Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to damage in the brain and spinal cord. While the exact cause of MS is still unknown, emerging research suggests that the gut microbiome may play a key role in the development and progression of the disease.
The gut microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and influencing various aspects of human physiology, including metabolism, immune function, and inflammation.
Recent study have shown that alterations in the gut microbiome, typically induced by a Western diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS and other autoimmune diseases. This is because the Western diet can lead to intestinal inflammation, disrupt the gut barrier function, and trigger systemic inflammation, all of which have been linked to the development and progression of autoimmune diseases like MS.
In contrast, dietary strategies that promote a healthy gut microbiome, such as the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to have potential benefits for individuals with MS. The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, nuts, legumes, and olive oil, which collectively promote microbial diversity and gut homeostasis. Additionally, extra-virgin olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, contains mono-unsaturated fats and phenols that offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation and protect against neurodegeneration in MS.
Moreover, intermittent fasting (IF) may be an effective diet for weight loss in patients with MS, and may be associated with improved emotional health. In people with MS, an intermittent CR diet was associated with reduction in memory T cell subsets and certain biologically-relevant lipid markers. IF has emerged as another promising dietary strategy for individuals with MS. Studies have shown that IF can have protective and therapeutic effects in MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). These effects are partly attributed to the changes in the gut microbiome induced by fasting, which may help regulate immune responses and reduce inflammation in the central nervous system. Some early studies suggest intermittent fasting might improve MS symptoms by calming the overactive immune response that damages nerves. It sounds promising, but more research is needed. Meanwhile, fasting isn’t a mainstream treatment, which includes disease-modifying drugs and steroids.
Fasting can help repair myelin . This is because during the fast, the disease-causing immune cells are essentially stopped and killed off. When normal feeding is resumed, normal immune cells and the myelin-producing oligodendrocytes are regenerated.
On the other hand , a Omega 3 study shows that Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplementation have many benefitial effects regarding to MS patients specifically and human body in general. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils supplementation can affect the level of inflammatory markers, relapsing rate, quality of lifeand the progression of MS disease as seen in the recentreviewed studies. Omega-3 fatty acids can aid as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for MS. These acids can assist in forming cell membranes and making them more pliable. They can also reduce overall inflammation and help protect the integrity of the myelin sheath of neurons. A protein called Mfsd2a, which transports molecules that contain omega-3 fatty acids, is essential for regulating cells that make the fatty coating on nerve fibers, or myelin sheath, that’s damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), a study indicates
The studies showed that 4 gm of daily omega-3 supplementation or fish oil is recommended. However, the effectiveness of this dose or supplementation varies depending on many factors especially the progression and disease status before starting the supplementation.
Overall, the research on gut microbiome-modulated dietary strategies in EAE and MS is still in its early stages, but the evidence so far suggests that promoting a healthy gut microbiome through dietary interventions like the Mediterranean diet and intermittent fasting may have potential benefits for individuals with MS. Future studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects and to explore the feasibility and efficacy of incorporating these dietary strategies into clinical practice for MS management.
