These diets could help reduce MS inflammation, new review finds

There might be a new way for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) to positively tackle  inflammation, according to a new review paper.

Immune-driven inflammation can damage nerve fibres and surrounding tissues in the brain and spinal cord for those with MS, but what a person eats can influence their overall health. Some studies now believe that certain diets may even help reduce the symptom of inflammation.

A recent review of 13 trials discovered that specific diets helped to reduce a key inflammation marker, called the C-reactive protein (CRP).

Many diet varieties, including intermittent fasting, Mediterranean-style diets, Palaeolithic diets, ketogenic diets, reduced-calorie diets, and a traditional Iranian diet, were explored but two stood out best.

A modified Mediterranean-style adapting a traditional Mediterranean way of eating by restricting common allergens further like lowering carbohydrates to manage blood sugar or incorporating ketogenic principles to maximise anti-inflammatory effects proved successful. The other, a Palaeolithic diet suggests eating whole, unprocessed foods like lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to reduce chronic inflammation. This also worked well compared with those following comparison diets.

“Given the growing body of research on dietary interventions in MS, the strong interest among [people with MS] in adopting dietary changes, along with the current knowledge gap in understanding the mechanisms of the effect of dietary interventions, this study aimed to systematically review and integrate existing evidence on the effect of dietary interventions compared to control diet on [blood] biomarkers of inflammation in [people with] MS,” the scientists wrote.

For now, though, more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the diet’s full impact on MS. Most of these studies were small and short — the largest included 180 participants, and the longest lasted about 72 weeks, or roughly 1.5 years.

While there is currently not enough evidence to guarantee or recommend any specific diet as best for people with MS, there’s no disputing there are health benefits to gain from the diets mentioned for overall health benefits.

“Moving forward, studies should investigate dietary strategies tailored to maximize anti-inflammatory potential and evaluate them using harmonized protocols, standardized biomarker assays, and longer follow-up,” the scientists concluded.

Future studies “should measure a broad panel of inflammatory markers … and correlate them to patient-reported and clinical outcomes for better understand their contribution to disease progression,” they added.

Why not read more about diets and supplements for people living with MS – check out our Diets and Supplements Choices booklets