# Helpful Diet Changes? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [October 14, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424 "2014-10-14T01:25:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![runner](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/runner/32/1513_2.png) [@runner](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/runner)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/1 "2014-10-14T01:25:18Z")
Has anyone made any diet changes that have helped/hurt their ataxia? I know that some people have gluten ataxia, but I'm wondering if cutting out gluten has been helpful for anyone with a genetic spinocerebellar ataxia? ---
**Author:** ![Louise\_Davy](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/louise_davy/32/219_2.png) [@Louise\_Davy](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Louise_Davy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 9:00am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/2 "2014-10-14T09:00:42Z")
I have. I started eating paleo in February this year. I know people think it is a fad but OMG I never expected a change with my ataxia but I certainly got one. My interictal symptoms almost completely disappeared and my episodes reduced as well as having more energy so I was far less tired which is why I tried it in the first place. I fell off the wagon (foodwise) and my ataxia got worse - I am now eating primal - paleo with dairy products (I can't live without cheese) and it is the best decision ever :) My husband has also noticed a change in my ataxia symptoms ---
**Author:** ![Louise1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/louise1/32/1046_2.png) [@Louise1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Louise1)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 12:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/3 "2014-10-14T12:58:21Z")
Hi! I have SCA3 - hereditary. I came across the Auto Immune Protocol diet which is similar to the Wah'ls diet. It looked really, really restrictive so I didn't start it right away. But my energy levels were sinking fast - I'm only working 4 days a week but by Friday, I just layed down on the couch and never got up to make dinner or anything else! I woke up tired every day and turned down any offer to leave the house because I was so tired. So, last Wednesday I made the commitment to try this diet, also known as AIP diet. The goal is to reduce all potential inflammatory foods until you reach a baseline and stay there for a while. (I've read different lengths - 1-3 months or even 6 months to 2 years) Then you can start adding things back slowly to see what you can tolerate. I've never had any food allergies and could pretty much eat anything, so I honestly wasn't expecting much. So I started Wednesday and it was OK. Same on Thursday. On Friday, I noticed that I was able to walk down the stairs from my bedroom MUCH easier - not like I used to, but not like I've been doing recently, either. But the MOST impressive change has been in my energy level - if I was a cell phone, I'd say my battery level was at 2 or 3%. By Friday, I felt like it was 95%! I met my husband out for dinner Friday night (and stayed on the diet) and stayed up to watch a movie on Saturday. I can't tell you the last time I've stayed awake to watch the end of ANY movie! I don't know if this plan is feasible for a long time, or if my doctors would approve, but I'm stickin' with it! Louise ---
**Author:** ![Floyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/floyd/32/712_2.png) [@Floyd](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Floyd)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/4 "2014-10-14T14:42:38Z")
Yes! I have SCA6 and been on glutin free for about two years. I, and my family can tell a difference in my gait and balance. I lost some weight and have more energy. If I eat glutin by mistake I can usually till it the next day or so, not a big differance, but some, and every little bit helps… ---
**Author:** ![Phoebe](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/phoebe/32/782_2.png) [@Phoebe](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Phoebe)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/5 "2014-10-14T15:03:53Z")
I was tested for gluten sensitivity and there was none. I cut out gluten, sugar, yeast and all grains. A miraculous improvement. If I have gluten, I will suffer sometimes for a week. ---
**Author:** ![Marjorie\_F](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/marjorie_f/32/1489_2.png) [@Marjorie\_F](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Marjorie_F)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/6 "2014-10-14T17:42:29Z")
I went Gluten and the weight I gained just fell off, been on this now over a year, I cheat and use cream in my coffee but both my husband and I look 10 years younger with the weight off I would recommend it Sweet Potatoes are better then White ones............................. Go for it! ---
**Author:** ![Marie\_T1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/marie_t1/32/355_2.png) [@Marie\_T1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Marie_T1)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/7 "2014-10-14T19:14:08Z")
Went gluten free for 6 months and there has been no difference to my CA but it has done wonders for some . ---
**Author:** ![Glitter\_on\_Butterfli](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/glitter_on_butterfli/32/684_2.png) [@Glitter\_on\_Butterfli](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Glitter_on_Butterfli)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/8 "2014-10-14T19:52:43Z")
Hi - Definitely check out this group: [http://forum.livingwithataxia.org/group/foods-recipes](http://forum.livingwithataxia.org/group/foods-recipes). Jeannie shares how gluten-free has really improved her situation. ---
**Author:** ![Jessica\_B](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/jessica_b/32/250_2.png) [@Jessica\_B](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Jessica_B)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/9 "2014-10-14T20:35:36Z")
I have some unknown type of spinocerebellar ataxia. I went gluten free and pretty much right away I was less shaky. I could read my handwritting. My doctor also commented on how much my writing has inproved. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie\_B](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/jeannie_b/32/520_2.png) [@Jeannie\_B](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Jeannie_B)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/helpful-diet-changes/2424/10 "2014-10-15T15:59:53Z")
Hi runner. 40% of people have an intolerance to gluten to some degree. In fact the flour we have today our bodies aren't set up to digest well. I have sporadic SCA. Which means they don't know how I got this ataxia. One thing that I know is that not having any gluten in one's diet CAN help people absorb more vit and minerals regardless if there is tummy issues or not. In fact I never had any problems from it I thought. But am still doing so much better than I could be as told by my Dr. any compared to others that have ataxia that I know personally. But it may take a while to see any results no matter how small they are. Figure we have had Gluten for so many years it may take quite a few months. I've been off since 2007 and seem to have platitude according to my MRI's by my Dr.and I strongly belive it's from not having Gluten and not having anything processed in a bag or box. More natural food. I had a blood test that showed I was on the normal end but my Dr. suggested I go off anyway to see how I felt being off. At first there wasn't a huge difference but as time goes on I seem to loose more and more symptoms and gain more and more life when I look back. My husband notices it and has mentioned it that he has noticed a difference since I started.. I'll never go back. To me what I'm giving up has great results so I'd never want to take that chance in messing that up. I figure it's a small price to pay just for a moment of pleasure etc. .I don't think It's not hard to do either. But I don't try to substitue item for item even though they have come a really long way in taste and consistance, don't exspect like for like It's diffrent but good diffrent. Try it you don't have anything to loose right? We maybe a few symptoms is all! :-)