The Impact of Coconut Oil and Epigallocatechin Gallate on the Levels of IL-6, Anxiety and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Background: Due to the inflammatory nature of multiple sclerosis (MS), interleukin 6 (IL-6) is high in blood levels, and it also increases the levels of anxiety related to functional disability. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) decreases IL-6, which could be enhanced by the anti-inflammatory effect of high ketone bodies after administering coconut oil (both of which are an anxiolytic). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of coconut oil and EGCG on the levels of IL-6, anxiety and functional disability in patients with MS. Methods: A pilot study was conducted for four months with 51 MS patients who were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received 800 mg of EGCG and 60 mL of coconut oil, and the control group was prescribed a placebo. Both groups followed the same isocaloric Mediterranean diet. State and trait anxiety were determined before and after the study by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In addition, IL-6 in serum was measured using the ELISA technique and functional capacity was determined with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the body mass index (BMI). Results: State anxiety and functional capacity decreased in the intervention group and IL-6 decreased in both groups. Conclusions: EGCG and coconut oil improve state anxiety and functional capacity. In addition, a decrease in IL-6 is observed in patients with MS, possibly due to the antioxidant capacity of the Mediterranean diet and its impact on improving BMI.

Protective Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) in Diseases with Uncontrolled Immune Activation: Could Such a Scenario Be Helpful to Counteract COVID-19?

“…Moreover, several studies promoted the association between EGCG (300 µg, 2/die, by oral gavage, for 50 days) and other natural products, such as glatiramer acetate in EAE model [ 36 , 37 ], or coconut oil in MS patients [ 38 ]. In all these studies synergistic effects of the combination therapy were registered.…”

“…In all these studies synergistic effects of the combination therapy were registered. EGCG and glatiramer acetate can improve the expression of both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and beneficial cytokines in CNS [ 36 ], and promote an increase in HO-1 expression level [ 37 ], whereas, in MS patients, EGCG (800 mg/die, orally, for 4 months) plus coconut oil improved anxiety and disability by decreasing IL6 serum level [ 38 ]. The clinical trials using EGCG in MS patients are shown in Table 1 .…”

Nutrition and Fitness: Mental Health

“…The Special Issue “Nutrition and Fitness: Mental Health” of Nutrients includes four original articles [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ] and three systematic reviews [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The first original article assessed the interconnections between specific quality of life domains (assessed with Short Form-36 [SF-36]) in 716 consecutive female and male patients with obesity and high or low physical performance using an innovative statistical analysis based on network approach [ 6 ].…”

“…The third original article randomly allocated 51 patients with multiple sclerosis to 800 mg of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and 60 mL of coconut oil or placebo for four months [ 7 ]. Both groups followed the same isocaloric Mediterranean diet.…”

“…The study found several positive effects of the intervention on energy intake, macronutrient selection, and body composition changes, with a significant reduction of body mass index and body fat percentage, but no significant differences of exercise type. The study also confirmed that individuals allocated to a long-term exercise program associated with dietary advice do not increase their energy intake in a compensatory fashion.The third original article randomly allocated 51 patients with multiple sclerosis to 800 mg of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and 60 mL of coconut oil or placebo for four months [7]. Both groups followed the same isocaloric Mediterranean diet.…”