There are no official dietary guidelines for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, eating an overall nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health. Read on to learn more about foods to eat and foods to limit or avoid.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that gradually destroys the protective coverings that wrap around your nerve fibers. These coverings are called myelin sheaths.
Over time, this disease can permanently damageTrusted Source your nerves, affecting nerve communication in the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms of MS include:
- fatigue
- tingling
- bladder dysfunction
- movement difficulties and spasticity
- impaired vision
- brain fog
MS is highly complex, and the way the disease progresses varies from person to person. Recent research (Trusted Source) has linked infection with the Epstein-Barr virus as a contributing trigger of MS, but a cure remains to be found.
Although diet cannot cure MS, some research (Trusted Source suggests that making dietary changes can help improve health and reduce inflammation. A balanced diet can make you stronger and healthier, reducing the effects of MS.
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that gradually destroys the protective coverings called myelin sheaths that wrap around your nerve fibers. A cure hasn’t been discovered yet, but diet can help improve health and reduce inflammation.
How does diet affect MS?
Currently, there are no official dietary guidelines, or evidence of any specific diet or dietary pattern for people with MS.
That’s why any dietary guidelines and recommendations for people with MS should aim to improve overall health.
Diet may help with MS in several ways, including:
- preventing or controlling its progression
- reducing flare-ups
Ideally, an MS-friendly diet is:
- high in antioxidants to curb inflammation
- high in fiber to aid bowel movements
- adequate in calcium and vitamin D to address osteoporosis
- high in vitamins and minerals to relieve fatigue and promote wellness
An MS-friendly diet limits foods that have been linked to chronic inflammation and other negative health effects, or those that simply make day-to-day activities more difficult for someone with MS. For example, avoiding ultra-processed foods is recommended, as they are known to cause disease in general.
A 2019 studyTrusted Source involving 20 adults with MS found that certain nutrients, including fish oil, B vitamins, N-acetylcysteine, and CoQ10, may benefit people with mild to moderate MS, potentially leading to better general functioning as well as an improved quality of life and mobility.
The nutrients associated with these positive changes included increased:
- fat
- cholesterol
- folate
- iron
- magnesium
Decreased carb intake appeared to be beneficial.
There’s also preliminary evidence that people with MS are more likely to have deficiencies in some nutrients, including vitamins A, B12, and D3. Researchers suggest that taking certain vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, antioxidants, plant compounds, and melatonin may help improve some symptoms.
Scientists need to do more research before making official recommendations about many of the dietary patterns discussed here.
Summary
There are no official dietary guidelines for MS. While diet cannot cure MS, making certain dietary changes may improve overall health.
Foods to eat
Here is a list of foods to include in an MS-friendly diet:
- Fruits and vegetables: all fresh fruits and vegetables
- Grains: all grains, such as oats, rice, and quinoa
- Nuts and seeds: all nuts and seeds
- Fish: all fish, especially fresh fish and fatty oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, as they’re high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D
- Meats: all fresh meats, such as beef, chicken, lamb, and more, especially beef liver, which is particularly high in vitamin D and biotin
- Eggs: good source of biotin, vitamin D, and other important nutrients
- Dairy products: such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter
- Fats: healthy fats, such as olive, flax seed, coconut, and avocado oils
- Probiotic-rich foods: such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi
- Beverages: water, herbal teas
- Herbs and spices: all fresh herbs and spices
In short, the guidelines