Diet and NMOSD

Diet and NMOSD

Being diagnosed with NMOSD or a related condition does not mean that you need to follow a special diet or avoid certain foods. Eating a varied and well-balanced diet is the best way to make sure that you supply your body with all the nutrients it needs each day. Your nervous system works best when its cells have the right nutrition to maintain their structure and to renew and repair themselves.

A healthy balanced diet can also help to compliment your medical treatments and improve your day to day health and well-being. Living with NMOSD can mean having to deal with a range of symptoms including: low mood and fatigue, reduced mobility levels, and bladder and bowel problems. These symptoms can all potentially impact on your day to day eating habits and activity levels.  In addition the side effects from medications used to treat NMOSD may also have an affect upon your day to day dietary intake and well-being.

Benefits of a Healthy Diet
A well balanced diet is important for helping to maintain your general health & well-being by:
 Providing you with a balance of nutrients to help maintain your strength and energy levels
 Helping to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis
 Helping you to manage your weight
 Helping you to maintain a healthy immune system and digestion

According to NHS guidelines you should:
 Eat lots of fruit and veg
 Eat more fish
 Cut down on saturated fat and sugar
 Eat less salt
 Get active and be a healthy weight
 Don’t get thirsty
 Don’t skip breakfast

Please see our diet booklet for more information and helpful ideas