However they work, don’t neglect your diet and lifestyle
Mathew Embry recently made a post on Instagram. His belief is that the B depleting drugs, (such as Retuximab, Retuxan, Ocrevus, and Kesimpta) are so effective at stopping MS attacks because they reduce the viral load of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
A solid theory focusing on Epstein-Barr virus
EBV has always been suspected of playing a key role in MS.
The virus is also known to hide dormant in B cells.
Epstein-Barr is a nasty virus. It causes glandular fever, also known as kissing disease, and mononucleus (mono).
The intention of these highly effective drugs is not to target EBV, but the B-cells that drive the attack. Either way, a critical consequence is the reduction of the Epstein-Barr viral load.
The role of B-cells in MS
B-cells play a central role in MS. They inappropriately activate T-cells, secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, and release harmful auto-antibodies into the central nervous system.
The target of these B-depleting drugs is adult B-cells with a CD20 tag. They’re a biologic key that can only ‘see’ this tag.
Watch MS Neurologist Dr Aaron Boster explain.
Mat Embry is anti-drug. He’s had MS since he was 19. He’s now in his 40s. He credits his diet and lifestyle as the reason he’s doing so well, and I agree they must play a crucial role.
I also agree with Matt that it’s better to target the root causes rather than damage our body’s natural response to them. To me, it’s like increasing interest rates to reduce inflation. It works eventually, but at what cost?
Could we target EBV?
The problem is 90 percent of the world has EBV.
Another confounding factor is that not everyone who develops MS may have detectable EBV.
We also don’t have an EBV anti-viral yet, but it may come. We did get one for hepatitis C a few years ago. The cost of such a broadscale mass immunisation against MS would be eye-popping. I can only imagine whoever comes up with the recipe first would go into negotiations with governments around the world — like they did with the hep C drugs — and make a nice profit until the intellectual property becomes available for generics.
On the positive (or negative side, depending on your viewpoint) it would kill the MS $35-billion-dollars a year treatment market. The MS therapies market disgusts me as much as it does Mat.
My Approach to Multiple Sclerosis: Where I Align with Mat Embry
Mat Embry’s personal story is an inspiration, and I agree with his core belief: diet and lifestyle offer the best approach for anyone managing Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
His father, Dr. Ashton Embry (a geologist), developed the Best Bet Diet, which Mat credits for his good health. It is undoubtedly a worthwhile strategy for people to try.
I also agree with the diet’s focus on Vitamin D supplementation, alongside Calcium, Magnesium, and B vitamins. However, my approach with the Food Medicine Diet is to prioritise getting all essential micronutrients—with the exception of vitamin D3—from whole foods wherever possible.
For your interest, read about the Best Diet for Multiple Sclerosis
Where We Differ: Drugs vs. Diet
This is where my perspective significantly diverges from Mat’s, particularly regarding the use of Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs).
My Stance on Medication
Mat is stridently anti-drugs, and while I admire his conviction, I don’t share it.
- Acute Care is Necessary: Having a medical doctor as a father, I’ve seen firsthand that acute medicine saves lives. I simply don’t believe it’s effective for chronic conditions.
- The Evidence for DMDs: Despite this, the evidence is clear: people with MS are generally better off taking a Disease Modifying Drug than not. Choosing to take a DMD, like the B-depleting drug Kesimpta, which I self-inject monthly, was a difficult, hard-fought decision for me. I chose to hedge my bets, combining the drug with a strict focus on the Food Medicine Diet.
- A Solid Combination: I believe that a combination of drugs and lifestyle creates the most solid foundation for managing MS.
My personal approach is akin to an ancient or Hippocratic/Ayurvedic model that focuses on food and whole-person well-being to make MS irrelevant. This has worked for most of my life, but I recognise that life (and disease progression) sometimes demands we integrate modern medicine.
Differences in Dietary Approach: Restriction vs. Realism
Dairy: The No-Brainer Exclusion
I largely agree with Mat on one key dietary exclusion: dairy.
- Scientists have repeatedly shown that the dairy protein, butyrophilin, looks almost identical to our own myelin. This structural similarity can cause myelin damage in animals repeatedly in laboratories.
- These findings are not directly applicable to humans, but they have led some people with MS—including me—to experiment with reducing dairy to see whether they feel better.
Overly Restrictive Diets
Mat’s Best Bet Diet is highly restrictive, also excluding:
- Gluten and all grains
- Legumes
- Vegetable oils
- High sugar products
- Yeast
To me, this is too restrictive and difficult to maintain within a realistic family life.
The Food Medicine Diet: A Realistic Approach
In contrast, the Food Medicine Diet is about balance and whole foods:
- Limit Exclusion: What works well for me is not to exclude anything (apart from dairy) unless you have a confirmed allergy.
- The 80/20 Rule: I recommend eating whole foods (especially fruit, vegetables, and plenty of fibre) and limiting processed food about 80 percent of the time. This is more realistic and sustainable for busy lives and families.
- Flexibility: The diet allows meat, although I am personally vegetarian.
- Gut Health: Research shows that the gut microbiome can recover in just a few days, which supports a focus on consistent, healthy eating rather than extreme, perpetual exclusion.
Conclusion: A Holistic Path to Your Best Life
Whether you follow the Best Bet Diet or the Food Medicine Diet, the underlying goal is the same: to remove triggers, create a low-inflammation environment, and do things that help myelin repair.
If you’re concerned about progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), a holistic, whole-food, low-inflammation diet, combined with plenty of sleep, exercise, as both Mat Embry and I suggest.
Meditation or breathwork can support stress management and overall wellbeing, which many people (including me) find helps them maintain a healthier lifestyle alongside their MS management.
Be well XO
This article reflects my personal experience living with MS. It is not medical advice. MS management is highly individual, and any changes to treatment or diet should be discussed with a qualified health professional.
