MGUS diet: Any tips on food to enjoy or prevent progression?

Hello Red7,

Since posting my original diet question to the MGUS group- I’ve spent many hours reading research studies and differences in IgA MGUS versus others. (I have IgA with Lambda). Although not many studies to be found on diet, I did read some success with Neem leaf, alpha lipoic acid and pycnogenol. Diet wise I try to stick with mainly fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and no processed foods. I’ve read to avoid night shades with the exception that eggplant is encouraged. Prior response you received encouraging Vitamin D and Calcium - I also take these along with multi, C, zinc, iron and magnesium (can’t seem to get enough in diet). I get my vitamin levels checked routinely now to make sure I’m on the correct dose of vitamins fit my body. Share with us anything you find on diet or supplements for MGUS - it’s great to steer each of us into more research on the type we have.

Thank you sstillwell for your comments on diet. Very helpful info. I have somewhat high IgM with high Free Kappa which are the numbers my hematologist is watching. Since I was first diagnosed I’ve been going crazy trying to understand all this. From first being told I had MM to smoldering myeloma and now confirmed MGUS. It’s starting to make some sense to me. Appreciate your comments and others. Will share what more I learn. I’m also connected to the MMRF and also sat in on a zoom conference they held on MGUS.

You are welcome mRed. Great that you have sat in on conferences to gather as much info as possible. My onc/hem doctor has great credentials for treatment if i progress, hoping not to. Interesting how many of us with MGUS have thyroid issues, blood clotting and kidney. I’ve read MGUS diagnosis increases our chances of developing blood clots by 22 percent. Interesting with Covid articles out - I find a lot of correlation between recommendations for diet and supplements for Covid to be similar to MGUS. Perhaps because of the focus on the similarities in targeting the spiked protein? Also wanted to share with MGUS group to Google PCrowd study. Interesting information.

@red7 I went from MGUS to smoldering myeloma, and then on to active multiple myeloma. I am on my fourth round of chemo right now. As others have mentioned, there doesn't seem to be be a "rhyme or reason" to figure out who will advance into an active stage. I do know limiting stress, making sure your diet is healthy, with as few processed foods/sugars/junk food works well here, as it does for everyone. Exercise is good, at whatever level is good for you. Each person is different. Like some others, I also have kidney issues, but they are not related to the myeloma, so my diet is a tightly controlled renal diet.
Ginger

Hi everybody. Recently dx’d with MGUS. My hematologist did not mention diet. M protein in blood but not urine. Just monitoring bloodwork in 3 month cycles for now.
I feel pretty good. I’m nearly 70 and losing some of my energy but still working full-time and doing the things that matter to me. I am very interested in the impact of diet and of course I don’t want this to progress to multiple myeloma.
Thanks in advance for information and the opportunity to speak to others with the same diagnosis.
Patty

Welcome, Patty. I love that you put your pending retirement date in your bio. Working until almost 70, you deserve retirement. But I'm sure you were hoping for retirement with MGUS.

I've searched high and low for lifestyle changes suggested for people with MGUS. It doesn't appear that specific foods or diet are recommended to reduce risk of progression to multiple myeloma. Naturally, as we all know that a healthy lifestyle - health food choices, physical activity, reducing stress, etc - helps reduce risk of disease in general. Eating well and staying active can't hurt and can even be beneficial should MGUS progress.

Patty, how did you discover you have MGUS? How do you conserve energy for the things that matter to you?

Thank you Chris for information on diet. I am newly diagnosed MGUS.

I would like to post this link to the international myeloma foundation. They have an amazing amount of information available on their website. They also have educational virtual meetings that you can join. You can also learn about the many treatments that are now in the toolbox for myeloma. I believe that translates into hope.
https://www.myeloma.org/

Colleen, I have pretty much always danced till I drop… Metaphorically speaking. I’ve had a very full, rich life and have always felt privileged even though there have been ups and downs.
Last spring I was in a motor vehicle accident in which we were rear ended while traveling and I had neck pain. In the workup that followed they found a “lesion“ on my spine at C2. The blood tests found the pesky m protein in my blood work. CTs, urinalysis, more blood tests…here I am. The lesion is unrelated, it seems and is attributable to Osteoarthritis but I am grateful that it is MGUS and not multiple myeloma. As I’ve been reading about MGUS, I find that this accidental discovery is typical for the diagnosis.
So here I am with more to discover.

Thanks Patty and Colleen...........great questions. I am also newly diagnosed and learning everyday. My oncologist has NOT SPOKEN mgus in urine and blood.