Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease that destroys the central nervous system and can affect all parts of the body. The relationship between diet and MS is controversial. However, anecdotal evidence has shown that a low-fat diet combined with omega-3 fatty acid supplements may benefit people with MS.
Dietary Fat
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) says individuals with MS should follow general population guidelines for a low-fat diet. Federal guidelines recommend a diet that contains 20 to 35 percent of daily calories from fat and less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fats, which is equal to 66g of fat and 22g of saturated fat a day on a 2,000 calorie diet. A healthy diet should limit high-fat foods because dietary fat in excess contributes to obesity and other chronic health problems. Dietary fat is found in oil, butter, lard, shortening, meat fat and chicken skin. Foods high in fat include cream, cheese, desserts and pastries, ice cream, fast food, mayonnaise, creamy salad dressings and soups, sausage, bacon and margarine.
Swank and McDougall Diets
The Swank and McDougall Diets were created to treat MS. The Swank Diet was invented by Dr. Roy Swank in the 1940s. Health Central says it is particularly low in saturated fats at less than 15g a day. The Swank diet restricts products that contain added shortening, butter, margarine or oil, mayonnaise, processed meats and red meat. Permissible foods include non-fat dairy products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fat-free condiments, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, seafood, herbs, spices and nut butters.
Dr. John McDougall developed the McDougall Diet for people with MS. The McDougall Diet is a vegetarian diet that excludes all animal products and oil. According to the NMSS, the McDougall diet aims for less than 10 percent of calories from fat.
Research
Harvard School of Public Health researchers published a study in December 2000 in the “American Journal of Epidemiology” about diet and MS that tracked over 180,000 women for 4 to 14 years. Researchers documented 195 new cases of MS during the study and determined that there is no correlation between total fat intake, types of fat and the risk of multiple sclerosis. A February 2005 article from “Multiple Sclerosis” by researchers at the University of Heidelberg concluded that inadequate evidence exists to confirm a relationship between diet and MS.
On the other hand, Dr. Roy Swank published a study in July 1990 in “Lancet” that positively linked a low-fat diet and MS. The “Lancet” study followed 144 MS patients for 34 years. MS patients who consumed less than 20g of fat a day where found to be healthier and have a lower death rate than those who consumed more than 20g of fat a day.
Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil. The NMSS says preliminary studies have shown that omega-3 supplements benefit people with MS, but there is still a lack of scientific evidence to support its use in treating MS. Individuals with MS should consult a physician prior to taking omega-3s because they are not federally regulated and may cause side effects.
Considerations
The NMSS says special diets for MS have limited scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Many diets for MS have not been tested by controlled studies, and those that have been studied have had mixed results. The NMSS advises people with MS to eat a well-balanced diet that adheres to federal dietary guidelines. A well-balanced diet includes eating foods from all food groups in moderation with emphasis on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins.
References
- “American Journal of Epidemiology”; Dietary fat in relation to risk of multiple sclerosis among two large cohorts of women; S.M. Zhang, et al.; December 2000.
- “Lancet’; Effect of low saturated fat diet in early and late cases of multiple sclerosis; R. L. Swank, et al.; July 1990.
- “Multiple Sclerosis”; Multiple sclerosis and nutrition; S. Schwarz, H. Leweling; February 2005.
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Nutrition and Diet
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: The Omega-3 Factor
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