My Paleo / Anti inflammatory inspired diet - Progress and Theory

After 6 years of trying to control my condition via various orthodox medical methods I have decided to try seeing how changing my diet affects my conditions.

I am fully aware that this may not cure my disease, however I believe that there is enough information about the influence of diet on your health to warrant giving it a try. My main aim is to try and reduce the dose of tablets (Steroids and Immune-suppressants) that I take to control my condition as these can cause their own problems if taken long term. Worst case I will have a very healthy diet which can't be a bad thing!

Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder which causes the body to produce antibodies which block the muscle cells from receiving messages.  Autoimmune diseases cause inflammation within the body and Myasthenia Gravis patients have been found to have inflammatory cells at the neuromuscular junction.  

The treatment of autoimmune diseases involves drugs which aim to counter the body's inflammatory response and I aim to see whether diet can also help achieve this.  I am basing my diet on aspects of the paleo diet and the diet recommended by Professor George Jelinek for MS sufferers (another autoimmune disease).  Both diets share similarities but there are also differences and I have selected the aspects I feel best suit me.

Elimination of all dairy products - both diets advocate this.  Research has linked cows milk to causing autoimmune diseases such as MS and diabetes 

Elimination of Gluten and Legumes - advocates of the Paleo diet argue these contain lectins (proteins plants produce to protect themselves from predators) and research indicates these play a part in triggering autoimmune disease such as celiac's disease.  One of the most common lectins which causes a immune reaction is gluten.  Jelinek whilst acknowledging research on the role of lectins has not considered the evidence strong enough to eliminate from a diet for MS sufferers but I have decided it is best to avoid these foods.

Foods to eat on moderation - gluten free oats, rice - the Paleo diet does not advocate these but I need energy and feel that they are a good source of nutrition and energy for my daily needs.

Oily Fish - Jelinek's diet advocates avoiding saturated fats because they suppress inflammation. The Paleo diet advocates a variety of meats but for my condition I aim to reduce meat consumption to a minimum.


Dairy substitute - Almond milk (not soya milk as a bean or coconut milk because high in saturated fats)

Sugar - honey or maple syrup

Treats - dark chocolate 75 per cent plus

Favourite Snack: Delicious Nakd bars!

One of the main issues I have found with this diet is trying to find something quick and easy to eat, which is also healthy and tasty. A lot of the snacks I have found take a lot of preparation time, and often don't taste as good as I hoped they would! Whilst hunting for a tasty alternative to my home experimental snacks I came across Nakd bars! They are a delicious, healthy snack, which use simple, wholesome ingredients. 

They come in a range of flavours, but my favourite is the cocoa orange! They are a great option if you are in a hurry or just fancy something tasty and healthy to brighten up your day. You can find out more about them at: http://www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk/ 

I definitely recommend checking them out!

End of Week 4 summary:

I have almost done a month and despite a few moments of weakness I think I have done pretty well! The biggest failure of this week was when my mum and I attempted to make smoked haddock Kedgeree, it was so disgusting we had to chuck it away and I definitely added too much curry powder as it blew my head of when I tried it!!

The toughest thing about this diet so far has been when I let myself get really hungry and want an instant fix. This is when I crave chocolate or crisps, and it can mean that I get in a bad mood as I need to eat something. I have to make sure that I snack little and often to try and avoid this.

The best thing about this diet has been my wonderful friends who have even switched to drinking almond milk with me! I am feeling a lot healthier and even though I know I still have a long way to go before I may see any results the support of my friends and family has really helped!

End of Week 2 summary:

Week 2 has actually been a lot easier, despite the occasional cravings for cheese!! It is surprising how sweet vegetables actually are and my main issue has been craving savory food, greens, broccoli and spinach are actually really good for a savory addition to a meal packed with sweet veg. I have had a couple of meals that include rice, however if  can I try to avoid grains. I have also had gluten free porridge oats as I find I need a filling breakfast and this gives me the energy I need. In terms of my symptoms it is too early to say whether the diet has made a difference yet, however I feel energetic and healthy and am really enjoying trying new meals so fingers crossed it will continue.

End of week 1 summary:

My first week of doing this new diet has been very interesting but I have done it! There have been a few ups and downs from my Christmas cake failure (I love it but luckily it is all gone now so no more temptation!) to having cheese physically wrestled from me by my sisters boyfriend! I have wonderful friends and family who are supporting me with this, looking up recipes, trying to eat the same meals as me, and drinking tea with no milk! Despite some recipe failures such as my sisters Paleo butternut squash and tomato soup (which we all had one bite of and had to chuck away) I have managed to find a few good recipes and will continue experimenting. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me it means a lot!