Nutritional interventional studies in patients with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review of the current clinical evidence

Associations between Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Notably, whether nutritional habits and lifestyle, such as the MD, may positively affect the disease progression are still unknown, while the currently available therapeutic approaches have not revealed any validated evidence on nutrition status and lifestyle [52,53]. Although the potential positive effects from any dietary pattern in MS have still not been proved, it is well-recognized that malnutrition may exacerbate MS symptoms' severity [54,55]. Recently, we found that a higher MD compliance was significantly associated with a lower incidence of disease disability and symptom severity, depressive symptoms, anxiety behavior, perceived stress, inadequate sleep quality, cognitive impairment, and low physical activity levels in older individuals with MS [54,55].…”

“…Although the potential positive effects from any dietary pattern in MS have still not been proved, it is well-recognized that malnutrition may exacerbate MS symptoms' severity [54,55]. Recently, we found that a higher MD compliance was significantly associated with a lower incidence of disease disability and symptom severity, depressive symptoms, anxiety behavior, perceived stress, inadequate sleep quality, cognitive impairment, and low physical activity levels in older individuals with MS [54,55]. Although there are currently several dietary patterns, including the MD, and specific food components with high bioactivity, which seem to slow down disease progression and improve MS symptoms, there are also some conflicting results, while most of the existing studies enrolled a small number of MS patients [56].…”

“…On the other hand, a singleblinded, parallel-RCT conducted on 120 patients with MS clearly indicated that nutrition counseling and support may significantly improve anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, nutrient intake, and adequacy[68]. Although the possible positive effects from any healthy nutritional pattern in MS have still not been completely confirmed, it has been well-recognized that malnutrition may potentially exacerbate MS symptoms' severity[51,55].In this aspect, we recorded that elevated MD compliance could exert beneficial effects against disease disability and symptoms' severity in individuals with MS. More to the point, the present study has supported evidence that patients with higher MD compliance exhibited a more than 2-fold lower prevalence of being overweight or obese, also presenting a more than 2-fold lower frequency of abdominal obesity. Notably, lower MD adherence was associated with a 2-fold higher prevalence of advanced disease disability.…”