Reported Changes in Dietary Behavior Following a First Clinical Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Demyelination

Abstract

Background/objectivesAlthough the current evidence is insufficient to recommend a special diet for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), dietary advice for people with MS is prolific online and in the media. This study aimed to describe dietary changes made in the year following a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), a common precursor to MS.Subjects/methodsWe used follow-up data from the Ausimmune Study, a multicentre matched case-control study examining the environmental risk factors for a FCD. A total of 244 cases (60 male, 184 female) completed a 1-year follow-up interview, which included a question about dietary changes. We described the number and proportion (%) of participants who reported making dietary changes and the type of change made. We investigated independent predictors of making a dietary change using a multivariable logistic regression model.ResultsA total of 38% (n = 92) of participants at the 1-year follow-up reported making at least one dietary change over the last year. There were no statistically significant independent associations between any participant characteristic and odds of making a dietary change. Of those who made at least one dietary change, the most common changes were increasing fruit and/or vegetable intake (27%, n = 25) and following a low-fat diet (25%, n = 23).ConclusionA considerable proportion of the study population reported making at least one dietary change in the year following a FCD, with the majority of changes being toward a healthier diet. Further research is warranted to investigate the reasons behind any dietary changes adopted by people with a FCD or with MS, and whether making a dietary change has benefits for the progression of demyelinating diseases, e.g., to a diagnosis of MS, as well as for general health and well-being.

Obesity, dieting, and multiple sclerosis

“…The proportion of pwMS making dietary modifications in other studies is higher than in our study, ranging from 17% (Brenton and Goldman, 2016) to approximately 40% (Fitzgerald et al, 2018;Riemann-Lorenz et al, 2016;Russell et al, 2018). This is likely due to differences in study population, design, and dietary assessment.…”

“…This is likely due to differences in study population, design, and dietary assessment. Previous studies included greater representation of white participants (>90%) (Fitzgerald et al, 2018;Russell et al, 2018) and prevalent cases (mean disease duration >7 years) (Brenton and Goldman, 2016;Riemann-Lorenz et al, 2016), and inquired about any dietary change (Russell et al, 2018), whereas we focused on specific diets for weight loss or nutrition purposes.…”

Relevance of Essential Trace Elements in Nutrition and Drinking Water for Human Health and Autoimmune Disease Risk

“…MS risk factors include both genetic [36] and environmental factors such as vitamin D deficiency, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and alterations in gut microbiota [37][38][39]. Several studies have also shown a possible role of metals/metalloids in MS. Unbalanced serum levels of zinc, copper, manganese and iron have been associated with reduced anti-oxidative activity and MS [40,41].…”

Dietary responses to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis: a qualitative study

“…7 The aims of this advice is to improve the wellbeing and sense of control in PwMS. 15 It is estimated that up to 42% of adults across the United States, 15,16 Germany, 17,18 and Australia 19,20 report making dietary changes after being diagnosed with MS, however these changes are not always in line with recommendations and little is known about the reasons for change.…”