Shedding light on diet in MS to improve disease outcomes

Summary

The link between diet and MS is unclear, and available information is contradictory, confusing, and not always based on evidence. This research program will provide new knowledge on diet and MS progression, along with dietary education tailored for MS. People with MS will then be able to make informed decisions about their diet, including food choices and supplement use, to gain better health and wellness outcomes.

The impact of this research could be substantial, since making dietary changes is a modifiable lifestyle factor and something people with MS can easily implement in their daily lives.

Progress to Date

A comprehensive literature review of all available publications about diet and MS over the past 50 years has been conducted. The review revealed gaps in knowledge, particularly in relation to diet and disease progression.

Using data from the AusLong Study, Dr Black and her team have conducted statistical analyses in relation to diet and disease progression, namely time to relapse. Associations between Mediterranean diet, ultra-processed foods and dairy products with disease progression have been investigated. Associations between diet quality and depression, anxiety and fatigue in MS have also been investigated.

Results from these studies are at various stages of publication. Preliminary findings suggest that diet may, indeed, be a factor in disease progression.

The knowledge gained from these results will enable the next stage of the project which is to develop and test an online dietary education program, co-designed by people with MS and MS healthcare professionals, to improve the diet quality and quality of life of people with MS.

Publications

Mannino A, Daly A, Dunlop E, Probst Y, Ponsonby AL, van der Mei I, Ausimmune Investigator Group, Black LJ (2023) Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased likelihood of central nervous system demyelination in a case-control study of Australian adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. May; 77(5):611-614
Dieu R, Dunlop E, Daly A, Lucas RM, Probst Y, Ausimmune Investigator Group, Black LJ (2022) Total dairy consumption is not associated with likelihood of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination. Front Neurol 13:888559
Saul A, Taylor BV, Blizzard L, Simpson-Yap S, Oddy WH, Probst YC, Black LJ, Ponsonby AL, Broadley SA, Lechner-Scott J, Ausimmune/AusLong Investigator Group, van der Mei (2022) Associations between diet quality and depression, anxiety, and fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 63:103910
Russell R, Black LJ, Begley A (2022) Nutrition education programs for adults with neurological diseases are lacking: a scoping review Nutrients 14(8):1577
Saul A, Taylor BV, Blizzard L, Simpson-Yap S, Probst Y, Black LJ, Ponsonby AL, Broadley SA, Lechner-Scott J, Ausimmune/AusLong Investigators Group, van der Mei I (2023) Long-term dietary acid load is associated with depression in multiple sclerosis, but with less evidence for fatigue and anxiety. Mult Scler Relat Disord. Jan; 69:104415
Qu X, Walsh E, Cherubin N, Black LJ (2022) Mapping the Literature on Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: A Data-Driven Approach. Nutrients. Nov; 14(22):4820

Updated: 31 March 2023

Updated: 14 February, 2022

Stages of the research process

Fundamental laboratory
Research

Laboratory research that investigates scientific theories behind the possible causes, disease progression, ways to diagnose and better treat MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 10+ years

Translational
Research

Research that builds on fundamental scientific research to develop new therapies, medical procedures or diagnostics and advances it closer to the clinic.

Lab to clinic timeline: 5+ years

Clinical Studies
and Clinical Trials

Clinical research is the culmination of fundamental and translational research turning those research discoveries into treatments and interventions for people with MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 1-5 years