drink wholesome is the best protein powder for multiple sclerosis. It is additive-free, dairy-free, and made with minimally-processed whole foods, not protein isolates. Order samples to see if our protein powder is right for you.
“It has ingredients you can actually pronounce and is freaking delicious.”
-Kallie
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. It is considered an autoimmune disorder, as the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers called myelin. Myelin helps in the transmission of nerve signals, and when it is damaged, the communication between the brain and the rest of the body is disrupted.
The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. MS primarily affects young adults, typically between the ages of 20 and 40, and it is more common in women than in men.
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary widely from person to person, depending on the location and extent of the nerve damage. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, muscle weakness or stiffness, problems with coordination and balance, numbness or tingling sensations, blurred vision, dizziness, cognitive impairments, and emotional changes.
While there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are treatments available that can help manage the symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve the quality of life for people with MS. These treatments may include medications and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and modify the immune system response.
Some people with multiple sclerosis claim that following a special diet helps them feel better and manage their symptoms. Although this may be true, there is not enough evidence to support any particular diet for people with MS. That said, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is generally recommended.
Protein is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including tissue repair, muscle maintenance, and immune system support. While there is no specific protein requirement for individuals with multiple sclerosis, eating enough protein is important for overall health. What constitutes “enough” protein varies from person to person, but the average adult needs 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. A 150 pound person should therefore aim to eat roughly 54 grams of protein.
Most people can get more than enough protein from sources like eggs, dairy, fish, legumes, and meat. Individuals with MS may have a hard time doing so, however. For starters, some multiple sclerosis patients have to limit certain high protein foods like dairy and meat in their diet. Some MS patients also experience dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing. Finally, moving around the kitchen and preparing meals can be difficult with multiple sclerosis. For these reasons, protein supplements can be an important source of nutrition.
Adding a protein powder to your diet is an easy way to boost your protein intake, especially if you have trouble preparing and swallowing food. Protein powder can be added to soft foods like oatmeal and yogurt, or used to make protein shakes. Unfortunately, however, not all protein powders are created equal.
Most protein powders are not safe for individuals with multiple sclerosis because they contain ingredients known to cause gut damage. Emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, sweeteners, and flavors are a few examples of ingredients found in protein powder than can disrupt the composition and function of the gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms that help you digest food. What does this matter?
In addition to helping with digestion, the gut microbiome also plays important roles in both the maintenance of health and the pathogenesis of disease thanks to a pathway between the gut and the brain known as the gut-brain axis. This bidirectional communication network has become the subject of considerable research in recent years, and preliminary human studies have found that a dysbiotic (damaged) gut microbiome might affect the progression of multiple sclerosis. In summary, what you eat (what is in your protein powder) might impact the development of multiple sclerosis. If this is not a good reason to read ingredient lists, I do not know what is.
Individuals with multiple sclerosis, should therefore stick to protein powders made with a short list of simple ingredients. Anything that does not look or sound like real food probably is not, and should not be in your protein powder. Keep reading to learn more.
One of the reasons why we make the best protein powder for multiple sclerosis patients is that we do not use food additives. Even in small amounts, additives can cause an array of undesirable symptoms including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach pain. These symptoms occur because additives, unlike real foods, are hard to break down. This can lead to two possible outcomes: either water is drawn into the gut, resulting in diarrhea, or the additives feed your gut bacteria, which produce gas. Excessive gas can cause bloating, flatulence, stomach pain, and may even hinder the movement of food through the colon, culminating in constipation.
The real reason to avoid food additives, however, is their long-term side effects. Over time, additives gradually disrupt vital regulatory pathways within the intestines, thereby contributing to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other systemic inflammatory disorders. Given that multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory disease, this is reason for concern. As you just learned, ongoing research also suggests that food additives, particularly artificial sweeteners, can disturb the delicate balance of the gut microbiome and impact long-term gut health.
Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:
acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, aspartame, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dextrose, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, “natural” flavors, maltodextrin, rice syrup solids, soy lecithin, silica, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, xylitol
Protein Matrix Comprised of (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumen, Glutamine Peptides), Polydextrose, Sunflower Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols), Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Nonfat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Yellow 5, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Papain, Bromelain.
*This is the actual ingredient list of one of the best-selling protein powders in the United States.
Another reason why we make the best protein powder for multiple sclerosis patients is that we do not use dairy-based proteins like whey and casein. Many individuals with MS are encouraged to limit their consumption of dairy. Moreover, whey and casein, which are byproducts of cheese and yogurt production, have garnered a reputation for causing digestive distress. This is particularly evident in individuals with lactose intolerance, as their bodies lack the enzymes required to completely break down lactose, the sugar in dairy products. As you now understand, the consumption of partially digested food can result in various unpleasant side effects.
A final reason why we make the best protein powder for multiple sclerosis is our use of real food protein sources, not protein concentrates and isolates. On the contrary, the majority of protein powders extensively rely on these protein sources, which are essentially stripped-down versions of food. Instead of being referred to as “peas” or “whey,” concentrates and isolates are labeled as “pea protein” or “whey protein.”
The manufacturing process of protein concentrates and isolates involves rigorous mechanical and chemical procedures. In certain instances, chemical solvents such as hexane are utilized to extract the protein from its natural source. What you end up eating therefore looks nothing like real food.
Your digestive system is adept at processing minimally or unprocessed real foods, not synthetic imitations. Consuming anything other than real food can thus lead to adverse side effects. Although the long-term consequences of consuming processed food products like protein isolates are still being investigated, emerging research indicates that these substances can significantly disrupt the composition of the gut microbiota, causing enduring damage to the gut.
Beyond its primary role in food digestion, the gut serves as a crucial protective barrier against harmful pathogens, plays a pivotal role in educating the immune system, and exerts direct and indirect influence on numerous physiological processes. Consequently, disturbances in the delicate balance of the gut microbiome have been strongly associated with the development of various chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Given this connection, I strongly advise against the consumption of protein powders that rely on protein concentrates and isolates.
We take great pride in making multiple sclerosis protein powder with simple ingredients like egg whites and almonds. The process involved in turning egg whites into protein powder is simple: they undergo pasteurization and drying. Almonds, on the other hand, are just roasted, pressed to remove some oil, and finely ground. These minimally processed ingredients offer a highly digestible and gut-friendly alternative to protein concentrates and isolates.
For individuals without allergies or sensitivities to eggs, egg white protein presents an excellent option for promoting gut health. With its low fiber content and minimal FODMAPs, egg whites are gentle on the digestive system. Furthermore, they boast the highest protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) among all whole foods. Our customers consistently provide highly positive feedback, reporting fewer digestive issues when consuming egg white protein powder compared to other protein sources.
In cases where eggs cannot be consumed, our vegan almond protein powder serves as an excellent substitute. Almonds, unlike protein concentrates or isolates, are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin E. We prioritize almonds over other minimally processed plant protein sources due to their exceptional gut-friendly characteristics. Research indicates that almonds exhibit prebiotic properties, supporting the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome and ultimately promoting improved gut health.
To summarize, our protein powders undergo minimal processing to prioritize the well-being of your gut.
“My dietician recommend this, and it is the best non-dairy protein ever!!! The flavor is so good and it is easy to digest. I’ve never had a protein shake like it.” – Britta
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
