Anti-inflammatory eating plus synbiotics improved symptoms in progressive MS

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet and taking symbiotic supplements eased symptoms of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in a small clinical trial.

Participants were randomly assigned to have either an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich diet and a synbiotics supplement, or a placebo alongside their normal diet for the course of four months.

Synbiotic supplements are made up of a mixture of probiotics – good bacteria for the gut – and prebiotics, which are fibres that feed the good bacteria. These supplements were taken every day two hours after lunch. Participants had to record a three-day diet record every month, which was analysed by a dietician to verify adherence to the anti-inflammatory diet, which consisted of 55% carbohydrates, 15% protein and 30% fats, sourced mainly from fish, olive oil and vegetables.

Participants filled in questionnaires to evaluate fatigue, pain, sexual satisfaction, and bladder and bowel control. The diet and supplement group had significant reductions in pain intensity and fatigue from the study’s baseline relative to the control group.

This group also had improved bladder and bowel control, as well as sexual function, whereas some of the placebo group’s symptoms worsened.

“The present findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich diet and synbiotics supplementation in patients with progressive forms of MS,” the researchers wrote. “Given the potential effectiveness of dietary modifications in managing MS, it is crucial to prioritise this aspect for patients. The findings may not be generalizable to people with relapsing MS or healthy people, they said.