4 Common Myths About Multiple Sclerosis and Diet – Everyday Health

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may wonder whether trying a certain diet or eliminating a certain food group from their diet can ward off MS symptoms like fatigue or cognitive decline, or even change the course of the disease entirely.

Its no wonder: Special diets, supplements, and even food-sensitivity testing are routinely touted online as ways to substantially lessen MS symptoms or even beat or cure the disease. Sometimes these recommendations are made by medical doctors, sometimes by practitioners of complementary or alternative medicine, and sometimes simply by individuals who feel better after changing their diet.

As a registered dietitian nutritionist with relapsing-remitting MS who counsels other people with MS about diet, Ive encountered many myths about the role of diet in managing this disease.

In most cases, theres little to no evidence that the recommended dietary change has any effect on MS. And worse, some of these changes can make it harder for you to get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

Here are some of the most common myths Ive come across and the truth about each one.

Many so-called MS diets discourage dairy products.

One of the reasons given for this advice is the assertion that dairy is inflammatory a claim thats been widely debunked. A review of studies published in May 2019 in the journal Advances in Nutrition showed that including dairy in ones diet was not associated with inflammation among people without any health conditions or among those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

When it comes to MS in particular, any theory suggesting a strong connection between MS and dairy products has not been sufficiently tested, which means theres no evidence that consuming dairy has any effect on MS.

Another theory related to dairy products, called molecular mimicry, suggests that butyrophilin a protein found in cows milk and in foods like cheese, butter, chocolate, and ice cream may mimic part of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. This is the component of myelin thought to initiate the autoimmune reaction in MS.

But this theory is based only on animal studies and has not yet been tested in human clinical trials so theres no need to avoid butyrophilin protein unless you know youre allergic to it.

Finally, some have suggested that people with MS are more likely to be lactose intolerant meaning they lack an enzyme needed to digest lactose, the natural sugar in milk and that therefore eating dairy products causes them uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

But lactose intolerance is not an inflammatory process and is not mediated by the immune system. And there has been no evidence to suggest that people with MS are more likely to be lactose intolerant. Its important to speak to your doctor if you have the symptoms mentioned above, as they can have multiple causes. Lactose intolerance is only one potential cause.

The truth is that low-fat dairy foods are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D,nutrients that play an essential role in bone health. This is especially important for people with MS, who have an increased risk of fractures, according to research published in June 2012 in the journal Neurology.

In addition, consistently getting enough vitamin D in your diet may be associated with less frequent or severe MS symptoms, as well as a better quality of life, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Why opt for low-fat over high-fat dairy foods? The key nutritional difference between the two is the fat content, all of which is saturated fat. People only need this nutrient in small quantities each day (10 percent of your daily calorie intake, according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans). And regularly eating too much of these fats may be associated with high cholesterol and heart disease.

If you abstain from dairy for any reason, such as lactose intolerance diagnosed by your doctor, make sure that your dairy alternatives contain added calcium and vitamin D to help protect your bones.

RELATED: More Evidence Links Vitamin D Deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis

You may have heard warnings to avoid gluten a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley if you have MS. These are often anecdotal reports that gluten makes some people with MS feel worse and avoiding gluten helps them feel better. In addition, many people assert that gluten is associated with inflammation in the body in general.

However, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society(NMSS) states that theres no clear relationship between gluten and MS, and not everyone with MS is gluten-intolerant.

Harvard Medical School adds that theres no compelling evidence to show that eating a gluten-free diet will prevent disease or improve your health, in general, unless you have celiac disease an autoimmune disease that inhibits proper digestion of gluten.

Something else to consider gluten-free foods are often the most refined foods on the market. Theyre not fortified in the same way that conventional foods are.

What does that mean? Unnecessarily avoiding foods that contain gluten may deprive you of valuable nutrients like fiber, which helps support gut health and bowel regularity.

Some diets include recommendations that people with MS to avoid foods that contain lectins a type of protein found in grains, beans, and other plant foods. Some claim that lectins can cause autoimmune symptoms or disorders like MS, but theres no evidence to support those beliefs.

In addition, most lectins in foods are inactivated by cooking, particularly when the food is cooked in a large quantity of liquid. Since whole grains and beans are almost never eaten raw, and are often boiled in water, the likelihood of anyone consuming large amounts of active lectins this way is very low.

Beans are inexpensive, readily available, versatile to cook with, and are high in dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins, and various other vital nutrients. They may also help lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy gut.

Whole grains are a great source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like iron and magnesium. Whats more, a systematic analysis of alarge, global study published in April 2019 in the journalThe Lancet suggested that alow intake of whole grains was a leading dietary risk factor for death and disability around the world in 2017.

RELATED: 10 Nutritious Family Dinners to Make With Beans

Some people believe that nightshade vegetables white potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant cause inflammation because they contain a compound called solanine. This substance is toxic in high concentrations, but it is not dangerous in small doses, such as the amount in a serving of tomatoes in a salad or eggplant in a sauted dish.

Theres no conclusive evidence to suggest that nightshade vegetables have any impact at all on the MS disease course. These foods are rich in nutrients, making them worthy additions to your diet.

That said, its worth remembering that MS is a complex disease. And if you have MS along with another chronic disease (known as a comorbidity), it becomes even more complex meaning inflammation and pain can arise from a variety of causes. A nightshade food may (or may not) be the culprit.

If you find that eating specific nightshade vegetables causes pain symptoms for you, dont eat them. But consider each nightshade vegetable individually. Just because one kind triggers pain doesnt mean they all will.

And be sure to speak with your doctor to rule out other potential health problems before removing foods from your usual eating pattern.

According to the NMSS, theres no scientific evidence that any particular diet alters the MS disease course, or that certain foods are harmful to all people with MS.

That said, some evidence suggests that making certain dietary changes may yield overall health benefits for people with MS, when practiced over time.

According to a study published in September 2016 in the journalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, following a diet rich in plant foods and low in fat may be tied to improvements in fatigue, cholesterol levels, and body mass index. These are dietary changes anyone can make.

A growing body of evidence also indicates that the most effective way to maintain good health when living with MS may be indirectly by managing (or preventing) chronic comorbid health conditions, such as diabetes, by maintaining good glucose control, fat levels in the blood, and blood pressure.

Areview article published in October 2017 in the journalNeurotherapeutics indicates that poorly managed comorbidities are associated with an increase in disability and a decrease in quality of life among people with MS.

So, eating well is an essential part of living well with MS. But it doesnt mean eliminating foods unnecessarily or following unproven diets because you have MS.

RELATED: Healthy Eating Habits for Multiple Sclerosis

Low-fat dairy products, whole grains containing gluten, beans and other legumes, and nightshade vegetables are quite nutritious, and unnecessarily removing them from your meals can result in nutritional deficiencies.

Eating for good health generally can help you improve your quality of life and decrease your risk of disability.

When planning your meals, opt for a balanced and flexible eating pattern that consists of the following foods:

Be sure to limit saturated fats, sodium, added sugars, and highly refined foods. And avoid trans fats entirely.

If you need help planning a healthy diet, I recommend consulting your doctor or a registered dietitian nutritionist who is well-versed in MS.

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4 Common Myths About Multiple Sclerosis and Diet - Everyday Health