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They say timing is everything. And when it comes to using food as medicine, that might just be true, especially with intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting has become a popular wellness tool, praised for improving gut health, reducing inflammation, supporting brain function, and even regulating the immune system. All of which sound promising when you’re navigating life with MS.

But how practical is it with your current routine and symptoms? Can intermittent fasting really support MS healing without adding more stress?

Let’s dive into the basics, benefits, risks, and beginner tips to help you decide if it might be a supportive strategy for your journey with multiple sclerosis.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

At its core, intermittent fasting is about when you eat, not necessarily what you eat. You alternate between a designated eating window and a fasting window.

A common starting point is a 14:10 approach; 14 hours of fasting followed by a 10-hour eating window. For example, if you finish dinner at 6:30 PM and eat breakfast the next day at 8:30 AM, you’ve completed a 14-hour fast. That’s more achievable than many people realize.

Others extend their fasting window to 16 hours, shortening their eating window to 8 hours. This often results in two meals a day instead of three. Some go as far as one meal a day, but that’s a more advanced approach.

The important thing is choosing what’s realistic and sustainable for your lifestyle.

How Intermittent Fasting May Help with MS

Dr. Terry Wahls, creator of the Wahls Protocol, includes intermittent fasting as part of the Paleo Plus level of her protocol. She describes how fasting can put your body into a mild state of ketosis, shifting from using glucose to burning fat for energy.

This gives your digestive system a rest, allowing your body to focus on deep healing processes such as:

• Cellular repair and maintenance
• Detoxification
• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting mitochondrial function

Because mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in MS fatigue, anything that boosts mitochondrial health is worth exploring.

Another benefit is that intermittent fasting doesn’t come with strict food rules. If removing gluten, dairy, or sugar feels overwhelming right now, starting with a time-restricted eating window might be a more approachable entry point into nutrition for MS.

Important Considerations and Side Effects

While fasting has potential benefits, it is not the right fit for everyone.

Intermittent fasting may not be appropriate if:

• You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
• You are underweight or struggle with maintaining weight
• You have a history of disordered eating
• You have diabetes or blood sugar issues and are not under medical supervision

Fasting should never feel punishing or create additional stress. Always listen to your body and speak with your healthcare provider before making changes.

Beginner Tips to Try Intermittent Fasting

If you’re curious about trying intermittent fasting, start with small, intentional steps.

Here’s how I started:

1. Begin with a 14-hour fasting window. Try finishing dinner by 6:30 PM and delaying breakfast until 8:30 AM.
2. Eliminate evening snacks. This is often the hardest part, especially when snacking is a habit rather than hunger-driven.
3. Ask why you’re reaching for snacks. Are you hungry, bored, stressed, or just following a routine?
4. Adjust meals to reduce hunger later. Make sure your meals include protein and healthy fats to help you feel fuller longer.
5. Stay hydrated. Sometimes thirst can feel like hunger, especially in the evening.

Remember, it’s not just about skipping meals. It’s about eating intentionally during your window. That means breaking your fast with nutrient-dense, balanced meals that help stabilize your energy and blood sugar.

Pair Fasting with Balanced Eating

Fasting alone is not a shortcut to healing. What you eat during your eating window matters just as much as when you eat. Balanced meals with healthy fats and quality protein can:

• Stabilize blood sugar
• Reduce cravings
• Improve energy
• Support better sleep

This approach helps you avoid the crash-and-burn cycle that can make MS fatigue even worse.

Is Fasting Right for You?

If intermittent fasting sounds like something you want to try, take it slow. There is no one-size-fits-all diet, and what works well for someone else may not serve you.

But if you’re looking for a fresh, lower-stress entry point into healing nutrition, intermittent fasting might be a great place to start.

And if you’re already practicing fasting, I’d love to hear what you’ve noticed. What changes have you seen in your energy, sleep, or symptoms?

Send me an email or message me on Instagram. I always love hearing from you.

Want More Encouragement Like This? Tune into this week’s special episode of My MS Podcast: Intermittent Fasting and MS and Listen now to My MS Podcast