September 17, 2016

I recently posted about the clinical trial comparing the Wahls and Swank diets on fatigue associated with Multiple Sclerosis.

Well, and I am pleased to say, that there are more clinical trials currently underway examining the impact of diet on people with MS. This is a quick summary and some links. In future I hope to delve a little deeper into some of the research and pose some questions of my own.

Clinical Trial of Dietary Approaches to Treating MS Fatigue This is the trial discussed in my previous blog. It commenced in August 2016 with results expected in 2020. Conducted by University of Iowa in conjunction with Dr Terry Wahls, this study is funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and will compare the impact of two popular ‘MS diets’ on fatigue: Wahls (modified palaeolithic) and Swank (low saturated fat/rest). Question: Would there be benefit in having a control group against which to compare both diets?

Intermittent calorie restriction in MS

Clinical Trial identifier NCT02647502. This trial is conducted by John Hopkins University and will look at fatigue and functional assessment of multiple sclerosis against a control group. The trial will be run over 48 weeks with completion date estimated at March 2017. In the words of the study: “This is a pilot trial of testing two caloric restriction (CR) diets versus a control diet in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients: one continuous caloric restriction (CR) diet where a small number of calories will be restricted every day or another intermittent CR diet where a caloric intake will be restricted more severely 2 days per week.” Question: Is it a general reduction in calories? Will diet be predominantly protein? carbohydrates? fats? Where will energy come from?

Caprylic Triglyceride for treatment of MS cognitive impairment

Clinical Trial identifier NCT01848327

• As of 15 September, this trial is currently recruiting** However patients with Hypothyroidism, B12 deficiency and / or diabetes are excluded.

Conducted by University of Miami and Accera Inc, this study considers the impact of glucose being converted into energy efficiently on decreased cognitive functions. In the words of the study: Glucose (a type of sugar) is used to fuel the cells of the healthy brain. For people with neurological conditions such as MS, glucose is not converted into energy as efficiently as it would be in a healthy brain, which can lead to a decrease in cognitive function. Caprylic Triglyceride may work to bypass this problem by providing an alternative energy source that is metabolized in the liver and used by the brain

The study commenced in 2013 and runs until March 2017. Question: As fatigue is a major symptom of thyroid and B12 deficiency, it would be interesting to see this trial expanded to patients with MS and other auto immune diseases.

Impact of dietary salt on immune functions with patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical Trial identifier NCT02282878

• As of 15 September, this trial is recruiting ** However patients with other auto immune diseases are excluded

Conducted by Yale University, this study looks at relationship between high salt intake and Th17 cells and MS.

In the words of the study: This study primarily tests the hypothesis that higher dietary salt intake will be associated with a higher frequency of pathogenic Th17 cells and impaired function of protective regulatory T cells. If a relationship between dietary salt intake and immune function is observed, this study will also test: a) whether this relationship is unique to MS subjects or whether it is also present in healthy controls, and b) whether healthier immune function can be restored by restricting dietary salt intake.

The study is expected for completion in January 2017. Question: Again, it would be interesting to test the intake of salt on a range of patients with multiple auto immune diseases.

But wait, surely there are more?

My intention is to track the progress of research, so if you know of more diet / MS related research, let me know. Got questions we should be asking?
Dont be shy - the worse they can do is ignore us.