McDougall diet and MS

The McDougall diet is a low-fat, plant-based diet that some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may benefit from. Studies suggest that people with MS may experience improved mood and less fatigue while following the diet.

This diet may also be useful for people with MS because it may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. These are vascular disease risk factors, and cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with a greater burden of brain lesions in people with MS.

However, the McDougall diet is restrictive and excludes several food groups. You may need to plan your meals carefully to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

What is the McDougall diet for MS?

The McDougall diet is based on plant sources of complex carbohydrates and starch. Complex carbohydrates are broken down more slowly by the body than simple carbohydrates. Animal-derived foods, including dairy, eggs, meat, poultry, and fish, are not allowed. Oils, including vegetable oils, are also excluded.

The diet was created by John McDougall, MD, a physician and author.

McDougall proposed that foods commonly eaten as part of a Western diet contribute to chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis. He referred to this idea as “food poisoning.” The diet, therefore, excludes many of these foods, particularly animal-based products.

Although there is some evidence that the typical Western diet is associated with inflammation, which in turn is associated with some chronic diseases, this evidence does not establish whether following a Western diet is linked to MS.

The diet also does not fully align with the American Heart Association’s dietary guidance because it restricts some healthy, higher-fat plant foods, including plant oils.

No single diet is recommended for everyone with MS. Instead, you can speak with your healthcare team to find an eating plan that best meets your individual needs and preferences. A varied, well-balanced diet may be recommended.

How might the McDougall diet affect people with MS?

Research has explored how the McDougall diet may affect people with MS.

A study at the Oregon Health and Science University suggests that people with relapsing-remitting MS who follow a low-fat, plant-based diet for a year may have less fatigue and reductions in weight, cholesterol, and insulin levels.

The one-year study involved 61 participants with relapsing-remitting MS who were assigned either to the diet or a wait-list control group.

Those assigned to the diet received residential training through the McDougall Program and were then monitored for 12 months. Physical checks were done at the beginning of the study and at predetermined clinic visits afterward, while blood tests were performed at certain visits. Brain MRIs were done at the beginning and end of the study.

The diet group ate starchy plant foods, but no meat, eggs, dairy products, or vegetable oils. The control group continued its usual diet. Both groups were encouraged to perform at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity at least five days a week.

The McDougall diet appeared to have no effect on MS disease activity as measured by brain MRI. However, the diet group lost weight, had lower cholesterol and insulin levels during the study, and reported less fatigue.

Plant-based diets may also support a diverse gut microbiome because they are rich in dietary fiber, resistant starches, and polyphenols. These nutrients can promote beneficial gut bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which play important roles in maintaining the intestinal barrier and regulating immune function.

McDougall diet guidelines: Foods to eat and avoid

The McDougall diet is a strictly plant-based diet that focuses on starchy plant foods. If you wish to follow this diet, you cannot eat animal products or oils. McDougall maintained that oils contribute to obesity.

Foods to eat:

• whole-grain breads and pastas
• corn
• white or brown rice
• oats
• barley
• quinoa
• potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• beans
• peas
• lentils
• colorful non-starchy vegetables, such as kale and broccoli
• fruits
• spices
• small amounts of sugar and salt to enhance flavor

Foods to avoid on the McDougall diet include:

• meat
• poultry
• dairy products
• eggs
• fish
• oils, including olive oil, seed oils, and avocado oil
• refined and sugar-coated cereals
• mayonnaise
• coconut
• chocolate
• sodas
• processed foods

Precautions against nutritional deficiencies

The McDougall diet is restrictive and excludes entire food groups. As a result, people following it may need to plan carefully to meet all of their nutritional needs.

Animal-derived foods can provide certain nutrients, such as:

• iron
• vitamin B12
• vitamin D
• calcium
• omega-3 fatty acids

If you are considering the McDougall diet, you may find it helpful to speak with your healthcare team. A registered dietitian can also help you make sure you are getting enough essential nutrients, particularly vitamin B12.

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