According to a new study, ketogenic diets may be safer for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). People on a diet with MS may experience less fatigue, depression and improve quality of life.Also read – Remo D’Souza’s wife Liezel lost 40 kg in 2 years, everything about her weight loss journey from intermittent fasting to KETO diet
Ketogenic diets include meat, fish, eggs, heavy cream, butter, oil and starch-free vegetables such as pea pods, carrots, broccoli and peppers. The study was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Also read – A new study says that these ‘popular’ diets do more harm than good to your health
The author of the study j. Nicholas Brent said: “The ketogenic diet, which is high in fat, high in protein and low in carbohydrates, allows the body to use fat as its primary source of energy instead of sugar, thus mimicking the state of fasting. , “Study author J. Said Nicholas Brent. , MD of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. Also read – Ketogenic diet for weight loss: works best in small doses but harmful in the long run
“Ketogenic diets help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and improve seizure control in people with epilepsy. However, it has not been well studied in people with MS. Dietary modification can be a cheap way to improve overall health, so our study found that eating a ketogenic diet is safe, tolerable and beneficial for people living with MS, “he added.
The study enrolled 65 people diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. Relapsing-remitting MS is the most common form of the disease, characterized by flare-ups of symptoms and then by a period of remission.
Study participants used a ketogenic diet for six months. They were advised to take two to three ketogenic meals daily with one to two servings of low-carbohydrate protein such as eggs, fish or meat with two to four teaspoons of fat, such as butter, oil, avocado, ghee or heavy cream. , And one to two cups of non-starchy vegetables such as cucumbers, leafy greens or cauliflower.
Snacks were also allowed as long as participants adhered to a maximum daily carbohydrate allowance of 20 grams. Dietary observations were monitored by daily urine tests to measure ketones, the metabolites produced by the body when it was burning fat. A total of 83 percent of participants followed a diet for the entire study period.
Participants completed tests and surveys before the start of the diet and again at three and six months to measure disability levels and quality of life while on the diet.
In the quality of life survey, participants were asked questions, “Did you have a lot of energy in recent weeks?” “Do you feel tired?” “Are you a happy person?” And “Do you feel frustrated and blue?” The survey gives scores for physical and mental health that can range from zero to 100, with higher scores representing physical and mental health.
At the beginning of the study the participants had an average physical health score of 67 while at the end the average score was 79. At the beginning of the study the participants had an average mental health score of 71 while at the end the average score was 82.
The general MS disease progression test also improved scores. On a scale of zero to 10, with a score representing one disability, two representing the minimum disability and three, moderate disability but still able to walk, the average participant’s score at the beginning of the study was 2.3 compared to 1.9 at the end. In the six-minute walking test, participants averaged 1,631 feet at the beginning of the study, compared to 1,733 feet at the end.
The researchers also took blood samples and found that there was an improvement in the levels of inflammatory markers in the participants’ blood.
“Our study provides evidence that a ketogenic diet may indeed be safe and beneficial, reducing some of the symptoms for people with MS when used over a six-month period,” Brent said.
“However, more research is needed because of the potential risks associated with ketogenic diets, such as kidney stones, digestive problems and nutrient deficiencies. It is important that people with MS consult their doctor before making any major changes to their diet and ketogenic. When on a diet they are regularly monitored by a physician and a registered dietitian, “he added.
The limitation of the study was the lack of a control group of people with MS who consumed their regular, non-ketogenic diet.
The study was supported by the National Center for Advanced Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health and the ZMS Foundation.
(With ANI inputs)
