Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), whose diets were supplemented with probiotics, demonstrated a reduction in the severity of their condition as well as improvements to mental health.
Additional findings of the study also noted a reduction in inflammatory factors, markers of insulin resistance, and cholesterol and oxidation levels.
The findings once again highlight the merits of probiotics as an efficacious treatment for chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cardiovascular disease.
Sufferers have demonstrated a different set of gut flora compared to those of healthy people, but it is unclear whether this is a cause or a consequence of the condition.
Food allergens have also been implicated and MS patients have been advised to avoid dairy, wheat (gluten), soy, chocolate, corn, preservatives and food additives.
Dietary supplements such as omega3 fatty acids have also demonstrated benefits in helping to reduce inflammation and improve immunity.
Vitamin D has also been recognised as a potential contributing factor in the development of MS. Exposure to the sun, coupled with dietary sources during childhood and adolescence, have been linked with a lower risk of developing MS.
Study details
Study details published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition placed 60 MS patients in a randomised doubleblind placebocontrolled clinical trial.
Subjects were placed into one group receiving a probiotic capsule containing the bacterial species, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus fermentum.
The placebo group received a capsule containing starch. Both groups received this experimental treatment for 12 weeks.
In addition, MS severity in the subjects were assessed using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) – a method of quantifying disability and monitoring changes in the level of MS over time. This was done at the start and end of the trial.
Compared with the placebo, probiotic intake was found to improve EDSS ratings as well as depression anxiety and stress values.
In addition, changes in highsensitivity Creactive protein, a marker for inflammation were also observed along with plasma nitric oxide metabolites and malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker for oxidative stress.
“It must be kept in mind that a clinically significant change of the EDSS is defined as a change of 1.0 point or more at EDSS levels,” the study stated.
“However, observed difference at EDSS levels in our study was statistically significant, it was not clinically significant.”
Probiotic food benefits
MS patients are recognised as having a higher risk of disorders including dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol) and insulin resistance.
It has led to a number of noteworthy studies that have used probioticinfused foods to improve the condition of the subject.
Source: Nutraingredients
