When treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with drugs is not an option, a dietary approach using whole foods may work just as well for you. Photo Credit: Video GrabJuly 08, 2009, (Sawf News) - When Ivy Larson ended up in an emergency room with urine retention, she did not expect her diagnosis to be as harsh as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Just twenty-two year old, Ivy wanted to do many things and having kids was one of them. The trouble was MS treatment drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.
To salvage her future from the debilitating disease, Ivy adopted a nutritional approach to treat her MS. She received a lot of support from her friend and food researcher, Dr. Andrew Larson, who later became her life partner.
It’s been eight years and the Larsons have a happy marriage, a child and a new book -- The Whole Foods Diet Cookbook.
The book is a collection of culinary delights based on the life-saving guidelines towards food and nutrition that the couple developed.
The Larsons advocate flexitarianism, or part-time vegetarianism, with the intent of limiting animal fats which increase inflammation and worsen MS symptoms.
Ivy decries chemical-laden food and asks her readers to increase plant-based food in their diets. Foods, like fruits and vegetables, tackle inflammation with their phytochemicals.
Larsons are spice fans and swear by that dash of garlic, ginger, rosemary or turmeric in their recipes. Besides flavorings, Ivy advises arriving at a healthy balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats. Her recipes have ingredients like Omega-3 eggs and use olive oil rather than processed vegetable oil.
Processed food does not find favor with the Larson family who have eliminated transfats and switched to whole carbs. They recommend corn over corn flakes and oats over oatmeal.
The Whole Foods Diet Cookbook is the third book from the Larson couple, who have reaped health benefits from their holistic approach in life. Their mantra is that food should be looked beyond its satiating function. They emphasize its healing and preventive nature and recommend picking the right food. And with recipes like Slow Cooker Summer Citrus Salmon and Cilantro and Rotisserie Chicken they serve just the right motivation to adopt their ways.
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