Higher intake of whole grain foods is significantly associated with a lower chance of developing childhood-onset multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study led by Canadian researchers.
Conversely, an overall pro-inflammatory diet, one high in fat and protein, was associated with an increased likelihood of developing childhood-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS), but this association was not significant. It did not reach.
This research “raises the possibility of” [whole grain]”Diets rich in vitamin C, including the Mediterranean diet, may reduce the risk of MS,” the researchers wrote.
The Mediterranean diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and moderate amounts of low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, and red wine. Based on the traditional, healthy dietary choices of people living near the Mediterranean Sea, meal plans are typically low in red meat, animal fat, and processed sugar.
The study, titled “Assessing dietary intake and its inflammatory potential in patients with childhood-onset multiple sclerosis,” was published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
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Exploring whole grain and inflammatory food diets in POMS
POMS (fully pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis) is a form of MS that begins in childhood or adolescence. Patients have a relapsing-remitting disease course, characterized by periods of new symptoms or exacerbations followed by periods of remission, but typically experience more active disease than adults.
Many studies have reported an association between dietary habits and the risk of developing MS. There are also reports that disease activity in POMS may be influenced by diet. However, it remains unclear whether eating more or less inflammatory foods can also affect POMS.
To learn more, a team of researchers from across Canada and the United States evaluated the dietary habits of patients enrolled through the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network. Their study included 38 POMS patients, 45 people with a similar condition called monophasic acquired demyelination syndrome (monoADS), and 48 people without either condition as controls.
All patients were under 18 years of age at symptom onset. At the time of analysis, POMS patients were on average 4 years older than monoADS patients (18.4 vs. 14.4 years), whereas the mean age of control patients was 16.2 years.
Participants were asked to complete a dietary questionnaire, allowing researchers to estimate the impact of diet on inflammation using the Modified Dietary Inflammation Index (mDII).
The score is the sum of the inflammatory index of 25 dietary parameters, including total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, cholesterol, saturated and unsaturated fats, caffeine, and also assesses a number of vitamins and minerals.
In general, red and processed meats, refined grains (such as white flour, bread, and rice), and sugary foods and drinks have high pro-inflammatory scores, while anti-inflammatory dietary options include whole grain foods, fatty fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
Results showed that POMS participants consumed significantly less whole grains and milk than controls and monoADS patients. However, even after adjusting for age at time of survey completion, only higher intake of whole grain foods was significantly associated with the likelihood of developing POMS.
Whether our findings suggest that [whole grain] Can a nutritious diet prevent POMS, or is it intolerable to POMS sufferers? [whole grains] or whether you choose to avoid such foods. [from this study]…Nevertheless, [the] The findings are interesting as a workaround. [whole grains] It can have a negative impact on your overall health.
POMS patients also had higher mDII scores, suggesting a possible association between a more pro-inflammatory diet and higher risk of POMS, although the difference was not statistically significant. This association was not observed in monoADS patients.
“The results of our research [whole grain] Can a nutritious diet prevent POMS or is it intolerable for POMS patients? [whole grains] “Whether they choose to avoid such foods or not, cannot be determined from this study,” the researchers wrote.
“Nevertheless, [the] The findings are interesting as a workaround. [whole grains] This may have a negative impact on overall health,” the team wrote.
Limitations of the study cited by the researchers include the small size of the study and the fact that the questionnaire was completed after the onset of the disease, which could introduce so-called response/recall bias.
The researchers called for further research into the questions they raised about cause and effect.
“This warrants further investigation,” the researchers said, adding that “it would be particularly valuable to confirm the direction of this effect and to examine dietary intake before or around the time of diagnosis.”
