Page 17 - Indulge November 2017

The early symptoms of multiple sclerosis Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s University Health Network DIET AND MS
can be easy to miss. Immune system dysregulation can result

When you have MS, your immune in the abnormal inflammatory response

system attacks your central nervous system, responsible for many MS symptoms.

affecting your brain, spinal cord and optic “More research suggests 80 percent

nerves. More than 2.3 million people are of the immune system is in the gut, and

affected by MS worldwide. Most people are bad bacteria colonizing the gut can

diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. cause chronic inflammation which is at

About two thirds of those diagnosed the heart of many devastating diseases,

are women. Nataliya Ternopolska, MD, including MS,” Ternopolksa says. “So
Because the disease strikes so many MS Specialist with the your diet should be based around foods
Multiple Sclerosis Center, that eliminate inflammation while avoiding
women, recognizing the symptoms is vitally St. Luke’s University processed, fried and fast food, among
important to get help in time, according to Health Network. others, that cause inflammation.”
neurologist Nataliya Ternopolska, MD, MS

Specialist with the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Ternopolska recommends her patients

St. Luke’s University Health Network. Symptoms may be base their eating habits on the Mediterranean Diet, eating

mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as lots of cereals, fruit, vegetables and legumes. This includes

paralysis or loss of vision. They can also vary, occur and then nuts, avocado and spinach, olive oil, orange fruits and

disappear, even appear singly or in combination, making MS vegetables and onions and garlic. She also suggests adding

sometimes difficult to diagnose. An MS Specialist can be an inflammation-fighting herbs, such as turmeric, ginger,

asset to your health care team for diagnosis, treatment and cayenne and black pepper and cinnamon.

helping you live a healthy lifestyle. “There’s a lot going on in your gut that can impact MS,”

“MS can be managed when it’s caught early,” says Dr. she adds. “A healthier gut equals a healthier brain.”

Ternopolska. “That’s why it’s so important to recognize the

symptoms and find help in specialized MS centers.” VITAMIN D COULD BE KEY, TOO

Vitamin D works to promote calcium absorption for strong

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS bones. Recent research also suggests vitamin D may have

MS symptoms may include tingling, numbness, painful important effects on the immune system.

sensations, slurred speech and blurred or double vision. A number of genetic and environmental factors influence

Some people experience muscle weakness, poor balance, whether a person will get MS. These factors may also impact

poor coordination, muscle tightness or spasticity, tremors or the severity of the disease. Research is increasingly pointing

paralysis, which may be temporary or permanent. Problems to a reduced level of vitamin D in the blood as a risk factor

with bladder, bowel, sexual function or mood (particularly for developing MS, and studies are underway to determine if

depression and anxiety) are also very common. Fatigue is a vitamin D levels influence MS disease activity. Dr. Ternopolska

major concern for most people with MS, as are challenges recommends discussing your diet and vitamin D levels with

with memory, attention and concentration. your primary care physician and your MS Specialist.

(A note to whoever keeps a close eye on your family’s Remember, there are steps you can take to help control

health — and most likely it’s you — symptoms for MS in your MS symptoms and feel better, from lifestyle changes to

men are usually the same as yours.) long-term medication treatments.

Multiple Sclerosis specialist “I want my patients to have a healthy Sclerosis Center at Weill Cornell
Dr. Nataliya Ternopolska pregnancy and a healthy delivery,” Medical College in New York City.
has one question she asks her new Ternopolska says. That can include Before that she was chief resident
women patients: prescribing the safest MS medication at Albert Einstein Medical Center
possible, since some can decrease in Philadelphia.
“Are you planning on getting pregnant fertility. She also counsels her patients
soon?” Most female MS patients are on breastfeeding, diet, exercise and She also received a
diagnosed between ages 20 and 29 maintaining a healthy lifestyle during and prestigious National Multiple
— their peak child birthing years. That after pregnancy. Sclerosis Society Grant in 2013
presents its own set of challenges for a and has presented her research
healthy pregnancy for a woman with MS. Ternopolska cares for patients at to the American Academy of
St. Luke’s Neurology Associates in its Neurology and the Tykeson
The good news: Research has found multidisciplinary Multiple Sclerosis Center. Fellows Conference, a forum in
that MS has no effect on fertility. It which young scientists share MS
won’t keep you from getting pregnant She served as a multiple sclerosis research, ideas and advice.
and giving birth to a healthy child. fellow at the Judith Jaffe Multiple

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