People who reported healthy eating also reported significantly less
disability progression over more than seven years in a study of 603
people with MS. This new study from the University of Melbourne in
Australia is part of an ongoing effort to provide rigorous results on
how lifestyle factors may affect MS outcomes.
Background: Diet
is important in MS, possibly affecting disease activity and immune
function. There is no definitive diet that has been scientifically
proven to be beneficial in changing the course of MS. It is more
challenging to show the benefits of a diet as opposed to a medication –
one reason being that it is difficult to make sure that participants
adhere to the diet. But this kind of research is needed to determine how
people with MS and their health care providers can determine whether
making dietary changes will improve outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne established the HOLISM study
in 2011 - Health Outcomes and Lifestyle In a Sample of people with MS.
This study is looking at the effects of diet and other lifestyle factors
on MS in 2,500 participants who are assessed every 2.5 years. Previous results showed that better diet quality was linked to increased quality of life in this group.
The Study: The investigators analyzed data from 602
participants in the HOLISM study. Diet quality was assessed using a
questionnaire that reported on the types of healthy and unhealthy foods
eaten. Disability progression was measured using a self-reported
assessment of mobility impairments.
Results: People who reported higher quality diets were
significantly less likely to report disability progression after 7.5
years. Responses relating to higher dairy consumption and eating more
fat had the strongest link to increases in disability. Eating more
fruits/vegetables, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and healthier food
choices were also significantly associated with less risk of
progression, but the links were less consistent.
What does this mean? This ongoing study is adding
information needed to help people with MS and their health care
providers understand how diet impacts MS and what changes may improve
outcomes for people with MS. These results in particular show that
maintaining diet quality may be important in reducing disability
progression.
While we do not yet know that a specific diet will help your MS, any
positive changes you make are likely to help your overall health and
well-being.
Learn More…
- Learn how different food plans could affect MS in an article from Momentum Magazine
- Watch a webinar discussing dietary recommendations from the Society’s Ask an MS Expert series
- Get tips and strategies for meal prep from a RealTalk MS podcast
