Myasthenia gravis diet and nutrition

Last updated Aug. 9, 2024, by Susie Strachan
Fact-checked by Patrícia Silva, PhD

A healthy myasthenia gravis (MG) diet should support good nutrition and help with symptoms of the disease.

Muscle weakness from MG can affect your ability to eat and digest food, and some medications for managing MG and its symptoms can have side effects affecting appetite or digestion.

To address these issues, try following an MG diet, which may slow decline in muscle health, improve the body’s strength, and give a boost to energy levels.

How does diet affect MG?

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder involving antibodies that attack specific proteins in the body. It leads to muscle weakness and fatigue, among other symptoms.

In approximately 15% of people with MG, the first signs of the disease affect muscles in the face, neck, and throat.

Swallowing may become difficult from weakness in your mouth, jaw, and tongue, which increases the risk of choking. Eating, drinking, and taking pills may become challenging.

You might even notice your jaw gets tired during meals. As eating may become difficult, you may want to stop mid-meal.

Another factor may be side effects from some medications that treat MG. For instance, corticosteroids can cause weight gain, while other medications can lead to digestive issues.

Because the digestive system is closely connected to your immune system, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome — the microorganisms that live in your digestive tract — can help support a healthy immune response. This, in turn, can potentially help manage MG symptoms.

Healthy eating tips

While there isn’t a specific MG diet, it is important to eat for energy and maintain a healthy weight to improve your overall quality of life.

Focus on certain types of foods for MG that can be beneficial. An MG diet menu might include:

foods rich in fiber, such as a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, to prevent constipation or diarrhea
foods that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, such as yogurt or other fermented foods
foods that have complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to provide sustained energy throughout the day, such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, lean meats, fatty fish, beans, and other protein sources, along with avocados and soybeans.

Other MG diet nutrition tips include:

avoiding fatty, spicy, or high-fiber foods, which can cause stomach upset or diarrhea
avoiding foods with high salt content, as it can increase fluid retention.

Talk with your primary healthcare provider or a registered dietitian familiar with autoimmune diseases for an assessment of your current diet and to set up a personal MG diet plan.

A registered dietitian will consider your preferences and tastes when creating a well-balanced MG diet. Eating nutritious foods you enjoy makes it more likely you’ll stick with it.

In addition to eating nutritious food, you may want to consider taking supplements. Supplemental nutrients may include:

vitamin D to support the immune system
calcium to support bone health, which may be affected by long-term use of corticosteroids.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements, as they may interact with MG medications or should not be taken by someone with MG.

Special considerations for people with MG

If you have difficulty swallowing, you may need to try different tactics to help with eating, including:

eating smaller meals several times a day to increase your nutrition while reducing fatigue
preparing meals with softer, easier-to-swallow foods, such as puree fruit, braised meats moistened with sauce, or smoothies
resting prior to eating so you have enough energy to finish your meal
eating the largest meal of the day early on, when you have more energy
not talking while eating, to reduce the risk of choking.

Other strategies to manage swallowing problems include:

avoiding hot foods or warm liquids, which can relax the throat muscles and make swallowing more difficult
alternating between small bites of solid food and sips of liquid to ease the swallowing process
drinking thicker liquids, which may be safer and easier to swallow than thinner ones and can help keep you hydrated
crushing medications or mixing them with pudding or applesauce to make swallowing easier
sitting upright when eating.

MG also can contribute to weight gain, possibly from fatigue and not being able to exercise. Certain MG medications, such as corticosteroids, also may cause you to gain weight and retain fluids.

If you have concerns about recent changes in your weight, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian about making changes to your diet.

Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.