Study Finds That Hope is Associated with Willingness to Follow Nutrient Dense Diet

NOTE: This is a great article about a study with a small sample size. While the connection between hope and a willingness to try alternative diets and therapies may be intuitively logical, we disagree with the assertion the the "medical establishment" doesn't promote ALS patients pursuing a sugar free, nutrient dense diet. That has not been my experience working with Tha ALS Clinic team at Mass General.

 (NaturalNews) A new research study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology sheds light on the relationships between hate, resentment and hope in persons afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's disease"). The relationship of these factors to willingness to extend longevity through nutritional self-care was also examined. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. People with ALS experience muscle weakness, immobility, impaired speech and respiration problems. Most die within three to five years. 10 percent live 10 years or more. The medical establishment considers ALS to always be terminal.

The research analyzed responses to an online questionnaire that was created as part of a larger study. People with ALS were invited via online ALS forums, Facebook, a newsletter, as well as with an announcement on a website. Together with demographic data, subjects were asked to provide answers about hate, resentment and hope, related to their disease. A total of 83 subjects with ALS completed the survey.

The researchers found that hope is widely prevalent amongst the subjects. About 70 percent of subjects have hope that they could live 10 years or longer, regardless of whether an effective pharmaceutical treatment were to be discovered.

The medical establishment doesn't promote that a sugar-free nutrient-dense diet may contribute to increased wellness in people with ALS but if scientific research were to one day show that such a diet could extend life by a year, 18 percent of the subjects reported they would not follow the diet. About five percent said they would not follow the diet even if it were shown to increase longevity by two or more years.

Hope and willingness to make dietary changes

The study found those with hope of living 10 years or more were more likely to report a willingness to make dietary changes if such changes were demonstrated to increase longevity. The Frontiers in Psychology scientific study is the first research to show that some people with ALS would be willing sacrifice a year or more of their lives, rather than eat healthier. A previous Natural News article has reported on research that suggests that the high sugar diet recommended by the ALS and Muscular Dystrophy associations may prove to be detrimental to people with ALS (http://www.naturalnews.com/032380_Lou_Gehrigs_disease_sugar.html), although a scientific study has yet to be conducted to test this hypothesis. Further research is required to demonstrate scientifically whether or not a sugar-free, nutrient-dense diet, compared to the high sugar diet recommended by ALS and Muscular Dystrophy associations, produces greater wellness and even longevity in people with ALS.

Higher levels of hope, as well as lower levels of both hate and resentment, were reported by people having ALS for a longer time. Hopeful subjects were also less likely to hate ALS, and reported less resentment about living with ALS. Women reported more resentment about living with ALS than did men. Regarding the study's finding that people in marriages are more hopeful and have less hate against ALS, the researchers suggest, "Marriage may be protective against the suffering involved in the hating of living with ALS, and foster the strengthening of hope for the future..."

The research was conducted by Craig Oster, Ph.D. and Francesco Pagnini, Ph.D.; Dr. Oster, afflicted with ALS, has beaten the odds by surviving with the disease for the past 18 years, utilizing a holistic approach like is advocated by Natural News.

The full text of the study, including researchers' interpretations, may be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org

Sources for this article include:

http://www.frontiersin.org

http://www.alsa.org

http://www.naturalnews.com/032380_Lou_Gehrigs_disease_sugar.html

About the author:
Craig Oster, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) nearly 17 years ago. Discharged from hospice in May 2009, he is demonstrating improvements in wellness utilizing holistic health principles, including a raw/living foods diet. Dr Craig, utilizing these principles and his psychoanalytic understanding, is committed to helping individuals in their quest for greater wellness. Dr Craig is the founder of the "Healthier People (with ALS) Project."

Follow Dr Craig's Historic Holistic Healing Journey: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Craig/37394...

Dr Craig's Website: http://www.healingwithdrcraig.com.

Dr Craig's Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/#!/drcraigoster.

(NaturalNews) A new research study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology sheds light on the relationships between hate, resentment and hope in persons afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's disease"). The relationship of these factors to willingness to extend longevity through nutritional self-care was also examined. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. People with ALS experience muscle weakness, immobility, impaired speech and respiration problems. Most die within three to five years. 10 percent live 10 years or more. The medical establishment considers ALS to always be terminal.

The research analyzed responses to an online questionnaire that was created as part of a larger study. People with ALS were invited via online ALS forums, Facebook, a newsletter, as well as with an announcement on a website. Together with demographic data, subjects were asked to provide answers about hate, resentment and hope, related to their disease. A total of 83 subjects with ALS completed the survey.

The researchers found that hope is widely prevalent amongst the subjects. About 70 percent of subjects have hope that they could live 10 years or longer, regardless of whether an effective pharmaceutical treatment were to be discovered.

The medical establishment doesn't promote that a sugar-free nutrient-dense diet may contribute to increased wellness in people with ALS but if scientific research were to one day show that such a diet could extend life by a year, 18 percent of the subjects reported they would not follow the diet. About five percent said they would not follow the diet even if it were shown to increase longevity by two or more years.

Hope and willingness to make dietary changes

The study found those with hope of living 10 years or more were more likely to report a willingness to make dietary changes if such changes were demonstrated to increase longevity. The Frontiers in Psychology scientific study is the first research to show that some people with ALS would be willing sacrifice a year or more of their lives, rather than eat healthier. A previous Natural News article has reported on research that suggests that the high sugar diet recommended by the ALS and Muscular Dystrophy associations may prove to be detrimental to people with ALS (http://www.naturalnews.com/032380_Lou_Gehrigs_disease_sugar.html), although a scientific study has yet to be conducted to test this hypothesis. Further research is required to demonstrate scientifically whether or not a sugar-free, nutrient-dense diet, compared to the high sugar diet recommended by ALS and Muscular Dystrophy associations, produces greater wellness and even longevity in people with ALS.

Higher levels of hope, as well as lower levels of both hate and resentment, were reported by people having ALS for a longer time. Hopeful subjects were also less likely to hate ALS, and reported less resentment about living with ALS. Women reported more resentment about living with ALS than did men. Regarding the study's finding that people in marriages are more hopeful and have less hate against ALS, the researchers suggest, "Marriage may be protective against the suffering involved in the hating of living with ALS, and foster the strengthening of hope for the future..."

The research was conducted by Craig Oster, Ph.D. and Francesco Pagnini, Ph.D.; Dr. Oster, afflicted with ALS, has beaten the odds by surviving with the disease for the past 18 years, utilizing a holistic approach like is advocated by Natural News.

The full text of the study, including researchers' interpretations, may be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org

Sources for this article include:

http://www.frontiersin.org

http://www.alsa.org

http://www.naturalnews.com/032380_Lou_Gehrigs_disease_sugar.html

About the author:
Craig Oster, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) nearly 17 years ago. Discharged from hospice in May 2009, he is demonstrating improvements in wellness utilizing holistic health principles, including a raw/living foods diet. Dr Craig, utilizing these principles and his psychoanalytic understanding, is committed to helping individuals in their quest for greater wellness. Dr Craig is the founder of the "Healthier People (with ALS) Project."

Follow Dr Craig's Historic Holistic Healing Journey: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Craig/37394...

Dr Craig's Website: http://www.healingwithdrcraig.com.

Dr Craig's Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/#!/drcraigoster

Caregivers Month: Affirmation and Reality

“Affirmations are our mental vitamins, providing the supplementary positive thoughts we need to balance the barrage of negative events and thoughts we experience daily.”

― Tia Walker, The Inspired Caregiver: Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love

Here's something I'm awful at: Affirming and edifying my caregiver, who also happens to be my wife, consistently. 

Sure, I've written some Facebook posts that express my appreciation. What I'm confessing to is, when it's just the two of us, not being more affirming in my behavior - and the fact that I can't speak is no excuse. Let me get real here, and probably a bit too graphic for the sensibilities of some, so apologies in advance. 

It's an understatement to say ALS is a humbling disease. After we rejected the confirming Doctor's prognosis of "terminal", we had to deal with stumbling and falling in public, followed by walking with a cane (and still stumbling), then the move to a scooter (which my 120 lb. wife had to wrestle in and out of my SUV) and finally a wheelchair, which meant Linda had to learn to drive a cargo van.

Then comes eating, especially out of the house. Linda and Matt both became used to the stares as people noticed me fumble, choke on and spill food. As it became increasingly difficult to manipulate a knife and fork, people staring as Linda patiently cut my food into manageable bites as her own plate got cold. I must say, Matt developed the "What chu looking at?" glance down to a science:) Now that I have my feeding tube, we eat out far less. When we do it's sandwiches or burgers in the car, or take out at home.  I can still take in some things by mouth. Burritos are a high calorie treat and eating at home means Linda can cover me in a rain poncho to preserve my clothes. Preventing the public spectacle that would create if we were anywhere but home.

And the bathroom...sigh. Over the years, as my ability to ambulate has decreased, this is the area where caregivers like Linda really earn their stripes. I need to be constantly on guard for the first sign of an urge to need the bathroom. We decided earlier this year, after more than a few accidents which tested our collective patience (Matt included), that having a urinal handy by my recliner is easier than trying to transfer to my wheelchair for the  20 foot trek to the bathroom and the struggle to stand me up. Linda has had to change more than her share of urine and poop covered clothes, strip me down, wash me off and dress me again. That's the stuff people don't see when I roll into a room all clean and neatly dressed.

No one sees the ugly, practical side of choosing to live with ALS. In many ways we protect others from it by not talking about it. (And this article shouldn't be mistaken as a plea for sympathy or a public complaint. It's merely intended as a peek behind the curtain of our lives.)  

We've chosen not to disengage from interacting socially. We respect and honor those who choose a more cloistered existence but, for us, the best way to raise awareness is to let people see: 1) What ALS does to the body while leaving the mind intact, 2) That it's possible to enjoy life no matter what, 3) That my affliction isn't an excuse to not help others. And, as little credit as she gets for it, Linda has been a major part of #3. The same heartfelt mercy and compassion she pours out on me every day has continues to be poured out on others in small acts of discreet kindness and in some major, almost supernatural ways few would believe if they knew, given our financial and physical circumstances.

October is National Caregivers Month - and it's not specific to ALS. Every day, whether it's a broken leg, an aggressive form of cancer or one of millions of possible afflictions, Moms and Dads, Husband and Wives, Sons, Daughters, relatives, friends and strangers are pouring out their hearts to people in need of care. They wipe noses and drool covered chins with a knowing smile. They empty urinals and bedpans discreetly. They rub lotion, wipe up spills, comb hair and brush teeth. They do a million little things without being asked and ten million more we ask for. They rarely get a full meal. Sleep comes in chunks of minutes not stretches of hours. They are angels on earth and God smiles every time they act. He smiles often.

MY angel is also my wife and my best friend. She is the embodiment of our marriage vows "In sickness and in health". There is no way to express how much I love her. Not for what she does, but for who she has grown to be over these seven long years. Years that have tried our combined sense of patience, humility, humor and faith. Together, we've touched the face of God and we've felt the breath of Satan on our necks. But it is always Linda who silently goes about the business of lovingly, diligently and prayerfully caring for me. And Satan can't overcome that kind of love.

Hug a caregiver this month, and turn it into a weekly habit throughout the year.