How palm oil triggers neurodegeneration in MS

A new study has revealed that palm oil can harm mitochondria, sparking inflammation in the brain. Using an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS) called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), researchers found that a diet high in palm oil made the disease more severe in mice.

The research team explained, “We believed that inside neurons, palm oil is broken down into a harmful substance called C16 ceramide by enzymes known as CerS5 and CerS6. This ceramide damages mitochondria, cutting off the energy supply that neurons need to fight brain inflammation. We wanted to see if disabling these enzymes could protect the neurons.”

Their findings were promising. By genetically deleting CerS5 and CerS6 in neurons, they were able to prevent neurodegeneration in the MS model, even when the mice were fed a diet high in palmitic acid, a component of palm oil. The researchers concluded, “This reveals a metabolic pathway where certain dietary fats can worsen MS symptoms.”

This discovery is significant for people living with MS, healthcare providers, and scientists working on the disease. It underscores the impact lifestyle choices, like diet, can have on MS and offers new insights into managing symptoms. The study also highlights molecules that might one day help reduce diet-related symptom severity.