What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of CNS affecting brain and spinal cord areas. It is a chronic, long-lasting disease that damages the myelin sheath, the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can also have a great variety of neurological manifestations. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord as if they were foreign particles. It causes the body’s immune system dysfunction, which usually fights off and protects from infectious and foreign substances. 

There are a few types of multiple sclerosis that commonly include:

Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS): It is the most common form of multiple sclerosis, characterized by initial relapses and remissions of disease that improve over time.

Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS): The disease progresses more steadily without alternating relapsing-remitting MS.

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS): It is characterized by the progression of symptoms that steadily worsen. 

These relapses progress over hours to days and can have varied manifestations, including loss of vision in one eye or blurred vision due to swelling of the optic nerve, lack of coordination on one side of the body causing imbalance, tingling, and weakness of one part of the body, difficulty walking, or even difficulty talking. These symptoms are often unpredictable and can vary from person to person, causing mild or severe fatigue, weakness, sensory disturbance, cognitive changes, pain, speech problems, swallowing difficulties, and muscle spasms.

The possible causes of Multiple sclerosis include autoimmune disorders, genetic or environmental factors, and any infectious agents like bacteria or viruses.

How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?

For the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, neurologists are likely to take a detailed medical history and examine it to rule out neurological conditions that might cause it and to find evidence of dysfunction of the central nervous system. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, MRI, evoked potential, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis and will often have a lumbar puncture performed to diagnose it.

Treatment:

There is no proper cure for multiple sclerosis, but some treatments can manage disease progression that depends on age, symptoms, and health. It includes

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs): These medications can directly target the central nervous system and reduce the severity of relapses.

Rehabilitation: Some rehabilitation activities, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy, help restore brain functioning.

Some lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management, can help to manage multiple sclerosis.

Diet and Multiple Sclerosis

Diet plays a significant role in managing multiple sclerosis alongside medical treatment. A healthy diet or change in dietary patterns positively affects dealing with numerous sclerosis and improves quality of life. It’s necessary to know what you are eating or drinking and what food you have to avoid during it. Diet has a solid relationship with body weight and cardiovascular risk factors. It is associated with higher levels of MS activity, and it can lead to other comorbidities or health issues such as stroke. Some dietary metabolites including vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids that form proteins, have direct effects on the brain and immune system. There are some nutritional recommendations are given:

• Choose whole grains over refined ones.
• By preparing meals at home.
• Incorporating some colorful fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Prefer lean proteins and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
• Avoid saturated and trans fats.
• Herbs and spices to add flavor to meals.
• Avoid processed or sugary food and beverages in meals.
• Incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods can help maintain a healthy weight.

Vitamin D and MS:

Vitamin D is crucial for regulating the immune system and for its role in multiple sclerosis. Spending time in the sun and being exposed to it is the best source of vitamin D, but a diet containing fortified foods or supplements can help maintain adequate levels. A low vitamin D level is one of the risk factors that may increase the chances of acquiring multiple sclerosis. Sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolk, and fortified dairy products.

Consuming a Calcium rich diet or supplement is necessary because MS patients are at a higher risk of osteoporosis due to mobility issues and the potential use of steroids. 

Personalized Nutrition:

Consulting with a dietitian can help tailor dietary recommendations to individual needs and preferences.

A healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins and minerals, is helpful for managing MS. The following nutrients are beneficial for health. 

Vitamins A, B, and D are crucial for myelin integrity, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain health.

Magnesium and Selenium have antioxidant properties that protect against inflammation and enhance nerve conduction. Zinc: It balances immune responses and protects myelin sheath from damage. 

Omega-3 Fats: It also reduces inflammation and relapsing rates.

The book provided recipes focusing on these nutrients, ensuring meals are sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free to minimize inflammation and improve quality of life. It aims to develop a balanced and nutritious diet to support overall health and well-being. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new dietary regimen, especially when managing chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS).

References

Dobson, R., & Giovannoni, G. (2019). Multiple sclerosis–a review. European journal of neurology, 26(1), 27-40.

Hauser, S. L., & Cree, B. A. (2020). Treatment of multiple sclerosis: a review. The American journal of medicine, 133(12), 1380-1390.

Manjunatha, R. T., Habib, S., Sangaraju, S. L., Yepez, D., & Grandes, X. A. (2022). Multiple sclerosis: therapeutic strategies on the horizon. Cureus, 14(5).

Dighriri, I. M., Aldalbahi, A. A., Albeladi, F., Tahiri, A. A., Kinani, E. M., Almohsen, R. A., … & Altowairqi, F. K. (2023). An overview of the history, pathophysiology, and pharmacological interventions of multiple sclerosis. Cureus, 15(1).