One simple diet change significantly improves Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
It’s easy, too: 97% can do it.
You can start benefiting today, and it doesn’t cost a dime.
This is according to a new study from the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
Led by a team at the University of Sydney, the research had a simple focus:
Would cutting calories a couple of days each week lower levels of a pro-inflammatory molecule called leptin?
Leptin, a hormone linked to body fat, has been found in higher levels in people with multiple sclerosis, and it’s almost certainly involved in disease progression.
They recruited 42 people with multiple sclerosis, of whom 34 completed the study. Participants were divided into two groups: one followed an intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) diet, while the other continued with their usual eating habits.
The fasting group was asked to limit their intake to 500 calories on two non-consecutive days each week, focusing on non-starchy vegetables and non-caloric drinks. On non-fasting days, they could eat normally but were encouraged to watch portion sizes.
The control group, in contrast, continued with their regular diet but was asked to consume at least one to one-and-a-half cups of vegetables daily, ensuring similar vegetable intake across both groups. Participants’ calorie intake, immune response, and cognitive function were monitored at 6 and 12 weeks.
The study yielded three potentially exciting results:
First, the ICR group showed a significant drop in leptin levels compared to the control group. This means that intermittent fasting may help shift the body’s immune response in a way that slows down disease progression.
Second, the ICR group displayed a rise in a type of immune cell called regulatory T-cells, which are thought to play a protective role in multiple sclerosis. These cells help to regulate the immune system and prevent it from attacking the body’s own tissues, a hallmark of these types of autoimmune diseases.
Third, in tests of processing speed, participants in the ICR group showed significant improvement. This suggests that intermittent fasting might not just help with physical symptoms but also boost mental clarity and cognitive function, which is often reduced in patients with this condition.
And this happens to be a fairly easy diet to stick to, with over 97% of their participants managing it over 12 weeks with no side effects.
Finally, the scientific community is opening up to the idea that we can manage, even reverse, MS using diet and lifestyle changes.