You may be able to cut your risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) by up to 50 per cent if you eat a healthy diet that’s rich in vegetables, legumes, eggs, poultry and fish, according to new Australian research.
A new study, published in the today, shows a link between eating a greater amount of healthy foods and having a lower risk of MS.
The researchers made the finding after investigating whether or not there was an association between dietary patterns and the risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination – a common precursor to the disease.
We were intrigued to see whether diet and food intake also played a significant role in this.
of the central nervous system where the myelin (fatty insulating sheathes protecting nerve fibres) becomes damaged and scarred.
As a result, it impairs how well nerves conduct impulses. MS can affect a person's motor, sensory and cognitive functions.
“There are a number of known environmental risk factors for MS, including low vitamin D status and low sun exposure, smoking, and a history of glandular fever,” says the study’s lead author, Dr Lucinda Black from the School of Public Health at Curtin University. “We were intrigued to see whether diet and food intake also played a significant role in this.”
The researchers reviewed dietary intake data from the Ausimmune Study performed in Brisbane, Newcastle, Geelong, the western districts of Victoria, and Tasmania.
They identified two major dietary patterns. One diet was high in poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables and legumes. Sharing similar characteristics to the Mediterranean diet, this pattern was deemed ‘healthy’ by the study’s authors.
The second pattern was labelled ‘Western’ as it was high in meat and full-fat dairy but low in whole grains, nuts, fresh fruit and low-fat dairy.
The study’s authors then assessed whether these two dietary patterns impacted the chances of having a demyelinating event, which involves damage to the myelin sheath that protects the nerves.
We found that a higher intake of healthy foods, such as vegetables and fish, was associated with a lower risk of MS, with around a 50 per cent reduced risk in those who had the highest intake of healthy foods, compared to those with a much lower intake.
The authors found that there was no valid association between eating a Western diet and reducing your risk of MS, but they did notice a significant reduction in risk when people consumed a healthy diet.
“We found that a higher intake of healthy foods, such as vegetables and fish, was associated with a lower risk of MS, with around a 50 per cent reduced risk in those who had the highest intake of healthy foods, compared to those with a much lower intake,” says Dr Black.
“This finding is especially relevant to those who currently consume low amounts of these foods.”
estimates more than 25,000 Australians have MS and approximately over 10 Australians are diagnosed with MS every week. Across the world, MS affects about 2.5 million people. But MS is more prevalent in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
According to , relapse rates of MS varies with latitude. “People in higher latitudes (further from the equator) have increased incidence and prevalence rates of MS compared to people at lower latitude,”
There is also no known cure for MS. acknowledges that although there are many studies recognising a link between MS and diet, none have conclusively confirmed that particular foods or dietary changes can help reduce MS symptoms or prevent the condition in every person.
As MS is a condition that currently cannot be cured, it is important to provide accurate advice to people who are at a higher risk of getting the condition, as this could help to improve their lifestyle and diet.
Even still, Dr Black is hopeful that this new research could help to improve people who are at a high risk of developing MS to modify their diets and possibly delay or prevent the onset of the disease.
“As MS is a condition that currently cannot be cured, it is important to provide accurate advice to people who are at a higher risk of getting the condition, as this could help to improve their lifestyle and diet,” Dr Black says.
“We found that there is a strong need to improve nutrition education currently available for people at high risk of MS onset, as this may be beneficial in helping them follow a healthy diet and potentially reducing their risk of MS.”
If you are living with MS, please consult your neurologist or GP for advice on diagnosis, symptoms and treatment.
