DIET’s the way

The life of Neha Waikar and her parents Rohini and Shekhar, was as normal as led by any other family. But back in 2000, their small world turned upside down, when Neha's mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an ailment that affects the central nervous system and causes serious and often irreparable damage to the body nerve cells. Having seen her mother unable to perform basic day-to-day tasks owing to being bed-ridden, Neha did a comprehensive research in the USA and compiled a 15-page booklet on the diets, exercise and physiotherapy routines for MS patients. Currently in its final stage of completion, the booklet will be released by mid-October.

Neha, who has been residing in the US for the last six years, says that she came across the work of Dr Terry Wahls of Iowa State in this field. Dr Wahls, who is a patient herself, was able to start walking again after having been completely bed-ridden. "She researched and found out foods and supplements that helped increase the body's myelin content. Myelin is essentially the component that degenerates during the illness. After having been able to increase the same, she began to improve her body muscles by using electrotherapy and physiotherapy. All this was documented in her book 'Minding my Mitochondria'. I took inspiration for my booklet from her works," says the 24-year-old.

Along with nutritionist Vrishali Patil-Nair and physiotherapist Priyanka Mhalgi, both based in India, she began working on the booklet in July this year. The biggest challenge, she says, was finding out viable diet substitutes for the American counterparts in India. They had to be cost effective as well as easily available in India. Also electrotherapy is a different treatment technique not common in India. "Priyanka worked on the research involved with the exercises for patients who could benefit from it," adds Neha.

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