diets for MG
 

Hello, I'm new here, and I wanna ask some questions for my father who's suffering with MG. He was diagnosed with MG for over ten years and the only obvious symptom is a weakness of eye muscles. Recently, things go worse and he realized that his limbs muscles are emaciated, especially small muscles such as fingers (His hands shaking, and with that it's harder to hold spoon or toothbrush etc.)

He was diagnosed with cirrhosis, too. Now I'm very worried about his diets. He shouldn't eat much meat due to cirrhosis, but he needs protein for his muscles, right? Now he has egg white daily and different kinds of meat each day for protein, he also has mixed nuts occasionally. Oh, and he rides a bike or swimming everyday or so.

Any recommendations for his diets? Please? I don't want to see him sitting in a wheel chair, unable to do things he once did. Thanks in advance.

Hi, Zizz. I'm sorry your Dad has MG. How old is he? Actually, they say that swimming is a great exercise for people with MG. A recumbent bike might be more useful or one of those InStride Cycles that you can use while sitting in a chair. Those are also very useful for arm strength (you can use them on a table), as are those rubber band exerciser to tone up muscles. Shorter periods of exercise, earlier in the day and while staying cool are important. Going outside to exercise, especially if it's too hot, is not a good thing for someone with MG.

It might be worthwhile for him to consult both a physical therapist via his neurologist and a nutritionist.

Cirrhosis has many causes. Have they figured out why he has it? It's always best to do that.

There are proteins such as whey and rice that are good and contain essential amino acids necessary for muscles. Quinoa is a great source of both complex carbs and protein. A diet in veggies, fruits, nuts, some meat like chicken and fish, good nuts, etc. is great but everyone's diet needs specialization based on their needs. As far as other dietary concerns, I think it's best to talk to the experts.

I hope you find ways to help your Dad.

Annie

Hi, Annie. Thank you for your suggestion. Especially about exercising, my dad used to play golf, too. But he can't anymore. I guess it's too much for him. Moreover, we're in Thailand and the weather here is almost unbearable for playing such sports.

My dad is kinda upset now. He's been taking so many medicines and some causing insomnia. He's getting bored of seeing doctors (5 or 6 doctors by now), but I'll try to persuade him to see a physical therapist and a nutritionist as you suggested.

For your questions. My dad is 54 this year. Twenty years ago or so, a doctor said he had Hepatitis B virus. Though it isn't supposed to, the virus disappeared after a while. We thought he was lucky back then until he's diagnosed with cirrhosis, which is caused by the virus.

Again, thanks a lot for your suggestions! And sorry for my bad English, I'm not a competent English user.

Have him try a gluten-free diet. Some people are gluten-sensitive, and find a lot of health issues are lessened when they go on a GF diet. It's not uncommon in people with MG -

I recently started researching and following an insulin resistant diet and I have to say that I have felt great since shortly after starting a few months ago. This diet does not encourage large meat consumption and has many alternatives to getting protein through whole foods. Whether a person is insulin resistant or not, I think that this is the smartest way to eat and live.

I haven't totally cut out gluten (it can be hard when dining out) but make sure that whatever I prepare and eat at home is g-free. I don't know if it's helping my MG but I no longer need medicine for seasonal allergies!