---
title: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) and Diet
date: 2013-11-07T21:40:53Z
modified: 2013-11-07T21:40:53Z
permalink: "https://elizabethyarnell.com/neuromyelitis-optica-nmo-and-diet/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 3616
categories:
  - Food Sensitivities
  - Living Naturally
  - Multiple Sclerosis
tags:
  - anti-inflammatory diet
  - autoimmune diet
  - Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation
  - neuromyelitis optica
  - NMO
  - NMO patient day
  - NMO research
author: Elizabeth
---

I just returned from speaking about diet and nutrition at the 5th Annual Patient Day at the [Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation’s conference on NMO](http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org/ "Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation for NMO"). Again, it was inspiring for me to meet and connect with the brave folks battling this rare autoimmune disease.

Us autoimmune disorders have to stick together! In fact, many with NMO were originally misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis before having NMO confirmed by an NMO antibody test. Since MS pharmaceutical therapies can actually harm those with NMO, it is worthwhile for those with questions to get the IgG blood test and find out for sure.

One of the common symptoms of NMO, along with optic neuritis; weakness, numbness or partial paralysis of limbs; or shooting or tingling pain in neck, back, or abdomen, is bowel and digestive tract distress.

If there’s any group of sufferers that is in dire need of dietary guidance, this is it!

My sessions focused on cleaning up your diet by avoiding toxins and contaminants in our food supply, including [The Scary Seven](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2013/05/be-a-smart-label-reader-at-the-grocery-store/ "the scary seven additives to foods") and [GMOs](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2013/03/genetically-modified-foods-and-your-health/ "what is a gmo"), and generalized advice on adopting an anti-inflammatory diet.

Any issue that has [inflammation](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2012/07/chronic-inflammation-behind-most-diseases/ "chronic inflammation behind most disease") at the root will benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. Think about it: if you are inflamed –either internally or visibly– and you remove the stimuli that are found to cause you inflammation, then you will become less inflamed and will feel better.

Of course, the best anti-inflammatory diet is one that is custom-designed for your body using state-of-the-art scientific analysis of your blood (MRT) and urine (enzyme urinalysis). That’s what I do in my [therapeutic dietary clinic ](http://elizabethyarnell.com/Nutrition/Nutrition.htm "customized anti-inflammatory diet")with my clients all over the country.

I look forward to working with many more NMO patients in the future and helping them sort out the best anti-inflammatory diet approach for them.

![GuthyJackson2013](http://elizabethyarnell.com/WP/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/GuthyJackson2013-1024x515.jpg "NMO Patients 2013")

The annual group photo of the NMO patients gathered in Los Angeles for the 5th NMO Patient Day hosted by the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation.