Poor Gut Health May Drive Multiple Sclerosis — But a Better Diet May Ease It
, 2023-01-23 23:34:14,
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It is characterized by damage to the myelin, which is the protective sheath that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. MS causes a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, difficulty with coordination and balance, numbness or tingling in the limbs, chronic pain, fatigue, and difficulty with speech and vision.
Scientists from the Department of Neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School have traced a previously observed connection between the gut microbiome, made up of tiny organisms in the digestive system, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Their research, conducted using genetically modified mice and human subjects, supports the idea that changes in diet, such as increasing fiber intake, could potentially slow the progression of MS. The team is now working to evaluate the impact of dietary interventions on MS patients.
“Unhealthy dietary habits such as low fiber and high-fat consumption may have contributed to the steep rise of MS in the US,” said Kouichi Ito, an associate professor of neurology and senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Immunology. “In nations where people still eat more fiber, MS is far less common.”
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…
,
To read the original article from news.google.com, Click here
