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

Regarding curcumin, it is not readily absorbed in the GI tract so best to take "bioavailable" curcumin that has been changed to increase absorption, or curcumin with black pepper (the peperine increases absorption but also intestinal permeability [a problem is someone has leaky gut from celiac or other]). The curcumin is antiinflammatory and research suggests is decreases TNF (tumor growth). I take a couple of pills/day for MGUS (8 years). No symptoms other than minor balance (I do PT and balance half dome for the peripheral neuropathy).

Kay: just read your post.. I was diagnosed just last week..and I’m thinking about it daily.. mostly negative but I guess that’s normal. Have you had MGUS for 8 years?? Wow. How have you coped on a daily basis?? Do you have any symptoms?? Interested in hearing from you.. how old were you when diagnosed??
Thanks
Bob

Just me again.. you would think that some doctor, somewhere, with all the advances in medicine and technology that they would come up with a treatment or medication. If you hear of anything let me know.

By the way, if you have a recommended MGUS diet that you can send by email…I would appreciate it. Generally I know, ear fruits vegetables etc and exercise.
Thanks again.
Appreciate you
Bob

I don't have an MGUS diet. I have had celiac disease (gluten free) for 15 years so diet is already constrained and mostly organic. It can be handy to keep a food log, just to see if you have developed any food intolerances thru time.

Good morning nette6. I was diagnosed with IGM MGUS in 2021 at age 67 by a gastroenterologist I saw for ongoing gut disbiosis/IBS. At that time I was experiencing terrible insomnia, intermittent anxiety, occasional weakness in my legs and rare occurrences of some numbness in my feet and on the right side of my body. I went through the gamut of CT scans, neurologists and neurosurgeons and no cause could be found. I think you will find in this forum that there are many who experience symptoms despite the experts (my hematologist included) stating that there should be no symptoms with MGUS. I do believe that various medical specialists should be consulted to rule out all other causes of a symptom. Have you consulted a neurologist? After seeing many specialists, I retained the help of an online naturopathic doctor and although at the time I was not seeing any progress and felt that I had wasted my money, my insomnia and anxiety are all but gone now and I have not had another episode of numbness. I believe in the healing power of prayer, of getting tested for food sensitivities, of eating an organic (as much as possible) Whole Foods diet, at least 70% plant based, no fast foods or packaged foods, no sodas or artificial sweeteners, exercise of some kind (I have walked 3-4 miles a day for almost 5 years and walked that much on weekend before I retired) and getting tested for heavy metals by a naturopathic doctor. Two different tests by two different doctors 3 years apart indicated I had a high level of aluminum in my body which is neurotoxic and because I have always been super sensitive to drugs and many supplements it has been a long road to healing. At my last appointment with my hematologist in November he said that he felt the MGUS was not progressing nor would it. Our bodies have an innate and complex capacity to heal and it is the body that heals itself, not the doctors, if we can just remove that which is causing inflammation and toxicity. And even if you are over 65 years old, don’t ever let mainstream doctors tell you that “it’s just old age”. I had terrible hypertension 7 years ago and had to take blood pressure medicine until I decided to give up all caffeine and start walking more and now my blood pressure is perfect. When my cardiologist asked me how I overcame the hypertension and I told him, he told me that he wished all his patients would do those two simple things because he knows it will cure most cases of hypertension. I hope my story is of encouragement to you and I will keep you in my prayers nette6.

Dear 1oldsoul: After reading your message, I’m impressed with your positive attitude and the results of your effort with diet and exercise. I’m 82 years old, still think I’m 40 …was diagnosed with MGUS just last week and have been down and out about it. Having more negative thoughts than positives. I much like you had feelings of being unstable, reduced energy and find myself sitting more just contemplating. I had CT scans, MRI , PET scan and finally blood work by neurologist that found all panels normal but Mprotein abnormal. Took a few more blood tests and a 24 hour urine test that I was told was very remarkable because it showed ZERO Mprotein. So as of now..I’m told..no Mprotein, no anemia, no kidney disease..I’m to see them in 6 months. To me I find it very unbelievable that in 2024, the medical field has found no medication or treatment to address this.. ie it’s not 1824. Bottom line I’m trying to find a diet that adds antioxidants —food and drink…going to change my diet and start exercising more. Are you saying you had symptoms but no longer have them? You are feeling normal?? I feel weak and zonked out…your positive feedback will help me tremendously …how long have you had MGUS?? Looking forward and hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks so much. Bob

Dear 1oldsoul: After reading your message, I’m impressed with your positive attitude and the results of your effort with diet and exercise. I’m 82 years old, still think I’m 40 …was diagnosed with MGUS just last week and have been down and out about it. Having more negative thoughts than positives. I much like you had feelings of being unstable, reduced energy and find myself sitting more just contemplating. I had CT scans, MRI , PET scan and finally blood work by neurologist that found all panels normal but Mprotein abnormal. Took a few more blood tests and a 24 hour urine test that I was told was very remarkable because it showed ZERO Mprotein. So as of now..I’m told..no Mprotein, no anemia, no kidney disease..I’m to see them in 6 months. To me I find it very unbelievable that in 2024, the medical field has found no medication or treatment to address this.. ie it’s not 1824. Bottom line I’m trying to find a diet that adds antioxidants —food and drink…going to change my diet and start exercising more. Are you saying you had symptoms but no longer have them? You are feeling normal?? I feel weak and zonked out…your positive feedback will help me tremendously …how long have you had MGUS?? Looking forward and hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks so much. Bob

Good morning @bigbob5461, so nice to meet you! I am like you in that my mind thinks that my body is still 40, but I think that works in our favor. There is so much science now on the power of positive thinking and I have always been one to challenge my body and tell it “you can do this.” With that said, I think there are very people at age 82 (or 70!) that can say they feel as good as they did at 40 so I think we should count ourselves blessed thus far. I have been dealing with insomnia for 4+ years so that is definitely a factor in my perceived health. But the neuropathy I initially experienced is gone and I have very few days of aches and pains despite having degenerative discs. Up until I developed plantar fasciitis last December, I was walking 3-4 miles every day. All my life I have loved walking and did it on weekends before I retired. About 6-7 years ago I decided to walk to the next town which was 12 miles round trip! I find that walking is wonderful for my mental health and gives me a sense of accomplishment. I am having to baby my one foot now that has plantar fasciitis. There is an active study going on at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute on a plant based diet to prevent or slow the progression of MM. Also I have seen some studies on the benefits of Curcumin. Last year my hematologist stated that my monoclonal protein numbers are much lower in comparison to most of his patients even though they have slowly been climbing and have not stabilized. He said he didn’t think it would ever progress to Waldenstrom’s or MM. I have consulted with 2 different naturopathic physicians and neither one could give me any answers on MGUS. I don’t have any other health issues and all my other labs look great so I’m gonna keep doing everything I can with diet, exercise, some supplements, prayer and trying to keep a positive attitude. If I can help you in any way, please let me know.