Review article
DIET IN THE TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
MILJENKA JELENA JURAŠIĆ
; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology, Reference Center for Neuroimmunology and Neurogenetics of the Ministry of Health, Zagreb, Croatia
IRIS ZAVOREO
; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology, Reference Center for Neuroimmunology and Neurogenetics of the Ministry of Health, Zagreb, Croatia
LUCIJA ZADRO MATOVINA
; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology, Reference Center for Neuroimmunology and Neurogenetics of the Ministry of Health, Zagreb, Croatia
NEVENA GRBIĆ
; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology, Reference Center for Neuroimmunology and Neurogenetics of the Ministry of Health, Zagreb, Croatia
VANJA BAŠIĆ KES
; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology, Reference Center for Neuroimmunology and Neurogenetics of the Ministry of Health, University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb and Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osi
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, lifelong disease. It affects many functional central nervous system segments, thus posing great burden on those facing the disease. It is, therefore, not surprising that many MS patients consider changing their dietary regimen or adding some dietary supplements in order to alleviate and sometimes remove some of the disease symptoms. Appropriate nutrition is one of the three keys to health, along with physical activity and strong psychological stamina. Aim: Our aim was to search through scientifi cally published papers for medically valid data in order to provide the best medical advice for both physicians and patients in search for the most utilized dietary regimens in MS patients. Methods: We performed extensive MEDLINE search and included recent references (dating from the year 2000), since we believed the most recent data to carry the most relevant and updated information. Results and Discussion: Dr. Roy Lever Swank is defi nitely a pioneer in dietary changes infl uencing MS, who came up with the fi rst specifi c diet plan for MS patients. The main paradigm is low saturated fat intake, increase in unsaturated fat intake, plenty of protein and dietary supplements in high doses, the fi rst year on diet being very strict. Since then, several different dietary regimens have been established, sometimes proposing rather opposite food choices, thus making expert consensus on the best dietary approach impossible. In this review, we will mention several other dietary regimens, i.e. paleo diet that is seclusional towards all grains, legumes and cow’s milk; Wahl’s diet that avoids gluten, milk products and eggs with many dietary supplements; non-gluten diet; McDougal’s diet, basically a vegan diet with low fat intake, high carbohydrate intake and moderate salt intake; overcoming multiple sclerosis (OMS) diet that proposes high fi sh intake, omega-3 and other vitamin supplements; and Ashton Embry diet that prohibits the use of sugar, refi ned and processed food and fruit with high glycemic index. Some special diets are also mentioned, such as ketogenic diet that favors fatty intake four times higher than protein and carbohydrate intake, and detoxication diet that proposes strict dietary regimen to cleanse the body. Additionally, we will mention all frequently used dietary supplements and their doses proposed, among which vitamins B and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids are mostly prescribed by doctors and mostly used among MS patients. Conclusion: MS patient should opt for a dietary plan that is in accordance with personal preferences. Simultaneous addition of dietary supplements in recommended doses is advisable. All these changes should be reported to the neurologist or MS team in charge of the patient. It would be advisable to form a support group in the community, so people could share their concerns and problems along the way. Most importantly, the best dietary plan comes when offered by a dietitian.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis; diet; dietary supplements; EDSS scale; symptoms
Hrčak ID:
208632
URI
Publication date:
16.11.2018.
Visits: 9.197 *