September 7, 2016

Once upon a time, there was a neurologist who had an idea … that the incidence of multiple sclerosis wasnt based on chance, but geography. That is, the further away from the equator (and sun), the greater the incidence of multiple sclerosis.

But (and there is always a but) … multiple sclerosis was greater in ‘developed’ ‘wealthy’ countries such as United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia.

Hmmm, maybe it was diet related.

In 1990, Professor Roy L. Swank and Barbara B Dugan published Effect of low saturated fat diet in early and late cases of multiple sclerosis in The Lancet (volume 336, number 8706, pages 37-39, 7 July 1990).

This followed his earlier published works of 1953, 1955 and 1970 where he found: A high-fat consumption is associated with a high incidence of multiple sclerosis; a low-fat consumption is associated with a low incidence of multiple sclerosis. Evidence has also been presented which suggests that the consumption of relatively saturated milk and animal fats is more likely to be associated with a high incidence of multiple sclerosis than is the consumption of unsaturated vegetable and fish oils.

So what, it is just a theory

Oh, but it is so much more than a theory.

The facts

Between 1949 and 1984, 150 patients with MS consumed low-fat diets and were monitored by Professor Swank and his team.
At the outset they were categorised based on their disability as minimum, moderate or severe. Fat, oil and protein intakes, disability and deaths were determined. Following the Swank protocol (limiting saturated fat to 15 grams per day, plus other diet and rest recommendations), there was a 95% survival rate after 34 years while still remaining physically active. With daily fat consumption of less than 20.1 grams per day (average of 17 grams per day), 31% died, and average deterioration was slight. Daily intake greater than 20 grams per day (average 25 or 41 grams per day) had serious disability and the deaths of 79 and 81% respectively. In his own words the moderately disabled and severely disabled patients who followed diet recommendations carefully did far better than those who failed to follow the diet’.

Okay, but how do I start?

Personally, it took me a couple of years and trying other ‘diets’ before I was desparate enough to ‘try Swank’. My insomnia was almost normal, fatigue was crippling, numbness in hands and feet were becoming normal. And foggy brain was becoming harder to hide. I made the decision, but set a commencement date after Christmas and a family holiday. Started my research and planning ‘how’. Reached out to the closed Facebook group and asked heaps of questions. Many many dumb questions.
The Swank MS Diet and Lifestyle (public) Facebook page (there is a closed group for those with MS - just ask) The Swank MS Diet and Lifestyle Pinterest for heaps of recipes and ideas Swank MS Foundation And then I just got Swanked! But that is another blog for another day.

References

Swank, R.L., Multiple Sclerosis: A Correlation of its incidence with dietary fat, American Journal of Medical Science 220:421-430 (1950) Swank, R.L., Lerstad, O., Strom, A., and Backer, J., Multiple Sclerosis in Rural Norway; Its Geographic and Occupational Incidence in Relation to Nutrition, New England Journal of Medicine 246:721-728 (1952) Swank, R.Ll, Multiple Sclerosis: fat-oil relationship, Nutrition, (1991) Sep-Oct; 7(5): 368-76