b'Medicine & ResearchA s k t h e M S Nu rs eA s k t h e M S Nu rs eCherie Binns is a MS-certied nurse living with MS. She is the patient healthcare liaison for MS Focus and a member of the MS Lived Experience Advisory panel for the Foundation. Her monthly column addresses the issues of living with MS.Because we are speaking about the effectDear MS Nurse, of food and supplements on MS, I will shareIsPEAagoodsupplementforpeople with someofyourquestionsfromourprivateMS?Michael V. Facebook page here in this issue.Binns: PEA is short for Phenethylamine, a Dear MS Nurse,supplement touted to relieve fatigue, improve The diets I hear people talking about seem likemood, and maintain good cognitive function. they would be expensive. Is there anything IUnfortunately, the science does not show this can do to help the MS that does not involveto be the case. Most supplements, particularly extra cost and that the whole family would eat?those that boost the already overactive immuneJerri M.system,mayactuallymakeusfeelworse Binns: If you really look at what is in all of therather than better. The only supplement each major diets touted to help MS symptoms, thereof us with MS really needs (unless there are are many things in common. All of them reduceother underlying conditions) is vitamin D. or eliminate added sugar or salt, and processedDear MS Nurse, foods(withtheassociatedpreservatives,My MS symptoms seem to have worsened dyes, and chemicals). Whole natural foodssince I started menopause. Is there a diet to are used in each of them. So, if you reducehelp menopause symptoms?Paula C.V. thesethingsandincludemorefruitsandBinns: While there is not a specic menopause vegetables, you will likely achieve what theydiet, some of the things we eat or drink do seem do without upsetting the household budget.to make hot ashes, night sweats, and mood Dear MS Nurse,changes worse. You might try cutting back on I like to keep things as natural as I can. Isthem or eliminating them until this process there any way I can get the vitamin D I needis complete. These include caffeine, spicy or using food?Susan C.sugary foods, and alcohol. Some women have Binns: Vitamin D is almost exclusively foundreported a reduction in hot ashes when they in the meat of animals and sh. Foods thateat more fatty shsuch as tuna, salmon, or have high levels include beef liver, salmon,swordsh. There is limited research that seems tuna, and swordsh. Most cereals and milkto indicate the helpfulness of omega 3 fatty are fortied with extra vitamin D. Sunshine,acids. Fish oil may be useful for some people of course, is a source that is available to mostandalsohasthepotentialtoloweryour of us. Be sure to use sunscreen on exposedtriglycerides and cholesterol in the process. skin to prevent damage to skin in prolongedSoy products may affect your hot ashes as exposure. Twenty minutes daily should givewell, so try with, and then without, for a few you a boost.days each to see if you are sensitive to them.msfocusmagazine.org 50'