The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book [Hardcover]

Roy Laver Swank (Author), Barbara Brewer Dugan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 1987

Hundreds of new recipes for dishes that taste terrific but stick to the diet rules so important for controlling M.S.--now completely revised to conform to the latest medical research.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Hundreds of new recipes for dishes that taste terrific but stick to the diet rules so important for controlling M.S.--now completely revised to conform to the latest medical research.

From the Inside Flap

Hundreds of new recipes for dishes that taste terrific but stick to the diet rules so important for controlling M.S.--now completely revised to conform to the latest medical research.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 391 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; Rev Exp edition (March 24, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385232799
• ISBN-13: 978-0385232791
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.3 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Multiple Sclerosis
  • #25 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Nervous System
  • #95 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Low Fat

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

156 of 157 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Swank Diet Works For Me!, February 5, 2001

By 

Karl Granat - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book (Hardcover)

In 1995 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I had a MRI done of my brain and there were lesions present, and many neurological symptoms. I saw double, had light sensitivity, had problems with walking and my balance. I began studying this book and immediately went on the Swank Diet. My saturated fat intake went under 15 grams a day (he allows 20 max) and no more than 5 grams of fat at a serving. I used his tables to compute the fat - this meant that an egg counted for 5 grams, and no red meat or milkfat for the first year of the diet. Immediately I felt much better. Now, my neurologist is amazed at my condition. My neurological symptoms are pretty much normal. I take no other medicine for the MS, and I feel great. I recomend the book and the cookbook which is included. Ask your MD and follow his advice- but I don't think this diet could hurt anyone unless they were way underweight. The diet allows up to 60 grams of liquid oil each day which makes it easier to handle (ie- olive oil, hazelnut, etc,) and it seems really healthful. The oil makes it much easier to stay on the diet.) I feel great! The few times I have gone off the diet (even inadvertantly) I have felt worse quickly- even if I go off the diet even a little- so I stay on it religiously.

96 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 26 Years on the Swank MS Diet, February 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book (Hardcover)

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1974 based on extreme fatigue, numbness, deafness in my left ear, dificulty walking and loss of color vision. I was emotionally devastated by that diagnosis but I had the good fortune to discover Dr. Swank's published research in the medical library at the University of Michigan. I ordered an earlier edition of the book and started on the diet right away. I also traveled some distance to see Dr. Swank and he confirmed the diagnosis but gave me a very optimistic prognosis. I followed the diet very strictly and my symptoms improved rapidly at first and then more slowly over a couple of years until I was comletely well. Since then I have been perfectly healthy. I have stayed on the diet and kept up with more recent editions of the book. The recipies are very good but the main value of the book is in explaining the theory behind the diet and Dr. Swank's results with thousands of patients.

Dr. Swank was way ahead of the majority of the medical profession in promoting a very low saturated fat diet. Today it is much easier to follow the diet than when I started on it, as there are many more low-fat and non-fat products available and product labeling is more detailed. I have no doubt that it has also been very beneficial to me in keeping my cholesterol level at a very low level. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been diagnosed with MS.

148 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Changed My Life, August 1, 2000

By 

Marty (Chattanooga, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book (Hardcover)

I was diagnosed with MS in 1990. My wife and I found this book almost immediately. We both have medical backgrounds. This book made sense. All my neurologist offered was testing and drugs. While the high dose steroids did alleviate my symptoms I knew there had to be more that I could do. Because of the information in this book I made lifestyle changes. Initially we left off all meat and meat products. We left 1% milk ,eggs and low fat cheese on our diet. We maintained total fat grams to less than 30/day. We both started an active exercise programm and just as importantly got plenty of rest. ( early to bed early to rise so to speak). Over the years I have modified the diet. I pretty much eat what I want now except I have not started eating meat again. Today after 10 years I do not have any significant residual effects from MS. I drink plenty of water everyday. I have not tried any of the new medical treatments for MS. Because of "The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book" I made changes in my lifestyle that I felt would be healthy for me regardless of having MS. I did not agree with everything in the book and sort of picked and chose what I felt would be best for me personally. I have not regretted my lifestyle change and thank Dr. Swank for making this book available. I think it still has some of the best advice available to MS patients.