

I follow the anti-inflammatory diet. I find it pretty beneficial. I won't say it gives me more energy, but it has helped mitigate other non-MND related issues, which is helpful overall.

 

[Nikki J]

I was just reading an article that was a follow up on study that found a high glycemic diet wasbeneficial. Further analysis showed those who benefited most were also on riluzole.

I don’t think there is research supporting the diet you mention. Dairy can be problematic because of mucus when swallowing is an issue but I don’t believe that is what you are recommended for. In general I think we should be eating a balanced diet with good fats , maintaining weight and allowing some treats

 

[swalker]

I took a very different approach to my diet after diagnosis. My comment is not meant to be critical of the OP's approach in any way. I am just sharing what I chose to do so that others reading this can have a different perspective.

Once I was diagnosed and came to accept that I have a terminal disease, I thought a lot about my diet. I decided that diet was unlikely to fundamentally alter the course of the disease. In addition, I had lost 70 pounds leading up to diagnosis and the doctors really wanted me to put some weight back on.

So, I committed to eating anything I could. It is now 10 years later and I am still here. I think that is unrelated to anything I have done or could have done. I have slow progression and I believe that is just the luck of the draw.

I have been able to gain back over 20 pounds during those 10 years by eating everything I can. I specialize in ice cream, but also drink some soda (which I have never particularly liked). I eat red meat, pork, chicken, fish, etc. I also eat the occasional vegetarian dish. I go through about a quart (close to a liter) of olive oil a month and another quart of canola oil each month.

I find that smothering food in mayonnaise not only helps the food slide down better (I have swallowing issues), but is a good source of calories and tastes great! I enjoy eating home made french fries with mayonnaise or ketchup (but never both at the same time!).

I eat a lot of grains in pasta and homemade bread. We also make homemade pizza regularly.

Early on I put a focus on eating my favorite foods, simply for the pleasure of it. To a great extent, I still do that!

Steve

 

[lgelb]

Steve's approach is much closer to the available evidence than the naturopath's. There is no evidence regarding her list in terms of harm in ALS, a far-downstream process from the CNS.

The gluten/inflammation connections, tenuous as they are (especially given that ALS is a neuronopathy, not a neuropathy) pale in the face of the need for vitamins from food, not supplements, in a disease where metabolism is affected, mobility declines, and breathing takes an increasing amount of energy.

For example, as a vegetarian, if you give up grains and dairy, you're going to be left with pretty much produce and legumes -- both harder to digest and low on a number of key nutrients. And coffee and tea both have demonstrated health benefits in ALS, from mitigating constipation and elevating mood to an easy-to-process antioxidant mix.

All the non-neuro aspects of health remain important in ALS, including the "good fats" part Nikki mentioned (ripe avocados are a great smoothie/soup/salad addition, for instance). We just don't have reason to believe that this "no-fly list" can slow down this kind of process, but there is reason to think that it could imperil your overall health and wellbeing.

As swallowing gets more difficult, of course, you will want to avoid kernels, seeds, skins, and mixed textures. But until that point, I'd prioritize variety and nutrition over restrictions and restraint.

 

[Loulou22]

Thanks all so much for your responses-they really support my gut feeling that this is not the best advice . I also figure that I’m on borrowed time essentially, and food can bring me so much joy, while I can still eat I’d rather relish a range of foods and the things I love like pasta, dumplings and the world’s best coffee here in Melbourne, Australia ️

 

[KimT]

I'd like to add my two cents for what it's worth.

First, I have a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. I started my studies long before my diagnosis and decided, considering my slow progression, I'd keep studying more as a hobby and something to keep my mind active, rather than to give advice. Naturopaths can't practice in Florida anyway.

From my studies, I'm not a fan of processed food, oils other than olive, coconut, or avocado, and gluten. Mayo Clinic actually suggested I give up gluten because of reflux and IBS (before I was diagnosed.)

There is no evidence that dairy is inflammatory unless you're allergic to it or have a sensitivity to it. I love dairy and got allergy tested with no reaction. It does thicken mucus but does not create more mucus.

Nutritionists (Mayo included) change their minds from year-to-year on what is the best diet for ALS. Frankly, my opinion is it depends on the individual.

Using myself as an n of 1, I feel like crap when I eat processed food. I'm more tired, more moody, and more in pain. Same goes with excess sugar (except fruit which tends to make me feel good and adds to hydration.). I've been off grains and am not sure if I really felt better. I'm now back on old fashioned, organic oats, Yogurt, and grass-fed dairy/eggs. I occasionally eat black rice. I have trouble with raw veggies but I tolerate cooked ones.

I guess my point is if you feel well on your current diet, why change it? When I was first diagnosed, Mayo told me to gain 30 pounds, I probably needed 10, but 30 was too much given I had no eating issues. I just felt bloated and tired. They told me to eat cake and ice cream (which I love) but that diet wasn't sustainable for me. I just wasn't used to all that processed food.

I am a very slow progression case with several co-morbidities that I have to take into consideration when I'm eating.

I believe the best diet for general health is most likely the Mediterranean. If you are a vegetarian, you won't be eating fish. You might want to add some krill oil to your diet because Omega 3 oils are very healthy for your brain and heart. As you become less mobile, you'll be glad you're eating beans and oats. They help move things along. As always, remember to drink lots of water.

I wish you well. I would never recommend such a restrictive diet to someone with ALS.

 

[Lori7]

Some time after diagnosis, I wanted to become a vegetarian, because I had heard of people recovering from various diseases by becoming vegetarian, when nothing else worked. This included a friend whose father had cancer, and recovered after the family became vegetarian. The only thing was, I was not an expert in vegetarianism, and wasn’t sure about how to get enough protein in my diet. So I became a pescatarian, that is, I eat fish and eggs, but no other meat. I also eat a lot of sweet treats. I still eat processed food, which I don’t recommend, as it may have contributed to my getting ALS. I have no idea whether cutting out meat has helped at all. The only thing I’ve noticed is that I was able to cut down on the fibre I had to eat in order to have a bowel movement, and I no longer have chronic constipation. My weight has not changed much since the switch. I remain overweight. So I don’t necessarily suggest becoming a vegetarian or a pescatarian, only in that it’s something to do other than wringing your hands and tearing your hair out.

 

[lgelb]

I really doubt processed foods led to ALS -- there would be a lot more of it.

But they are harder to digest, as is meat. So cutting down on one or both (in favor of something easier to process, that provides good fats/proteins, not just a lot of salad) could help some people in ALS and other conditions where there's not energy to burn.

On the other hand, my husband ate bacon and eggs till the end. You must choose what your body seems to do best with.