SILENT INFLAMMATION
A keto diet for MS? Why does it help? If you know what a keto diet is then read on. If you need to know what is is please see; what is a keto diet?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is about a lot more than just lesions; one of the main driving factors in MS is silent inflammation. Neurologists focus on lesions to help diagnose the disease. Accordingly, they are often the main topic in MS circles. Invariably, however, silent inflammation is what is causing the biggest problems behind the scenes!
LESIONS AND WHITE BLOOD CELLS: A KETO DIET FOR MS
On the website of The MS Society of Canada, the correlation between inflammation and MS Lesions is discussed: “Lesions form as a result of inflammation, which occurs when white blood cells and fluid build-up around blood vessels. This inflammation damages the myelin and the axons. Wherever tissue is destroyed, a lesion forms and a gradual build-up of scar tissue occurs.”
PROCESSED SUGAR AND INFLAMMATION
Processed sugars and carbohydrates, trigger the release of cytokines, which cause inflammation. In 2017 a study conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, found that reduced glucose metabolism activated a protein called CtBP. This protein suppresses the activity of inflammatory genes. Lead researcher Raymond Swanson, MD, stated: “I was most surprised by the magnitude of this effect because I thought ketogenic diets might help just a little bit. But when we got these big effects… I thought wow, there’s really something here.”
A KETO DIET FOR MS REMOVES INFLAMMATION
On a keto diet, the body adapts to metabolizing non-glucose fuels. This eliminates or removes many of the typical sources of chronic inflammation caused by foods. Equally, it decreases the chances of inflammation-based illnesses and pain. A keto diet for MS interestingly also appears to slow the process of aging! The results of a 2015 trial in Germany suggest that people with MS can improve their quality of life by sticking to a Ketogenic diet. The researchers note that the ketogenic diet appears to have the potential to treat the neurodegenerative component of MS.
THE KETO DIET FOR MS BENEFITS THE BODY AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL
The Ketogenic diet appears to benefit the body at the cellular level. It increases the amount of food available to the cells. This reduces oxidative stress while increasing antioxidant levels in the blood. The combined effect may help protect the nerve and brain cells, which could potentially slow Neurodegeneration.
One of the key attributes of the Ketogenic diet, in terms of benefiting the body at a cellular level, is that it increases Mitochondrial density within the body. Mitochondria are small little organelles that act like the power plants of the cells. New research shows that they also perform many essential cellular functions.
These extend far beyond energy production within the human body. They convert calories from food, heat from the sun and oxygen into energy, specifically the molecule Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATPs are essential for maintaining energy levels, but they’re also vital for preserving brain cells, keeping you more youthful, and increasing your life span.
NEURO PROTECTIVE QUALITIES OF THE KETO DIET
In addition to this, there is growing experimental evidence for the broad Neuroprotective properties of the Keto Diet for MS. Signalling pathways within the mitochondria offer protection. In recent years, the field of Neuro-metabolism has been greatly amplified by an interest in dietary treatments such as the Ketogenic diet. There is recognition that bio-energetic failure may be a critical factor, in diseases of the nervous system such as MS.
MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION
There is increasing appreciation for the concept of energy failure, principally from mitochondrial dysfunction. It would appear that this results in neuronal death as observed in Neuro-degenerative diseases. With that in mind, it appears that it is easier for a nerve cell to make fuel for itself when the body is in ketosis. Similarly, the Ketogenic diet is an effective treatment against Multiple Sclerosis, because dysfunctional energy creation pathways, are at the root of most diseases.
A KETO DIET HEALS MANY DISEASES
The latest scientific data has revealed a keto diet to be an almost miraculous panacea in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. It is well known that a keto diet helps with Epilepsy for some time, and more recently with neurological diseases. As well as these it has shown to be beneficial to Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Chronic Inflammation, Obesity, Heart Disease, Fatty Liver Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer and Migraines, strokes and ALS among many others.
If you are happy to wade through the medical terms here is an excellent published article on the benefits of the keto diet. There are many excellent articles available online that explain the neuroprotective qualities of a Keto diet for MS and other diseases.
The Coimbra high does vitamin D protocol has successfully stopped progression in 95% of MS cases. If you want to learn more check it out!