Dr. John McDougall promotes “food as medicine,” touting “more than 50 years of restoring people’s health,” with “no meds, only food.” MS is one of the conditions he has addressed¹.

The following is an overview of the program:

The McDougall Program is a starch-based vegan diet rich in whole grains and their products, fruits, and vegetables (fresh, frozen), without added oils. As with all vegan plans, it is recommended to take supplemental vitamin B12; here a minimum of 5 mcg daily is specified.

The reasoning behind the approach is that “our blood, arteries, and cells are not designed to function under so much fat and cholesterol. Our intestines are not designed to function in the absence of fiber. Our immune system is not designed to function without an abundant supply of plant-based nutrients and phytochemicals.” Further, “plants contain powerful substances called phytochemicals, which scientists are now discovering protect us from an array of serious illnesses. Plants are also the primary source of all minerals in our diet” and the only source of fiber, which “decreases intestinal transit time and promotes healthy bowel elimination.”
It is suggested to ease into the program over a period of 10 days.

A randomized controlled single-blind (assessor) clinical study evaluated this very low-fat plant-based regimen in RRMS patients over the period of a year. Results showed a significant reduction in fatigue associated with the diet (Yadav et al., 2016).

Foods to Favor

• Whole grains (including rice and pseudo-grains such as quinoa) and their products (pasta, tortillas, crackers, bread, etc.)
• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and their products (including tofu, hummus, pastas)
• Vegetables, starchy and non-starchy, fresh or frozen
• Seaweeds and algae are not mentioned by McDougall, but they can be assumed to be in the same category as vegetables
• Mushrooms are not mentioned by McDougall, but they can also be grouped with vegetables
• Fruits, other than coconut, which is high in saturated fat; because most fruits are high in simple sugars – particularly fructose – they are advised here to be limited to three servings a day, even fewer in individuals prone to elevated blood triglycerides.
• Spices
• Acceptable Canned and Packaged Foods

Foods for Moderation

• Nuts and their butters, the reasoning being that these are a concentrated source of fat and calories, and so can quickly contribute to overweight
• Seeds and seed products are not mentioned by McDougall, but they can be assumed to be grouped with nuts
• Sugar – an optional flavor-enhancer to be added in minimal amounts only
• Salt – an optional flavor-enhancer to be added in minimal amounts only

Foods to Forgo

• Animal foods, the reasoning being that all provide “toxic levels of fat, cholesterol, protein and, very often, infectious agents and harmful chemicals”
  
  • Red meat, including pork
  • Poultry
  • Fish
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs

• All oils (including olive oil), the reasoning being that “fats…increase obesity, which in turn, depresses immune function and contributes to the most common chronic diseases.”
• Refined foods, such as white flour products
• Coconut, as it is a significant source of saturated fat
• Colas and “uncolas”

The site provides a meal planner with a link to their recipes.

In addition to diet, exercise is encouraged. “Exercise helps you maintain a normal appetite, gives you energy, helps you sleep, improves circulation, digestion, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels… the list goes on. Changing your diet will help improve your health immensely, but a little exercise can take it to the next level.”

Users of the program are encouraged to explore the website, books, and videos, and to consider the McDougall Health Center’s full-immersion programs “for those most serious about changing their health and medical care.” The 12-Day McDougall Program features personal medical care by Dr. Anthony Lim, Medical Director. The aim is “to help you make rapid progress, become less dependent or completely medication-free, feel great, look great, and achieve excellent health.”

Reference

1. Yadav V, Marracci G, Kim E, et al. Low-fat, plant-based diet in multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord. Sep 2016;9:80-90. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2016.07.001