A nutritious, well-balanced diet combined with other healthy
lifestyle choices (exercise and refraining from smoking) is the
foundation of good health not only for people with MS, but also for
the general public. Healthy eating includes foods that are rich in
fiber and low in saturated fat, such as lean proteins, whole grains,
vegetables and fruit. The foods you should avoid are just as
important, such as processed foods, as well as those high in sugar
and salt. Eating in this manner helps the body’s everyday functions, promotes optimal body weight and can help
with disease prevention. While there is no specific diet that will prevent or cure MS, there is evidence to
support that eating certain foods and nutrients, and avoiding others, may help a person’s MS symptoms and
disease activity.
A recent study shows that diet can influence the course of inflammatory diseases in two ways. Dietary factors
can directly impact the metabolic process of inflammation in cells. What you eat can also change the mix of
“good” and “bad” bacteria in the digestive tract (the gut microbiome).
A healthy digestive tract is populated by a
great number of microorganisms living in balance. A disruption of this balance can have a significant impact on
one’s health, specifically the chronic, systemic inflammation that occurs in diseases such as MS.
Nutrition is a hot topic in MS research. Many studies reveal an added
benefit for people with MS to the “usual” benefits of adhering to a
healthy diet. For example, there is evidence that sodium (the
primary component of salt) increases MS disease activity. In an bservational study, people with MS who consumed a moderate or high amount of sodium had a higher rate of
relapses and a greater risk of developing a new lesion on MRI than people who consumed a low amount of
sodium. Another study shows that consumption of saturated fats (found in such foods as red meat and full-fat
dairy products) not only increases the risk of developing MS, but is also linked to disease progression. In
addition, a study published in February 2018 found that people who have MS are at an increased risk for heart
problems compared to those who don’t have MS, adding more weight to the conclusion that people with MS
should steer clear of saturated fats, as well as sweetened foods (which also negatively impact heart health). High
sugar intake is also associated with weight gain. Research findings point to obesity as a possible risk factor for
MS. Excess weight can also make it more difficult for those living with MS to be mobile and perform activities of
daily living. In addition, obesity increases fatigue, which is a common symptom of MS. Interestingly, one study
suggests that drinking cow’s milk may be linked to MS prevalence, however these results have not been
confirmed.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, certain foods may affect inflammation,
either positively or negatively. For example, those that may cause inflammation include
fried foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, red meat, processed meat and margarine. Some
anti-inflammatory foods might include tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, fatty
fish, fruits and nuts (especially walnuts). This school of thought suggests choosing the
right anti-inflammatory foods may decrease the risk of illness. Consistently picking the
wrong ones may accelerate the inflammatory disease process.