Just a simple diet addition can change everything.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and its prevalence is increasing. It is characterized by a progressive deterioration over time, making it a significant neurodegenerative condition primarily affecting young adults, typically between ages 20 and 40, although it can occur at any age.
The onset of MS is believed to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, including smoking, obesity, and exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light. The disease involves the immune system attacking myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers in the CNS, resulting in lesions that lead to various physical and cognitive impairments such as sensory disturbances, visual problems, coordination issues, and paralysis.
MS presents in different forms, including clinically isolated syndrome, primary progressive MS, relapsing-remitting MS, and secondary progressive MS, with females being twice as likely as males to develop the disease.
Researchers, including those from Università del Piemonte Orientale in Novaro, Italy, have investigated the links between diet, lifestyle factors, and MS risk using data from the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database. They emphasize the gut-brain axis, suggesting that diet influences gut health, which in turn affects CNS health and inflammation levels. They propose that a pro-inflammatory gut environment could heighten the risk of developing MS.
The study analyzed information from over 500,000 participants aged 40-69 in the UK, focusing on their dietary habits recorded through food frequency questionnaires and detailed dietary recalls. The findings revealed that adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, and moderate consumption of fatty fish, was associated with a lower risk of developing MS. Specifically, consuming fatty fish weekly appeared to offer a slight protective effect compared to more frequent intake.
The research also considered additional lifestyle factors such as body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity levels, and history of Epstein-Barr virus infection, all of which were found to impact MS risk. Genetic predispositions related to obesity and childhood obesity were also identified as contributing factors to increased MS risk.
Overall, the study highlights the potential benefits of maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet in reducing the risk of MS onset. It underscores the protective role of specific dietary components, such as fatty fish within a Mediterranean-style eating pattern, in potentially mitigating the risk of developing this chronic neurological condition.
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