Neurology

The impact of ketogenic diet on the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis

🔬 Exploring the Ketogenic Diet’s Impact on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 🧠 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease with a highly variable course, affecting sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. A recent literature survey reviewed 15 research articles exploring the ketogenic diet’s potential benefits for MS patients, encompassing in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies.

Key Findings

Neuroprotective Effects: The ketogenic diet may offer neuroprotective benefits, positively impacting cellular metabolism and disease outcomes.

Symptom Alleviation: Potential to alleviate cognitive and motor symptoms by modulating inflammatory responses and possibly enhancing oligodendrocyte maturation and survival.

Gut Microbiome Influence: The diet might influence the gut microbiome in MS patients, with a notable impact on reducing levels of Akkermansia bacteria, common in MS patients.

Conclusion: While initial findings are promising, larger cohort studies are needed to understand the ketogenic diet’s effects on MS comprehensively. Future research should focus on the interaction between the diet and gut microbiome, and the modulating effects of ketone bodies on microglial cells.