To Dairy or not To Dairy


Dairy.
It includes all things good in the world, like ice cream.
But it is also unfortunately incredibly allergenic among other issues. So what are individuals with autoimmune disease and Multiple Sclerosis to do about dairy? As with many things, the consumption of dairy is a hotly debated topic in the autoimmune world. This is due to strong arguments for and against consuming certain amounts and types of dairy. People argue about dairy all around. That consuming no dairy at all, to ghee, to grass-fed, to aged cheese, to all dairy on a regular basis, is the way.
So who is right? Is there one group that is right above all the others? Let’s take a deeper look.
First, lets talk about the actual forms of dairy, because after all, not all dairy is created equal. Raw grass-fed dairy is NOT the same as the skim milk you can buy at your local grocery store. One is a whole food and one is a processed food. Also, raw forms of dairy contain lactase, the enzyme your body needs to be able to digest lactose. The pasteurized and processed versions of dairy do not contain lactase, it gets destroyed in the pasteurization process. The reason why so many people are lactose intolerant, is due to the fact that they don’t produce their own lactase enzyme, so they can not digest lactose. So if you react to pasteurized dairy, you may be able to tolerate raw dairy. Food for thought!
 
The Good Dairy Argument
Many studies have shown benefits for the consumption of dairy, the full fat, grass-fed and fermented kind. Full fat dairy has been shown to protect against Metabolic syndrome and Cardiovascular disease. Fermented diary has been shown to protect against those two, as well as Type II Diabetes. The Paleo Mom, Sarah Ballantyne, Ph.D. explains that full fat, grass fed dairy is “an excellent source of fat-soluble vitamins and Conjugated Linoleic Acid, an anti-inflammatory and healing fat.” She also explains that dairy contains proteins that are extremely valuable, like ” glutathione (very important for reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress) and whey (which may help prevent cancer).”
The ‘standard’ paleo diet allows for some forms of dairy fats to be included, like ghee, butter and some cases heavy cream, due to these positive effects listed above. However, the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet eliminates dairy entirely.
Lets examine why that may be.
The Bad Dairy Argument 
 
As with the positives for dairy, the negatives for dairy are widely studied and discussed. The main negatives, or arguments against the consumption of dairy are that dairy creates a spike in blood sugar levels due to the high amount of sugar. This could lead to insulin-resistance. Lactose is negatively tolerated by many adults, around 25% of Caucasians are lactose intolerant and as many as 97% of Native Americans are lactose intolerant. If consuming raw dairy, this is mitigated due to it’s levels of lactase, the enzyme that helps to digest lactose.
One of the biggest arguments against dairy, in my opinion, especially for us autoimmune folk, is the fact that it contains protease inhibitors which may contribute to leaky gut (when these proteins come in contact with our gut lining, they ‘open the door’ and toxins can get through, into our bloodstream, to create inflammation elsewhere), which is something I discussed in previous MSMonday posts.
Dairy is also a gluten cross-reactor, which means that if you are sensitive in any way to gluten, you might react that same way to dairy. So, if you have an autoimmune condition, or poor gut health, dairy might not (probably isn’t) the right choice for you. 
 
Dairy and Multiple Sclerosis 
What does dairy have to do with MS, if anything? Besides being a gluten cross reactor and significantly impacting gut health (which by itself will compromise our systems) dairy can have an interesting impact on MSers bodies. Studies have shown that the protein butyrophilin that is present in cow’s milk can mimic part of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein or ‘MOG’ (I like the abbreviation much better). The ‘MOG’ is the part of the myelin that is thought to initiate the autoimmune reaction in Multiple Sclerosis. Butyrophilin has been shown to induce inflammation in the central nervous system of animals as well as stimulates specific T cell responses.
What are you to do? 
That’s a lot of contradicting information I just gave you. Some camps are saying eat all the dairy! And some are saying run as fast as you can in the opposite direction! That seems to happen quite a bit, so is there a group that is more right than the others? As with most everything else, it will depend on your specific circumstance. What is right for you, might not be right for me, and vice versa. The answer is try different things out, see what makes you feel the best, that will lead you to the right answer.
My main suggestions are, if you have an autoimmune disease/MS, try giving up dairy for a bit and see how it makes you feel. It might not even make you feel all that much different. But all the research points to dairy not being beneficial for individuals that have an autoimmune condition, that’s usually good enough for me!
As always, if you’d like to connect further about this, or any topic, reach out! I’d love to chat!
Join my LissMS Community here!
References:
http://www.thepaleomom.com/the-great-dairy-debate/
https://chriskresser.com/dairy-food-of-the-gods-or-neolithic-agent-of-disease/

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

My reality has changed a whole bunch over the years.

I started out with only a few symptoms. But I could get through the day.

Until all of a sudden I couldn’t.

All within a few years I went from “fine” to:
Having horrible symptoms, had 3 relapses and found myself with “aggressive MS”

This was not ok with me.

Eventually, I took my life into my own hands and rethought how I did most things.
I realized I had to make some changes, or else idk what else was gonna happen to me.

So I did.

I changed my diet.
I changed how I worked out.
I changed my job in the name of stress management.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you want this transformation for you too (I know it’s possible) I’m launching my signature course: Holistically Healing MS in a few weeks. 

This is the course you need to get started on this path for yourself.

Only the waitlist is gonna get the pre sale price… 
Comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you to it!!

My reality has changed a whole bunch over the years.

I started out with only a few symptoms. But I could get through the day.

Until all of a sudden I couldn’t.

All within a few years I went from “fine” to:
Having horrible symptoms, had 3 relapses and found myself with “aggressive MS”

This was not ok with me.

Eventually, I took my life into my own hands and rethought how I did most things.
I realized I had to make some changes, or else idk what else was gonna happen to me.

So I did.

I changed my diet.
I changed how I worked out.
I changed my job in the name of stress management.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you want this transformation for you too (I know it’s possible) I’m launching my signature course: Holistically Healing MS in a few weeks.

This is the course you need to get started on this path for yourself.

Only the waitlist is gonna get the pre sale price…
Comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you to it!!
...

43 8
This is the reality I lived, I want you to experience it too.

No, this is not a quick fix.
No, these results wont happen overnight.
No, this won’t cure you.

BUT-

Yes, you can have your life back.
Yes, you can feel better than you do right now.
Yes, your current reality doesn’t have to be a forever reality.

My success years ago was all thanks to the diet changes and the work I put in to know exactly how to eat to support MY body and MS at the same time. 

Yes it took a few months, but what it gave me back was my life- and that’s priceless. 

I’m spilling all the beans on what this process looks like and how to do it in my upcoming Masterclass:
5 Secrets To Creating Your Own MS Diet. 

Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

This is the reality I lived, I want you to experience it too.

No, this is not a quick fix.
No, these results wont happen overnight.
No, this won’t cure you.

BUT-

Yes, you can have your life back.
Yes, you can feel better than you do right now.
Yes, your current reality doesn’t have to be a forever reality.

My success years ago was all thanks to the diet changes and the work I put in to know exactly how to eat to support MY body and MS at the same time.

Yes it took a few months, but what it gave me back was my life- and that’s priceless.

I’m spilling all the beans on what this process looks like and how to do it in my upcoming Masterclass:
5 Secrets To Creating Your Own MS Diet.

Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
...

13 5
This is my vision for the masterclass I’m hosting next Monday.

I want this to be an interactive experience where you learn how to best take care of yourself and MS symptoms through the food you’re eating.

Instead of:
- feeling hesitation and confusion around what foods are best for MS
- not making changes because you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong 
- saying no again to going out to eat with friends 

Find the freedom and confidence you’ve been looking for.

Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

This is my vision for the masterclass I’m hosting next Monday.

I want this to be an interactive experience where you learn how to best take care of yourself and MS symptoms through the food you’re eating.

Instead of:
- feeling hesitation and confusion around what foods are best for MS
- not making changes because you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong
- saying no again to going out to eat with friends

Find the freedom and confidence you’ve been looking for.

Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
...

11 3
Do any of those hit home? 
 If yes… comment MASTERCLASS below.. I got you

Do any of those hit home?
If yes… comment MASTERCLASS below.. I got you
...

14 3
I get asked this question about different foods at least once a week.

Are potatoes with olive oil ok?
Are tomatoes ok even though Tom Brady doesn’t eat them?
What about grains?

It’s all gonna get the same answer from me….

Sure there are foods with nutrient profiles that match the needs of MS, ✨BUT✨if you don’t tolerate them or feel good eating them, they’re not for you.

I’m hosting a Masterclass next week all about this.

⭐️5 Steps to Creating Your Own MS Diet⭐️

You’ll walk away with:

✨Confidence you’re moving in the right direction regarding changing your diet. You’ll know where to start, how to troubleshoot when you “fall off the wagon” and how to find what works for you. 

No more feeling like:
- you have to start AGAIN on Monday..
- you can’t go out to eat with your friends..
- you’re at the mercy of the few foods you tolerate..

Come join me to learn the balanced way out of all or nothing food land.

Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

I get asked this question about different foods at least once a week.

Are potatoes with olive oil ok?
Are tomatoes ok even though Tom Brady doesn’t eat them?
What about grains?

It’s all gonna get the same answer from me….

Sure there are foods with nutrient profiles that match the needs of MS, ✨BUT✨if you don’t tolerate them or feel good eating them, they’re not for you.

I’m hosting a Masterclass next week all about this.

⭐️5 Steps to Creating Your Own MS Diet⭐️

You’ll walk away with:

✨Confidence you’re moving in the right direction regarding changing your diet. You’ll know where to start, how to troubleshoot when you “fall off the wagon” and how to find what works for you.

No more feeling like:
- you have to start AGAIN on Monday..
- you can’t go out to eat with your friends..
- you’re at the mercy of the few foods you tolerate..

Come join me to learn the balanced way out of all or nothing food land.

Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
...

14 2
My mom will confirm, this was me HARD as a kid.

I used to hate all forms of vegetables, just cause they were vegetables. Whether or not I had tried them was irrelevant, I hated them all the same.

Now, I’m not saying this to blame myself for anything, I’m more saying this as a message of solidarity and that it’s never too late to change.

But I also understand that process is hard!! 
Sometimes getting support can help you move forward.

If you:
- are wanting to change your diet to help MS symptoms but aren’t sure where and how to start
- feel frustrated when you do make changes because you can’t stick to them
- have already been eating super strict and can’t seem to add more foods back to your diet

My Masterclass the 5 Secrets to Creating your Own MS Diet is for you!!

Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

My mom will confirm, this was me HARD as a kid.

I used to hate all forms of vegetables, just cause they were vegetables. Whether or not I had tried them was irrelevant, I hated them all the same.

Now, I’m not saying this to blame myself for anything, I’m more saying this as a message of solidarity and that it’s never too late to change.

But I also understand that process is hard!!
Sometimes getting support can help you move forward.

If you:
- are wanting to change your diet to help MS symptoms but aren’t sure where and how to start
- feel frustrated when you do make changes because you can’t stick to them
- have already been eating super strict and can’t seem to add more foods back to your diet

My Masterclass the 5 Secrets to Creating your Own MS Diet is for you!!

Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
...

15 1
It’s been a week for me… maybe you too?

Use this short video for a moment of peace and regulation.

What do you notice in your body and about your emotions when you exhale and drop your shoulders?

Or when you hear bird songs?

Notice what makes you feel more calm, relaxed and at peace. 
Do more of that..

It’s been a week for me… maybe you too?

Use this short video for a moment of peace and regulation.

What do you notice in your body and about your emotions when you exhale and drop your shoulders?

Or when you hear bird songs?

Notice what makes you feel more calm, relaxed and at peace.
Do more of that..
...

12 4
I get it… I was once in paralysis by analysis for years!!

I’m creating a Masterclass/Workshop experience in August to cover this exact topic: what and how to eat for MS. 

BUT!! I need your help to narrow down what we’ll be talking about.

Which of these options sounds most helpful?
Comment the number below!!

Workshop ideas: 

1. Simple Nutrition for MS: what you need to know about eating for healing 

2. Create Your Own MS Diet: How to know what is best for YOU, while also helping MS symptoms

3. Education into Action: How to put the knowledge you have into action steps that make progress

4. Blend of it All: Education, steps to finding your own MS diet and how to get started

Want something else?? Tell me 👇🏼👇🏼

I get it… I was once in paralysis by analysis for years!!

I’m creating a Masterclass/Workshop experience in August to cover this exact topic: what and how to eat for MS.

BUT!! I need your help to narrow down what we’ll be talking about.

Which of these options sounds most helpful?
Comment the number below!!

Workshop ideas:

1. Simple Nutrition for MS: what you need to know about eating for healing

2. Create Your Own MS Diet: How to know what is best for YOU, while also helping MS symptoms

3. Education into Action: How to put the knowledge you have into action steps that make progress

4. Blend of it All: Education, steps to finding your own MS diet and how to get started

Want something else?? Tell me 👇🏼👇🏼
...

7 3
FYI- This process took several YEARS for me . So please stop beating yourself up if you’re not here yet.

Tbh- I needed to go through the scared, intimidated, rebellious no way before I got to the heck yes.

It took me being at rock bottom, symptoms out of control and knowing I needed something else.

So I didn’t really “do anything” to be ready. 
I just was when I was.

If you’re feeling ready to make diet changes to help your MS symptoms, I created an Eating for MS guide just for you! 

Your guide includes:
- The best foods to be eating when you have MS
- Several ways to get started
- Fast and easy meal ideas
- And so much more!!

Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!

FYI- This process took several YEARS for me . So please stop beating yourself up if you’re not here yet.

Tbh- I needed to go through the scared, intimidated, rebellious no way before I got to the heck yes.

It took me being at rock bottom, symptoms out of control and knowing I needed something else.

So I didn’t really “do anything” to be ready.
I just was when I was.

If you’re feeling ready to make diet changes to help your MS symptoms, I created an Eating for MS guide just for you!

Your guide includes:
- The best foods to be eating when you have MS
- Several ways to get started
- Fast and easy meal ideas
- And so much more!!

Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!
...

15 7
I get it- it’s really easy to shame yourself into changing something, especially your diet/the foods you eat. And especially when we feel there are other things we “should be doing” because we know “it’s better for us”.

But that is NOT my wish for you.

Hi 👋🏼 my name is Alissa and we do things differently around here.

My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your dietary choices, tailored to your unique MS needs and preferences.

This is why I wrote my Eating for MS Guide the way I did.
I did not give you foods to fear or messages of ONLY EAT THIS FOOD FOREVER OR ELSE.

I’m giving you the tools to be confident in the choices you’re making, because you know it works for YOU. Not because you “should” do it this or that way.

If you’ve been wanting: 
- to eat in a way that supports your body with MS, but are confused about all the different messages online
- to feel empowered about your choices, not shamed
- to do it all in a gentle, slow way, not a crash diet..

My guide is for you!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!!

I get it- it’s really easy to shame yourself into changing something, especially your diet/the foods you eat. And especially when we feel there are other things we “should be doing” because we know “it’s better for us”.

But that is NOT my wish for you.

Hi 👋🏼 my name is Alissa and we do things differently around here.

My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your dietary choices, tailored to your unique MS needs and preferences.

This is why I wrote my Eating for MS Guide the way I did.
I did not give you foods to fear or messages of ONLY EAT THIS FOOD FOREVER OR ELSE.

I’m giving you the tools to be confident in the choices you’re making, because you know it works for YOU. Not because you “should” do it this or that way.

If you’ve been wanting:
- to eat in a way that supports your body with MS, but are confused about all the different messages online
- to feel empowered about your choices, not shamed
- to do it all in a gentle, slow way, not a crash diet..

My guide is for you!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!!
...

7 2
Or for when you’re trying to talk yourself out of being sick.. 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️😂😂

Even if you feel fine, try saying a few of these out loud. Feel what happens to your body when you do.

Do you feel an expansion or lightness in your chest?
Does breathing get a little easier?
Just notice the shifts in your body.

I’m not saying we can talk ourselves out of it (illness, flares etc) … but… our body and cells respond to our thoughts.

So how we think about ourselves is definitely in the conversation of how we can take care of ourselves overall. 
🧡🧡🧡

Or for when you’re trying to talk yourself out of being sick.. 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️😂😂

Even if you feel fine, try saying a few of these out loud. Feel what happens to your body when you do.

Do you feel an expansion or lightness in your chest?
Does breathing get a little easier?
Just notice the shifts in your body.

I’m not saying we can talk ourselves out of it (illness, flares etc) … but… our body and cells respond to our thoughts.

So how we think about ourselves is definitely in the conversation of how we can take care of ourselves overall.
🧡🧡🧡
...

39 4

As Featured In:

© LISSMS 2024 | Powered By TheDevQ

0
Your Cart
Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
Calculate Shipping
Apply Coupon