Poor gut health may drive multiple sclerosis, but better diet may reduce it

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In a study from Rutgers University, scientists confirmed a link between microscopic organisms in the digestive tract—collectively known as the gut microbiome—and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Their finding supports the belief that dietary adjustments such as increased fiber may slow MS progression, and they are already working to test the effect of dietary interventions in MS patients.

MS is a degenerative condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves in the brain, spinal cord and eyes.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, it affects nearly 1 million adults in the United States.

Several previous studies have differentiated the microbiomes of MS patients and healthy subjects, but they all noted different abnormalities, so it was impossible to tell what change, if any, was driving disease progression.

In the study, researchers used mice engineered with MS-associated genes to trace the link between alterations in the gut bacteria and an MS-like condition called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

As these mice matured—and simultaneously developed EAE and a gut inflammatory conditioncalled colitis—the researchers found increased recruitment of inflammatory cells (neutrophils) to the colon and production of an anti-microbial protein called lipocalin 2 (Lcn-2).

The study team then looked for evidence that the same process occurred in people with MS and found significantly elevated Lcn-2 levels in the patient stool.

This marker correlated with reduced bacterial diversity and increased levels of other markers of intestinal inflammation.

Additionally, bacteria that seem to ease inflammatory bowel disease were reduced in MS patients with higher levels of fecal Lcn-2.

The study suggests that fecal Lcn-2 levels may be a sensitive marker for detecting unhealthy changes in the gut microbiome of MS patients.

It also provides further evidence that high-fiber diets, which reduce gut inflammation, may help fight MS.

If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.

For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.

The study was conducted by Kouichi Ito et al and published in Frontiers in Immunology.

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