Living with MS > Diet
Like everyone, people with MS can benefit from eating a healthy diet.
When combined with appropriate exercise, a balanced diet can help to control weight, decrease fatigue, maintain regular bowel and bladder function, and keep bones and muscles healthy and strong. Many people find that eating nutritionally balanced meals helps to improve their quality of life and sense of well being.
Some people also believe that dietary factors can affect the occurrence of MS relapses and disease progression. However, good scientific evidence for this is limited and caution is therefore recommended in making drastic dietary changes without advice from a dietician or your GP.
Several diet books have been written for people with MS. While each of these diets recommends different changes, all of them suggest eating foods that are low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated oils or essential fatty acids.
The potential benefits of essential fatty acid and Vitamin D supplementation for people with MS are briefly outlined here. For further information on MS and diet you can browse our Library.
Essential Fatty Acids
Some research appears to suggest that MS and other neurological diseases are
somehow related to faulty lipid metabolism. Lipids are fat-soluble molecules (including fats,
essential fatty acids and some vitamins) that have a diverse range of biological
functions, such as energy storage in cells.
The available evidence does seem to suggest that increasing the amount of
essential fatty acids in the diet has some benefit to people with MS, but there
are some flaws in this research and therefore this link has not been absolutely
proven.
Many people following dietary advice for MS take supplements that contain
omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. Examples of these supplements include
evening primrose oil, fish oil, flax or linseed oil. Essential fatty acids can
also be found in foods such as fish and shellfish, soya oil, pumpkin seeds,
sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.
Vitamin D
Another potential relationship between diet and MS concerns Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential for the health of the immune system. It is found in foods
such as oily fish and liver and is also produced in the body through exposure to
sunlight.
Some evidence suggests that a lack of Vitamin D may play a role in the
development of MS, possibly by affecting the way the immune system functions.
This research focuses mainly on the higher prevalence of MS in countries that
have lower levels of exposure to sunlight, such as Scotland and some
Scandinavian countries. However, there are other important factors that are also
common to people from these countries that may explain this higher rate of MS,
including genetics and diet.
Even though the link with MS disease is not proven, increasing the intake of
Vitamin D is supported by some healthcare professionals as it plays a role in
the absorption of calcium. Calcium is required for healthy bones, so making sure
you get enough Vitamin D1 in your diet or as
a supplement may be of particular benefit to people with MS who are less active
and have lower sunlight exposure.
Seek Dietary Advice!
If you are considering changing your diet, it is recommended that you find out as much information as you can so that you will continue to achieve the nutritional balance you need. It is also important to discuss your plans with any other people that may be affected, as any long term dietary changes will be more successful if you have the support and understanding of your partner and family.
A Dietician can help you to plan any dietary changes and give advice on a healthy diet that will benefit you and your family. A referral to a Dietician can be made by your GP or MS Field Worker.
1 The recommended daily intake of Vitamin D is 200IU or up to 1,000IU for older adults with limited sunlight exposure.
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