Pectin-and Fructose-Restricted Diet. A diet from which unripe fruits, fruit juices, and pectin-containing fruits and vegetables are eliminated, supplemented with menadione (vitamin K3). The methanol hypothesis and the dietary regimen based on it remain unproven.
Cambridge and Other Liquid Diets. A balanced, very low-calorie liquid, used in the treatment of obesity. Calorie intake is 330/day with a suboptimal level of protein at 22 g/day. Extra potassium is supplied. This diet is not recommended for the treatment of MS.
Sucrose-and Tobacco-Free Diet. Elimination of all food products containing sucrose in the form of cane, brown, or maple sugars, molasses, sorghum, or dates; also products containing propylene glycol or glycol stearate. Tobacco is not to be used in any form. This therapy remains unproven.
Vitamins. Individual vitamins or combinations of vitamins are taken in capsule or liquid form as a supplement to a normal diet. Adequate intake of vitamins is advised in all patients with MS, but there appears to be no scientific proof that supplementary doses of vitamins, alone or in combination, favorably affect the course of this disease.
Megavitamin Therapy. Massive doses of vitamins. There appears to be no reliable evidence that megavitamin therapy influences the course of MS.
Megascorbic Therapy. Massive doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), referred to as an orthomolecular treatment. The value of megascorbic therapy in MS is unproven and this treatment is not recommended.
Minerals. Addition of various mineral salts to diet. There appears to be no clear evidence that any of these regimens should be considered effective in MS.
Cerebrosides. Dietary supplementation with fatty acids of cerebrosides from beef spinal cord. On the basis of published evidence, this treatment is considered ineffective in MS.
Aloe Vera. Juice of the aloe vera plant, available over-the-counter, taken by mouth on a regular basis. Aloe vera is not recommended for use in MS.
Enzymes. A diet similar to the Evers diet, supplemented with plant and bacterial enzymes, normal digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, lipolytic enzymes, and others. Enzyme supplementation is not recommended.
St. John's Wort. This plant has been used for hundreds of years and has recently been popularized as a treatment for many conditions. The active ingredi-