November 27, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Vegetable-rich Diet Promotes Bacteria That Fights Inflammation in MS, Study Shows A diet rich in vegetables and low in protein reduced inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients by modulating the gut microbiome and promoting bacteria that helps control a hyper-reactive immune system. The study reporting the findings, āImmunological and Clinical Effect of Diet Modulation of the Gut…
October 25, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #MSParis2017 – As MS Rises Worldwide, Differences Remain Evident Among Regions The numbers of people being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is rising worldwide, though distinct differences in factors thought to drive this rise are evident among regions, according to MS data represented by researchers on patients inĀ Asia, Latin America, and the Australia-New Zealand. The data was part of theĀ session āPrevalence and…
October 16, 2017 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Myelin repair, and Diets High in Fat or Salt Common Allergy Treatment Restores Protective Neuron Coating in MS, Trial Suggests This is the kind of news we all hope to hear. A treatment that will repair our frayed “wires” and, in doing so, restore some of the function that MS has stolen from us. This is…
October 12, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Diet High in Salt Does Not Increase MS Risk, Large-scale Study Suggests A higher intake of dietary sodium, most often in the form of salt, does not increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), Norwegian researchers concluded after analyzing data from more than 175,000 women. Their findings counter earlier evidence from experimental studies in cells and MS mouse models that suggested…
October 12, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Fat Intake Increases Risk of Children with MS Having a Relapse, Study Suggests Diet can play an important role in whether children with relapsing multiple sclerosis have a relapse, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco argue. Their study demonstrated that a diet with a lot of fat increases the risk of a youngster having a relapse by 56 percent, with saturated fat tripling the risk. Eating a lot of vegetables, on the other hand, cuts the risk in half, the team said. Since children with MS tend to have relapses more often than adults, the researchers figured they would be a suitable group to study diet's impact on relapse. They recruited 219 children with relapsing-remitting MS or clinically isolated syndrome from 11 centers across the U.S. Clinically isolated syndrome is a condition that can evolve in MS. The research team use a questionnaire known as theĀ Block Kids Food ScreenerĀ to analyze what the youngsters ate. They tracked the children an average of almost two years, which was plenty of time for relapses to occur. And, in fact, they did occur in 42.5 percent of the group. It turned out that fat had a particularly devastating effect on the youngsters' relapse rate. For every 10 percent increase in energy intake that came from fat, there was a 56 percent increase in the children's risk of having a relapse. Saturated fats were the biggest driver of risk. When researchers look only at these fats, they discovered that the risk more than tripled. Examples of saturated fats include processed meats such as sausages, ham, and burgers, butter,Ā hard cheeses, and whole milk. Vegetables had the opposite effect on risk, the researchers observed. Using a cup equivalent as a standardized measure, they learned that for every additional cup of vegetables the children ate, the risk of a relapse dropped in half. To exclude the possibility that other factors influenced the results, the team included information about age, sex, ethnicity, duration of disease, body mass index, treatment, and D-vitamin levels in their analyses. This did not influence the results. The team also looked at whether other food components, such as sugar, iron, fruit and fiber, would affect the risk of relapse. They did not find any links. Although the risk associations were strong, the researchers cautioned that the study's observational design meant that it was not able to prove that fat causes relapses. But there are several ways that fat could play a role in disease processes, they argued. For instance, high fat intake triggers the release of inflammation-promoting molecules. It also affectsf gut bacteria that are linked to immune processes. Vegetables lower the risk of inflammation and immune problems, the team said. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Kathryn Fitzgerald of theĀ Johns Hopkins School of MedicineĀ said the study had important limitations. Researchers gathered information on the children's diet only in the week before they enrolled in the study. This might not adequately capture more long-term dietary patterns, she said. And fat is not simply fat, she pointed out, arguing that fish oil is believed to help MS patients. Although the California research offers insight, she called for long-term studies to define diet's role in MS.
October 2, 2017 News by Ana Belo van Wijk, PhD MS Patients with Poor Diets, Little Exercise Report Higher Pain Levels in Study A clear association was seen between the substantial pain that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience and lifestyle choices that either augment or ease that pain, like smoking habits, exercise, and diet and weight, researchers in Australia report. Common co-morbidities associated with MS, such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue, were also…
August 11, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Children and Teens with Multiple Sclerosis Consume Less Iron, Study Reports Children with multiple sclerosis consume less iron, which may affect their immune and nervous systems, according to a study. Most MS cases occur between the ages of 20 and 40, but sometimes children under 18 develop it. Pediatric-onset MS, as it is called, is believed to account for 3 to 5 percent of cases that adults have now. Despite their low frequency, they are important because "the study of factors early in life which could affect their disease may provide important insight into the disease more generally," the researchers from the Network of Pediatric MS Centers wrote. One of the factors that could be important in the onset of MS is diet. But little has been known about how diet influences the risk and progression of the disease, particularly in pediatric MS. In a study funded by the National MS Society, researchers decided to investigate the association between diet and MS in children, according to a press release. The team recruited 312 MS patients 18 and younger from 16 children's hospitals in the United States, and 456 controls without MS. The participants, or their parents, answered a questionnaire dealing with the participants' medical history, their physical development, and whether they were exposed to potentially harmful environmental factors. The questionnaire also covered demographic information and race. Researchers used the Block Kids Food Screener questionnaire to obtain information about the participants' diets, including their intake of fiber, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and iron. The analysis showed no meaningful link between the consumption of fiber, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products and children's development of MS. Children with the disease did have lower iron intake than the controls, however. Although in this exploratory study researchers didnāt look at whether there was a cause-and-effect relationship between iron and MS, the results suggested that children with the disease may be less likely to consume iron, a fact that warrants further investigation. Iron is a vital mineral for our body to function properly, and low iron intake may affect the immune and nervous systems. Future studies on the risk of children developing MS should "investigate the role of specific vitamins and minerals," the team said. They should also "investigate the influence of dietary factors on disease outcomes in already established" cases of MS.
July 14, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD High Levels of Pro-Inflammatory Immune Cells in Intestines May Promote MS Activity, Study Reports People with multiple sclerosis have high levels of pro-inflammatory TH17 immune cells in their intestines that correlate with change in the micro-organism mix in their gut and the levels of their disease activity, a study reports. Researchers said the findings suggest that diet, probiotics and therapies that regulate TH17 cells could help treat MS. Probiotics are supplements containing beneficial bacteria. The study, āHigh frequency of intestinal TH17 cells correlates with microbiota alterations and disease activity in multiple sclerosis,ā was published in the journal Science. Research has shown that TH17 cells, also known as T helper 17 cells, play a role in the development of MS. In fact, they were the first harmful immune T-cells to infiltrate the central nervous system, according to studies in animals Where TH17 cells become activated has been unclear, however. Studies in mice suggested it was mainly in the small intestine. Research has also indicated that their activation increases the potential for a person to develop an autoimmune brain disease like multiple sclerosis. An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system, which defends the body against disease, decides that a person's healthy cells are foreign, and attacks those cells. Researchers decided to see if the findings in mouse models of MS applied to people with the disease. They discovered a link between higher levels of TH17 cells in MS patients' intestines and autoimmune brain problems. They also found a correlation between higher levels of TH17 cells and changes in patients' gut microbiome. The team then identified which bacteria were changing in the gut. Patients with increased levels of TH17 cells and higher disease activity had a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes bacteria and more Streptococcus strains in their gut, particularly Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis. Previous studies have shown that these species promote TH17 cell differentiation in humans. Cell differentiation involves a cell transforming from one cell type to another ā usually a more specialized type. This dramatically changes a cell's size, shape, metabolic ā or fuel-burning ā activity, and responsiveness to signals. Some studies have suggested a link between T-cell differentiation and brain autoimmune diseases. āOn the basis of our findings, we speculate that, under certain conditions, or because of still unknown virulence factors, these Streptococcus strains can colonize the small intestine and favor TH17 cell differentiation in the human gut mucosa [linings],ā researchers wrote. In addition to more Streptococcus bacteria, the team detected lower levels of Prevotella bacteria in MS patients with disease activity than in healthy controls or patients with no disease activity. This decrease may also promote TH17 cell differentiation because āPrevotella is capable of producing the anti-inflammatory metabolite propionate that limits intestinal TH17 cell expansion in mice," the researchers wrote. Overall, the team concluded that āour data demonstrate that brain autoimmunity is associated with specific microbiota modifications and excessive TH17 cell expansion in the human intestine.ā The findings suggest that regulating TH17 cell expansion, along with changes in diet aimed at regulating intestinal linings, could be ways to help treat MS.
June 30, 2017 Columns by Jamie Hughes Go, Go Avocado! I donāt normally go in for trends. For example, I donāt own a single pair of skinny jeans. Iāve never tried a Unicorn Frappuccino. Iām not on Instagram or Snapchat. I didnāt participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge. And I refuse to use the words ādoggo,ā āpupper,ā…
June 19, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Highlights Diet, Lifestyle Research Focusing on Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis The National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) SocietyĀ has selectedĀ research highlightsĀ from a recent MS conferenceĀ in an effort to help make living with the disease less burdensome. Presentations from the May 24-27Ā annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) in New Orleans ā which ranged fromĀ advice on smartphone apps to diet…
May 24, 2017 Columns by Cathy Chester Is There a Link Between Gut Bacteria and Multiple Sclerosis? The past year has taken its toll on my digestive system. Iāve experienced alarming amounts of pain, bloating, diarrhea, and more fatigue than I normally experience from MS. All of these issues caused great stress both emotionally and physically, so it was no surprise when my…
March 1, 2017 Columns by Tamara Sellman No MS Diet Miracles for Me, Thank You I’ve spent a lot of time latelyĀ around people following special diets. They’re either voluntarily cutting carbs, counting calories, following a diet plan, or fasting, but not because they have a medical condition. Mostly they dietĀ to feel better, lose some weight, or reset their metabolism. I wish them well, even as…
January 9, 2017 News by Janet Stewart, MSc Paleolithic Diet Improved RRMS Patients’ Quality of Life, Study Shows A modified Paleolithic diet reduced fatigue and increased the quality of life of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a study shows. The diet may also reduce inflammation by increasing vitamin K levels, the researchers said. The study, āRandomized control trial evaluation of a modified Paleolithic dietary…
August 31, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Lifestyle May Impact MS Disability, Study Suggests Previous studies have pointed toward certain lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sedentary behavior, and stress as possible key determinants in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression but few studies have been dedicated to learning more about theĀ impact of lifestyle risk factors on patient disability and disease progression. AĀ recent study supports the…
August 12, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Pilot Study Finds Fatigue, Mood in MS Patients Improved by Low-Fat, Plant-Based Diet Though approved therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) exist,Ā the disabling disease remains currently incurable leading to greater interestĀ for promoting healthier lifestyles that could ease or slow disease impacts such asĀ hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease which increase progression of disability, brain injury, and atrophy. In fact,…
July 25, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Gut Bacteria and Multiple Sclerosis: What We Already Know, and What We’ve Still to Learn Gut bacteria and health have been topics of considerable scientific speculation in recent years,Ā and the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) research is no exception. But what do we really know about MS and our intestinal inhabitants? A review,Ā āEmerging Concepts on the Gut Microbiome and Multiple Sclerosis,āĀ published in…
July 21, 2016 Columns by admin ‘My Super Diet Cured My MS! Buy My Book!’ There seems to be general agreement that achieving and keeping an overallĀ level of good health is very important for people living with multiple sclerosis, or with any chronic illness for that matter. And one way to reach that goal, many will say, is to eatĀ a healthy, well-balanced diet. Itās at…
June 2, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #CMSC16 – Lifestyle Factors and Unconventional Medicine in MS Care A symposium focused on lifestyle factors and unconventional medicine as part of the clinical care provided to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) took placeĀ today at theĀ 2016 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC). The symposium, “Expanding the MS Toolkit: Integrating Lifestyle Factors and Unconventional Medicine…
May 11, 2016 Columns by Elissa Holzman The YOU Diet and Multiple Sclerosis There are lots of so-called āMS dietsā out there, each one claiming to ease the difficulties of living with MS. This, despite the fact that neurologists donāt often address nutrition when discussing disease management with their patients. Why is diet so rarely discussed by medical practitioners? And why hasnāt there…
May 11, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Diet Plays a Role in MS Progression Through Its Impact on Astrocytes, Researchers Say Dietary habits and the composition of the gut flora canĀ influenceĀ neuroinflammation and affect the outcome of neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published in the journalĀ Nature MedicineĀ and titled “Type I interferons and microbial metabolites of tryptophan modulate astrocyte activity and central nervous…
April 22, 2016 Columns by Elissa Holzman My Top 5 Multiple Sclerosis Food Hacks I just picked up a T-shirt that says, āEat Well and Travel Often.ā It was obviously made just for me. Traveling to new places and seeing new things is something I enjoy tremendously. And enjoying delicious meals makes me feel pampered and cared for. But since I canāt travel to…
February 10, 2016 Columns by Elissa Holzman My MS Diagnosis (How I Got Here) Elissa Holzman is an MS Health Coach who specializes in nutrition and a healthy lifestyle for supporting those with the disease. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005, which led her to pay closer attention to how she treats her body. In her new column for Multiple Sclerosis News…
October 30, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Group Expands into the United States Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS), a non-profit organization that promotes a program based on a scientifically tested diet and lifestyle management with the goal of improving the health status and quality of life of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), recently announced that it will expand into the United States. OMS…
September 30, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Provides Update on Wellness for Multiple Sclerosis Patients According to the National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ (NMSS), a high priority for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is to achieve an overall feeling of well-being, or “wellness.” Increasingly, peopleĀ with the disease want to know how can they feel their best, and if lifestyle interventions can affect the course of their…
September 1, 2014 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Consumption of High Amounts of Salt May Worsen MS Symptoms, Study Suggests A diet high in salt can worsenĀ multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) symptoms, as well as increase the risks ofĀ neurological deterioration, according to an observational study led byĀ Mauricio Farez, from theĀ Universidad del SalvadorĀ in Buenos Aires, Argentina and recently published at theĀ Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry,Ā entitled, “Sodium intake is associated with…