There have been many theories, many avenues that scientists have trod in search of the cause of MS, with the hope that this knowledge could lead to an eventual cure for the disease.
Long History of Diet Recommendations
One well-trod road has to do with the diets of people with MS. There have been many recommendations over the years for dietary changes, one of the earliest being the Swank diet, which recommends a low fat intake and no red meat for the first year of following the diet. Though I stick to intermittent fasting myself, it is as much for weight control as it is for any possible MS benefit. Still, “it can’t hurt” is my feeling about most MS diets.
Gut Microbiome Current Focus of Research
Much of the current research has been focused on the gut microbiome when it comes to diet and multiple sclerosis. New research published on March 17, 2020, in the Journal of Clinical Investigation suggests that how the body of a person with MS treats the food we eat may be more of a factor than what we eat. The study found that people with multiple sclerosis have lower levels of bile acids circulating in their blood. These acids are produced in the liver and aid fat absorption in the gut. They also appear to block inflammation and nerve cell damage in the brain. Research into experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), often referred to as “the mouse model” of MS, showed that increasing levels of bile acid reduced MS-like symptoms in mice with EAE.
New Trial of Bile Acid Supplementation Starting
The findings are so intriguing that the National MS Society has funded a trial into whether taking oral bile acid supplements may help people with MS. The question of bile supplementation helping ease MS symptoms in human patients is one we’d all like to know the answer to as soon as possible. However, it appears that the COVID-19 pandemic may slow down enrollment and the start of the next phase of research. Still, if you are living in the Baltimore area and are interested in taking part in this study, 60 people with MS are required for the study to begin. Wishing you and your family the best of health. Cheers, Trevis
