Connect with others who understand.

  • Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  • Real advice from people who’ve been there
  • People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
Powered By
Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Saint Albert, AB

If our disease is an autoimmune disease and gets worse when our immune system is taxed (i.e. Infections, viruses, stress), do you stay away from immune boosting foods? I was told to avoid echinacea especially but I just read that garlic boosts our immune system, which makes me very sad. Do you avoid foods and supplements that boost the immune system?if so, what do you avoid?

February 9, 2016
 · 
Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

I don't

ಠ_ರೃ°°° … hmmmmm ???
I see where & how the connection might be thought of that way @A MyMSTeam Member.

The way I understand it, Immune System boosting foods & supplements don't trigger the immune response which is where those rogue T- Cells & B-Cells come into play. Those factors in an unhealthy immune response wouldn't be enhanced by healthier eating with food substances like found in garlic within your cooking.

It's when there's an over the top reactive inflammatory response with recruitment of those whacked rogue mercenaries with their cytokine WMD* that somehow go turncoat that are the problem.

I wouldn't think stuff to boost a healthy immune system would contribute to the use of excessive & overwhelming force that is the REAL problem

─────────────
*WMD –
*W*eapons of *M*yelin *D*estruction

February 10, 2016
A MyMSTeam Member

… and found this (what I think is reasonable) info about using Echinacea from Andrew Weil, MD
–––––––––––––––––~–––––––––––––––––

When you have MS, getting a cold is more than an uncomfortable nuisance. Viral infections can trigger flare-ups of the disease so you have to be pretty careful about how you deal with them. I think it is okay for MS patients to use echinacea on a short term basis for the duration of a cold or other minor infection. But I wouldn't recommend using it on a long term basis - we simply don't know whether the way echinacea affects immune function impacts the potential for autoimmunity. (This same caution applies to other immune-enhancing herbs such as astragalus).

You might be interested to know what the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has to say on the subject:

"...echinacea may stimulate the immune system. This is a theoretical risk for people with MS because their immune systems are already inappropriately stimulated. No study has been done to investigate this theoretical risk in people with MS."

Andrew Weil, M.D.

–––––––––––––––––~–––––––––––––––––

… and this from the MS 🌎 World Forum pretty much sums up what I've seen all over about Echinacea

http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthread.php?108...
––––––––––––––––~––––––––––––––––––

MS 🌎 World Forum
There doesn't appear to be any reliable information or proof showing that Echinacea or Vitamin C or other cold prevention herbal supplements have actually caused MS flares. But the caution exists and persists because of the "theoretical possibility that they might", based on knowledge of how some immune cells have reacted in laboratory experiments.

I follow Dr. Weil's recommendation and take Echinacea at the first sign of a cold or flu, discontinuing it as soon as I'm out of the woods.

I'm willing to gamble with the "theoretical" risk that supporting my immune system might conceivably have an adverse effect on my MS. My reasoning (mind you, I'm not any kind of expert) is that I know getting really sick is going to make my MS symptoms a lot worse, and needs to be avoided if at all possible.

February 10, 2016
A MyMSTeam Member

No published studies that I know of. My doctor, Dr. Jeffrey English is the head of research at the multiple sclerosis Society of Atlanta. I'm going to send him an email asking him about the pros and cons of boosting one's immune system with MS. I'll let you know what he says.

February 12, 2016
A MyMSTeam Member

Wow! Thank you for that research. I'm so grateful for people like you who know where to find info so quickly, I get lost and muddled as soon as I try to look things up. And, I am so happy I can eat my garlic!!! ( my husband always adds many MANY more cloves to any dish just for me. No vampires here! Haha)
I find the science of eating completely overwhelming at times. It was bad enough when I didn't have an MS diagnosis with the low fat no fat low sodium gluten free high protein etc rants people went on.

February 10, 2016
A MyMSTeam Member

Just found this info on Terry Wahls Blog

The Benefits of Garlic
http://terrywahls.com/the-benefits-of-garlic/
–––––––––––––––––~–––––––––––––––––

Of the 9 cups of vegetables you should be eating for optimal health, 3 of those cups should come from sulfur-containing foods, such as asparagus, bok choy, broccoli, kale, mushrooms, onions, Brussels sprouts, and radishes.

Sulfur is key because it nourishes mitochondria, removes toxins from cells, and helps create proteins and connective tissue necessary for joint, skin, and blood vessel health.

Garlic, a member of the onion family, contains high concentrations of sulfur compounds and allicin, which acts as an antimicrobial (helping you fight off both bacterial and viral infections) and promotes blood vessel health. There is compelling evidence that garlic supports brain function and can help prevent or reduce cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. Furthermore, it has been used as a medicinal food for thousands of years across many cultures to treat infections, tumors, and health problems related to blood vessels.

Garlic is best eaten raw but still offers tremendous healthful benefits if cooked at a low temperature, such as simmering. (You lose about 30% to 50% of the nutritional benefits when you cook garlic, more if you fry it.) An easy way to use more garlic is to finely mince it and add it to vinegar (or lime juice) and oil (walnut, hemp, or flax) for salad dressing. It also makes a wonderful addition to soups and stews, which are often gently cooked, meaning more of the helpful sulfur compounds are retained. Be generous — use lots of garlic, onions, and leeks. They do many wonderful things for your cells and taste buds!

February 10, 2016

Related Questions

View All
A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Conway, NC

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Gillespie, IL