Healthy Diet Tied to Less MS Disability

Healthy eating appears to be linked with reduced disability in people with all types of MS, according to analysis of their self-reported dietary habits and disability levels, researchers found.

A large cross sectional survey of almost 8,000 people with MS in the North American Research Committee on MS (NARCOMS) Registry found that, compared to people with the least healthy diet, those with the healthiest eating habits had 20% lower risk for severe versus mild disability (P=0.002 for trend), according to Kathryn C. Fitzgerald, ScD, of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues.

The researchers also found 18% lower risk for severe versus mild depression after adjusting for disability status (P=0.01 for trend), they reported online in Neurology.

Respondents were divided into five groups based on their 2015 responses on the dietary screener questionnaire (DSQ). The healthiest diet included more fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, less sugar in desserts and drinks, and less red meat and processed meat. Dairy was not included due to its differing health effects, due for instance to saturated fat content. Results were significant after controlling for health-related factors such as age, MS duration, body mass index, income, and smoking.

Past or current exposure to any of 19 special diets, including MS-specific (Swank, Wahls) and popular diets (Mediterranean, Paleo, gluten-free) was associated with a modest 11% reduction in the odds of increasing disability (P=0.009).

“People with MS often ask if there is anything they can do to delay or avoid disability, and many people want to know if their diet can play a role, but there have been few studies investigating this,” said Fitzgerald.

READ MORE

MS Views and News provides Multiple Sclerosis education, information, resources and services that will benefit many affected by MS.