The MS Recovery Diet [Mass Market Paperback]

Ann Sawyer (Author), Judith Bachrach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2007

More than half a million people live with multiple sclerosis, yet conventional medicine still has little to offer patients. There is no known cure-and even recent breakthroughs in drug therapy do not work to control many of the symptoms or promise any degree of recovery.

But there is an alternative to drugs that can stop and reverse the ravaging symptoms of MS-the MS Recovery Diet. As this book explains, there are five common food triggers that can set off the symptoms of MS-dairy, grains containing glutens, legumes, eggs, and yeast. Yet because MS is such a complex disease, other foods play a role, as culprits or aides. The MS Recovery Diet explains the background, science, and development of this treatment in one source for the first time, and shows readers how to pinpoint their specific problem foods and sensitivities. It also offers more than one hundred simple recipes, as well as strategies to improve digestion, balance the immune system, and repair the body's myelin-crucial steps toward healing the body.

Both of the authors, Ann D. Sawyer and Judith E. Bachrach, who had been diagnosed and disabled by multiple sclerosis, have experienced incredible recovery on the diet. Within the first three months on this program, Sawyer was able to stop the disease progression and begin to walk short distances with an even gait. Bachrach, whose health has been declining because of MS for thirty- eight years, regained feeling in her toes in one week and after one year on the diet, has stopped taking all medication. This book shares the treatment plan that has dramatically changed their lives, and the lives of others who have discovered it. With inspiring personal stories throughout, it offers real help- and hope-for sufferers of MS.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ann D. Sawyer has been a psychotherapist and college instructor. Soon after her 1997 MS diagnosis, she was put on full disability. She has also made it her mission to share the MS Recovery Diet and has been rewarded by seeing others recover from MS.

Judith E. Bachrach is a former dancer, movement instructor, and psychological counselor who has lived with MS for thirty-eight years.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

THE MS RECOVERY DIET

Enjoy the following recipe toward recovery -
Emilia’s Greens with Dried Cranberries - Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 bunch Swiss chard of lacinata kale, or 2 bunches of well-washed spinach, washed and sliced

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or cooking sherry

2 tablespoons dried cranberries

¼ cup pine nuts (optional)

Salt, to taste

Do not drain the washed greens. Put the oil into a large pot over medium-high heat and stir in wet greens (greens start out big then cook down as they wilt). Salt to taste and add vinegar and cranberries. Stir frequently. Add pine nuts, if you wish.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Avery Trade; 1 edition (September 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158333288X
• ISBN-13: 978-1583332887
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Multiple Sclerosis
  • #22 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Nervous System

More About the Author

Ann D. Sawyer grew up in Western New York State, and went on to get a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan and a Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Chicago. From early on, people and their stories have fascinated Ann.
Ann is married with three grown children with her husband, Steve. Throughout her life, she has pursued a career of helping people, mostly as a psychotherapist and also as a college instructor.
Multiple Sclerosis sidelined Ann to full disability. Not willing to accept that fate, Ann researched until she found all the keys to reach a full recovery, thanks to the efforts of MS pioneers who found a way to health from disabling MS. The book, The MS Recovery Diet with Judith E. Bachrach resulted as a way to help others find recovery from the dread disease. A bout with breast cancer and full recovery from that serious disease followed.
During her illnesses and recoveries, Ann found joy in writing novels. These novels are now being offered on Kindle. Back in full health, Ann is now in a private psychotherapy practice, but along with that, she always finds time for her other passion, writing wonderful stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Could have been a 6-page booklet, May 19, 2009

By 

David Spero "David Spero RN" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The MS Recovery Diet (Mass Market Paperback)

The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health and Well-being When You Have a Chronic Illness

I was excited when I saw the strong customer reviews for Ann Sawyer's book, but disappointed to actually read it. (Judith Bachrach is also listed as author, but it seems to come mostly from Sawyer.) Her claim is that finding the right diet can resolve nearly all MS symptoms, but she doesn't tell you how to do it. It's not really a diet; it's an approach to figuring out your own healthy diet. This is a good idea; I just don't think it will work for many people in this form.

Could be I'm a bit jealous. I've had MS for 30 years, and it's kicking my butt pretty good right now. My first book, The Art of Getting Well, is largely based on my experiences with MS (along with interviews with 30 other people with chronic illness.) My book has never sold in anything like the numbers that MS Recovery Diet is selling. But I think I'm being objective - I'm still looking for help, too.

The basic dietary advice is given in a few pages. You have to consider stopping any or all of the following: dairy products, grains that contain gluten, eggs, legumes (beans) and yeast, in that order of probability. But that might not do it, so you need to test yourself for food allergies, either through blood tests or an elimination diet.

Well, I've done all those things and seen very little difference. Sawyer and Bachrach say you can determine what foods to avoid by closely monitoring yourself after eating. If a food makes you feel bad, get rid of it. The problem is that, for me and for many people with MS, the worse symptoms might not come on for two or three days after eating (or being exposed to cold, or getting stressed, or whatever the problem is.) So it's very hard to tell which food, if any, is causing problems.

There's a lot of scientific language in this book, but I would class much of it as pseudo-science. For example, they talk about allergenic food damaging the blood-brain barrier, but give no idea how that could happen or any studies to back it up.

The book is filled out with many chapters on what MS is, the history of MS, the history of medical treatments and dietary approaches, success stories of people who have used their approach, and lots of recipes. The success stories mostly fall within the range of the natural variation of MS. The recipes might actually be useful to someone who wants to try this approach.

I support people trying dietary approaches for their MS. I agree with the authors that the medications don't work well, and that many other things (diet, Vitamin D, digestive enzymes, Chinese medicine to name a few) can help. But be careful! When you've got advanced MS, you have fewer sources of pleasure in your life. Making yourself crazy about food and depriving yourself of things that give you pleasure is not likely to help.

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope for those with MS, their loved ones, and anyone who is interested in Wellness..., October 24, 2007

By 

a reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The MS Recovery Diet (Mass Market Paperback)

In its graceful, readable style, The MS Recovery Diet offers a powerfully healing path. Though I don't have MS myself, I have watched one of my closest friends save her own life through this diet. From being barely able to sit up for any length of time, my friend now walks with me in the woods. Each step is a miracle and a testimony to the efficacy of this diet. Bachrach and Sawyer offer not only the diet itself, but a thorough and accessible understanding of the biochemistry of how it works as well as many personal stories that infuse the information with humanity and humor. Best of all, for me, was the cookbook, which will prove indespensible not only to those who have MS, but to anyone who is interested in addressing physical challenges through diet. I was so inspired by my friend's recovery that I went on the diet myself and find that much of the chronic pain and digestive ailments in my own body have diminished radically. This book is a gift, not only to those with MS, but to all who seek relief from chronic pain and limitation. Try "Marion's Chocolate Mousse" (p.343) if you're afraid that a limited diet is no fun!! Better than any mousse I've ever tasted, and not a speck of dairy, sugar or eggs!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fighting Back, September 27, 2007

By 

Tara Burns (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The MS Recovery Diet (Mass Market Paperback)

With this diet I am winning the fight against MS. I am grateful that I found this diet and implore any one with MS to try it! What a difference that it will make for you. Especially since all you have to do is eat well. I know that I love the fact that I now have more energy than my two year old!