Effects of different dietary interventions in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review of evidence from 2018 to 2022

ABSTRACT

Background

Nutrition is an important risk factor for both Multiple sclerosis (MS) development and post-diagnosis disease prognosis. However, it is important to evaluate the diet as a whole instead of considering the effects of nutrients individually.

Aims

In this systematic review, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of different dietary interventions in MS patients and to determine the most appropriate dietary model for this group.

Methods

The search was carried out between February 2022 and March 2022 in three different databases, ‘PubMed’, ‘Web of Science’ and ‘The Cochrane Library’ over the university access network. After the search for the determined keywords, a total of 269 studies conducted between 2018 and 2022 were identified, but only 17 of them were found to be suitable for inclusion criteria.

Results and conclusion

Although there are studies reporting positive health outcomes for energy-restricted/intermittent fasting diets, ketogenic diet, and modified paleolithic diet, these diets may not be applicable diets in the long-term as they may cause deficiencies of various nutrients. No current study was found for low-fat diets, gluten-free diet and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet applied to individuals with MS. The Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, is more recommendable than other diet models due to the positive health results reported in long-term studies and the absence of any side effects. However, more studies are needed to reach a definite conclusion.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Mediterranean diet
• MIND diet
• intermittent fasting
• low-fat diets
• ketogenic diet
• Wahls diet
• Gluten-free diet

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statements

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [BA], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Büşra Atabilen

Büşra Atabilen works as a research assistant in the Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Medical nutrition therapy in diseases, enteral and parenteral nutrition are among her area of expertise.

Yasemin Akdevelioğlu

Yasemin Akdevelioğlu is a professor at Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutritional biochemistry, reproductive health and nutrition are among her area of expertise.