Multipe Sclerosis - Treatment
Nutrition -
updated: 04 January 2010
Effect of low saturated fat diet in early and late cases of multiple sclerosis
Lancet. 1990 Jul 7;336(8706):37-9.
Swank RL, Dugan
144 multiple sclerosis patients took a low-fat diet for 34 years. For each of three categories of neurological disability (minimum, moderate, severe) patients who adhered to the prescribed diet (less than or equal to 20 g fat/day) showed significantly less deterioration and much lower death rates than did those who consumed more fat than prescribed (greater than 20 g fat/day). The greatest benefit was seen in those with minimum disability at the start of the trial; in this group, when those who died from non-MS diseases were excluded from the analysis, 95% survived and remained physically active.
Publication Types:
Online - Abstract
Nutrition and diet in the clinical management of multiple sclerosis.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2001 Oct;14(5):349-57
Payne A.
For many years, medical interest in the relationship between nutrition and multiple sclerosis (MS) has focused largely on aetiology and the influence of dietary fat on the rate and severity of disease. While the cause of MS remains unknown and the influence of dietary fat is unclear, recent studies on antioxidant intake and oxidative stress in MS are strengthening the rationale in support of a healthy eating regime following diagnosis. Dietary intake in MS and the influence of advanced disease on nutritional status are less well researched and documented. Both obesity and malnutrition may occur with detrimental consequences to functional abilities. Cognitive difficulties, dysphagia and the side-effects of drug treatment may further contribute to deterioration in nutritional status. This paper aims to provide a practical overview of dietary management in MS. It reviews the available evidence relating nutrition to MS and discusses dietary management, with particular emphasis on the identification and alleviation of factors affecting nutritional status.
Publication Types:
Online - Abstract
Multiple sclerosis and nutrition.
Mult Scler. 2005 Feb;11(1):24-3
Schwarz S, Leweling H.
Benefits from any particular diet in multiple sclerosis (MS) have not yet been proven. It is, however, frequent that malnutrition may potentially exacerbate the symptoms of MS. There is some evidence that a high intake of saturated fat increases the incidence of MS. Epidemiological studies imply that unsaturated fatty acids may have a positive effect on the course of MS. However, the results of controlled studies are ambiguous. A meta-analysis of three small controlled clinical trials suggests a benefit from linoleic acid. Intake of Vitamin D is associated with a lower incidence of MS. In MS, the risk of osteoporosis is high, and prophylactic vitamin D and calcium should be considered at an early stage. The role of minerals, trace elements, antioxidants, vitamins or fish oil is unclear. The possible relationships between diet and MS have not been subjected to adequate study. It seems possible that in the future, diets or dietary supplements may become recommended forms of treatment for MS.
Publication Types:
Online - Abstract
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