A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that a high dietary intake of lean and oily fish may slow the progression of disability in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of the nutrients found in fish could be the key to this beneficial effect, highlighting the potential importance of diet in managing the disease.
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and emerging evidence indicates that diet may play a role in its development. While previous studies have linked fish consumption to lower levels of disability in MS patients, few have investigated whether it could actually slow or lessen the progression of disability over time.
To explore this further, researchers analyzed data from 2,719 newly diagnosed participants in the Epidemiologic Investigation of Multiple Sclerosis (EIMS) study in Sweden. Participants provided information on their consumption of lean and oily fish at the beginning of the study, and their disease progression was tracked for up to 15 years using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
The results showed that those who consumed the highest amount of fish at diagnosis had a 44% lower risk of confirmed disability worsening, as well as a lower risk of progressing to higher disability levels on the EDSS scale. Furthermore, participants who increased their fish intake after diagnosis also had a lower risk of disability progression compared to those who did not change their diet.
The researchers suggest that omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish may contribute to the observed benefits, but they also point out that other factors, such as taurine, an amino acid abundant in fish, could play a significant role. Taurine has cytoprotective actions and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potential therapeutic agent for neurological disorders.
While this study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of fish consumption for individuals with MS, further research is needed to validate the findings and understand the underlying biological mechanisms. Nevertheless, the results underscore the importance of diet, particularly fish consumption, as a modifiable factor that could complement existing therapeutic strategies for MS.
For more information, you can access the full study titled “Impact of fish consumption on disability progression in multiple sclerosis” in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. This research was provided by the British Medical Journal.
