The Swank Diet is a
diet that is
low in saturated fat, which was proposed in 1949 by Roy Laver Swank, MD, PhD (1909–2008), academic
neurologist at the
University of Oregon, for the
treatment of multiple sclerosis.
[
The claims made for the diet are unsubstantiated.][
]
The diet
According to the Swank diet web site, the diet consists of:
#Saturated fat
A saturated fat is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. A fat known as a glyceride is made of two kinds of smaller molecules: a short glycerol backbone and fatty acids that each contain a long linear or branched c ...
should not exceed 15 grams per day
#Unsaturated fat
An unsaturated fat is a fat or fatty acid in which there is at least one double bond within the fatty acid chain. A fatty acid chain is monounsaturated if it contains one double bond, and polyunsaturated if it contains more than one double bond.
...
(oils) should be kept to 20-50 grams per day
#No red meat for the first year; after that, a maximum of of red meat per week
#Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting or processing (or both) of animal milk – mostly from cows or buffaloes, but also from goats, sheep, horses, or camels – for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on ...
products must contain 1% or less butterfat
#No processed foods containing saturated fat
A saturated fat is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. A fat known as a glyceride is made of two kinds of smaller molecules: a short glycerol backbone and fatty acids that each contain a long linear or branched c ...
#A good source of omega-3 ( oily fish, Flaxseed
Flax, also known as common flax or linseed, is a flowering plant, ''Linum usitatissimum'', in the family Linaceae. It is cultivated as a food and fiber crop in regions of the world with temperate climates. Textiles made from flax are known in W ...
, cod liver oil, cod liver oil tablets, etc.) along with a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement are recommended daily
# Wheat, gluten or dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting or processing (or both) of animal milk – mostly from cows or buffaloes, but also from goats, sheep, horses, or camels – for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on ...
product quantities are not restricted
Swank claimed that the diet could "slow progression of the disease as well as benefit overall health".
Effectiveness
There is no good medical evidence supporting the use of the Swank or any alternative diet for the treatment of MS.[
]
References
Alternative medical treatments
Diets
Fad diets
Multiple sclerosis
{{alt-med-stub