Will the Mediterranean Diet Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients? There are studies on this

According to Medical News Today, the results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, which was held for the 75th time.

The researchers explained that the study was conducted on a group of 563 people with multiple sclerosis. Participants were divided into 3 groups depending on how much they followed the principles of the Mediterranean diet. Each of the subjects was subjected to tests that assessed the level of their thinking and memory. It turned out that almost 20 percent of test participants had cognitive impairments.

The most important finding of the study is that patients who strictly followed the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet had a 20 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment than those who did not pay special attention to the diet. In a press release, the author of the study, Dr. Ilana Katz Sand of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, a member of the American Academy of Neurology, confirmed this.

Medical News Today also cites nutritionist Megan Pendleton as saying that oxidative stress plays a major role in multiple sclerosis by causing cell damage and neurodegradation. And the Mediterranean diet should provide the body with biologically active substances that protect against oxidative stress.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet has become a symbol of health. For many years, he has topped the rankings compiled by world-famous experts in the field of medicine and nutrition.

The breakthrough came in 1958-1964 when a survey of seven countries was carried out. His idea was to find a universal diet that is acceptable to most of society and at the same time reduces the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Why was this diet so popular? This has been associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease, both in Europe and North America. The study involved people from Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Finland, Japan, and the United States. The key point was that these groups were diverse, including in terms of lifestyle and eating habits.

The study has revolutionized the way we think about diet. He showed that the greatest weapon in the prevention of heart disease is a diet that limits the consumption of animal fats and replaces them with vegetable fats. This diet was mainly used by the inhabitants of Greece (Crete) and southern Italy. Since then, the style of eating called “Mediterranean diet” has been synonymous with health.

The properties of the Mediterranean diet make it recommended not only for healthy people, but also for those suffering from various diseases such as hypertension, cancer and heart disease. Thanks to scientists in New York, we now know that it is also beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis.

What do we eat on the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet (several times proclaimed the healthiest diet in the world) is characterized by the fact that in everyday nutrition it includes a high content of:

• vegetables, including leafy greens, mostly fresh,

• bean seeds,

• whole grain products,

• fresh fruits,

• fish and seafood (at least twice a week),

• fat in the form of olive oil,

• nuts.

In addition, this diet uses a lot of greens and sour-milk products, eggs and poultry meat. Moderate consumption of red wine is allowed.

The Mediterranean diet should avoid: processed foods, white bread, gravy, red meat, animal fats, carbonated drinks, sweets and fast food.

National Health Foundation Nutrition Guidelines for MS Patients

In Poland, it is difficult to find dietary recommendations for patients with multiple sclerosis. In the National Health Foundation’s patient guide, we only read that dietary modification is not currently used as a separate treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the use of a healthy, balanced diet, smoking cessation and physical activity adapted to the patient’s capabilities support the healing process.

“Take care to maintain proper body weight. Overweight and obesity do not contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis. If you are not sure if your diet is healthy and balanced, consult a dietitian. You can also take advantage of diets developed by experts. On the Diety NFZ website, you can choose and personalize your diet based on your nutritional preferences and health conditions.

What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord. Its cause is not fully known. Treatment is usually based on relieving symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease.

It is called the “disease with a thousand faces”, which means that the spectrum of symptoms is very wide. According to the National Health Foundation, the most common symptoms are:

• visual disturbances that occur suddenly (for example, blurred vision, double vision, decreased visual acuity, impaired color perception, pain in the eyeballs, scotoma, nystagmus),

• sensory disturbances (tingling, numbness, stabbing pain, feeling of electric current running through the spine and limbs),

• chronic fatigue,

• cognitive disorders (problems with concentration, memory),

• balance disorders (dizziness, lack of coordination),

• bladder and bowel problems (urinary incontinence),

• movement disorders (paresis),

• speech disorders,

• muscle spasticity,

• sexual disorders (reduced libido, impotence),

• experiencing neuropathic, psychogenic, inflammatory or mixed pain.