Adherence to healthy dietary pattern is associated with lower risk of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background Different studies have confirmed the role of nutritional factors in the etiology of Multiple sclerosis (MS). However, dietary patterns associated with the risk of MS remain unknown. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the existing dietary patterns and the risk of MS. Methods This case-control study was conducted in Mashhad city, Iran in 2015. In total, 197 MS patients and 200 control subjects (matched in terms of age, gender, education level, and body mass index) were enrolled in this study. The required data were collected through interviews and questionnaire completion. Moreover, the data on the usual dietary intake of each participant during the past year were evaluated using a valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (160 items). Logistic regression analysis was applied to discover the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of MS. Results Four major dietary patterns were identified in this study, including Unhealthy, Western, Healthy, and Traditional. After adjustment for smoking habits, the family history of autoimmune diseases and the duration of breastfeeding, the highest tertile of Healthy dietary pattern was found to be associated with the reduced risk of MS by 74% (OR = .26; P < .001), whereas the Unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with a three-fold increased risk of MS (OR = 3.04; P < .001). However, no correlation was observed between the Western and Traditional dietary patterns and the risk of MS. Conclusion According to the results of this study, a healthy diet may reduce the risk of MS, whereas an unhealthy dietary pattern may.

Inverse association between Mediterranean diet and risk of multiple sclerosis

“…Several observational studies regarding the influence of diet on MS risk have considered diet at the time of MS onset or thereafter. [5][6][7][8][9] Some studies found that patients with MS tend to have a less healthy diet compared with controls. 4,5 An Australian study found that patients with a diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination consumed a diet with higher inflammatory index, based on the overall inflammatory effect of the diet, compared with controls.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9] Some studies found that patients with MS tend to have a less healthy diet compared with controls. 4,5 An Australian study found that patients with a diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination consumed a diet with higher inflammatory index, based on the overall inflammatory effect of the diet, compared with controls. 8 MD is based on consumption of high amounts of vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish and other sea food, and the use of olive oil.…”

“…Previous observational studies regarding the influence of diet on MS risk have had limited case numbers and have considered diet at the time of MS onset or after. 5–9 They found that patients with MS tend to have a less healthy diet 5,6 or a more pro-inflammatory diet, 8 compared with controls. However, since dietary changes are likely post-diagnosis, reverse causation cannot be ruled out.…”

Overview of diet and autoimmune demyelinating optic neuritis: a narrative review

“…Diets enriched in added sugars and processed foods corresponded with higher burden of metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity and reduced circulating high-density lipoprotein concentrations among pwMS [140] . Case-control studies corroborated that pro-inflammatory and low antioxidant-containing diets increased MS risk [129,141–144] .…”

“…Numerous MS studies have reported positive impacts of the Mediterranean diet and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND). These dietary patterns and other diets with high intake of fruits and vegetables associated with reduced risk of MS [130,132,142] .The Mediterranean diet reduced fatigue and improved QoL in several trials [154][155][156][157][158][159] , and in a 6-month randomized controlled trial, reduced EDSS progression compared with controls among women with MS [155] . Adherence to the MIND diet associated with thalamic volume in a cross-sectional study among 180 individuals with early MS [133] .…”