Home → Questions →

Experience with MS?

• Edit

Mark.S.Laser

26 Sep, 2011 06:24 PM

Dear Dr. Rosedale,

I've recently read several compelling books regarding the healthy aspects of low
carb diets, including Gary Taubes's "Good Calories, Bad Calories" which provides
a thorough review of the literature; "Deep Nutrion" by Catherine Shanahan, MD,
which ties in the importance of epigenetics; and "Ketogenic Diets" by Kossoff
et al., which provides detailed instructions for using low carb diets to manage
epilepsy. Your book is next on my list.

I'm wondering if you've had any experience treating multiple sclerosis patients
with a low carb diet, and if so, I'm hoping you could comment on your level of
success.

I've been eating a largely vegetarian diet for most of my 43 years, mostly raw
vegan for the last 4 years. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about 15 years
ago and am now having to use a wheelchair to get around. After reading your book,
I'm realizing that my diet--which I thought was as healthy as could be based on
conventional thinking--may have had much to do with my getting the disease.

Much has been written on diet and MS, some in the peer-reviewed literature, the
most prominent being the work of Roy Swank, MD, PhD, a retired physician who recommends
a diet restricting fat, both saturated (< 15 g/day) and unsaturated (20 - 50 g/day).
I'm wondering if you're familiar with his work (http://swankmsdiet.charityfinders.org/About%20The%20Diet)
and how you would interpret/reconcile his results in light of what you've learned.

His most prominent peer-reviewed publication is:

Swank RL, Dugan BB (July 1990). "Effect of low saturated fat diet in early and
late cases of multiple sclerosis". Lancet 336 (8706): 37°©9. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(90)91533-G.PMID
1973220

His foundation's website is at http://www.swankmsdiet.org/

Thank you for considering my question.

With best regards,
Mark Laser

1. Support Staff 1 Posted by Fiona on 29 Sep, 2011 05:13 AM

   

   Dear Mark,

   I spent some time on the Dr. Swank website, and I would not find any research papers, or any science based papers to prove his diet. What I can say though is that for the last 50 years at least a low fat diet has been recommended by many of the large organizations, (American diabetic society, AHS) and during that time we have seen increased to epidemic proportions of heart disease, cancer, diabetic, osteoporosis, and MS. Also, back in the 1970's when the book was written, there was no way for anyone to be 100% diagnosed with MS, they had no way to testing back then.
   There is an interesting interview title 'Neurodegenerative Disease, Hormones and Diet' completed recently with Dr. Rosedale which you can listen to at http://www.meandmydiabetes.com/2011/09/14/ron-rosedale-neurodegener...

   We are currently updating our website, which will then include not only Dr. Rosedale's science papers to support his teachings, but also many others that support his work as well. We have no doubt that people might have improved with Dr. Swanks diet, but we have put similar low fat diets side by side with the high fat, moderate protein, low carb program of Dr. Rosedale's, keep in mind, 'any' diet will show an improvement over what your typical american family is eating, but Rosedale's based on 20 years of research, and his own patients lab results, the results have been monumental.

   Best of health,

   The Rosedale Team

   • Edit

2. 2 Posted by Mark.S.Laser on 29 Sep, 2011 11:41 AM

   

   Dear Fiona,

   Thank you so much for getting back to me with your helpful response. I appreciate
   it!

   I'm wondering if Dr. Rosedale does phone consultations?

   Thank you again!

   Best regards,
   Mark

   --- You wrote:

   • Edit

3. Support Staff 3 Posted by Fiona on 30 Sep, 2011 08:54 PM

   

   Dear Mark,
   Sorry, not at this time as he is focused on writing another book and also always continuing his research.

   Though, I am able to get him to answer a few questions one a week if there was a short specific question. I wish there were more doctors that treat with the same philosophies as Dr. Ron.

   Wishing you all the best of health.

   Fiona
   The Rosedale Team

   • Edit

4. Support Staff 4 Posted by Fiona on 30 Sep, 2011 08:55 PM

   

   Mark,
   Would you mind if I could make our conversation public on our site so that others can learn? Your email address will not be visible..

   • Edit