Many special diets have been promoted in recent years which have purported to ease or even cure MS symptoms. Diet is a notoriously difficult area to research (largely due to complexities with recording accurate data) and there has been limited objective research published to date on specific diets to improve MS symptoms. Many PwMS (50-75% according to research published by The MS Trust) alter their diet after diagnosis to 'be more healthy', 'feel better' or to try to regain a sense of control in the face of an unpredictable disease; all great reasons to make some improvements.
But do they - or don't they - work? We have to base conclusions on the available evidence but much of the efficacy research produced around some of these diets are unfortunately:
i) very small; a handful of people sometimes
ii) often published by the authors of the programme themselves (hence lack of 'objective' data)
iii) non-existent!
As mentioned earlier, every scientist would like to publish research showing that 'their' diet works for PwMS; my cynical brain thinks that this might be a little too easy, however often when there is not 'convincing evidence' available it just means that there isn't enough research carried out into on it to publish a consensus. Some authors publish compelling conclusions showing that their diet 'works' and many PwMS swear by the diets as a means of managing their disease and have reported positive results.
There are a couple of factors to consider here:
1) The diets may genuinely work as a healthier eating pattern for some people; as is reported no two people experience the disease in exactly the same way so it is probable that it will make some people feel better. However to reiterate the point I made in the introduction to this site, we're not talking about disease progression or overall prognosis.
2) Many of these diets are exclusion-type diets which remove items deemed unhelpful to the disease by the authors (eg dairy, meat, saturated fat and processed items) and increase the intake of fruit and vegetables: general population research in people without MS shows that increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the diet can improve the overall diet-quality and therefore people will likely feel better within themselves.
3)There is also the question that if you didn't focus on eating a particularly healthy diet previously then by making improvements, you would naturally likely feel better within yourself.
4) Everyone responds differently to everything that is put into their body. Some people will respond well and see great results from making changes; others may not. Do whatever works best for you.
Considering the hypotheses around certain nutrients including saturated fat, animal products, processed (junk) foods it is easy to see why some diets have gained such a following; diet is such an easy thing to change so who wouldn't want to on the basis of 'try it and see'? However it must be stated again that the current recommended diet by health professionals in the UK for PwMS is the general Eatwell guidelines.
If you do decide to follow these, or any other exclusion-type diet please consult a dietitian to ensure that the diet will provide you will enough of the essential nutrients. We have explored some of the more popular diets reported to be beneficial for PwMS within this section.
You have to do whatever works for you and makes you feel at your best while managing this disease.
But do they - or don't they - work? We have to base conclusions on the available evidence but much of the efficacy research produced around some of these diets are unfortunately:
i) very small; a handful of people sometimes
ii) often published by the authors of the programme themselves (hence lack of 'objective' data)
iii) non-existent!
As mentioned earlier, every scientist would like to publish research showing that 'their' diet works for PwMS; my cynical brain thinks that this might be a little too easy, however often when there is not 'convincing evidence' available it just means that there isn't enough research carried out into on it to publish a consensus. Some authors publish compelling conclusions showing that their diet 'works' and many PwMS swear by the diets as a means of managing their disease and have reported positive results.
There are a couple of factors to consider here:
1) The diets may genuinely work as a healthier eating pattern for some people; as is reported no two people experience the disease in exactly the same way so it is probable that it will make some people feel better. However to reiterate the point I made in the introduction to this site, we're not talking about disease progression or overall prognosis.
2) Many of these diets are exclusion-type diets which remove items deemed unhelpful to the disease by the authors (eg dairy, meat, saturated fat and processed items) and increase the intake of fruit and vegetables: general population research in people without MS shows that increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the diet can improve the overall diet-quality and therefore people will likely feel better within themselves.
3)There is also the question that if you didn't focus on eating a particularly healthy diet previously then by making improvements, you would naturally likely feel better within yourself.
4) Everyone responds differently to everything that is put into their body. Some people will respond well and see great results from making changes; others may not. Do whatever works best for you.
Considering the hypotheses around certain nutrients including saturated fat, animal products, processed (junk) foods it is easy to see why some diets have gained such a following; diet is such an easy thing to change so who wouldn't want to on the basis of 'try it and see'? However it must be stated again that the current recommended diet by health professionals in the UK for PwMS is the general Eatwell guidelines.
If you do decide to follow these, or any other exclusion-type diet please consult a dietitian to ensure that the diet will provide you will enough of the essential nutrients. We have explored some of the more popular diets reported to be beneficial for PwMS within this section.
You have to do whatever works for you and makes you feel at your best while managing this disease.
Sources:
MS Trust (2014) Diet Factsheet
MS Trust (2014) Diet Factsheet
