4 Myths About Multiple Sclerosis and Diet
Thinking about cutting out dairy or gluten in hopes of beating MS? Think twice before you do, says a registered dietitian nutritionist with relapsing-remitting MS.
By Mona Bostick, RDN Updated on August 22, 2023
Medically Reviewed by Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD
Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may wonder whether trying a certain diet — or eliminating a certain food group from their diet — can ward off MS symptoms, like fatigue or cognitive decline, or even change the course of the disease entirely.
It’s no wonder: Special diets, supplements, and even food-sensitivity testing are routinely touted online as ways to substantially lessen MS symptoms or even “beat” or “cure” the disease. Sometimes these diet recommendations for MS are made by medical doctors, sometimes by practitioners of complementary or alternative medicine, and sometimes simply by individuals who feel better after changing their diet.
As a registered dietitian nutritionist with relapsing-remitting MS who counsels other people with MS about diet, I’ve encountered many myths about the role of diet in managing MS.
In most cases, there’s little to no evidence that the recommended dietary change has any effect on MS. And worse, some of these changes can make it harder for you to get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Here are some of the most common myths I’ve come across about MS diets — and the truth about each one.
1. Is Dairy Bad for People With MS?
Many so-called MS diets discourage dairy products.
One of the reasons given for this advice is the assertion that dairy is inflammatory — a claim that’s been widely debunked. A review of studies showed that including dairy in your diet was not associated with inflammation among people without any health conditions or among those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
When it comes to MS in particular, any theory suggesting a strong connection between MS and dairy products has not been sufficiently tested, which means there’s no evidence that consuming dairy has any effect on MS.
Another theory related to dairy products, called “molecular mimicry,” suggests that butyrophilin — a protein found in cow’s milk and in foods like cheese, butter, chocolate, and ice cream — may mimic part of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. This is the component of myelin thought to initiate the autoimmune reaction in MS.
But this theory is based only on animal studies and has not yet been tested in human clinical trials — so there’s no need to avoid butyrophilin protein unless you know you’re allergic to it.
Finally, some have suggested that people with MS are more likely to be lactose intolerant — meaning they lack an enzyme needed to digest lactose, the natural sugar in milk — and that therefore eating dairy products causes them uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
But lactose intolerance is not an inflammatory process and is not mediated by the immune system. And there has been no evidence to suggest that people with MS are more likely to be lactose intolerant. It’s important to speak to your doctor if you have the symptoms mentioned above, as they can have multiple causes. Lactose intolerance is only one potential cause.
The truth is that low-fat dairy foods are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, nutrients that play an essential role in bone health. This is especially important for people with MS, who have an increased risk of fractures, according to research.
In addition, consistently getting enough vitamin D in your diet may be associated with less frequent or severe MS symptoms, as well as a better quality of life, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Why opt for low-fat over high-fat dairy foods? The key nutritional difference between the two is the fat content, all of which is saturated fat. People only need this nutrient in small quantities each day (10 percent of your daily calorie intake, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans). And regularly eating too much of these fats may be associated with high cholesterol and heart disease.
If you abstain from dairy for any reason, such as lactose intolerance diagnosed by your doctor, make sure that your dairy alternatives contain added calcium and vitamin D to help protect your bones.
2. Should You Stay Away From Gluten if You Have MS?
You may have heard warnings to avoid gluten — a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley — if you have MS. These are often anecdotal reports that gluten makes some people with MS feel worse and that avoiding gluten helps them feel better. In addition, many people assert that gluten is associated with inflammation in the body in general.
However, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) states that there’s no clear relationship between gluten and MS, and not everyone with MS is gluten-intolerant.
Harvard Health Publishing adds that there’s “no compelling evidence” to show that eating a gluten-free diet will prevent disease or improve your health in general, unless you have celiac disease — an autoimmune disease that inhibits proper digestion of gluten.
Something else to consider: Gluten-free foods are often the most refined foods on the market. They’re not fortified in the same way that conventional foods are.
What does that mean? Unnecessarily avoiding foods that contain gluten may deprive you of valuable nutrients like fiber, which helps support gut health and bowel regularity.
3. Are Grains and Beans a No-Go for People With MS?
Some diets include recommendations for people with MS to avoid foods that contain lectins — a type of protein found in grains, beans, and other plant foods. Some claim that lectins can cause autoimmune symptoms or disorders like MS, but there’s no evidence to support those beliefs.
In addition, most lectins in foods are inactivated by cooking, particularly when the food is cooked in a large quantity of liquid. Since whole grains and beans are almost never eaten raw, and are often boiled in water, the likelihood of anyone eating large amounts of active lectins this way is very low.
Beans are inexpensive, readily available, versatile to cook with, and high in dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins, and various other vital nutrients. They may also help lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy gut.
Whole grains are a great source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like iron and magnesium. What’s more, one analysis of researchsuggested that a low intake of whole grains was a leading dietary risk factor for death and disability.
RELATED: 10 Nutritious Family Dinners to Make With Beans
4. Do Nightshade Vegetables Ramp Up MS-Related Inflammation?
Some people believe that nightshade vegetables — white potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant — cause inflammation because they contain a compound called solanine. This substance is toxic in high concentrations, but it is not dangerous in small doses, such as the amount in a serving of tomatoes in a salad or eggplant in a sautéed dish.
There’s no conclusive evidence to suggest that nightshade vegetables have any impact at all on the MS disease course. These foods are rich in nutrients, making them worthy additions to your diet.
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