Several aspects of nutrition warrant consideration when living with Multiple Sclerosis. Some considerations are specific while others are more general in nature. Regardless, attention to one’s diet and micronutrients can assist your body in minimizing the effects of this disease. Additionally, some treatments can result in depletion of certain nutrients which can be assisted with supplementation of key minerals and vitamins. Because MS is a disease that is multi-factorial, diet may indeed have a significant impact not only on the development of this disorder but also on its severity.

There exists a fair amount of research dating back to as early as the 1950’s that describe some correlation between Multiple Sclerosis and the degree of saturated fat intake in one’s diet. In patients with known MS, diets consisting of saturated animal fats greater than 20 grams/day resulted in a significant increase in disability and risk of death. On the contrary, diets less than this degree of saturated fats had much less deterioration. This suggests that individuals with Multiple Sclerosis tolerate saturated fatty acids quite poorly, and diets should focus on low saturated fats as a result. Additional findings suggest that the earlier these dietary changes occur in relationship to the onset of symptoms, the better patients fare.

Dietary factors that have been shown to help manage the severity of MS include linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is found in sunflower seeds and safflower seed, and is known also as Evening Primrose Oil. Supplementing this oil in one’s diet has shown to improve MS symptoms. Research of immune system cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages show that the administration of linoleic acid corrected some known reactions of these cells to immune stimulation. This lends credence to the theory that essential fatty acids are beneficial to patients with MS, while saturated fatty acids are not.

There are several minerals that may play a role in managing the symptoms and progression of Multiple Sclerosis. It is well accepted that when someone with MS develops a concurrent infection, the risk of having an “attack” is much higher thereafter. This is suspected to be the result of having a “spillover effect” meaning that as regular antibodies are stimulated by the infection, so are auto-antibodies that attack the body’s myelin. From evaluations of deficiency states, iron, zinc and magnesium deficiencies all result in a greater susceptibility to infection. Likewise, each of these minerals has been shown to have specific effects on immune tissues and cells when reduced. Paying particular attention to these minerals in the diet or in nutritional supplementation may have clear beneficial effects in reducing the frequency of MS attacks. Iron and zinc have also been reported in some studies to be low in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Another mineral that may help in MS includes molybdenum which affects purine metabolism. Molybdenum promotes the conversion of purine to uric acid. This mineral has been shown to also be low in some persons with MS. Likewise, uric acid is reported to have helped in patients with an experimental version of MS called Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis.

There are several vitamins that play an integral role in the immune system’s function, and may promote better health in preventing MS progression. Of the water soluble vitamins, the most important are Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Folic acid. Being water soluble, these vitamins are less easily stored within the body and require frequent, almost daily, replenishment. Vitamins B6 and B12 are particularly important in nerve tissue function which includes repair. This is important when the body is trying to recover from an MS “attack” and the myelin is trying to be repaired. Also, these cells are involved in the normal development and action of blood cells including lymphocytes. Deficiencies of these vitamins may result in less than optimal function. Vitamin C has long been known to “boost” the immune system and prevent infections and reduce the length of the common cold. Also, in Multiple Sclerosis particularly, immunosuppressive medications and steroids which are used in MS can deplete Vitamin C quickly. Supplementation may aide in avoiding a deficiency state and potential infectious triggers for relapses.

Of the fat soluble vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin D may play important roles in MS. Vitamin A and Vitamin E both are anti-oxidants, and as a result, they can limit the extent of inflammatory damage that occurs by protecting tissues from oxygen free radicals. These are small particles that are by-products of inflammation that could result in further injury to the nerve fiber. Vitamin A also is known to ward off bacterial infections. Issues surrounding Vitamin D are more controversial, but some studies suggest a low Vitamin D levels may result in a higher risk of developing MS. Obtaining adequate amounts in your diet, through sunlight exposure, or in supplements may be helpful.